Chapter 71: Chapter 71

"Aland!" shouted Hunter.

The young man knocked on Aland's apartment door repeatedly, loudly, and emotionally. Hunter completely lost his mind at this point.

"Aland! I know you're in. Come out! We have to talk now."

Aland, who had just come out of the bathroom, was surprised to hear a loud knock on his apartment door. Still with wet hair and wearing only a towel wrapped around his waist, he walked over casually and opened the door.

When the door opened, Hunter immediately pushed Aland hard and rushed inside. Without excuse, he searched every corner of the room while screaming Jonea's name.

"Hey, what's this?" protested Aland with a mistake.

"Tell me where Jonea is? I knew you must have hidden the girl in here with you."

Aland stared in disbelief. "What do you mean by saying that? Do you think I'm an uncivilized youth? And why are you looking for Jonea at my place? Look for her in her house!"

Hunter wanted to avoid listening to Aland's words. He continued to search every corner of the room in Aland's apartment.

"Jonea, come out! I know you're hiding out here."

Hunter came out of the guest room and went to Aland's room. He failed to find Jonea. An annoyed Aland dragged Hunter outside.

"Stop it, Hunters!" exclaimed Aland. "You've gone too far. You've crossed the line. You even violated my privacy. I've had enough of letting you in, but look what you're doing?"

"Just tell me, where did you hide her? Did you find a new place for her? I can't find the girl anywhere. I'm just worried that my mom will do something bad to her."

Unknowingly, Hunter said the word and made Aland surprised. When Hunter was about to leave Aland's apartment, Aland suddenly moved quickly to the door. He pushed the door shut and confronted the Hunter.

"What did you say? Try again one more time!" shouted Aland.

Hunter looked frustrated. "You have heard it clearly. My mom… started acting up. I don't want anything to happen to Jonea. Only that!"

Aland, with mounting anger, immediately pushed Hunter. They wrestle on the surface of the thick fur carpet. Aland was already about to punch Hunter in the face. But Hunter didn't dodge nor fight back. He just lay on the floor and closed his eyes. It was as if Hunter had deliberately baited himself for Aland to hit him.

"Fuck!" he cursed.

He turned his fist into empty air and pulled Hunter to his feet.

"You think taking a beating from me will make you feel better? Do you think you can lessen the guilt you feel towards Jonea? I won't let that happen," Aland hissed. "If something bad happens to that girl, I won't let you live!"

Before coming to Aland's apartment, Hunter had already searched for Jonea at her house. But the house was empty, and there was no sign of life. Hunter also looked for her in a fried chicken restaurant. That place was also open. There was a sign hanging in front of the door. FOR SALE.

Hunter needs to find out where to look for Jonea. Then he realized that he knew nothing about the girl and her life. Hunter had come to Edison and tried to ask him. Even Ed didn't realize that Jonea had left her house.

Out of desperation, Hunter only thought of Aland. Hunter really hoped that at that time, Jonea was with Aland. Even though it looked painful, it was better for him to see Jonea safe with Aland.

"Aland, I beg you to tell me. Say something. You must know where Jonea is. I just want to make sure that she's okay." Hunter kept begging and whining at Aland.

Aland's mind was utterly messed up. Only a few hours ago, he dropped Jonea back at her house. Aland regretted not really seeing the girl back home. She just walked all the way to the front.

Aland truly regretted his decision.

The young man ran to his room, opened the cupboard, and looked for the clothes closest to him. Aland took a white sweater and black pants. He let his hair still half wet. Then rushed to get a helmet and motorcycle keys.

"Aland!" Hunter intercepted the young man's steps. "I know, you know where Jonea is. Please tell me. I promise not to touch or go near it. I just want to see with my own eyes that she's okay."

Aland's patience was at its limit. He finally punched Hunter in the face until the bones of his nose sounded broken, and blood dripped profusely. Hunter screamed in pain but didn't return Aland's punch.

"That's your punishment for getting Jonea into trouble. Should have; from the start, I seized and got it. I should have never allowed you to compete for it healthily from the start. You… are really a bastard!" he cursed.

"Even that fist shouldn't be enough to punish you for your mistake this time. In fact, if I knew where Jonea was right now, I swear to the Moon Gods, I would never tell you."

Hunter was still curled up, clutching his broken nose and continuing to bleed. He groaned in pain. Hunter can't do anything. He could only watch Aland leave angrily.

Aland spurred his motorbike through the streets along the city center and headed to the Fallon family's residence. Once there, as Hunter had said, the girl's house was dark, and there was no sign of life. On the house's fence, there is also a written statement that it is for sale. Even so with her family's fried chicken restaurant.

Unable to stand it and having no clue, Aland rushed to see Edison, who was at the club and with Jay.

As soon as Aland stepped into the club, the girls caught their attention on the young man. They were all amazed by Aland's good looks and cold eyes. In fact, several girls who looked more mature in age ventured to approach Aland. They offer him a glass of cocktail.

"Hi, handsome. You don't have a partner? How about joining us?"

Politely and with a sour face, Aland tried to refuse the girls' offer. However, they didn't give up and continued to tease and even pulled Aland's hand. They led him to their seats. The girls consist of five people in the middle of a party.

"Come on, have fun with us."

"You're the famous Aland Hamilton, right? Wow, you are more handsome than you look on television."

"We really admire you!"

Aland couldn't take it anymore. He had forgotten politeness and had no time to exchange pleasantries with them. Aland also took out a pair of fangs and long claws from his ten fingers. Instantly, the girls screamed and let go.

The commotion was heard by the club guards. They also came to check the situation. When the club guards saw Aland and recognized him, they tried to calm the girls down. So that Aland had the opportunity to live there in peace.

Aland barges into Jay's office. There Jay was talking with Ed talking about work.

"Ed, I need your help right now!"

Ed and Jay both turned to Aland. The young man looked disheveled, not wearing a coat in this cold weather.

"You came here by motorbike with just that light sweater?" Ed stared in disbelief. "What got into you to do something stupid? You could catch a cold. You think a werewolf can't get sick?"

"Help me find Jonea. You must have a clue about that. Aren't you always around her house?"

Ed looked serious. "I think Hunter was just kidding when he said Jonea disappeared. Really I don't know anything. Today I am quite busy with work. I haven't had a part-time job at that fried chicken restaurant in a long time."

Aland looked frustrated. He brushed up his gray bangs that fell to his eyes. His face was severe, and he bit his clenched fist in panic.

"I can't deploy my hunters. Not without permission from grandfather." Aland was getting somber.

"Are your instincts not strong enough to trace the whereabouts of that girl?"

Ed landed his hands on Aland's shoulders. Their eyes met each other. Then, Aland, initially panicked, began to regain his confidence.

"Calm your mind and start focusing. I know you have excellent hunting instincts among the four of us. If Jonea is your mate, then you should be able to find her easily."

Aland looks and starts to beam. He thanked Ed and then waved at Jay before leaving the club. Aland walked to where his motorbike was parked with comprehensive and fast steps. He put his helmet back on and started his motorcycle.

***

"For now, this is all we can do," Mr. Fallon told his family. They had just arrived in the countryside. That day when Jonea returned home, her family had already packed their things and were ready to leave the house and the fried chicken restaurant, simultaneously with the arrival of Mrs. Abraham at their residence.

"No, Dad," comforted Jonea. "Never blame yourself and never feel guilty. It's not our fault."

The mother could only sob. "We're sorry, Jonea. We have failed to become parents to you. You had to get involved in many difficult matters because we were the ones who couldn't protect you."

"Oh, Mom. Do not say that. You're only going to make me sadder."

Jonea was angry with herself. 'I should have focused on my goals and not playing around at school. I should have looked for evidence and found Miller's bully. I spend too much time with them.'

Jonea fell silent and cursed her stupidity. It was at this time that she realized that, after all, she had a different life from the members of B4. It didn't matter if it was Hunter or Aland. They are the children of rich people who shouldn't also enter Jonea's life.

"Let's just take the positive side," Jonea tried to comfort her parents. "At least now we can be closer to Miller and focus on nursing him until he recovers."

"How about your school, honey?" asked the mother. "We should have forbidden you not to take the scholarship from the start. It only puts you in danger. We really are so stupid."

"Calm down, Mom. Don't let Miller hear all this. Let him focus on his healing. I will keep fighting at school and avoid conflict with Mrs. Abraham. And until I manage to get those proofs, please don't get in my way. I'm getting closer. I only have access to that place..."

Mr. Fallon took a deep breath. The man knew nothing could stop his daughter. They were gathering in the humble kitchen of Mr. Fallon's parents. They still have a grandfather who lives in the countryside and lives as a simple farmer. There's only one place to go right now.

"I promise I'll get the fried chicken restaurant back for us. I promise to reopen the fried chicken business, which is better and bigger than before. Until then, please take care of yourself, Jonea. There's nothing I can do to help you. But I have one request for you." Mr. Fallon asked Jonea seriously.

***

After chatting with his parents, Jonea couldn't sleep. She chose to take a walk around her grandfather's fields. The field was planted with many vegetables that could grow and endure the cold winter weather.

Jonea walked alone with a lantern in hand. Occasionally she rubbed her hands together to keep the cold away. Jonea wanted to calm down and plan what to do when she returned to the city alone.

Jonea thought back to her father's request.

"We have some savings left. You should return to the city and complete your education. Use those savings to rent a house in town. We will temporarily remain in the village while caring for Miller and trying to get our business back from scratch."

Jonea objected if she had to use her parents' savings. But, Jonea also needed help to stay in the village doing something. She was halfway there and didn't want to fail her mission this time.

"I have to manage to get hold of that evidence."

The road in the countryside is winding. The place is in a hilly area that is just a little high. But from that height, Jonea can see the scenery below, which looks so beautiful at night. The fields and rice fields are decorated with colorful lanterns and lights in winter.

The girl heard the roar of a motorbike from a distance. The motorbike's headlights were turning and getting closer to her.

'Wish Aland was here,' thought Jonea.

She shook her head and slapped her cheeks. "Hey, wake up, Jonea. It is impossible! There was no way Aland would be here. Nobody knows where we are going."

The girl continued her steps and was about to return home because it was too late. Then the motorbike that was getting closer suddenly stopped in front of Jonea.

The girl shielded her eyes from the glare of the motorbike headlights. When the motorbike stopped, suddenly, the rider rushed to Jonea and hugged her tightly.

"Aland?" Jonea was so surprised that she dropped the lantern she was carrying.

They stood in the middle of a quiet village path. Their bodies hugged each other tightly against the background of a motorcycle's white lights shining brightly.

Jonea was so shocked and so happy that she couldn't breathe. She could feel the warmth of Aland's body, and his breath ragged with worry.

"You want to scare me to death out there?" Aland hissed on the top of Jonea's head. "Why did you suddenly disappear and didn't answer my calls?"

“Ah… that….” Jonea was speechless. It was as if the cold weather froze her lips.

At that time, Aland let go of his hug and cupped Jonea's face, which looked red. Unexpectedly, Aland planted a sweet kiss on the girl's lips.

Jonea's consciousness wanted to reject it, but the other side of her accepted the kiss with a pounding heart.

When Aland realized he had crossed his line, he broke away from Jonea and apologized.

Jonea looked down in embarrassment while holding her lips. She turned and turned her back on Aland.

Aland was so nervous and awkward. "Well! That is your punishment!" Aland shouted angrily, even though inside, he was so happy.

"How did you know I was here? No one knows about this place, not even Marlyn."

"That's what I've done too. I looked for Marlyn at the restaurant where she worked. But she really doesn't know where you are. I have tried all ways. Until the last way I can do is to use my instincts and smell."

"Wow!" Jonea was surprised. "Is that how good a wolf's hunting instincts are?"

Aland wanted to say that he could find Jonea wherever she was just by using his instincts. But Aland couldn't know that in front of the current Jonea. Aland was afraid that he would scare Jonea and would stay away from him.

"Yes, of course. All wolves have that ability. So-"

"So?"

"Jonea, what are you doing in a remote place like this? Are you trying to run away from me?"