Chapter 49: Chapter 49

JONEA

Hunter? Why is he here? I panicked because Hunter tried to reach out to touch me.

At the same time, Daran grabbed my waist with his muscular arms. He hugged me possessively and tried to keep me away from Hunter’s hands.

“It’s dangerous,” Daran whispered.

I saw Daran’s eyes staring coldly at Hunter. Daran’s expression this time was entirely beyond my expectations. I couldn’t translate the meaning of that look at all. Daran was so possessive, much more possessive than usual. As if there was danger threatening us.

I turned to Hunter, who was standing stiffly behind me. He lowered his hands, and his face turned cold when he saw Daran hugging me. I felt uncomfortable and embarrassed. I tried to remove Daran’s hand from my waist.

“Hunter, why are you here?” I asked nervously. The atmosphere suddenly turned tense. For some reason, I felt goosebumps when these two men looked at each other.

They’re both... Both handsome.

Damn, why am I still thinking about that? I pressed the tip of my thumbnail against my index finger to punish myself.

Hunter removed his cold gaze from Daran and turned to me. “I was buying coffee with my friends at the shop when I saw you earlier. Didn’t you realize you were passing me?”

I shook my head innocently. “I was too focused on the road.”

I was trying to lighten the mood, but for some reason, it made me shiver even more. Daran still didn’t want to let go of Hunter’s suspicious and threatening gaze. As if he was hunting and stalking his prey.

Like it or not, I also have to explain to Daran. “Ah, Hunter Abraham, he is my senior in college.” Then I pursed my lips and hissed while looking at the floor, “He’s the man I told you about before.”

Because Hunter also stared back at Daran coldly, I was confused about whether to explain who Daran was to Hunter.

“Ah, this man... He...”

How should I introduce Daran to Hunter? There’s no way I can say that Daran is my housemate. I also can’t explain that Daran is my future bride. It will definitely sound strange.

Ahh... Think, Jonea! Use your brain!

Daran glanced at me. He was also waiting. Maybe Daran was curious about how I would introduce him in front of Hunter.

Suddenly, I said, “Daran Carver, he’s a man I just met!”

Hunter seems to feel the upper hand. He grinned. I got annoyed with myself. Why do I suddenly feel less confident in front of Hunter? Why should I lie?

“Jonea, what movie are we going to watch next weekend? If you don’t like watching movies, how about we go to an art exhibition? I think you’ll like it.”

I’m lost for words. I stood there like a fool and a child caught stealing candy.

“I don’t know... I...”

“I’ll buy the tickets. I think attending exhibitions is more fun,” Hunter continued.

“Excuse me, young man,” Daran scolded to stop Hunter, who continued to speak confidently in front of us. Daran even took a step forward and blocked me from Hunter. “We have somewhere to go now. You guys can discuss it later.”

“Is it urgent?” Hunter replied in a slightly arrogant tone.

Daran, who usually rarely shows emotion, continued to change his face and emotions this time. I was too shocked to see Daran’s drastic change. This won’t end well, I guess.

“Hunter, I’ll text you later,” I said nervously to stop whatever Hunter’s intentions were.

“Message? You rarely even reply to my messages, Jonea.”

I gritted my teeth, cursing my stupidity.

“I won’t reply to your messages if the content isn’t important,” I said nervously.

“If you promise to reply to my message, I will leave now. Will you respond to my messages from now on?”

“Okay!” I answered quickly without thinking. I’m too panicked. “Don’t contact me during busy times. But I also don’t know when I will have free time. So--"

“So, you want to avoid me again? Don’t you want to respond to my messages?” Hunter insisted. He really knows how to take advantage of a situation.

“Okay, I’ll call you later when I get home!” I just want this tense atmosphere to end soon. I want Hunter to leave us immediately.

Hunter smiled for the first time since we met. I was amazed for a moment. It was a heartfelt smile that I hadn’t seen in a long time. That smile brought back memories of when we were still close. I really miss the other B4.

“Okay, I’ll wait for your call. See you next weekend, Jonea.”

Everything happened so fast. I was too stunned to dodge when Hunter reached out and gently rubbed the top of my head before he left.

“No!” I muttered in surprise.

After that, everything turned dark.

***

DARAN

“Jonea...!”

I moved quickly and supported Jonea’s body, who had fallen unconscious.

“Fuck! So he’s Hunter Abraham? How dare he touch my woman and cause her pain like this?”

I can no longer control my emotions. Without realizing it, my angry energy spread around me and moved objects. I heard the sound of several shop windows cracking. The wind suddenly came and turned quickly.

I carried Jonea’s unconscious body. Our bodies were enveloped by a whirlwind. I stopped time for a moment so that no humans and other creatures could see our teleportation.

In the blink of an eye, we were back home. I took Jonea to her room.

“Hunter Abraham... I know he’s the culprit--the one who left traces of magic on my favorite cup. And the red mark on his forehead... He’s dangerous to Jonea.”

I took off my coat and put it over Jonea’s shivering body. The girl woke up and mumbled my name.

“Daran... Why am I here?”

I immediately knelt beside the bed and checked Jonea’s condition.

“Ah, it hurts so much!” complained Jonea.

“Which part hurts?” I’m very anxious.

“My whole body felt like it was losing strength and hurting. Is it… Because Hunter touched me?” Jonea looked at me with a face full of regret.

I was silent for a moment. “Stay away from him! He’s dangerous for you. You know he has a red mark on his forehead. Didn’t Owen explain the consequences to you?”

Jonea’s face was ashen. She even had difficulty sitting. I gave her enough pillows to support her back.

“Before this, he also accidentally touched me, and nothing happened to me.”

I pondered possible causes. Was this due to the effects of the magic energy he released? The red mark on his forehead suddenly turned bright when he was provoked by my presence.

“Daran?” muttered Jonea.

I snapped out of it, “Yes, Jonea? This is a stern warning for you. Never approach him. I won’t allow you!”

Jonea looked shocked.

I bent down and cupped Jonea’s pale face with both my hands. “Let me kiss you!”

“But--”

Before she could answer, I kissed Jonea’s lips. She had time to react but also didn’t refuse.

“Daran, why…”

“I just want to absorb the magic energy that makes you painful and weak.”

Jonea was amazed. “You are right! After you kissed me...” Jonea looked shy, and her cheeks were red.

Jonea stood up and shouted happily. “Instantly, my strength returned! And I don’t feel pain anymore. How could that be?”

She groped her own body.

“What did you say just now? Magic energy? Does that mean Hunter has magical abilities like the demons hunting me?”