Chapter 82: Chapter 82

JONEA

“So, why did you suddenly offer to pick me up? As far as I remember, you hate meeting strangers outside your comfort zone, especially dealing with the werewolves out here.”

“I was just passing by and… it seemed like you’ve been avoiding me since yesterday.” Daran spoke without turning to look at me, focusing on driving.

He sounded casual, but I felt awkward. “I thought we talked about this and decided to go back to how we were before. Talking and acting normal…”

Now I was the one feeling embarrassed and unsure what to say. “I’ve just been feeling a bit confused. Personal stuff,” I quickly added, “It’s got nothing to do with you.”

“What are you confused about?” Daran probed.

I waved my hand. “Oh, it’s nothing major, and I’ve sorted it out. You don’t need to worry about it. But anyway, where are you taking me this time? You think we’re going home?”

---

EVANGELISTA

The whole ride back to the hotel, we didn’t speak or even look at each other. I just kept pretending to be interested in the heavy traffic. Owen didn’t seem to like being around me. Well, I get it. Even if he won’t admit it, I’m sure he’s still disappointed in me.

“Owen, am I making you uncomfortable?” I’m not the type to bottle up my feelings, so I just said what was on my mind.

Owen looked a bit startled. “What?”

“You can’t talk or look at me. What’s up with that? You seem close with Jonea.”

“Hey! Eve, why do you always change the subject in the middle of a conversation? It’s confusing!”

“Well then… just answer my second question!” I grumbled, trying to hide my annoyance.

“Jonea and I… we’re just housemates, that’s it. Do we seem close to you? Are you… jealous?”

“Really?” I turned to look at Owen from the side. “You don’t have any feelings for her? Nothing special between you two? What’s she like? Tell me more.”

Owen shot me an annoyed glance. “I don’t know why you’re asking me about Jonea. Why don’t you ask about my uncle like you usually do?”

Now I was getting frustrated, too, with Owen constantly pushing and taking jabs at me.

“Fine, if you’re so curious about Jonea, I’ll tell you whatever you want to know about her.” Owen smirked, giving me a sideways look. “Jonea… she’s pretty close to me. We’ve even slept together. Yeah, I’m comfortable and happy with her, even if we argue a lot.”

I stared at him, not fully believing it.

“So… does that mean you’re uncomfortable and unhappy around me? You only get that joy with Jonea? What do you think Daran would say if he heard your confession about Jonea?” I smirked back at him.

Suddenly, Owen swerved and pulled the car over, slamming on the brakes, nearly sending me flying forward.

I turned to glare at him. “What the hell?”

“Listen, Eve! I just don’t want you to misunderstand, so I’ll be honest. If you came all the way out here to the Blue Sapphire for a mission from my uncle, you’d better act like a professional warlord and do your job. But if you’re expecting something more from my uncle out of this mission, you should just go back home and forget about it!”

I grabbed Owen’s shirt and pulled him close until our faces were nearly touching. I stared at him coldly, holding back my anger.

“What do you mean, Owen Rivers? I’m a professional! I never mix my personal feelings with my work. I came here purely because of a mission from the Lycan King. And shouldn’t you be doing the same with that girl?”

Owen pried my hand off his shirt.

“Don’t worry, Eve. My feelings are locked on one person. No matter what happens, I won’t easily fall for anyone else, especially not my uncle’s fiancée, who’s just a weak human.”

Owen straightened up and adjusted his shirt. “Aren’t you the one who knows best that I’m traumatized by stubborn women?”

I gritted my teeth and sat back down calmly. “I didn’t know that. Really, I had no idea!” I said, staring at him seriously.

Owen was still looking at me. “Fine, I’ll tell you the story again, even though you’re pretending to forget. It’s a very sad story. And I’m the only one who knows how it feels.”

“Decades ago, when I was younger than I am now, I fell in love with an older girl. She was stunning. To me, she was like a goddess. But it turned out she was a bully!” Owen spoke with a heavy tone. “She always teased me, treating me like a kid who would never grow up. And that really hurt my pride.”

I rolled my eyes and looked away. I didn’t want to entertain his nonsense. “Can you just drive and take me back to the hotel?”

---

JONEA

“Oh my gosh, what an idiot!” I muttered after reading the text Marilyn had just sent me.

“What’s up?” Daran asked.

We were sitting by a lake, its surface almost frozen due to the peak of winter. Daran and I were perched on the car’s hood. He had brought me here, saying he was looking for winter bugs for some magical potion.

“Oh, it’s nothing. Marilyn texted me. She said she just ran into Evangelista, my new friend from college. But Evangelista ignored her. Marilyn felt hurt, but maybe Evangelista just didn’t hear her.”

“Oh yeah, did I tell you we have a new student in my department? Her name’s Evangelista. Every guy in the department is crazy about her because she’s so pretty. But her face seems familiar. I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before, but I can’t remember where.”

I pulled out my phone and showed Daran a picture of the girl.

“Do you know her? Have you seen this girl before? Maybe we’ve met her somewhere. What do you think? She’s beautiful, right?”

Daran barely glanced at Evangelista’s photo before answering firmly, “Not at all! You’re much prettier.”

“Huh?” I was shocked and embarrassed. “Really? I’d say I’m more of the cute type, but I’m not as pretty as her,” I said hesitantly. “You must be joking, right?”

“I’m serious!” Daran replied sternly. “I’m being very serious right now.”

I laughed awkwardly. Daran was acting weird today. Earlier, during the drive, he was so possessive and a bit rough with me. Now, he was outright complimenting me? This wasn’t normal. He usually acted cold and distant toward me.

To break the awkwardness, I jumped off the car and pulled Daran with me.

“Come on, you said you wanted to find those winter bugs. We better get them before it gets dark!” I said, tugging at his hand.

---

DARAN

Jonea grabbed my hand and pulled me with such excitement. I let her lead the way. The winter wind bit at our faces and bodies. Jonea seemed so cheerful and warm. She had changed a lot. I remembered the first time I saw her at the auction, a sad, helpless girl who had lost her will to live. Her eyes were filled with sorrow and vengeance.

Eve’s words echoed in my mind: “Are you sure she’s not just like all your other boring relationships?”

Yeah, this doesn’t mean anything to me. Just like always. Even Jonea is just a werewolf girl with her powers still sealed. Right now, she’s no different than a weak human. This is just another careless relationship that’ll stick around for a while. She’s my prey, and I’m her predator!

Jonea stopped pulling my hand and turned to me with the sweetest smile. “What kind of bugs are you looking for?”

I grabbed her hand and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. I lowered my head, bringing my lips near her cheek.

“Careful, there’s a demon right behind you!”