Chapter 45
The winter chill intensified with each passing day. After several heavy snowfalls, Luce and the snake cubs entered their deep hibernation, leaving the house feeling suddenly quiet and hollow.
Fortunately, Wayne didn't need to hunt during the winter months, allowing him to spend nearly every moment with Euphoria. During these long indoor days, Euphoria rarely kept Bern in his cage. Her routine became a steady rhythm of archery practice, martial arts training, and playing with the little fox.
However, this peaceful sanctuary was shattered in a single afternoon.
Following lunch, Bern was dozing on an animal skin in the outer room while Wayne stepped outside to fletch bamboo arrows. Feeling a bit drowsy herself, Euphoria lay down for a nap. She was eventually startled awake, not by a sound, but by a sudden, biting cold.
