Chapter 109: Chapter 109

JONEA

The art exhibition was finally over, leaving me with a mess of mixed feelings. The once vibrant, bustling gallery was now silent, only footsteps of past visitors echoing faintly in the emptiness. But the thing that felt most absent was Aland.

I’d scanned the crowd for him, hoping to spot his familiar figure, but he was nowhere to be found. All he left was a note, handed to me by one of the event staff. It was simple, just a few lines.

"Jonea, I can't take you back to Sapphire Blue because there's something I need to take care of. But I promise I'll catch up with you soon. Don't worry, we'll meet again."

I read it over and over, searching for something hidden between the words, but there was nothing. Just a vague promise that made my chest ache.

The day to head back to Sapphire Blue came. Owen, Eve, and a few other friends were already waiting for me at the airport. I wanted to linger longer, hoping Aland might show up at the last minute. But time didn’t wait, and I had promises of my own to keep.

The journey back was quiet. Owen sat next to me, glued to his phone, while Eve slept against the window. I tried to focus on the scenery outside, but my mind was spinning with questions about Aland.

When we landed, Daran was waiting as promised. His calm demeanor and soft smile greeted me warmly, as usual. Standing beside his car in a simple white shirt, he looked more grounded than ever.

“Owen’s going to drop Eve off first,” he said as he opened the car door for me.

I just nodded and slid into the seat. The ride to our house started in an unusual silence. I could tell Daran had something to say but was waiting for the right moment.

Once we were far enough from the crowd, he finally spoke.

“What happened yesterday?” he asked, his tone calm but attentive.

“What do you mean?” I tried deflecting, though I knew it wouldn’t work.

“Hunter came to see me before he left,” he said, glancing at me briefly. “He said he wanted to apologize to you for something that happened yesterday.”

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. “Oh, that... Hunter told me he liked me yesterday.”

I didn’t see any point in lying. Hunter had already told Daran, and Owen was probably going to say the same thing.

Daran didn’t react much, just nodding slightly, as though processing what I’d just said. “And Aland? He’s coming back to Sapphire Blue too, right?”

I let out a long sigh, unsure how to explain. “I kept dealing with Hunter because of the red mark on his forehead. I’ve been trying to be cautious so you wouldn’t worry. But one thing led to another... and as for Aland...”

I trailed off, unsure of how to continue.

“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to,” he said gently. “I’m not worried, Jonea. Because you’re my betrothed. And I know you’ll keep your promise.”

His words hit me like a weight. My betrothed. It sounded like a shackle, tethering me in place and reminding me of the promise I’d made.

The rest of the ride was silent, leaving me trapped in my own thoughts.

When we got home, the quiet between us felt heavy. Daran walked me to my room, giving me space to rest.

But my mind couldn’t stop circling back to Aland—his face, his voice, the last look he gave me at the exhibition. What was he doing now? What was so important that he had to leave like that?

I wanted to trust his promise, that he’d catch up with me. But deep down, a gnawing unease wouldn’t leave me alone.

*

Back in my room, sleep refused to come. My restless thoughts kept me on edge, a constant hum of unease beneath my skin. I hugged my knees on the bed, staring out the window bathed in pale moonlight.

Aland. His name spun in my mind. Where was he? What was he doing?

I felt like a horrible person. My heart longed for Aland, but my mind knew I belonged to Daran. The promise I’d made to him felt like a chain, holding me back with every step I tried to take. I hated this situation—hated being stuck between two worlds that could never meet.

But beneath all the confusion, there was a fear I couldn’t shake. Aland wasn’t safe. That much was clear. Luke Draken could find him at any moment, and Aland being in Sapphire Blue would only speed that up.

I had to do something.

Getting out of bed, I slipped on a light jacket and crept out of my room quietly so I wouldn’t wake anyone. The cold night air hit me as I stepped outside. The sky was scattered with stars, but the atmosphere felt off, like something was lurking in the shadows.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but froze when I noticed a faint light glowing from the workshop at the edge of the yard. Daran usually used the workshop for work, but tonight it felt... different. The light wasn’t just light; it had a dark aura, moving like living smoke.

My heart pounded. Before I realized it, I was walking toward it, drawn by the strange energy.

When I reached the workshop, I could feel the darkness emanating from it. And among the shadows, something familiar: Daran’s scent. My chest tightened. What was he doing?

I stood at the door, hesitating for a moment before peeking inside.

There he was. Daran. Dressed in black, standing in the middle of the room with his arms raised like he was summoning something. Dark light swirled around him, spinning wildly and casting eerie shadows on the walls.

I froze. This wasn’t the Daran I knew. Something about him felt... off.

He moved quickly, leaving the workshop with the dark energy still swirling around him.

I followed. His steps were swift and purposeful, like he knew exactly where he was going. I kept my distance, careful not to be seen but close enough to not lose him.

Daran headed into the city, toward the busy business district filled with clubs and noise. Strange. He’d always forbidden me from going to places like this.

I trailed him to a flashy club with neon lights flickering outside and loud music blaring. But the place felt wrong. The darkness I’d sensed in the workshop was everywhere here, wrapping around the building like a shroud.

And then I saw her—a stunning woman.

She wore a red dress that hugged her figure perfectly, her long black hair shimmering under the lights. Daran smiled at her, a rare smile I hadn’t seen before. She returned it, and they walked into the club together.

It felt like a hammer hit my chest. What was he doing?

I knew I shouldn’t go any further. Daran had warned me never to enter places like this. But curiosity and something else—something deeper—pushed me forward.

Inside, I immediately knew something was wrong. This wasn’t just an ordinary club. The darkness here was suffocating, far thicker than outside.

The patrons weren’t human. Their eyes glowed in the dim light, their fangs glinting as they laughed, their movements unnaturally fast.

This was a den of werewolves.

I tried to blend in, hiding among the crowd. The loud music masked my steps, and the dim lighting kept me from being noticed.

I spotted Daran and the woman in a corner, talking quietly. She looked at him with interest, and he appeared calm and composed.

What was he doing here? Was this just a meeting, or was there more to it?

I inched closer, straining to hear their conversation. But before I could get close enough, a hand touched my shoulder.

“Hey, you’re not supposed to be here,” a man’s voice said.

I turned to see a guy with glowing red eyes staring at me. His fangs glinted as he smirked.

“I’m just... looking for someone,” I said, trying to stay calm.

He narrowed his eyes. “You’re human, aren’t you? Do you even know this place isn’t meant for you?”

I started backing away slowly, but he stepped closer. “You smell like... someone I know.”

I knew I was in trouble.