Chapter 106: Chapter 106

OWEN

My steps felt heavy as Eve and I entered the airport terminal. The place was as energetic as always—bustling crowds, constant announcements blaring over the speakers, and the chaos of luggage being wheeled around in a hurry. But this wasn’t just another trip. We were here for a purpose: to make sure Jonea stayed safe.

I glanced at Eve, walking gracefully beside me, her oversized sunglasses covering half her face. She dragged a massive suitcase with ease, as if it weighed nothing. But I knew better than to underestimate her.

“What are you doing?” I muttered, nodding toward her suitcase. “We’re just here to keep an eye on Jonea. What’s with the oversized baggage?”

Eve barely turned her head, smirking from behind her glasses. “Curious about what’s inside?” she teased, her tone sly. She paused for a moment before cracking the suitcase open just enough for me to peek inside.

I was stunned. Among the neatly folded clothes, I caught the unmistakable glint of concealed magical weapons—a glowing blue dagger, tiny tubes that were obviously magical explosives, and even a short staff designed for close combat.

“You’re insane,” I muttered, unable to hide my awe. “You actually brought all of this?”

Eve shut the suitcase with a soft click and strode ahead without a second glance. “Remember,” she said coolly, “keep your distance from me.”

I let out a heavy sigh, scratching the back of my neck as sweat started to build. That was Eve for you—cold, commanding, and unwilling to let anyone get too close. Yet somehow, that made me admire her even more.

We arrived at the airport early, ahead of Jonea’s group. I wanted to make sure everything was in place before they arrived. But even after an hour of waiting, there was no sign of Jonea or her entourage. My nerves were fraying, though Eve looked entirely unbothered, sitting on a bench flipping through a magazine like she didn’t have a care in the world.

To distract myself, I let my mind wander back to old memories. Once upon a time, Eve and I had been close comrades, leading King Darna Carver’s lycan troops into countless bloody battles. But everything changed the day I made the biggest mistake of my life: confessing my feelings for her.

The battlefield had just quieted. The evening sky was painted orange, and the air still carried the heavy scent of blood and dust. I had decided this was the moment. We had both survived the carnage, and I had sworn to myself that if I made it out alive, I’d tell her how I felt.

“Eve,” I had called, my voice shaky.

She turned, her long hair cascading in the glow of the setting sun. Her piercing blue eyes met mine with a warmth she rarely showed.

“What is it, Owen?”

I swallowed hard, trying to summon the courage. “I… I love you.”

For a moment, she didn’t react. Then, she laughed—a soft, melodic sound that usually lifted my spirits, but this time, it felt like a slap in the face.

“Owen,” she said, shaking her head. “You’re just a kid. You can’t tell the difference between admiration and love.”

Her words had stung deeper than any blade ever could.

Snapping back to the present, I exhaled quietly. Eve still kept her distance from me, no matter how much I tried to close the gap between us. But how could I move on? She wasn’t just a fierce warrior—she was the one who left me in awe every time I looked at her.

“You’re daydreaming again,” Eve’s voice broke through my thoughts. She was standing now, her expression unreadable. “Let’s go. Their group just arrived.”

I followed her gaze and spotted Jonea entering the terminal with her companions. She looked cheerful, laughing with her friends, but I could sense something was off. There was a tension hanging over her like an invisible shadow.

When we finally boarded the plane, I intentionally picked a seat near Jonea. But before I could sit, Eve yanked me aside.

“Don’t get too close to her,” she whispered sharply. “You’ll draw unnecessary attention.”

I wanted to argue, but the look in her eyes silenced me. She was right, of course. Our job was to protect from a distance, not meddle directly in Jonea’s affairs.

The flight went smoothly, but my mind couldn’t rest. Something felt wrong, like we were headed straight into a storm. And my instincts were proven right the moment we arrived at the art exhibition.

Among the crowd, I spotted two figures that made my blood boil: Hunter Abraham and Aland. They stood on opposite sides of the room, but the dangerous aura each of them radiated seemed to fill the space.

Jonea, busy setting up her artwork, didn’t seem to notice them. But I knew it was only a matter of time before things exploded.

I tried to move toward Jonea, but my steps faltered when Hunter and Aland moved simultaneously. Both headed straight for her at an unnerving speed. Without thinking, I grabbed Jonea’s hand and pulled her to my side.

“Owen?” Jonea looked at me, confused. “What are you doing?”

Before I could answer, Aland’s cold voice sliced through the air. “Let her go.”

I turned, meeting his sharp gaze. He walked toward us, his smile warm, but it only made me more on edge. “I just wanted to greet Jonea,” he said smoothly. “After all, she’ll be my partner for this exhibition.”

My grip on Jonea’s hand tightened as I tried to hide the tension in my face. Before things could escalate further, Hunter suddenly laughed—a forced, hollow sound meant to break the awkwardness.

“I didn’t expect a reunion here of all places,” he said casually, though his eyes betrayed a much darker intent.

Jonea remained silent beside me, but I could feel her stiffen. She was uncomfortable, and that only strengthened my resolve to shield her from these two. Whatever Hunter and Aland were planning, I wasn’t going to let them near her.

“Owen, I’m fine,” Jonea said nervously, glancing around.

“I’m not so sure about that,” I muttered, keeping my eyes locked on Hunter and Aland.

“Anyone up for coffee?” Hunter suddenly offered, his tone light. “Aland, why don’t you come with me? We’ll grab some for everyone here.”

Aland hesitated for a moment before silently following Hunter. Their steps were deliberate, each movement carrying a hidden purpose. Jonea made a move to follow them, but I blocked her path.

“You shouldn’t get involved,” I whispered to her, my tone firm. “You promised my uncle you’d return to him. Don’t forget that.”