Chapter 131: Chapter 131

JONEA

I was sitting in what felt like endless darkness. No sound except the echo of my own breath, no movement except the shadow of myself fading on a pitch-black floor like cracked glass. I knew it was just a dream, but it felt so real, like a trap I couldn’t escape.

Suddenly, a voice broke the silence—cold and familiar.

“Jonea,” it called, echoing through the void. “I know you can hear me.”

Luke Draken.

My body tensed, but I couldn’t see him. Just his voice, flowing with power and certainty.

“Surely you’re starting to understand the dragon blood flowing in your veins,” he continued. “You can’t deny it, Jonea. Our bodies were bound long before the red moon rose.”

In the dream, I touched my own body. My hand brushed against something that shouldn’t be there—hard, sharp scales covering half of me. I gasped, choking on a sob. What had happened to me?

Luke chuckled softly, mocking. “I will live inside you forever,” he said, his voice drawing closer, as if whispering directly into my ear. “And one day, that dragon blood will destroy you—unless you return to me. I’ll be eternal within you, Jonea.”

I shut my eyes, trying to fight back his voice, to reject his presence. But deep down, I knew he was right.

In that darkness, a faint light appeared in the distance. Like an open door, like hope piercing through the night. Another voice replaced Luke’s.

“Jonea,” the call was soft, full of affection. It was Aland.

I reached toward the light, taking hesitant steps away from the shadows whispering behind me.

When I opened my eyes, the world returned to me. Warm sunlight greeted my face, and the scent of damp forest after rain filled the air. My body felt light, though there was still a dull ache in places.

Beside me, Aland smiled gently. We were lying together under the same blanket, our bodies bare as if the world belonged to only us.

“Good morning, Jonea,” he said, his voice like a melody soothing my wounds.

He kissed me softly, sending my heart racing. His warm hand caressed my face, then touched the dragon scales still covering half my body.

I wanted to pull away, to hide. But I was too weak to move. “I... I’m not perfect,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Aland shook his head, his gaze full of love. “No,” he said firmly. “You’re perfect, Jonea. As my mate, you’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever had.”

I searched his eyes, looking for lies, but found none. All I saw was sincerity, a truth that calmed my shattered heart.

Without hesitation, he kissed me again—deeper, warmer. His touch awakened something within me, something that made me feel whole despite the terrifying dragon scales covering half of me.

But in the midst of that tenderness, Luke’s voice echoed again in my head.

“You’re mine, Jonea,” he whispered with certainty. “You’ll come back to me.”

I tried to ignore him, but it was hard. His voice loomed over my thoughts even as Aland held me close, giving me warmth meant to erase all doubts.

“What’s wrong?” Aland asked, sensing my unease.

I shook my head, trying to smile. “Nothing. I’m just tired.”

He pulled me into his embrace, shielding me as if I were something fragile and precious.

“You don’t have to be afraid, Jonea,” he whispered in my ear. “I’m here. I won’t let anything hurt you.”

I wanted to believe him, to trust every word he said. But I knew Luke’s shadow wouldn’t disappear so easily.

As night fell, I sat alone by the edge of a small river near where we were staying. The clear water reflected my face—my neck and shoulders, half still human, half covered in shimmering red dragon scales.

I touched the scales with trembling fingers, feeling their hardness beneath my touch. They were a constant reminder that I was no longer the same.

"Why me?" I whispered to my reflection. "Why do I have to bear all of this?"

As if in response, Luke's voice echoed in my mind.

"Because you're special, Jonea. You're mine. Nothing can separate us."

I clenched my fists, holding back the tears threatening to spill. I punched the water's surface, shattering my reflection.

"I'll fight you, Luke. I won't let you win."

"There's no use fighting, Jonea," he replied, his voice calm and assured. "You know that. You can't deny the dragon blood flowing through you."

I bit my lip, trying to suppress the fear gnawing at my heart.

When I returned to Aland, he was waiting for me. Sitting by the campfire, his face was calm but watchful as I approached.

Since the battle, Daran and the lycans seemed to have disappeared, swallowed by the shadows. I couldn’t find them anywhere. I also lacked the power to breach the lycan realm. Even the auction house, which was supposed to be our connection point, had been destroyed by dragon fire.

I’d lost them. Despite trying to return to Owen’s house, all I found was an abandoned building. Yet just a day earlier, it had been a beautiful home. Even Marilyn was baffled by my story, claiming the house had been abandoned for over a decade.

We graduated from university. Hunter resumed leading the Blue Sapphire. He and the werewolves had driven out the dragons. The land was peaceful again. The remaining humans no longer hid in fear, and we coexisted once more.

Miller and Arabel continued their lives as hunters. They had to maintain balance in the shadow world. Somewhere, the Red Dragon Army was still in hiding.

Aland continued traveling with his dragons, and sometimes I went with him, like today. We stopped in a remote village far from the city’s bustle, staying here for a few nights.

"You don’t have to face this alone," he said, pulling me to sit beside him. He was so possessive of me.

I hugged my knees, feeling like a lost child.

"Aland, what if I become like Luke? What if this dragon blood makes me lose myself?"

He held my hand, steadying me.

"You won’t become like him, Jonea. Because I’m here. And because you’re far stronger than you think."

I looked at him, and for the first time, I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I could fight the shadows haunting me.

In Aland's embrace, I felt warmth. But deep inside, I knew this battle wasn’t over. Luke was still out there, waiting for the right moment to strike. And I had to be ready, no matter what.

*

EPILOGUE

Three years had passed since the chaos ended. My life was now peaceful, so different from the blood-soaked battles of the past. Blue Sapphire, once a place of conflict and sorrow, was now my home again, as I’d always dreamed. I managed a small art gallery in the city center, a place where I channeled my passion and found tranquility.

This morning, the sun shone warmly, and the air was filled with the scent of spring flowers. I had just seen Aland off. He was always the adventurer, never staying in one place for long. This time, he decided to check the borders of Blue Sapphire as usual, accompanied by his dragons.

"I’ll be back whenever you need me," he’d said earlier with a warm smile before kissing my forehead and leaving with his dragon.

I smiled at the memory, then dove back into my work at the gallery. Today, I needed to finish some commissioned paintings and prepare for a small exhibition next week.

Marilyn, my ever-charming best friend, often stopped by. She’d remarried—her third marriage.

"Oh, Marilyn," I’d mutter whenever she shared stories about her new life, but I was happy to see her thriving.

While tidying up some canvases, the gallery doorbell chimed. I turned to see a man standing there. Tall, handsome, and exuding an elegance that was hard to ignore.

"Good afternoon," he greeted in a deep, smooth voice. "You’re Jonea, right? I’m Randall."

I froze for a moment. Something about his face reminded me of someone. Daran. The name escaped my lips like a whisper, and my heart raced. Was this him in disguise?

"Excuse me?" He looked puzzled by my reaction. "My name is Randall. I’m new in town and work as a history lecturer at Abraham University. I’m glad to have found such a beautiful art gallery."

Shaking off the daze, I regained my composure.

"Oh, I’m sorry. It’s nice to meet you, Randall. Is there something I can help you with?"

He smiled warmly, and his smile was so genuine.

"I came to pick up a painting I ordered a while back."

We chatted briefly about his order, and throughout the conversation, I couldn’t shake the strange feeling. Randall reminded me of Daran, but he clearly wasn’t him. When he left, I felt a mix of relief and disappointment.

"If Daran were here," I murmured to myself, "maybe he’d be as happy as that man."

*

Evening came, and I prepared for a long-awaited reunion with my high school alumni. Hunter was treating us to dinner at a café. Aland would be there, along with Marilyn and her new husband.

As usual, I was running late. Taking a shortcut through a dim alley, I hurried, hoping to arrive faster. The alley was quiet, lit only by faint, flickering lights that barely chased away the night’s shadows.

Suddenly, I sensed something strange—a familiar yet unwanted presence. At the far end of the alley, a hooded figure appeared. I stopped in my tracks. From this distance, I could see the faint glow of a red mark on his forehead.

My heart sank. It wasn’t Hunter. I knew his mark had disappeared after he was freed from Luke Draken’s shadow.

I tried to turn around, but the figure was already in front of me. His cold eyes and sweet smile hid a deadly darkness.

"Jonea," he said, his voice low and magnetic. "I’ve come for you."

The voice hit me like a hammer. My body froze, and my breath caught in my throat.

"Luke Draken?" I whispered, almost unable to believe what I was seeing.

He chuckled softly, stepping closer.

"You didn’t think I’d just disappear, did you? You’re mine, Jonea. And I’ve waited long enough."

I stepped back, but the alley wall stopped me.

"No way," I stammered, my voice trembling. "You’re supposed to be dead!"

He smirked, pulling my collar down to reveal my neck and chest.

"You should know better, Jonea. I’ll never truly die. As long as the dragon blood flows within you, I’ll always be here."

The long-buried fear returned, crashing over me like a tidal wave. I searched desperately for a way to escape, but my body felt weak in his presence.

"I let you enjoy this peace," he continued. "But now, it’s time to come back to me. We have unfinished business."

I shook my head, tears welling up.

"I’ll never go with you!"

He reached out his hand, beckoning me closer.

"You don’t have a choice, Jonea. You know that."

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed behind Luke. From the darkness, someone emerged.

"Jonea!" Aland’s voice rang out.

Luke turned, his smirk faltering briefly before turning into a mocking grin.

"Ah, your little knight has come to save you. How romantic."

Aland stepped between us, his eyes blazing with anger and protectiveness.

"Touch her, and this will be your last night, Luke."

But Luke was faster and stronger. Before Aland could stop him, Luke seized me.

And just like that, I was taken.

—THE END—