5| I Will Add to Your Misfortune

JONEA

Before Daran managed to reach the main door of the black stone building, I ran faster to hunt him down. Even if I only managed to tug at the hem of his robes, that would be better.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Daran hissed at my deed. He just turned his head slightly over his right shoulder.

I do not know what I'm doing right now. How could I suddenly run up and tug at the hem of his robes without a second thought? At that moment, I immediately let go of my hand. The sound of the chains clattering around me echoed.

"Actually-"

I cursed my stuttering at a time like this.

I have to say. I don't want to die while carrying all this burden and curiosity. At least, I have to try. Who knows, once I cross the threshold, I'll pass. At that time, I will not be too sorry for trying.

Daran looked impatient with me.

"Quickly say! What do you want to talk about? You've wasted my time here. I don't like being exposed to the sun for too long."

"Weren't you able to kill them right then and there? You have the magical ability to defeat them. But why did you choose to run away from them?"

I said it quickly and loud enough.

My question made Daran turn around to face me.

Oh, this is bad! He must be mad.

I glanced at his broad shoulders, which looked stiff. He looked at me from behind his mask.

Daran's body was quite tall. I had to look up to see his face. Right now, I'm unsure what emotion he's looking at me with. The mask gets in the way.

"Why should I waste my precious time and energy killing them all? What's in it for me? They are your enemies, not mine!"

I'm at a loss for words. Well, of course, nothing was going in Daran's favor. If only I had magical abilities as powerful as Daran's, I would eliminate those bastard werewolves and that bloody army of dragons ravaging the entire country of Blue Sapphire.

Then I regretted my thought. If so, what's the difference between me and them?

Daran pulled the chain that shackled my neck very tightly. This time until I overturned and fell into his broad chest. He actually made me look up to see his face.

Daran's tall body bent slightly. He brought his mask to my face, which must have been as red as a rotten tomato.

"It's a good thing you don't have magical abilities like me, huh? You really are lucky!"

I am very angry. Twice now, he's called me lucky.

"How could it be a stroke of luck? Because I'm weak, so I lost the people I love! Because of the appearance of beings like you on earth, my life feels like hell."

"Aren't you part of us too, Jonea? You speak and act as if you are a pure human. Whereas inside your body flows 100% Lycan blood."

Daran really sounded disgusted when he said that in front of me.

"That's why everyone hates and thinks of us as weird kids! Since childhood, no one has wanted to be friends with me and Miller. I've been expelled from human schools and rejected at werewolf schools many times. Only because my teachers and friends can't accept when I tell them about things I can see while they can't. They all thought I was crazy and a jinxed child. It is excruciating. Maybe I'm not as quiet as Miller, who can keep everything a secret by himself."

I'm out of breath.

"I can even understand the languages of beasts and wolves, whereas normal humans don't. You know what those wolves and beasts always talk about humans? They have always regarded humans as the lowest and most despicable creatures. Meanwhile, no human being can hear their jokes besides me. It was like torture all my life."

I thought back to how people had treated Miller and me since we were kids. How have our friends and teachers treated us at school so far?

I really went crazy and screamed in front of Daran. I hold my hands tightly over my ears as their screams and banter seem to circle back around my head by this time. Their voices kept echoing again in my ears.

"Since childhood, I have fought and trained myself to be stronger. I don't care if they just make fun of me. But I was angry because they were much more cruel to Miller. Because of that, all my life, I've always fought tooth and nail to hold my head up and make Miller proud!"

Daran was just silent and watched me, who was hysterical. I didn't expect anything. I just want to take all the weight off my heart and mind before he might kill me.

Woops!

My eyes opened wide. My lips pressed tightly.

I didn't expect Daran to hug me at all. Well, he actually grabbed my body in his arms. It feels so warm and protective. I wanted to throw myself down at that moment and hoped this would not end.

"Calm down," Daran whispered in my ear. "From now on, I will guard and protect you. Because you are my little fox. There will be no more people who make fun of you and hate you. You are a special red moon girl."

Suddenly it felt like the screams that were echoing inside my head disappeared. I opened my eyes wide and was still in Daran's warm embrace.

I will always remember what happened the day before meeting Arman.

That old man–the person I've always considered my uncle, secretly sold me to Luke Draken.

On my parent's death anniversary, my uncle gave me beautiful new clothes that looked expensive. He also asked his wife to do my makeup. Things I never get for a year living with his family.

While there, I was only employed as a maid at home. I have to work hard to provide for his family's needs. He only gave me leftovers every night and a place to live near the smelly stables.

That day, my uncle suddenly gave me a lovely dress. He said we had to dress up to go to my parent's graves. Uncle even prepared a car to go to the grave. I didn't suspect anything until he said he had sold me to Luke Draken.

On the way, I managed to escape. I actually made the car hit the guardrail on the hill. I jumped just as the car was about to go into a ravine.

The last news I heard, my uncle was still alive despite having to get severe treatment at the hospital. I don't care. Even the price is too low to compensate for all the bad things he did to me.

I really don't know where else to go. I am alone, weak, and helpless. I lost the people I love.

That same night, I stood on the train platform. I'm waiting for the fast train to come. I was ready to jump onto the train tracks, but Arman grabbed my hand precisely one second before the train passed.

"Why?" I shouted at Arman that night. "Why did you save me? There's no point in me living in this world. Why are you holding me back from doing what I want?"

"Wow, Young Miss. Too bad you want to waste your life just like that. What if I buy it?"

"What do you mean? I'm not a prostitute!"

"You want to throw away your life, right? Do you want to end it? Instead of being like that, how about you give your life to someone who needs it?"

"Who? Who will need me now? I should have protected the people I love. I'm alone at the moment. Nobody wants me!"

Arman handed me a black business card and placed it on my lap. I still sat on the platform, wailing over my sorrow and misfortune.

Arman disappeared as fast as he came. He only left the black business card.

"Auctioneer?"

My brows furrowed. That was my first reaction when I read the business card.

What did he mean by laying down my life for someone who needs and wants me? Are there people like that out there?

I snapped out of my daydream. I pushed Daran's chest, who was still hugging me very tightly. Until the shackles of the chains on my body clattered violently.

"No! You are wrong. Never been lucky in my life. I just keep having bad luck and misfortune. Even my first love also had to run aground.

When I was so angry, Daran rubbed my tightly pressed lips.

"Then how about we complete your misfortune, Little Fox? I have bought you at a high price. Then, don't make me lose money because I bought you."

I opened my eyes in shock, and suddenly, the man snapped his fingers.

Blood tapped the tip of his wand on the ground. The earth seemed to shake and spin around me. When we realized we had moved again. This time we were in a super large room.

My unprepared body slumped backward. I fell onto the soft, thick fur carpet.

"Where are we now?"

"Inside the house. Right in my room. I just remembered that I need to bring the key. Loko isn't back yet. So, now it's just the two of us. Take off your clothes!"

"F-for what?" I screamed while crossing my arms over my chest. "Do not come close!"

"Don't argue! I have paid a heavy price for your body and soul!" Daran took off and threw his mask on the bed.