“He disappeared, and I have no idea where he went.” I replied to Magnus almost immediately, the lie slipping out instinctively.
“That’s a shame,” Magnus responded.
Putting down my phone, I felt an inexplicable sense of relief.
Why did I feel so much pressure when talking to Magnus?
It was as if I instinctively resisted him asking more questions.
But when I tried to dig deeper into my feelings, something felt off.
My intuition told me there was something unsettling, even though Magnus was clearly a good person.
He had taught me about werewolves, taken me to get treated when I was injured, and even lent me his gun when I was in danger.
He was one of the best friends I had made at this school, second only to Evelyn.
Yet, when Magnus mentioned wanting to meet Marek, I felt a strange unease.
Some sixth sense warned me not to continue the conversation.
Perhaps it was because Magnus had shown such a strong interest in werewolves in front of me.
What if he tried to capture Marek and turn him into a research specimen?
Thinking back to how Marek had protected me in the woods and gotten hurt, I couldn’t bear the thought of him being taken by humans for experimentation.
I resisted him, but I never wanted to harm him.
I didn’t know if I was being too soft, but… that was the decision I had made instinctively.
With that in mind, I took out the gun Magnus had given me and placed it on the table.
I thought maybe I didn’t need it anymore.
The next day, we handed in our reports before class.
The events at the farm still haunted me.
I had blocked all of Kael’s accounts and numbers, hoping he would understand my determination to draw a clear line.
How could humans and werewolves ever coexist peacefully?
At least, I couldn’t accept it.
The thought of our intimate moments together, those nights when he had driven me wild and I had reveled in his touch, made me feel sick.
Thankfully, I didn’t see Marek staring at me when I left the house today.
Maybe he was hiding in the shadows, but as long as he didn’t appear in front of me, I could pretend he didn’t exist.
However, the thought of going to the Eagle Club in the afternoon filled me with dread.
Kael would definitely be there, waiting to corner me. I had no way to escape.
I realized I needed to find a new job as soon as possible.
So, I updated my resume and sent it out, hoping to find something near the school or my apartment.
I applied to all the nearby restaurants. A part-time job at a cafe would be perfect!
After class, I went to Starbucks with Seraphina. Even though I’d already had a coffee that morning, I felt like I needed another.
I hadn’t been sleeping well lately. Every time I closed my eyes, I was plagued by nightmares.
Sometimes it was the golden-eyed wolf with a tuft of white fur, other times it was the red-eyed one.
They kept startling me awake.
As I sipped my coffee, Evelyn stared at me.
“Seraphina, you look off. You’re so tense. Did something happen?”
Her eyes scanned me, filled with concern.
I rubbed my cheeks, trying to relax, but I couldn’t. My heart was racing, probably from lack of sleep and too much caffeine.
“Evelyn, honestly, I feel like there’s so much in this world that science can’t explain. Do you believe in werewolves, vampires, things like that?”
“Of course. You know what I am. I can sense those things,” Evelyn said. “Did you meet one again?”
“Yes. He even transformed and spoke to me… What are werewolves, really? Why are they fixated on me? I’m just a normal human.”
Evelyn frowned as she studied me.
“Werewolves usually don’t interfere with human society. They have their own rules and hide their identities. Only rogue werewolves break those rules, and even then, their packs deal with them. Your situation… I’ve never heard of anything like it.”
“If werewolves could roam freely among humans without consequences, society would be in chaos. But as you’ve noticed, for most people, werewolves are just legends.”
I admitted she was right. “Then why are they targeting me?”
“You have something they’re drawn to. Werewolves don’t fixate on humans without reason. There must be something about you they find appealing.”
Again, this idea. Evelyn and Magnus shared the same view.
I felt hopeless. I had no idea what kind of scent I carried that attracted them.
Or maybe their heightened senses could detect something I couldn’t.
Damn it. I clutched my thermos and took a sip of coffee.
I wouldn’t give in.
They were monsters, but if they tried to hurt me, I would fight back.
Even if I looked like a timid bookworm, if pushed to the edge, I knew I could explode.
The Eagle Club.
As soon as I arrived, I changed into my uniform and started cleaning.
I didn’t want to run into Kael, but as Murphy’s Law goes, the more you fear something, the more likely it is to happen.
While cleaning the training room, I heard the door lock behind me.
I turned and saw Kael’s handsome face.
Instinctively, I tightened my grip on the rag in my hand, my body tensing as every muscle prepared for action.
I took two steps back, glaring at him. “Don’t come any closer.”
I saw hurt flash in Kael’s eyes. “Seraphina, please, don’t push me away.”
“I’m afraid of you.”
“I would never hurt you. Never.”
“How can I believe you?”
“Let me prove it to you, okay?” Kael stepped closer.
I was backed into a corner, the wall behind me leaving no room to retreat.
Kael easily closed the distance, his arms wrapping around my waist as he pinned me against the wall.
His tall frame blocked the light from above, casting a shadow over me.
The overwhelming pressure made my heart race.
He leaned down, pressing his forehead against mine.