Chapter 25: Chapter 25

JONEA

"Hunter? How could that be."

Again I couldn't move. This time it wasn't because the energy in my body was drained, but because Hunter appeared that made me weak. I couldn't move because of my own shock. I even injured him.

I saw Hunter had a red mark on his forehead. But he didn't have the same negative impact as the previous monster. I looked down at my hands, covered in Hunter's blood. I still tightly gripped the black bone dagger with trembling hands.

"Jonea... are you okay?" Hunter groaned in pain.

He held his waist, which was torn by my dagger. He wasn't angry at all. On the other hand, Hunter is worried about me.

Now I'm confused. What exactly happened? How could Hunter be here?

"I saw you at the club. You… being carried by a strange man. I thought something bad had happened to you. That's why I followed you all the way here."

Lie! I shouted in my head.

Slowly my consciousness returned. I backed away in fear while pointing my dagger at him.

Hunter is on Luke Draken's side. Even now, I see a red mark on his forehead. Hunter might have followed me but did not help me.

"Jonea…." Hunter tried to get closer but stopped because blood continued to flow from the wound on his waist.

I was surprised too. The black bone dagger seemed to have the same effect as silver on the werewolves. Only the black bone dagger could be used against non-human beings.

"What do you mean by claiming to be a Lycan in front of that monster? You're clearly a werewolf."

"Jonea… please. You must have misunderstood. It's not what you think." Hunter's face turned pale with pain.

"You… must have mistaken me for someone else, Sir! I do not know you!" I retorted firmly to get rid of Hunter.

There was a surprise in Hunter's dimmed eyes. "Jonea… please!"

He reached out and tried to grab me. At that moment, someone hugged me tightly from behind. I turned to him.

"This scent…." I lifted my face that sank into his chest. “Owen?” He really hugged me possessively. I saw a very sharp look in Owen's eyes on Hunter.

No words describe the look on Owen's face right now. He looked possessive, angry, worried, and relieved all at the same time. I don't know which one is right. Maybe it's just my feeling. But I can feel Owen's arms around me.

Owen lowered his head to look at me. "I've been looking for you everywhere."

We turned our backs on the Hunter. I saw Hunter's hand grab Owen's shoulder and pull him roughly.

"Who are you?" shouted Hunter furiously.

Owen pushed Hunter's hand away without taking his arm off of me. "I'm her friend. I will take her from here."

I saw Owen glance at the wound continuously bleeding on Hunter's waist. "Are you trying to hurt this girl, man?"

Hunter pouted. "Can't you see who's injured here?"

"She won't hurt you if she doesn't feel threatened."

Owen carefully snatched the bloodstained black bone dagger from my hand and put it away.

"You can walk, Jonea? I'll carry you if you're in trouble."

Just as Owen was about to support me and walk away, Hunter once again confronted us.

"Do you think you can get away with her? How would I know if you were her friend?" hissed Hunter.

Owen hissed back and glared at Hunter angrily. "You speak as if you know her. Even though this is the first time she has set foot on Blue Sapphire."

"Impossible!" Hunter denied. "Just say it. How can I know if you are her friend or not?"

Hunter is still pressing. It was clear he didn't want to let me go. Either to be used as prey or for something else. I really don't want to deal with Hunter at this time.

Owen looked at me. He seemed to understand the difficult situation I was in.

We also ignored Hunter and walked out of the alley. Again Hunter tugged Owen's arm roughly.

"What do you want, bastard? You don't even know this girl's name yet; act like you know her well!" Owen hissed.

"Jonea Fallon!" answered Hunter firmly.

"You seem to have mistaken the person, Sir. This girl's name is Jonea Rawling. If you feel aggrieved, you can contact me for your medical expenses. And don't bother us anymore, or I'll take you to the police station immediately."

Owen handed Hunter his business card. However, Hunter did not accept it. Owen also threw his business card until it fell before Hunter's feet.

"I told you not to bring the girl!" shouted Hunter. This time I saw him attack Owen from behind.

Why is Hunter so stubborn? Couldn't he just give up and end all of this? Why should I return to Blue Sapphire and meet him? What exactly is Daran's plan for sending me back here?

Owen easily parried Hunter's attacks and countered them. Hunter was thrown five meters away. He's injured; I think that's why he doesn't have enough strength to fight Owen. I saw Hunter sprawled in the middle of a dark alley.

I just stared at Hunter, stunned. Even though I hated him because of past incidents, I also couldn't bear to see him hurt.

My knees felt weak. I really don't know what to do at this point. By the time I realized I was down and Owen was supporting me.

"What a troublesome girl," Owen muttered.

He lifted me up and carried me. I'm still sober when Owen did all that. My lips pressed together, and I closed my eyes tightly.

"I told you to be careful of people with red marks on their foreheads."

Owen took me home and laid me on the bed. During that time, I kept my eyes closed and silent. I really don't want to talk to anyone right now.

"Are you all right, Jonea? Want me to get you something warm? I know you're awake and can hear me. It's fine if you don't want to talk to me. I'll leave your dagger on the table. I already cleaned it."

I heard him walk out of the room and close the door. I breathed a sigh of relief and opened my eyes.

I kept thinking about what happened in the alley and the red marks on Hunter's forehead. He had red markings that were different from those monsters. Hunter's appearance didn't drain my energy either. But still, I was disturbed by the red sign.

"What does all this mean? I didn't see any red markings on Hunter's forehead before."

Owen returned with a glass of warm milk. He put it on the table right beside my dagger. He sat on the couch not far from my bed, resting one leg on the other.

"Are you hurt? If you keep quiet, I don't know what to do. I also don't want my uncle to be angry because of this incident. I hope we can work together."

"I'd rather you scold me than you act nice like this," I replied while trying to sit up.

"Angry?"

"Because I go to the club. Even though I know a crowded place like that has many potential dangers."

"Who can stop you from going to the club? You're not an underage girl anymore. You are free to go anywhere. It's just that you have to be careful. It's also my fault for not explaining what the red mark on the forehead means."

"So what kind of creatures are they? Why do they have different signs? Does each different sign also have a different effect?"

Owen narrowed his eyes. He leaned toward me.

"There should be no difference even though the form is different. The red mark belongs to the warlocks. In general, they are dangerous, although not all. The effects are the same. They can drain your energy so you become weak, and they can easily eat you. Especially if they find out you have a rare sacred blood in your body."

"But why doesn't he have the same effect on me? I can still move my body and speak normally. The effect differs from the previous red mark on the warlock's forehead."

"Who do you mean, Jonea? That handsome man you spoke to earlier? Do you know him? What does he mean to you?"

I was nervous and not ready for the question.

Suddenly Owen moved. Now he's sitting on the bed right in front of me.

"You… don't want to answer? Should I report that man to my uncle?"

I reflexively raised my hand to cover Owen's lips. "Please…"

To my surprise, Owen actually pulled my hand until our eyes met. Our lips almost touch.

I try to pull away. But Owen held my shoulders in place.

"Please," I begged.