Chapter 115: Chapter 115

DARAN

At first, Jonea was just a source of power to me. A meal. Prey. Whatever you wanted to call it, she was simply part of a plan I had set in motion long ago. That’s why, when her fragile body was put up for auction in the dark market that night, I didn’t hesitate to buy her. No one knew who I really was, and I made sure no one could guess my motives.

But there was something different about this girl. Her sharp yet fragile gaze, her meaningful silence, even the way she stood her ground against threats—it all felt unusual. She wasn’t like other humans who avoided or trembled in my presence. Jonea faced me without fear, as if I were just another being. As the lycan king, I hadn’t felt anything like that in ages. She made me feel... at ease.

"Red Moon Girl," I muttered, watching her from afar. Her body seemed to shimmer faintly under the nearly full moon, her skin glowing with a strange light. Her aura was more like ours, the shadow beings, than that of a human. And she carried a weight far too heavy for someone her age.

Jonea sat on the large sofa in the living room, staring at a book she wasn’t really reading. I walked over, my steps nearly silent. When she noticed me, she flinched slightly but quickly lowered her gaze again.

I dropped myself into the chair across from her. “How was the exhibition?” I asked casually, trying to start a conversation. “What did you do there?”

She raised her head slightly, as if trying to gauge my intentions. “Ah, um, it was... nice,” she finally replied, nervous. Her hands clutched the book tightly, like a lifeline.

I raised an eyebrow. “Nice?” I echoed, suppressing a small smile.

“Yeah,” she nodded quickly. “I got to experience a lot of new things there.” But then she looked down again, her gaze drifting to another world. She was hiding something.

I let out a long sigh, resisting the urge to pry further. But before I could ask more, the doorbell rang, shattering the silence between us.

I turned sharply toward the door, frowning. No one was supposed to come here, especially not at this hour. Jonea looked at me, confused. I could hear her heartbeat quicken—whether from nervousness or fear, I wasn’t sure.

“Stay here,” I ordered, rising to my feet. My lycan instincts were on high alert, ready for any threat. I opened the door slowly, only to find a tall man with dark hair standing there, his cold, familiar gaze locked on me.

“Rael,” I muttered, half-growling.

The man gave a faint smile, his movements relaxed even though I hadn’t invited him in. “Long time no see, Daran. Am I interrupting?”

I just scoffed. “Say what you want. I don’t have time for your games.”

Rael shrugged, his smile never fading. “I just wanted to check on you. After all, it’s been ages since we last spoke without... blood being spilled.” His gaze flicked past me, into the house. “I hear you’ve got yourself the Red Moon Sacred Blood.”

I growled, closing the door slightly to block his view. “That’s none of your business.”

Rael chuckled softly, his low voice carrying a warning tone. “Oh, but Daran, everything about you is always intriguing. Especially when it involves the Red Moon Girl. I came only to celebrate her awakening.”

My body tensed at those words. “Leave her out of this, Rael. I won’t let you near her.”

Rael raised his hands, feigning surrender. “Relax. I’m just here to congratulate you.”

“I know your hidden intentions,” I snapped, my eyes narrowing.

“There’s none, really. I was just passing through and thought of you. Won’t you invite me in?” His tone was light, but the underlying threat was unmistakable.

Before I could push him out, Jonea appeared behind me, looking at me hesitantly. “Who’s that?” she asked softly.

I glanced at her briefly, debating whether to tell her. In the end, I said, “An old acquaintance. He drops by occasionally to chat. He’s neither human nor werewolf, so be cautious.”

“Oh, come on, no need to be so wary of me. I mean no harm,” Rael said smoothly, stepping forward to greet Jonea. He cupped her face with his pale, long-fingered hands, his ever-present carved staff at his side.

“Um, I’m not comfortable with this. Could you please let go of me?” Jonea asked politely.

“Oh, forgive my boldness. I’m just amazed by you. You’re truly mesmerizing, radiating the aura of the greatest power in this world. But you should learn your true nature before your powers fully awaken,” he said, smiling with narrowed eyes.

Then everything happened too fast. Rael chanted a spell with his staff, enveloping Jonea’s body in red light. I reacted too late.

“A gift for the little human who hunts and traps our kind!” he declared loudly.

Jonea’s eyes widened in shock. I moved my hand, summoning sharp magical thorns to attack Rael and pull him away from her. But he effortlessly destroyed my barrier.

As the thorns crumbled, I saw Jonea clearly. Her body had transformed. She was now a stunning red wolf standing beside Rael. I almost didn’t recognize her if it weren’t for the necklace she wore—a pendant of dragon tears, now blackened.

“Jonea...” I called out, but the wolf didn’t recognize me.

Fury boiled within me. “Rael, what have you done to her?”

Before I could reach Jonea, she leapt away in her wolf form. I tried to chase her, but Rael blocked me with his staff.

“Testing me, are you?” I growled. It wasn’t time for Jonea to transform yet. Her seal wasn’t fully broken. I knew this was Rael’s magic forcing her into her wolf form. “Do you hate humans that much for hunting and trapping our kind?”

Rael casually pulled his staff away. “Oh, she’ll come back if she wants to. Why so scared? Besides, isn’t it easier to watch over her in this form? No more humans around. It’d be dangerous if the dragon forces discovered her, wouldn’t it?”

My fists clenched tightly, the urge to crush Rael overwhelming me.

“Human life is more fragile than a failure born of the forest shadows—you!”

“You all avoid and label me that way. But I don’t enjoy this coldness.” Slowly, I stepped toward Rael, my body growing larger, shadows expanding around me.