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.
DARAN "What do you mean by taking off my clothes?!" My ears feel like they're going to burst. I had to close my eyes and hold my perverted breath. Her screams made my head hurt. The little fox in front of me looks so scared I will be harmful to her. But seeing her scared like this is really fun for me. I haven't played with someone in a long time. How many hundred years? I took off and threw my mask on the bed. Today I have a challenging task. Why isn't Loko here at a time like this? I busily removed the cuffs of my clothes and rolled up the cuffs of my shirt to my elbows. I also took off my tie and shoes. "Wait! What would you do?" Good grief! She's still screaming at me! You girl! I was lifting one leg to remove my shoes when she attacked me. What's with this mad fox? Can't she just shut up for a second? I hate fuss. Moreover, the sound of clattering chains on her body really bothered me. "What else do you want to know?" I've been annoyed too. "Everything was clear I said a
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