JONEA I sighed and sat quietly in the tub. I looked up at the ceiling with paintings of clouds and exotic ornaments. My body sags a little. I sink my whole body into the water full of flowers. Only my face is showing on the surface. "Looks like, starting today, I won't be able to bathe myself." I closed my eyes, and suddenly Hunter's face flashed back in my mind. The face when he looked at me so coldly while holding the contract paper in his hand. Instantly I felt goosebumps. I crossed both arms over my chest. "Why did Hunter go that far? I could understand him having to defend the pack and protect his people. But, is there no other way than submitting and enslaving Luke Draken?" I just realized the atmosphere in this stone house is so quiet and cold. My bath water is also not warm anymore. It's summer, but why do I feel like I'm shivering so much in this place? I want to get out of the bath. Something burst out of the slightly open window beside the bath just then. I screamed i
DARAN I was shocked and angry when I saw her coming down from the room wearing that dress. "What is this? What clothes were you wearing?" Her appearance in that dress made me completely lose my appetite. I wanted to throw all the lunch dishes that Loko had served at that moment. How presumptuous! She dared to take things I'd been trying to eliminate all this time but always failed. "Sorry," the girl stammered. "But I don't know what to wear? You… have taken the only clothes I have. And I didn't find any clothes besides this old dress that fit me in your wardrobe. I thought I could use it since I saw you kept it in a box and forgot about it long ago." She… actually answered my question? I'm so annoyed. What did she say? Forgotten? She said the dress was just a forgotten item? How can I forget all the disappointments and heartache I've experienced? The dress is a reminder not to make the same mistake a second time. And now, she wears it in front of me. Good grief! She really look
JONEA "Finish your lunch and rest." Daran got up from his chair, put down the napkin, and walked away from the dining table. He didn't even touch his food. When he was in the doorway, he glanced over his shoulder slightly and said something. "If you need anything, Loko will provide it for you. I still have very important business. I may not be back until tomorrow morning. So you have until tomorrow to enjoy yourself before serving me." The man left the dining room. He said all that easily without even a single expression. Serve him? I'm really sick of him. It's good that he has to go. I hope he won't come back. I irritably chewed on the rest of my steak, which was getting cold. Then I paused for a moment to regret my words. If Daran doesn't return, who will unseal the wolf inside me? How can I get up? I will never be able to save Aland if I continue to be sealed like this. Loko came when I was feeling really lonely in the dining room. I was relieved I wasn't alone in that old
JONEAI kept running to hunt a jeveric. Is his name Roka or Moka? They look almost the same.She took me to arrive in a dark forest. A few moments later, a lot of light appeared scattered around the forest. All the light seemed to come from hundreds of fireflies uniting and spinning to form a vortex of light into the sky."Beautiful," I muttered.I was really amazed to see the beauty of these twinkling lights.I spread both hands while lifting my face to the sky. The night that was previously dark is now strewn with bluish light. Some of the glowing bugs started to surround me. It was as if I was the center of their light energy."What's this? Are they fireflies?"I opened my palms and tried to grab them in my grip. One of the glowing creatures landed on my palm. The taste is very ticklish. I'm scared but also curious. What creatures are they?"You always refer to us in human-made terms. Oh, no fireflies here. They are fairies," said Jeveric, who brought me to that place."Fairy?" I wa
DARANOne of the jeverics growled and bared his sharp fangs."How did you know she was here, ugly wizard?"Seeing that Jeveric was angry and jealous when he found out about my appearance, I deliberately tightened the hug on Jonea's body."How can you call me ugly?""You always hide your face behind that disgusting mask. You are definitely an insecure man."I stretched out my right hand to grab Jonea's neck possessively. I'll show those Jeveric bastards what I've done to find my girl."Necklace?" Jeveric grinned. "What is the connection and specialty of the necklace? Did you put any magic spells in there?"I grinned back. "Since when a Lycan King can put magic spells anywhere?""You!" shouted the jeveric. "Even though you have denied that you are not wizard thousands of times, we all know you are. Your position as a Lycan King is all just camouflage. You are just a petty and lowly wizard hiding behind the title of king.""Haven't you noticed the pendant on this necklace? These are the v
JONEA I saw Aland standing on a stage with lots of people watching. Aland's body was full of wounds. His silver hair looked dirty, mixed with dried blood. He was only wearing trousers without a shirt. His hands were tied behind his back. I tried to lunge forward and cut through the crowds of people filling the square. I'm so freaked out. Inside my mind, I just wanted to get close to Aland and set him free. When I was only one step away from reaching him, a beam of light suddenly shone sharply towards me. My eyes burned and blinded me for a moment. "No! Don't take Aland away." The light engulfed Aland's existence. I really can't see it. My eyes feel hot and sore. As soon as I opened my eyes, everything was gone. I was stunned to see Loko standing before the window while opening the curtains. Immediately I sat up straight with a look of confusion and half sleepy. Is all this just a dream? But it felt like Aland's existence was so real. I began to rub my eyes when Loko turned to f
JONEA We actually had breakfast in Daran's study. Loko came with breakfast for us. "Have our guests finished breakfast yet?" Daran asked. "Yes, Master. They have returned to their respective positions." "Immediately prepare all our needs, Loko." "Yes, Master!" I saw Loko step back with a bow before turning around and leaving Daran's study. Now it's just me and Daran. We sat on the couch. There is a small table in front of us. Before leaving, Loko had arranged our breakfast there. "Say it! I know you want to ask something." Daran always gives me chills. How did he know the things I was thinking and worrying about? Before I even said it. “Loko… I mean him….” "He is a neighbour who lives here. Since about 200 years ago? I forget exactly when he lived here." I was really taken aback. Loko is just a guy in his mid-40s to 50s. He even looks much younger than my adoptive parents. Who would have thought that he was already hundreds of years old? Then Daran, how old is he? "Loko is
DARAN "How? Is it nice to touch my face?" I held Jonea's hands firmly and placed them on my cheeks. She tried to get away, but I kept her there. I really showed my sweet smile in front of her. Our faces are so close. I had to bend my head to line up our faces. "You've been staring at me. Am I cool? Am I handsome?" I really want to know how she will react. But that girl just showed me a straight and cold face. Oh, I'm so annoyed. "You just look like a fraud!" Jonea curtly said to me and withdrew her hands very quickly. This time I was really offended. She says my face is like a con man's face? Seriously! If only she knew, all the girls in the pack and the country of Blackton are vying to get me. I should teach this little fox a lesson. I took her to my regular shop. This is the one character I used to frequent if I wanted to leave the house. And now, Loko already replaces me to shop and come there. So, how many years have I not come to this shop since the last time? 100 years?