Black Wolf

“Here is the black wolf mark on Helen,” Mark said as he opened the lid of the wooden box. I glanced furtively out of the corner of my eye, and saw in the box a bloody arm with a triangular spike tattooed on it. The mark stared at me like a malevolent eye, causing me to cover my chest with my left hand. I breathed carefully, trying to calm my fears. “It really is the mark of the black wolf!” Leon glanced at the box, but his face remained unchanged. It seemed as if he was used to seeing these bloody things. “Then you know what to do. Just do it!” Leon ordered Mark in an alpha tone. “Yes, my prince!” Mark closed the lid of the wooden box and left the room, his manner still cold. It was only a few hours since I had last seen him, and he had been able to investigate the poisoning. What was clear was that Mark was a fighter who did not talk much, but was efficient and had earned Leon's trust. At that moment I had lost my appetite and felt sick to my stomach. A few pieces of mutton remained o