I stared at the photograph in shock, trying to discern whether it had been digitally altered. But it was obvious-the photo was real.
This werewolf looked exactly like the one I had seen in real life.
So, was this man’s identity also real?
Could he truly help me?
For reasons I couldn’t explain, despite my earlier reluctance to meet him, I suddenly found myself agreeing.
“Alright, let’s meet.”
“Where would be convenient for you?”
“How about a cafe?”
“That works.”
After the conversation ended, I was still tense.
We had arranged to meet at a cafe in town, where this man would provide me with some crucial information. He also promised to teach me how to deal with werewolves.
I could only hope it would help.
As I thought about our upcoming meeting, my eyes fell on the aromatherapy candles nearby. I’d only used one before, while the others remained untouched. But tonight, Magnus’s words echoed in my mind, filling me with guilt.
Maybe I should give it another try?
Perhaps it wouldn’t be as terrifying as last time.
With that thought, I lit one of the candles and opened the window to let the scent disperse. This way, the aroma wouldn’t be too overwhelming, and I wouldn’t instinctively reject it.
The candle released a woody fragrance, one that oddly reminded me of Magnus’s scent.
I lay down on the bed, closed my eyes, and soon drifted off to sleep.
—
I had a dream.
In the dream, I became a werewolf. But this time, it wasn’t as bloody or horrifying as before.
I ran freely through the forest, feeling the wind rush against my face. I climbed trees with ease, picking fresh, sweet fruits to eat.
Those fruits-juicy and bursting with flavor-were nothing like the ones sold in supermarkets.
I swam under waterfalls, leaping from above to the pool below without a scratch.
The entire forest became my playground, where I could do whatever I wanted.
Even if I got injured, my wounds healed almost instantly.
I had never imagined feeling this powerful.
It was an experience I had never known as a human.
When I woke up, I found myself reluctant to leave the dream behind.
I wondered-if I hadn’t woken up, could I have continued dreaming? Could I have kept running beyond human limits, roaming the forest without a care for societal rules, doing whatever I pleased?
Nothing could hurt me, and I had unique abilities.
Being a werewolf didn’t seem so bad after all.
But as soon as that thought crossed my mind, I was startled by my own reaction.
God-no, how could I think that?
Werewolves were dangerous. I was supposed to fear them, not admire them.
Yet my first instinct had been to think that becoming one wasn’t so bad.
No, this was wrong. Completely wrong.
—
Even though I had slept through the night, the vivid dreams left me feeling exhausted. My head ached slightly.
Remembering my meeting with the hunter today, I quickly got up to get ready.
Evelyn hadn’t returned last night. I figured she must’ve gone out with Judy, so I didn’t worry about her.
Right now, the only person I needed to worry about was myself.
The day was packed with classes, and I had to attend school before meeting the man in the evening.
Before I left, the man messaged me again.
“What’s your name? I’m Leo. And you?”
“I’m Seraphina,” I replied.
—
The entire day, I found it hard to concentrate in class.
The thought of meeting Leo made me anxious.
I started to regret agreeing to meet him, worried that he might harm me.
It was my first time meeting someone I had only spoken to online. But since we were meeting at a cafe in the city center, I reassured myself that it would be safe.
The cafe wasn’t empty, so if he turned out to be human, there was no way he could hurt me.
—
After class, I quickly packed my things and headed to the cafe.
In my haste, I accidentally bumped into someone.
“Seraphina, are you alright? It’s me-you don’t need to apologize.”
Kael’s voice brought me back to my senses.
I looked up to see Kael’s furrowed brows. He seemed concerned about me.
“What’s wrong?”
“Are you okay? Marek said you’ve been off all day.”
“I’m fine,” I replied. I explained that I hadn’t slept well the night before, that my dreams had been exhausting, and that I was nervous about meeting someone.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Kael didn’t seem convinced. “You look like you need rest. Let me take you home.”
Kael was a popular figure, and his presence drew everyone’s attention.
People were staring-at him and at me.
“Can we talk somewhere private? There are too many people here,” I said, pushing him aside. “I need to meet a friend for dinner.”
Kael didn’t press further and stepped aside. I quickly ran off.
Damn it. Every time Kael showed up, he became the center of attention.
And now, I was being dragged into the spotlight with him.
—
At the cafe, I arrived twenty minutes early and chose a corner seat.
From there, I could see the window and keep an eye on the people outside.
I wondered what kind of person Leo would be.
If he could kill werewolves, he must look fierce and intimidating.
Maybe he was like Kael-muscular and strong, with a commanding presence.
Perhaps he was older, with a stern and weathered face.
As I anxiously waited, the people who entered didn’t match the image I had in my head.
Did he stand me up?
The thought made me nervous.
What if Leo wasn’t coming? Or worse, what if he was watching me from the shadows?
“Hey, you must be Seraphina.”
A voice interrupted my thoughts.
I looked up to see a man in a light gray suit and matching hat sitting across from me.
I couldn’t believe it.
“You’re Leo?”
“I am,” he said with a warm smile.
My heart raced.
Leo looked nothing like I had imagined.
If he hadn’t told me he was a hunter, I would have mistaken him for a bookish intellectual-maybe an editor or a journalist.
Certainly not someone capable of killing werewolves with a gun.