Chapter 96: Chapter 96

DARAN

On the way back home, my mind kept returning to what Jonea had told me earlier. When she mentioned meeting a strange man in the paint shop, I immediately got a bad feeling. There was something she said that struck a chord: the black mark on the man's forehead.

"Jonea," I broke the silence. "Can you describe the man you saw at the paint shop?"

Jonea looked at me for a moment, probably noticing how serious I was. She paused, as if she was piecing her memory back together.

“I don’t know, Daran. It all happened so fast,” she muttered. “He... was right behind me when I accidentally bumped into him. And when I looked at him, I was shocked. I don’t know how to explain it... but he had this strange kind of handsomeness, something out of the ordinary. It was like there was something eternal and timeless in his face. But the most disturbing thing was the black mark on his forehead. It was so dark, different from the ones I’ve seen before.”

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, but hearing her words only made me more tense. That black mark... anyone who has a black mark like that isn’t just anyone. Usually, people with power or influence have a red mark on their forehead, a sign of their connection to the world’s energy. But a black mark? That means something far more powerful—and possibly more dangerous.

“And... how did you feel when you looked at him?” I pressed, trying to get more details.

“I felt... strange. It was like I was hypnotized, like I was sucked into his gaze,” Jonea said, frowning. “He was also very cold. It’s like... I couldn’t touch his heart, even though he seemed so friendly.”

I clenched my fists unconsciously. The image of someone with immense power, enough to stir fear and doubt, crossed my mind. But Jonea had no idea how dangerous a being with a black mark could be. And what unsettled me the most was how easily that man approached her. How could he get so close to Jonea without me sensing his presence?

“Now that I think about it,” Jonea continued hesitantly. “He... looked a bit like you, Daran.” Her voice softened, as if worried she might offend me. “I mean, you both have that kind of timeless handsomeness. Like a beauty that doesn’t fade.”

I looked at Jonea, trying to read the meaning behind her words. But I just nodded, masking the growing anxiety inside me. I never expected such simple words from her to feel like an unwanted warning. Each word Jonea spoke pulled my thoughts into darker places.

Swallowing hard, I said softly, “Jonea, I’m worried. The black mark on his forehead might be more dangerous than the red ones you’ve seen before.”

She looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“People with a black mark... they have immense power, but it's not something to be taken lightly. They’re usually connected to darkness that controls them. You have to be careful, Jonea. If you ever meet him again, or someone who looks like him, contact me immediately. Never face them alone.”

I could see the worry in her expression, but I didn’t want to scare her more than necessary. Yet I had to be honest with her about the danger, so she’d understand how serious this situation was. If there was something beyond the usual threats hovering over her, I had to be there, protecting her every step.

However, there was one thing I couldn’t tell her—that I was considering taking Jonea back to my kingdom. There, at least I could ensure her safety from any threats. But I also knew that forcing her to stay in my kingdom, especially now, would make her feel trapped. And Jonea, with her free-spirited nature, would surely resist.

But on the other hand, I couldn’t ignore the fact that the threat was real, especially with the blood moon approaching. That’s when the power of dark beings reaches its peak. If that man was one of them, I didn’t know if I could protect Jonea by simply limiting her movements.

Lost in my worries, I searched for the best way to keep Jonea safe without making her feel caged. But the thoughts didn’t lead to a clear answer.

Looking at her, I said, “Jonea, remember, if you sense anything strange or if someone suspicious comes close to you, call me. Don’t hesitate. I’ll always be there.”

Jonea nodded slowly, though the crease in her forehead remained. For her, maybe all this seemed like unnecessary worry, but for me, it was a step I had to take, no matter the risk.

When we arrived in the front yard, I felt something move in the shadows of the trees near the fence. Like an unstoppable instinct, I sensed something lurking in the distance, something even more dangerous than I’d imagined.

“Go inside, Jonea,” I said, giving her a gentle look. “I’ll make sure everything is safe here.”

She hesitated but eventually complied, though it was clear she was still confused by my sudden wariness.

“Daran... I...”

I was barely focused. I ignored Jonea’s words and moved quickly after making sure she was safely inside.

I ran to check the shadows at the end of the yard. There was an energy I’d been sensing for a while, a faint presence but enough to catch my attention. I moved closer with slow, deliberate steps, making sure I didn’t make any noise. But the energy felt more real as I approached, as if a creature was hiding in the darkness.

Without thinking twice, I leapt over the fence, following the faint traces lingering in the air. I knew I had to move fast because every second mattered.

***

JONEA

Something is off with Daran. I can’t shake that feeling—the feeling that’s been bothering me since last night. There’s something about the way he acted, the look in his eyes, the way he talked to me... it all feels different, like there’s a secret he’s hiding. All night long, I lay awake in bed, my mind replaying the incident at the paint shop.

That man, who suddenly appeared and then disappeared just as quickly... Was he someone Daran knew? Daran never talked about his acquaintances, and the more I thought about it, the more I felt like there was something important I didn’t know.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Today, I had to go back to campus, back to my routine, and not get too caught up in my worries. But still, no matter how hard I tried to ignore it, those questions kept haunting me. Was the man from the paint shop connected to Daran? Why did his gaze feel so cold and full of warning?

That morning, I woke up earlier than usual, and for some reason, I arrived at campus way ahead of time. The lecture hall was still empty when I entered, with no other students around. I walked to the top of the bleachers, my favorite spot when I wanted to be alone. I sat there, staring blankly ahead, listening to the ticking clock echo in the empty classroom. Time seemed to move slowly, and I felt trapped in endless confusion.

I didn’t know how long I sat there, lost in my thoughts, until I heard footsteps approaching. I turned to see Owen walking toward me with his usual relaxed smile. He took a seat next to me, the aisle between us.

“What’s up with you?” Owen started, his voice light but his tone was genuinely curious. “Did my uncle make you anxious?”

I was surprised by his question. I didn’t expect him to bring up Daran right away. “What?” I asked, trying to hide my surprise.

Owen chuckled lightly, as if he knew more than he was letting on. “Let me guess,” he said, giving me a teasing look. “You’re starting to get all confused, huh? Falling for my uncle?”

I tensed at his words. Owen always knew how to make me uncomfortable with his carefree attitude. I didn’t want to think about the possibility. I didn’t want to admit that part of me might be attracted to Daran, even though I knew there were bigger things I had to worry about.

“On the other hand,” Owen continued, ignoring my reaction, “you’re still tied to the silver-haired guy—Aland, right? Haha... why not just let go of your past? If you give up on Aland, you won’t need to go through all the trouble of breaking your wolf seal, and you might even be able to live a happy human life with my uncle.” He shrugged casually, as if what he was saying was no big deal.

I stayed silent. I should’ve been mad at his words, but I wasn’t offended at all. Part of me felt that Owen might be right. Was I really that selfish, clinging to my past with Aland while everyone around me was working hard to protect me?

Tears welled up in my eyes before I even realized, and I quickly wiped them away with my sleeve. I felt so stupid. “I hate how ridiculous I am,” I said hoarsely. “While the people who care about me are struggling because of me, I’m busy feeling torn over my own emotions.”

Owen sighed softly, looking a little sympathetic. “I think it’s normal,” he said finally, his tone gentler. “There are moments in life when everyone has to step out of their comfort zone. It happens as soon as you start liking someone.”

I looked at him, surprised by the sincerity

in his eyes. He was usually so carefree, but this time, he spoke with a seriousness I’d rarely seen. And in that moment, I realized how true his words were.