Chapter 126: Chapter 126

JONEA

I froze, my heart pounding erratically as Luke’s words sank in.

“The last time we met was at a graveyard, right?” he asked, a faint smirk playing on his lips, making my blood boil. “More accurately, I saw you. You knew I was there, but you chose to ignore me.”

My eyes widened. A graveyard? I racked my brain, trying to make sense of his words. Only one graveyard stood out in my memory—the one where my parents were buried. The day I stood at the edge of a fresh grave, feeling the world crumble beneath my feet. The day I auctioned off my freedom for something far worse.

“So,” I murmured, almost in disbelief, “you were there? Watching me?”

Luke’s smirk widened. His face was calm, but his eyes hinted at something much darker.

“You looked so fragile that day,” he said, stepping closer. “Just a little girl who’d lost everything. It was… entertaining to watch.”

Rage bubbled in my chest, but my body refused to move, as if his presence alone was a chain binding me in place.

He reached out, his fingers brushing my neck, then slowly trailing down past the collar of my shirt. My skin crawled, not from cold but from the disgust coursing through me. His hand stopped at my shoulder, where black dragon scales covered my skin. His eyes narrowed, and a satisfied smile spread across his face.

“This…” he whispered, “is my masterpiece.”

I held my breath. As if he could read my thoughts, he continued, “Yes, this is my work. Beautiful, isn’t it? You wear my curse so perfectly.”

Anger mixed with fear. I gritted my teeth, trying to steady myself. “What do you want from me, Luke?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he leaned in, his face inches from mine. Luke inhaled deeply, as if savoring my scent, then grinned.

“Ah, so those two creatures have marked you already,” he said mockingly. “A lycan and… that cursed hybrid, part blue dragon, part werewolf. Disgusting.”

I stiffened. How did he know?

Luke leaned even closer, whispering in my ear. “But they can’t have what’s already mine,” he murmured.

I tried to step back, trembling, but he was faster. His arm wrapped around my waist, firm and possessive. His forked tongue flicked out, licking my neck in a slow, deliberate motion.

My body reacted in a way I couldn’t comprehend. I should’ve felt disgusted, angry, terrified. But there was something stirring within me, something I didn’t recognize. It made me weak, helpless. Was I… enjoying it?

“Stop!” I tried to scream, but my voice came out as a hoarse whisper, almost a whimper.

Luke chuckled, his tone laced with sinister satisfaction. “You’re so sweet, Jonea,” he said, his voice low and taunting. “Your body, your reactions… everything about you is perfect. You’re mine, and I’ll prove it when the Blood Moon rises.”

“The Blood Moon?” I repeated, confused and angry.

He nodded, his eyes glinting like embers. “Just two days away. I’ll make sure that lycan king and that hybrid mutt howl in rage. Watching them despair will be the best entertainment.”

I fought to steady myself, to push away the cold that froze me in place. I had to resist. I wouldn’t let him control me. But every time I tried to move or speak, my body responded with humiliating weakness.

Luke noticed. His smile grew, filled with triumph.

“There’s no need to fight, Jonea,” he said softly, his voice like poison seeping into my mind. “This is your destiny. You’re mine, and I’ll make sure the whole world knows it.”

Summoning every ounce of strength, I managed to say, “I… am not yours!”

The words were barely audible, but enough to make Luke pause. For a moment, I saw something in his eyes—surprise, maybe even anger. But it was fleeting.

He smiled again, colder this time. “We’ll see about that,” he said, turning and walking away, leaving me alone in the dark room.

I collapsed to my knees, gasping for air. My body was still trembling, but inside me, anger began to burn away the fear that had gripped me.

I didn’t know how, but I would fight. I’d fight Luke Draken, his curse, and anyone else who tried to take control of my life.

Two days until the Blood Moon. And I would make sure I belonged to no one but myself.

“Don’t you wonder what kind of creature you really are?” Luke’s voice echoed through the room, though he was no longer there. “Do you think you’re a werewolf? Or a lycan? But look… half your body is covered in dragon scales. You’re mine, Jonea!”

His words enraged me, the possibility they might be true stinging worse than any wound. I stood up and ran after him. This was my chance to end him. Silently, I drew the black dagger I always carried.

I spotted Luke as he turned down a hallway. I rushed him, aiming to drive my dagger into his neck from behind. But a split second before I could strike, Luke moved, reappearing behind me. My blade slashed through empty air.

“You’re too slow,” he whispered, grabbing the wrist holding my dagger. “You’re always such a nuisance to me!” His voice turned harsh, dripping with anger.

I couldn’t move. My body felt frozen, as if under a spell.

He wrenched the dagger from my hand and gripped my jaw with one hand, treating me like a puppet he could control.

“Well, you accepted this bargain by coming to me. Just so you know, I’ve marked you too!” He stared triumphantly at the dragon scales covering half my body.

I was stunned. Was this why Daran and Aland’s gazes turned sorrowful and filled with regret when they saw these scales?

As he caressed my jaw, Luke’s handsome form shifted, revealing his true self—a terrifying red dragon.

“You’re the same as me,” he whispered. “Your curse is as strong as mine. You’re destined to die, and I’m destined to live forever. You’ll offer your pure blood for my immortality! So give it to me.”

I wanted to scream, but all I could manage was a weak, “Is it only my blood you want?”

“Of course. Right now, it’s the most valuable part of you. I’ve tried everything, even using Aland as a pawn, but I failed. Because you sold yourself and gained protection from the lycan king. In exchange for your pure blood, I’ll let you live eternally by my side as my mate! Haha… even that lycan king can’t break your seal. Only I can, because I placed it on you!”

“What?” I bit back my rage. “I… don’t believe you!”

“Haha… then what choice do you have?”

Luke gripped my arm, pulling me closer, his dragon face looming near mine.

“You have no choice,” he growled menacingly.