I feel empty. I don't want to do anything. I just want to remain on my bed. However, another person reeks in my room. I push myself up and scan my room with my sleepy blurry vision. It's the thief sitting-pretty beside the table while reading a book for mages. Acro is on the table too. Another thing that astonishes me is the pile of gifts beside my bed. It's not my birthday! "You're finally awake," Zaeramil said, dropping the book on the table, then sitting on the chair like horseback riding to face me. "How long have I been asleep?" Hunger must be the reason why I feel empty. "Only 10 hours, I guess." "Then how come you say 'finally'?" I sigh and scratch my messy hair. "Because I'm bored." "You're bored because you're here. Why are you here?" He caresses his finger on Acro's breast. "I'm still interested in your owl." "Traitor..." I cast my eyes upon the gifts again, lift my butt out of the bed, then poke about it. "What are these?" "A doggo culture," he says, "they gi

I briskly rummaged for a new coat and proceeded to the hall of the palace. I enter, I walk, and I keep my glare fixed on Luna Maia who's sitting, as usual, in the circle of couches. This hall seems how it usually has been ever since the beginning. The only difference today is that all werewolves, except Luna Maia, are bowing their heads at me as I cross their spot. "Luna Maia, I need to talk with you privately." She gave a sign for the werewolves to leave us in this circle. I sat in front of her and threw questions without further ado. "Was it your plot to cage us inside a room for the rest of the night?" "..." She leans her back, elegantly sitting with her legs crossed. "It was. I lent her the help she needed to gain your love and trust. I hope you're aware of how dedicated she is to be the next Luna. Have you two reconciled?" "We did. That could be the only good news I brought for you today, Luna Maia. I've wasted so much time cooperating with your traditions knowing that I have

Now that the snowfall has been tamed, I gaze at the stars in front of the garden dome, leaning my arms on the flimsy fence of the farm. The moon is so beautiful in my eyes. A beauty that still cannot fill the emptiness I'm feeling. My eyes must be looking for a different beauty. The street is dark and silent when the light coming from the garden dome illuminates the road for a second as the door opens. I didn't look back for there's no need for it. Cormelio leans his arms on the fence, too. "Why are you here contemplating the unknown in a summer outfit?" He raised an eyebrow at me. I look at my thin sleeveless shirt, then giggle. "I don't feel cold at all." The emptiness I'm feeling makes me cold already. Snow has nothing to do with my drama. He speaks like a wry neighbor gossiper. "I've always been curious... You said you traveled all the way to Asfara. Have you not met a girl that," he playfully made a consecutive sound of smack kisses, "the adolescence out of you?" My mouth

I met Matheo on my way outside the clinic. He asked me where I'm headed and I answered with honesty: I will not allow Mraz to stroll around without recompensation for the appalling incident he launched in my village. He tried to convince me otherwise so I promised not to involve people. I lent him my coat and walked away with my hands inside my pockets. He said that Mraz can't have the chance to leave this metropolis right away because of the ingredient Matheo poured into his drink. As a bar owner, he's aware of what will harm a werewolf's stomach. Additionally, Mraz is staying in an inn. I make steps straightway to that destination with my eyes closed, not a dot of care for people who see me. The sidewalk may be busy with people walking in both opposite directions. My sense of smell leads me to Mraz. I only stopped stepping when his scent was pervading right in front of me. My eyes opened to behold the facade of the inn. I'm standing in the narrow space between two buildings. The

None of the victims of rabid dogs survived. Acro informed me. I rushed to the clinic with Sherizzah only to find out that Cormelio is already covered with a white blanket and all I can do is to hug his pale and cold body. Sherizzah consoled. The government provided the graveyard for free for those who died in the rabid incident. I sat the whole day in front of Cormelio's grave. Curt, my patron, lost a child. People in my hometown were weeping anywhere I cast my eyes. I felt cold not because of the snow, but because I felt the same before: the day I lost my kind. One emotion is ruling me. I stand on my feet when my knees feel cold from the snow. Looking at the gravestone in front of me, I form my determination. I am a werewolf from the past. I wouldn't be here in the future if it wasn't for the tragedy... if those black wolves never overdosed themselves in pride. They took and are taking everything away from me. All those lifetime cynicism is because of them. For the person lying b