Magnus eyed me suspiciously. I quickly shook my head. “No, no, not at all. I was just being curious.”
But neither method he’d mentioned applied to my situation.
“Does it hurt?” I asked. “Becoming a werewolf?”
“Excruciating,” he said. “The virus completely rewrites a person’s genetic code, forcing cellular mutations. And these aren’t ordinary changes-they actively reshape the host to suit the virus’s needs. Nearly seventy percent die during transformation. Most survivors can’t control their bodies-they become the lowest form of werewolves. A lucky few regain their sanity, control their bodies, and develop new abilities.”
It sounded horrific! But honestly I’d never felt such pain in my body. Instead, I seemed to tap into incredible power when pushed to my limits.
So was I not a werewolf? Then what was happening to me? My body trembled a bit despite the mild weather.
Just then, a warm hand settled on my shoulder, and the warmth of that hand gradually spread through me.
“Seraphina, you okay? You look a bit … unsettled.”
“I’m fine,” I said, forcing a smile. How could I possibly explain? These weren’t things I could share with people-they’d see me as a monster. All I wanted was a normal life.
The forest whispered around us, birds calling occasionally as leaves rustled in the breeze.
“Werewolves are far more powerful than humans,” Magnus said suddenly.
His admiration for werewolves was obvious and I knew that. He seemed fascinated by them.
“Seraphina, you’ve been researching werewolves lately, haven’t you?” His gaze locked onto mine, his smile gentle but his eyes burned with intensity, as if hoping I’d understand his feelings.
However, I shook my head. “No, I think they’re terrifying.”
Yes, I was afraid of them. Despite knowing Kael and Marek, the thought of massive wolves with fangs ready to tear into flesh filled me with dread. Becoming one myself seemed even more horrifying.
Magnus chuckled. “It’s alright. You’ll understand someday.”
I couldn’t grasp his meaning. We walked further, and after some time, I noticed a small cabin. Though it looked worn from the outside, its presence in the depths of the forest was startling.
“Someone lives here?”
“Perhaps. I found it by chance. I come here sometimes to unwind. I have prepared some things inside. Want to see?”
“Sure,” I said, despite a flutter of unease. Still, Magnus’s warm smile and the way he led the way somehow reassured me.
I followed him inside. To my surprise, despite its dilapidated exterior, the interior was neat and tidy, furnished with books, chairs, a table, and even a bed.
Magnus noticed my astonishment and smiled. “I set it up myself. I come here when I need space.”
He handed me a bottle of water and gestured for me to sit. Looking around, I couldn’t shake the feeling this place was more than just a retreat.
“This is incredible Magnus!” I said. “Like a secret hideout. Having your own space out here is so cool!”
Magnus grinned, detaching a key from his chain. “I can give you the key. You can come whenever you like.”
“Thanks,” I said, taking it. “I’ll definitely come here when I need to clear my head.”
“Hope I can join you then,” he replied with a smile.
After spending some time in his hideaway, we headed back along the path. That’s when I felt it-eyes watching us. My senses had sharpened a lot lately, and I could almost pinpoint the direction of the gaze.
I spun around, catching sight of a dark figure that vanished instantly, leaving only the sound of rustling leaves.
“What was that?” I asked. “Did you see it, Magnus? Some kind of animal?”
“Probably a squirrel,” he said casually.
“That big?”
“It’s the forest, Seraphina. Plenty of food here, and no predators.”
His explanation didn’t convince me. How could it be a squirrel? It moved simply too fast-all I could see was just a fleeting shadow.
My unease grew. I’d hoped spending time with Magnus would help me relax, but instead, my anxiety only deepened. What was happening to my body? What was I becoming?
I thought about the wolf I’d encountered as a child-intelligent, gentle, and bringing me a gift. That meeting had sparked my love for zoology, my desire to understand nature’s mysteries. Had that been a werewolf actually?
When Magnus drove me home, he called out as I was leaving, “Seraphina, this is for you. To help you feel better.”
He handed me a pink-wrapped gift box. Inside were three glass jars of scented wax-pink, blue, and white.
“For me?” I asked, surprised.
“Yes. I made them myself. Hope you like them.”
“Thank you, Magnus.”
The scent of bellflowers with hints of bergamot wafted up, soothing and pleasant.
“Put them in your bedroom,” he suggested. “Maybe they’ll bring you some peace.”
As I stepped out of the car, the soft scent of bellflowers lingered in the air, a quiet reminder of his kindness. But as I closed the door behind me, my unease returned, sharper than ever.