Chapter 10: Of Wolves and Wanderers
Velren continued his meditation. Both of his eyes were closed, and he focused inward, feeling the steady rhythm of his breath—a calming tide ebbing and flowing through him. Inhale... exhale. His ka pulsed gently beneath his skin, circulating through his core and extending to the tips of his fingers and toes. It was like tracing the course of a quiet river, with each of its loop bringing a fleeting sense of warmth and clarity.
For a moment, peacefulness engulfed him—until—
THUD!
"Ow!"
Velren winced, snapping his eyes open as something heavy bounced off his head and landed beside him with a dull thump. Disrupted from his focus, he shot an irritated glare at the culprit.
Standing there, lazily swishing his tail with an expression that was unapologetic as ever, was Sköll.
"Aren't you hungry?" the wolf asked, his tone was far too casual for someone who'd just launched a projectile at someone's head.
Velren rubbed his scalp.
"The hell did you do that for?"
Sköll simply tilted his head toward the object. Velren sighed and turned his attention to the basket lying beside him. Peering inside, he found it filled with an assortment of fruits—plump berries, glistening grapes, and at the very top, a vibrant red apple.
Initially hesitant, he plucked the apple from the pile. Well... might as well. Bringing it to his lips, he took a bite. The sweet juice exploded across his tongue, crisp and refreshing. He paused, savoring the taste.