Chapter 116: Chapter 116

DARAN

The cold night wind cut through me like knives. The full moon hung brightly in the sky, casting its glow over the silent city. Hidden in the shadows, I moved stealthily, following Jonea’s trail. She’d left the house without warning, and I couldn’t let her roam the city in her wolf form. It wasn’t just dangerous for her—it was dangerous for anyone who might encounter her.

Slipping through the shadows of buildings, I moved swiftly and silently. Only the sound of the wind filled the air as her energy grew stronger, leading me to a small park in the city center.

And there she was, standing alone in the middle of the park. Her large, fiery red wolf form glimmered under the moonlight. Her sharp eyes gazed upward, as if speaking to the moon itself. I stopped a distance away, watching her. There was a wild beauty in her presence, but also a danger I couldn’t ignore.

I approached cautiously, making sure my voice wouldn’t startle her. “Jonea,” I called softly.

She turned to face me, her bright eyes catching the shadow of my figure on the ground. But she didn’t move—just stared at me.

“There’s so much I still don’t understand about you,” I said, trying to connect with her. “But one thing’s for sure—I need you. Without you... I might be lost.”

Jonea huffed lightly, then turned and began walking toward me. Her movements were slow, deliberate. I stood my ground, careful not to make her feel cornered. But she didn’t show any signs of aggression. Instead, she came closer until her snout brushed against me.

I took a deep breath and slowly shifted from shadow into my human form. Kneeling before her, I reached out and gently ran my hand over her head. Her fur was warm and rough beneath my fingers.

“You know, Jonea,” I murmured, my voice hoarse, “it’s... unbearably cold without you.”

She didn’t respond, just gazed at me with eyes that seemed far too human for a wolf. But I knew she was listening.

Then, as if guided by an unseen force, Jonea began to change. Her wolf form shrank, her fur disappearing bit by bit until she stood before me, human once more. She shivered in the cold night air, bare under the moonlight.

I immediately shrugged off my coat and wrapped it around her. Jonea clutched it tightly, her eyes finally meeting mine.

“I don’t like the cold either,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the wind. “So... I’ll come home.”

A faint smile tugged at my lips. Stubborn as she was, tonight she’d chosen to listen to her heart.

Without another word, I scooped her into my arms. She didn’t resist, simply leaning into me, exhaustion written all over her face.

We walked home in silence, the sound of my footsteps echoing on the stone streets. But I didn’t mind. There was a warmth in the silence that I couldn’t quite describe.

And for the first time in a long while, the night didn’t feel so cold.

*

JONEA

I quickly changed into fresh clothes, my heart still racing. My body trembled—not from the cold, but from the memory of what had just happened. The image of myself as a wolf was still so vivid. The feeling... the freedom... I couldn’t quite put it into words. All I knew was that it was something I’d never experienced before.

After dressing, I hesitated before heading to the living room. Daran and Owen were already there, sitting silently on the couch, clearly waiting for me to explain.

I took a seat on another couch, hugging my knees tightly. It felt like I was still trying to warm myself, even though Daran’s coat had protected me from the night’s chill.

“I...” I began, but the words caught in my throat. How could I explain what had just happened? How could I explain something I didn’t even understand myself?

“Jonea,” Daran’s voice broke the silence. His gaze was sharp, but beneath it was a layer of concern. “Do you know what just happened to you?”

I shook my head slowly. “No,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “It’s like my mind... it’s still foggy. When I turned into that wolf, everything felt different. I felt free, but... out of control.”

Owen, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke up. “You really did transform into a wolf,” he said, disbelief still lacing his tone. He straightened up, his eyes filled with curiosity and confusion. “I came down because I heard a commotion. But I never expected to see something like that.”

I looked up at him. “You were born a pure lycan, right? You must know more about transformations like this.”

He shook his head. “I am a lycan, but I’ve never seen anything like this before. Your transformation... it felt different. Not like us.”

“Does that mean I’m not a lycan?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

“Not necessarily,” Daran interjected, his voice calm but serious. “It could be... a curse.”

Owen and I both turned to him. “A curse?” we said almost in unison.

Daran leaned back on the couch, narrowing his eyes as if choosing his words carefully. “Rael’s staff,” he finally said. “That staff holds countless curses. Rael is an ancient sorcerer who delights in meddling with people’s lives. If his staff affected you, he might be trying to reveal your true form—or what he believes you should be.”

“But why me?” I asked. “I’m nobody. Why would he go to such lengths to curse me?”

Daran gave a bitter smile. “He’s just a troublemaker. Rael has always been a pain,” he said, more to himself than to me. “He loves making my life difficult. I don’t even know if you’re really a werewolf, Jonea. But if this is a curse from his staff, we don’t need to worry—it’s likely temporary.”

I stared at him, confused. “Temporary? What does that mean? Could I turn into something else when my seal breaks?”

He didn’t answer right away, his gaze serious. “I need to understand the extent of the staff’s influence on you. But one thing’s certain, Jonea—you can’t lose control like that again. The city won’t be safe if it happens.”

Owen nodded in agreement. “Uncle’s right. If you shift into a wolf in the middle of the city, who knows what could happen? You need to learn how to control yourself, Jonea.”

I nodded slowly. Their words only added to my confusion but also made me realize how serious this was.

After a moment, Daran stood up. “Get some rest,” he said, his tone softer. “We’ll talk about this again tomorrow.”

I didn’t respond, just nodded before retreating to my room. My steps felt heavy, as though something unseen was holding me back.

As I lay down in bed, my mind couldn’t stop replaying the events of earlier. The feeling of being a wolf—it was like something had freed me from all my burdens. No fear, no hesitation—just pure, unbridled freedom coursing through my body.

I closed my eyes, trying to push the thoughts away. But the image of myself as a wolf kept returning. It was alluring, impossible to ignore.

“So... liberating,” I whispered softly, barely audible.

That warmth, that sense of freedom—I knew I should be afraid. I knew I shouldn’t crave it. But deep down, I couldn’t deny that part of me wanted to feel it again.

Clutching my blanket tightly, I let my thoughts wander. For the first time in a long while, I felt truly free—even if it was only in the shadows of my mind.