Letters
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Poppy’s POV
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It had been a week.
A whole week since I first stepped foot in the werewolf village, since I met Cosmo and Goob and all the others, since I realized how different life could be outside the strict, suffocating walls of the Northern Village.
And yet, even surrounded by warmth, laughter, and the gentle hum of the forest, a piece of me still ached for something someone I had left behind.
I sat by the window of my home, the warm breeze ruffling my bow as I carefully inked my quill, letting the words spill onto the parchment.
---
Dear Brother Shrimpo and Brother Finn,
It’s been a while since I last wrote to you. How are things in the Southern Village? I hope you’re both doing well. I think about you often. I worry.
Ever since Mother’s… choices led to you both leaving, nothing has felt the same. It still feels strange not having you here with me. Sometimes, I wonder what life would have been like if none of it had happened if we were all still together, still a family. But I suppose that’s a foolish thought, isn’t it?
I wanted to write because… I’ve found something here. Something different.
I met someone.
Or rather… I fell in love with someone.
Her name is Scraps. She’s wonderful strong, funny, and kind. She makes me feel safe in ways I never thought possible. I wish you could meet her. I think you’d like her (though, Shrimpo, I fully expect you to be overprotective, so try to behave when you do).
But there’s something else something bigger than just me.
There’s talk here… about the Red Hood.
He’s in the village.
I don’t know why, and frankly, I don’t care. After everything he’s done, he should have never come back. The people here hate him, and so do I.
I haven’t told you this before, but there’s something you need to know.
He hurt Flutter.
Do you remember Flutter? The werewolf Father took in as a pup? The one who used to play with us when we were little? The one who always believed in justice, who always tried to keep us safe?
After their encounter with the Red Hood… Flutter was never the same.
They lost their voice. Their ability to walk properly. We’ve done everything we can to help, but nothing we do ever seems to be enough. And the worst part? The way they look at us now with those sad, empty eyes, like they’ve already given up.
I don’t know what the Red Hood wants here.
But I swear, I won’t let him hurt anyone else.
Write back when you can. I miss you both terribly.
With love,
-Poppy
___
I stared at the words for a long moment before sealing the letter, pressing it briefly against my lips as if that would somehow send my feelings along with it.
With a sigh, I stood, smoothing out my dress before making my way to the door. The moment I stepped outside, I was greeted by the hum of the village maids sweeping porches, merchants setting up their stalls, the scent of fresh bread mingling with the crisp morning air.
I nodded in greeting to the maidens as they busied themselves with their morning chores, offering them a small smile. They returned the gesture, but I didn’t stop to chat. My mind was elsewhere.
The post office wasn’t far, just past the town square. I moved through the streets, careful to keep my head down. The last thing I wanted was to draw attention especially today, especially after writing that letter.
As I approached the post office, I felt my stomach twist.
There was a line.
Normally, this wouldn’t be an issue. But today, standing right there in the middle of that line, was him.
The Red Hood.
And beside him, chatting casually with the postmaster like she didn’t have a care in the world, was none other than Shelly, the famous collector and mechanic.
I stopped dead in my tracks.
Why were they here?
More importantly why him?
I took a slow breath, forcing my feet to move again. Maybe if I kept my distance, maybe if I didn’t make eye contact, I could get in and out before they noticed me.
I adjusted the letter in my grip, clutching it tighter.
Just focus on sending the letter, I told myself. Don’t look at him. Don’t think about him. Don’t remember what he did.
But no matter how much I tried to steady myself, my hands wouldn’t stop shaking.
I told myself to breathe, to focus on the letter in my hands, but it was impossible when he was standing just a few feet away.
Before I could figure out how to avoid them, Shelly turned in my direction, her eyes lighting up the moment she saw me. She nudged the Red Hood Sprout before stepping toward me, her usual confident smile spreading across her face.
"Ah! Sprout, look! It’s the Chief’s daughter of this village. Good morning, Lady Poppy!"
Her voice was warm and friendly, and I could tell she meant no harm.
Still, my stomach twisted.
I forced a polite smile, keeping my gaze firmly on Shelly and not on the figure beside her.
"O-oh! Hello! You must be Shelly, correct? The famous lady who works with machinery and an esteemed collector?"
For a moment, there was silence.
Then..
Shelly let out a loud, excited squeal, practically bouncing on her feet.
“SEE, SPROUT?! People do recognize me!" She beamed, throwing her hands in the air before turning back to me with bright eyes. "Oh my God, you have no idea how nice it is to hear that! I mean, sure, people know me, but usually, it’s just ‘Oh, Shelly, the mechanic!’ or ‘Oh, Shelly, the lady who won’t shut up about gears and artifacts!’ But you actually acknowledged my work as a collector?! I think I love you.”
I let out a small laugh despite myself. Her energy was infectious, even in this incredibly awkward situation.
Shelly gasped suddenly, clasping her hands together. "Wait, wait, do you collect too?! Is that why you know me? Oh my God, tell me you collect! Please tell me you have a rare stash of ancient trinkets hidden away somewhere!"
I giggled, shaking my head. "I don’t collect, no, but my brothers Finn used to be obsessed with your discoveries. While my other brother Shrimpo admires your work, They wrote to me all the time about how incredible your work was. I suppose I picked up some knowledge from them."
Shelly’s eyes shones
"Your brothers are my people! I love them already!" She clutched my hands suddenly, her expression deadly serious. "You must introduce me to them one day. Promise me."
I blinked, caught off guard by how quickly she had latched onto me.
"I I mean, I can’t promise anything. They live in the Southern Village now…"
Shelly gasped dramatically, stepping back. "Southern Village?! Oh, you just keep getting more interesting!"
I felt a small blush creep up my cheeks. Shelly was… a lot. But in an endearing way.
She turned back to Sprout, smacking his arm. "Why didn’t you tell me we had such refined company?!"
He hadn’t spoken the entire time.
I knew.
I had felt him staring.
I inhaled sharply, breaking the moment before I lost myself in it.
I turned back to Shelly quickly, forcing a light laugh, pretending like my heart wasn’t pounding.
"I should, um, send this letter before the line gets any longer. But it was lovely meeting you, Shelly."
Shelly beamed. "Oh! Of course! We can talk more later! I must hear more about your brothers and your village and everything!"
I nodded quickly, stepping past them.
I refused to look at him again.
Not now.
Not ever.
Because if I did..
I wasn’t sure I’d be able to breathe.
---
Sprout’s Pov.
---
As Poppy handed over her letter and walked away, I let out a slow sigh, my fingers tightening slightly at my sides.
I didn’t turn to watch her go.
Didn’t let my eyes follow her as she disappeared into the crowd.
Didn’t let myself think about the way she had avoided looking at me the entire time.
Instead, I forced my focus back to Shelly, who was far too entertained by all of this.
She hummed to herself, rocking on her heels like she had all the time in the world.
Then
“Ahem?”
The woman at the counter cleared her throat, giving us both an expectant look.
“Oh, right!” Shelly stepped forward, grabbing the letter the woman held out.
The envelope was thick, the familiar wax seal pressed into the front.
Vee.
Finally.
We had sent a letter two weeks ago, and this was the first we’d heard back.
Shelly pulled out a small coin pouch and handed the woman a few silver pieces as thanks.
The woman gave a curt nod before turning and disappearing into the back room.
Shelly held up the letter, grinning. “Alright! We finally got a response. Let’s get back before Astro and Dandy lose their minds.”
I nodded, adjusting my hood before stepping outside with her.
The moment we hit the street, Shelly started tearing open the letter.
“You’re gonna read it while walking?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
She waved me off. “Pfft, obviously. What, do you want me to wait until we get back? Where’s the fun in that?”
I rolled my eyes but didn’t argue, keeping pace beside her as she scanned the letter.
As we walked, the weight in my chest lingered.
The feeling of golden eyes watching me.
Avoiding me.
Running from me.
I clenched my jaw, shoving my hands into my pockets as we moved through the village streets.
I had to stop thinking about it.
Because there were bigger things at play now.
By the time we got back to the inn, the air inside felt stale, thick with exhaustion.
The first thing I noticed was Dandy, hunched over a table, rubbing his temples like he’d just lived through a nightmare.
The second thing?
Astro.
Fast asleep, arms crossed, head tilted back so far it was a miracle he hadn’t fallen over yet.
Shelly let out a low whistle. “Wow. You guys look awful.”
Dandy glared at her. “Thanks, Shelly. That really helps.”
I walked over, pulling out a chair and sinking into it. “What happened?”
Dandy groaned. “What didn’t happen? The town council is being a pain, the people are acting weird, and Astro ” He jabbed a thumb toward him. “ nearly got us kicked out of the chief’s office because a kid wouldn’t stop pulling his hood.”
Shelly snorted. “Sounds like a you problem.”
Dandy shot her a look.
Before he could retort, Shelly suddenly clapped her hands together. “WELL, this seems like the perfect time for me to not be here so, I’m gonna go buy something. Be back later!”
And with that, she spun on her heel and left.
I sighed, looking down at the letter she had shoved into my hands.
The seal was unbroken. Vee’s writing was scrawled neatly across the front.
I ran a thumb over the envelope before exhaling slowly.
Alright. Let’s see what she had to say.
I broke the seal and unfolded the letter.
___
Dear Shelly,
I appreciate your diligence in keeping me informed about the situation. I understand the complexities you’re facing, and I commend you and the others for handling it with such caution.
However, I must express my growing concern.
Something isn’t right.
There have been troubling whispers rumors I have yet to confirm, but they are unsettling, to say the least. People are vanishing. Not just in this town town, but in others as well. If these accounts hold any truth, we may be dealing with something far greater than we initially anticipated.
I need more time to investigate, but I urge you to remain vigilant.
If you notice anything unusual, no matter how small, write back to me immediately. Do not dismiss any strange occurrences. We cannot afford to overlook even the slightest detail.
I will be arriving in a few days three, perhaps four at most once I have completed pressing administrative matters. Until then, proceed with caution.
Stay alert. Stay safe.
Vee
___
I frowned, rereading the last lines over and over, as if the words would change.
Disappearing?
What the hell was going on?
My grip tightened around the letter, the edges crumpling beneath my fingers. A cold unease settled in my stomach, crawling up my spine like ice.
Something was coming.
Something bigger than all of us.
And I had a bad feeling…
I swallowed hard, my fingers lingering on the letter before I passed it to Dandy. He barely glanced at it before setting it aside with a sigh, rubbing his temples like he was already exhausted by whatever new problem had just landed in our laps.
I watched him for a moment, noting the tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw clenched ever so slightly. Even Astro, usually the picture of calm, seemed troubled in his sleep, his brows furrowing as if his dreams weren’t peaceful.
Yeah. We were all feeling it.
Something was coming.
I leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly, trying to shake off the unease settling deep into my bones. There wasn’t much we could do until Vee got here. But even knowing that, my mind wouldn’t stop racing.
Disappearances.
Across multiple villages.
I had spent years hunting, tracking, keeping tabs on threats before they could get too big. But this? This was different.
This wasn’t just one rogue werewolf, or a pack stirring up trouble. This was… coordinated. And the fact that Vee didn’t even have full details yet made it even worse.
I ran a hand down my face, groaning quietly.
I needed to clear my head.
I needed something sweet. Something real. Something that didn’t taste like this dull, lifeless village that was starting to suffocate me.
I turned to Dandy. "Hey, what’s for dinner at the inn tonight?"
He barely glanced up from his spot, looking more exhausted by the second. "Probably soup and bread again. Why?"
I groaned, slumping further into my chair. "Soup and bread? Again? You’d think for a place that charges twenty silver a night, they’d at least season their damn food."
Dandy smirked, but it was tired. "You don’t have to eat here, you know."
I sat up, my fingers drumming against the table. "Yeah, well… I am craving cinnamon rolls."
That made Dandy pause. He looked at me with the most unimpressed expression I had ever seen. "Are you a child?"
"Maybe," I admitted, shrugging. "But if I don’t get something decent, I will start a riot. The food here is already bland enough to make me feel like an old man."
Dandy scoffed. "Well, I’d pay to see that tantrum."
Astro stirred in his sleep beside us, mumbling something incoherent before shifting against his arms. Dandy sighed heavily, rubbing his temples.
"Fine," he muttered, standing up and stretching. "I’ll see if I can find something edible. But if you complain, you’re on paper duty for the rest of the week."
I smirked, leaning back. "Noted. I’m sure whatever you make will be marginally better than prison food."
Dandy shot me a glare before heading off toward the kitchen.
I watched him go, humming to myself, but even as the thought of cinnamon rolls kept me occupied, the weight of that letter sat heavy in my mind.
Disappearances.
Not just in this town, but in others.
Something was happening. Something bigger than just one village.
My fingers twitched against the table, an old habit whenever my mind wouldn’t stop racing.
But for now…
For now, I let my thoughts drift somewhere else. Somewhere safer. Somewhere sweeter.
The little Pâtisserie.
The one person who had been feeding me in secret, leaving behind warmth in a place that had long since gone cold. The one who somehow knew what I needed before I even admitted it to myself.
What note would be waiting for me tonight?
Would it be another small, thoughtful message telling me to drink more water? A quiet scolding, like they actually cared if I took care of myself?
Or would it be something different this time? Something that gave me more than just crumbs of a mystery?
And the food what would they leave for me?
Something sweet again? Another indulgence that melted on my tongue and made me feel like I was home? Or something new something I hadn’t tasted in years?
My fingers twitched against the table.
I shouldn’t be this obsessed. I shouldn’t care this much.
And yet, every night, I found myself there. At that same rock, waiting like a desperate fool, hoping for another taste of something real.
But more than the food, more than the notes, more than anything..
Would I see them tonight?
Would I catch even a glimpse?
Would I finally see him?
I sucked in a sharp breath, my hands clenching into fists.
Please.
Please, I’m begging whatever gods are out there.
Let me see him. Just once.
Just once… and I swear, I won’t let him go this time..
---
Time Skip
---
The moon hung high, bathing the dull village in a pale glow as I slumped in my chair, staring down at the so-called ‘meal’ in front of me.
Beef soup and bread. Simple. Should be decent.
Should be.
I dipped my spoon into the broth, bringing it to my lips with cautious optimism only for my entire body to immediately regret it.
Ugh.
Salty. Watery. Flavorless.
It was as if someone had dunked an old rag into warm water, squeezed it out, and called it soup. The taste clung to my tongue like an insult, making my stomach twist in protest. I swallowed it down begrudgingly, resisting the urge to gag.
Alright. Maybe the meat would be better.
I stabbed a cube with my fork, lifting it to my mouth, hoping for at least a bit of redemption.
Nope.
The second I bit down, I knew.
Too chewy. Undercooked. Practically raw.
My jaw ached just trying to get through it, and I had to fight the reflex to spit it back out. I forced myself to swallow, grimacing as it slid down like a lump of regret.
I let out a slow, suffering breath.
What the hell was wrong with these people?
How could they ruin something as simple as soup and bread?
Speaking of
My gaze drifted toward the small loaf resting beside my bowl. It looked innocent enough.
But the second I picked it up, my fingers met resistance.
I pressed down lightly.
Nothing.
I pressed down harder.
Nothing.
I knocked my knuckles against it.
A dull, hollow thunk echoed back
…Was this bread or a weapon?
I swear, if I threw this at someone’s head, I’d be charged with assault.
I let out a quiet, bitter laugh, running a hand down my face.
No wonder I was practically starving.
Yeah. No. Screw this.
I pushed the bowl away with more force than necessary, my stomach twisting in both hunger and frustration. The mere thought of forcing another bite made me feel sick.
I had faced beasts bigger than me, had taken down creatures with nothing but a dagger and my instincts, but somehow, it was this a simple bowl of soup and a rock-hard piece of bread that was going to be my undoing.
Great. Just great.
“Sprout?”
I glanced up, meeting Shelly’s concerned gaze. She had already taken a bite of the meat, chewing thoughtfully like she hadn’t just ingested pure disappointment.
“You okay? You’ve barely eaten.”
I sighed, running a hand down my face. “Yeah… just not hungry.”
Shelly frowned but didn’t press further. “You sure? The food’s not that bad ”
I gave her a look.
She immediately shut up.
“Alright, alright,” she muttered, waving me off. “Go rest or whatever. I’ll save your portion for later in case you change your mind.”
“Yeah, sure,” I mumbled, already standing. “I’ll head to bed early.”
Without another word, I turned and left the dining area, my stomach growling in betrayal as I walked away from what was supposed to be dinner.
---
Time Skip
---
Shelly was already fast asleep in our shared room, her soft breathing the only sound filling the space.
I, on the other hand, was wide awake.
My stomach twisted and turned, reminding me of just how little I had eaten over the past few weeks. My body ached, not from exhaustion, but from the simple need for something real.
I groaned, staring up at the ceiling.
I needed food. Real food. Something that didn’t taste like regret and suffering.
Before I even made the conscious decision, my body moved on its own.
I threw on my cloak, carefully stepping over Shelly’s things, and quietly slipped out of the room.
By the time I reached my favorite spot, the moon was high, bathing the forest in silver light.
And there waiting for me like always was a fresh offering.
My breath hitched.
Cinnamon rolls.
Perfectly golden. Still warm. Freshly baked.
My legs carried me forward before my mind could catch up, and I reached out, hesitating for only a second before picking up the small note left beside them.
”Please eat more, okay? I worry about you and your health, Red Hood.
-Pâtisserie”
I exhaled sharply, gripping the note a little too tightly.
Gods.
I felt spoiled.
And I loved it..