Marsai’s First Tragedy

It was her. Where?

Finally, the intense urge that fueled my insatiable thirst subsided, and a sense of calm washed over me. The transformative process began, with my elongated canines retracting and the abundance of fur gradually receding from my body.

My bones cracked and realigned themselves, allowing me to once again stand on two feet. And just as I regained my composure, that's when she entered the room, captivating my attention.

“My wild rose,”

Her hair was just like I remembered, a vivid shade of red, though it looked redder, flowed gracefully behind her. The night accentuated the glow of her skin, adding to her ethereal beauty.

As I took two steps towards her, her hazel eyes scanned the room. Suddenly, her gaze locked onto something that startled her, causing her to gasp and scream in shock.

Her piercing scream reverberated through my ears, causing me to clench my teeth in discomfort. With keen observation, I witnessed a transformation in her once radiant expression. The captivating smile that adorned her face upon entering the room vanished, replaced by an expression of anguish and desolation.

“No…” I heard her say before she collapsed slowly to the ground. Her elegant long hands were raised to cover her mouth. Tears had started spilling from those hazel eyes. Lord, she is beautiful!

She didn't seem to notice me yet but I didn't mind. I found solace in silently observing her every move.

Her next move, which was rather surprising to me, was when she crawled or rather dragged herself on the blood-filled ground to the bodies of the gray wolf who had tried to threaten me and the smaller one he had tried to protect.

As she reached them, she tenderly touched their motionless forms, releasing another anguished shriek that echoed from the depths of her being. She was hurt, though I couldn't imagine why, but witnessing her pain stirred an unfamiliar emotion within me as if a part of me couldn't bear to see her suffer.

“Mother…father..” She cried shaking the bodies lightly, holding their bloody bodies in her arms—

“Wait. Mother? Father?” I looked closely at the bodies. Were those her parents? I had murdered her parents?

Oddly enough, this realization didn't seem to stir any remorse within me. I was completely void of any feeling, devoid of any trace of regret. It was as if my capacity for empathy had been extinguished for everyone and everything, except for her.

I bet my conscience had more important matters to attend to than making me feel guilty. Maybe it was fixated on my gaze, captivated just like me, as we both watched in complete fascination. There she was, this enchanting redhead, seated on the ground, pouring her heart out in tears.

I'd be lying if I said I couldn't spend the whole day just watching her. She continued to cry, but then she lifted her eyes, filled with tears, and finally met my gaze.

“You.” Finally, she noticed me.

Her voice, so smooth and gentle, faded away as she rose to her feet with a slow, unsteady wobble. Despite her legs trembling, she managed to find her balance and stand tall.

I couldn't help but notice the graceful sway of her hips as she stood up and made her way towards me. She positioned herself just the right distance away, not too close and not too far.

“You were the guy... in the woods... the one I rescued…” Her voice trailed off as she kept her gaze fixed on me.

Her hazel eyes, shimmering with tears, scanned my body, and then a change came over them, hardening with determination. “You..you did this!” She yelled at me, the braids in her hair that I hadn't noticed before loosening as she trembled.

“How... how could you…” Her words faltered as she struggled to catch her breath. Gritting her teeth, she clenched her hands, now stained with blood, into a tight fist. “After I saved you... how could you kill them?” Her screams pierced the air, causing her trembling rosy lips to quiver.

I watched, barely registering her words. Even if I wanted to respond, which I didn't, what could I possibly say? Did I have an explanation for why I took their lives? No. Did I even feel remorse? No.

“You murderer! You bastard!” She lunged at me, repeatedly striking my chest with her delicate hands.

I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the fact that she was this close to me. As I caught a whiff of wild roses on her skin, the urge to grab her and sniff that velvety pale skin that was showing beneath the material of her dress was overwhelming. Just as I was about to give in to my desires, I heard footsteps approaching.

“Heavens!” The person let out a surprised exclamation, and I shifted my gaze to see who had arrived.

Leaning against the doorway, gripping the frame, stood a tall, handsome young man. He was dressed impeccably in a dark green suit adorned with a golden crest. His long, neatly combed dark hair framed his face, and his green eyes, filled with astonishment, darted around the room.

“Alpha..” his voice cracked, “Luna..” he raised a palm that clung to his neck as he looked around in horror.

“Rudolph…” I heard my wild rose murmur, her delicate hands ceasing their assault on me as she crumbled to the floor. She turned towards the man at the door, extending one hand towards him. This Rudolph.

“What's going on?” His green eyes still wandered around before it finally settled on me.

I don't know, but I think all this while I've been wearing a nonchalant expression because I couldn't care less about what's happening here. The only thing or person that matters to me is the weeping angel by my feet who was reaching out to another man. Another man!

“He killed them…” I heard her say, her voice low as she sniffled. “This…monster, killed my parents!"

I was no monster. I frowned.

As she spoke, my eyes remained fixated on Rudolph. When he heard her words, I noticed a golden glint flash in his green eyes, and a deep, low growl escaped his lips.

Ha…Was that his form of intimidation? How pathetic.

I unleash my growl. A terrifying sound that even startled me. The sight of him flinching was satisfying to watch. He wasn't the only one who flinched, she, and every other person as well.

The expression on their faces; one of fear and the other of submission was appealing to watch.

This Rudolph had the sense not to oppose me since he didn't fancy his head being pulled off his body. He was aware I was responsible for the havoc in their village, even going as far as taking the lives of this girl's parents, likely their Alpha and Luna. He must have realized that opposing me would be sheer folly.

“Marsai, come.” He beckoned, his gaze shifting to my wild rose on the ground, her tears ceased but her expression filled with confusion. “Come, Marsai,” he called once more.

“Marsai. Was that her name? It suited her perfectly.” Marsai.

She began to move, half crawling and gliding, making her way towards Rudolph who extended his hand.

“Wait, hold on,” Annoyance welled up inside me once more. “How dare she try to run into the arms of this obvious weakling?”

I furrowed my brows and stepped in front of her, blocking her way. She glanced up at me, and as I saw my reflection in her teary eyes, my expression softened. But I couldn't help but ask, “where do you think you're going?”