Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Owen Rivers

I was just returning home when the phone rang.

"It's past midnight. Who's calling at this hour?"

I put the car keys on the table and grabbed the receiver. I heard his panicked voice. It's really not like my uncle.

"Did something happen to my bride-to-be?"

My uncle literally screamed into the phone. I had to hold the receiver away from my ear.

What the hell is he? Scream midnight!

It was only then that I realized that the house was quiet at that time.

"What?" I was confused and reconfirmed my uncle's question. "Who's in danger?"

Just knowing that uncle called was very strange. It is scarce he calls me.

"Are you stupid, Owen? Are you drunk? I told you to stay sane and stay alert!"

My body immediately shivered at that time too. "Oh, is it about Jonea?"

I had forgotten that Jonea was now living here with me.

"What do you mean she's in danger?" I laughed softly. "You worry too much about her. There's no way she'd be in danger. I'm sure she's curled up in her room now under the covers."

I heard Uncle hissing. "Have you seen with your own eyes that Jonea is now in the bedroom sleeping, Owen?"

His anger spread through the telephone wires to my ears and shook my whole body.

"Yes! I'll make sure that she's all right!"

I stammered out of nervousness. Nobody would want to receive the wrath of this vicious Lycan King. Even towards his own family, he never discriminated against. He will be strict and cruel to anyone who deserves this treatment.

"I'll give you five minutes to ensure my future queen is all right, Owen! Otherwise, you know what will happen–"

Damn it!

I immediately slammed down the phone and ran to the girl's room.

"The door is unlocked?"

I frowned. I open it and turn on the room light. The room was completely empty. There's no one there.

Fuck!

I ran downstairs and looked for my phone. I really need clarification. Who should I call or where to look for that troublesome girl?

I really need help to think straight. I tried to calm down and think. Until my feet stepped into the kitchen.

Stress makes me thirsty.

There, I saw a piece of paper attached to the fridge door using a magnet. This is the first time I've done something like this. It must be Jonea's doing.

I pulled out the paper and read the handwriting, which was neat enough on it.

"Going to a club? How dare she! If something bad happens, of course, not her will be blamed, but me!"

I called her cell phone number, which she put in the memo. The phone rang several times, but no one answered.

"Fuck! Where is she going?"

My time is almost up. If Uncle calls again and finds out that I lost Jonea…

"No! Uncle can't know. I have to find and bring Jonea home before Uncle calls again!"

I ran to grab the car keys.

"The only way I can find her is by following her scent trail. She shouldn't have been gone long ago. The trail still remains, and the scent is quite strong."

I drive at high speed. Traces of her scent took me to a very crowded nightclub. Even this late, visitors are still arriving.

"Hell in Paradise? She goes to a cheap club like this? She really doesn't listen to my advice. Precisely in places like this, there are lots of dangers lurking. Especially the creatures with red marks on their foreheads. You stubborn girl!"

I exited the car and stood among the club's visitors waiting in line to enter. "She is not here!"

Instinct dragged me away in one direction, away from the club area. There is an aura of threat and danger.

"Hi, handsome. Do you want to join us? We're going to party!"

Two girls blocked my step. One of them even dared to cling spoiled to me.

"Sorry, girls. I'm busy now and don't have time to have fun with you guys. I have work to do."

I ran away from the two girls with a little rough. My steps continued to lead to a quiet street. I could feel a strong scent and darkness power around that place.

I turned into an alley between two shops. My sharp eyes caught a glimpse of the long nails of a warlock trying to tear Jonea apart.

I growled. I was about to lunge when I saw the warlock suddenly bounce against the wall of one of the shops.

Great energy radiated from Jonea's body. Even though I saw the girl lying helplessly in the middle of a dark alley. The energy field also affected me.

I felt the same feelings and pressure when I first met Jonea. There was something inside that girl. Something that kept protecting her from harm.

***

Jonea Rawling

"What happened? I heard something hit the wall really hard."

My body feels weaker. Even moving the petals was so tricky.

In the alley's darkness, I could faintly see a vast wolf coming and pouncing on the monster trying to rip my heart apart. Now they were rolling on the ground.

I couldn't see the wolf's color because the alley was dark. I can't even smell his scent. Really I just saw his eyes sparkling sharp as red as blood.

Someone was heard roaring. I am still determining who it is. I can't even believe my own consciousness right now. I can't tell the difference between illusion and reality. I don't know friends or foes.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Footsteps approached me. There was no sound of moaning or hissing.

"Is he another witch? Does he also want to pounce and rip my heart apart? I can't do anything right now."

Something sniffed my neck. I can feel his hot breath. Fine hairs are feeling around my cheeks.

Daran?

Only that name came to my mind. For some reason, at a desperate time like this, it was Daran who I expected to see. Has my heart been betrayed?

"Get away from my prey!" a scream rang out at the end of the alley.

The wolf that previously sniffed me now returned to being alert in one direction and growling threateningly. From where I was lying down, I could see its sharp fangs.

It's not over yet. I can no longer watch that fight. The urge to sleep is powerful. I am exhausted.

"Hey, newcomer! You have entered our territory. I will not let you escape it and snatch my prey."

I heard a powerful growl near me.

"You think you can escape Luke Draken's hunters? We are both aliens and don't want to be wanted here. But I got the girl first. Get away from me, Lycan!"

"So you know I'm a lycan?" His tone sounded threatened. "Then, I must get rid of you tonight! I didn't want to make a fuss, though."

I was surprised to hear his voice. It wasn't Daran's voice, but I couldn't remember where I had heard it.

I heard an extreme tearing and groaning sound. I smell the rancid scent of blood. I don't know who got hurt. An apparent fight echoes in my ears, but I can't do anything about it.

Slowly I realized. As the figure with the red mark on the forehead moved away from me, I could feel my energy slowly coming back, even though it was prolonged.

How happy I am when I can move my fingers and feel the surface of the cardboard covering my body.

Move on, Jonea! Move, my body! Do not be weak. No one will help but yourself. You have to get up, Jonea!

My hands started to clench. It was as if blood flowed slowly through my veins after being frozen.

What if that wolf wasn't sent by Daran to save me? What if it turns out that the wolf is also one of my potential predators?

I must stand!

My hands clenched tightly. Slowly I could tilt my body even though my head was still throbbing intensely. The world revolves around me. But I have to get up.

I grope thighs. I found the black bone dagger that I always tucked in there. I held it very tightly, and I hid it behind my back.

Whoever comes closer, he can no longer touch me!

I heard cries of defeat. Someone ran out of the alley. He climbed through the railing at the end of the dead-end passage. At least my opponent is now the only one remaining.

With weak strength that had just returned, I tried to get up while holding on to the wall.

I heard someone approaching me. My sense of smell has yet to return. My night vision is also still impaired.

He's getting closer. I feel threatened. At that time, I drew the black bone dagger right at the figure when he touched my shoulder.

"Jo-nea… What are you doing?" he said while groaning in pain. "It's me!"

My sight returned. In the darkness, I could clearly see who was the figure I had stabbed with the dagger right at his right waist. He has a red mark on his forehead.

"You?"