It wasn’t just about the two of us anymore. Other people were involved, weaving themselves into the space between us, keeping us apart.
“No, Marek can’t protect you. You saw what happened last time-he didn’t even dare approach,” Kael said, frowning deeply. “Only I can keep you safe.”
“Then can you figure out why this is happening? Hypothetically-let’s say I am a werewolf-shouldn’t I be like you? You don’t face this kind of danger, nor do you have so many people targeting you. So why me?”
I couldn’t wrap my head around it.
If I were an ordinary human, there wouldn’t be so many monsters hunting me down, trying to kill me.
If I were a werewolf, they wouldn’t be after me either. Kael had never dealt with anything like this.
Kael listened to my words and fell silent, deep in thought. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
“You’re right, Seraphina. Even werewolves don’t attract this much attention. That means there’s something special about you.”
With that, he stepped closer and grabbed my arm. I froze in place as he raised it to his nose and sniffed.
Like a dog.
My body stiffened instantly.
“You smell sweet-like candy. It’s a sugary, tantalizing scent,” Kael said. “Normally, we werewolves can only detect this scent when we meet our mate. But your scent… it affects everyone.
“Maybe you don’t understand what this smell means to us. Let me put it this way: imagine a man dying of thirst in the desert suddenly finding an oasis. Or someone starving to death who stumbles upon a feast.”
His words sent a shiver down my spine.
In this small, enclosed space, I should have felt warm. But instead, my body turned cold, and goosebumps rose on my skin.
“So, I’ve become food in their eyes?” I asked, my voice trembling.
Kael nodded. “You could say that. Which is why I have to stay by your side and protect you, whether you like it or not.”
A suffocating weight pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe. It felt as though countless invisible hands were reaching for me, ready to drag me into the abyss.
Kael placed a hand on my shoulder, his warmth seeping into me and easing the cold tension in my body.
I stared at him blankly, and he met my gaze.
“What should I do?” I whispered.
“Don’t worry, Seraphina. I’ll protect you. You’ve seen what I’m capable of,” Kael reassured me.
“Will you see me as food too?” I asked nervously.
Was this his plan? To keep me all to himself before devouring me whenever he wanted?
Kael hesitated, his silence making my heart race. Anxiety coursed through me, spreading like wildfire.
What was I supposed to do?
Suddenly, I felt like I couldn’t trust anyone. These creatures were capable of disguising themselves as humans, blending in seamlessly.
While I might still trust the people I already knew, I’d have to tread carefully with strangers from now on.
Kael finally broke the silence.
“How could I ever see you as food, Seraphina?” His voice carried a faint, uncontrollable amusement. “Even if I were to ‘eat’ you, it wouldn’t be as food-it’d be in bed.”
His words caught me off guard, and I froze.
I could hear the laughter in his voice, as though he’d just said something that delighted him immensely.
“You really thought I’d see you as food? Haha, Seraphina, you’re too funny,” he said, stepping closer to pull me into an embrace.
“If anything, I’d much rather finish what we started last night. To make up for my mistake, I swear, I’ll do a great job fulfilling your needs.”
“In your dreams!” I snapped, shoving him away. Grabbing my tools, I opened the door. “Don’t bother me while I’m working.”
“Alright.” Kael didn’t seem bothered at all. He agreed readily, his spirits high despite my rejection.
I didn’t spare him another glance and walked off briskly.
Still, I couldn’t help feeling a little annoyed by his words.
As I left the supply room, I overheard two boxing team members chatting as they walked past me.
“Lucian hasn’t been to the club in days. What’s going on with him?”
“I heard he’s sick.”
“Sick? No way. He’s always seemed so strong and healthy.”
Their conversation caught my attention, and I turned to glance at them.
Lucian was sick? And he hadn’t been to the Eagle Club for several days?
Since I’d returned, I hadn’t seen Lucian either. At first, I thought Kael had done something to keep me away from him. But now, that didn’t seem to be the case.
Lucian being sick felt strange to me.
In all the time we’d known each other, I’d never seen him fall ill. His body was incredibly strong-muscular and brimming with energy.
So how could he have been sick for this long?
Then again, it wasn’t really my concern. I focused on my work instead.
Later that evening, after finishing my part-time job, I was about to head home when Kael suddenly appeared from nowhere. He started walking beside me.
“Seraphina, let’s grab dinner together.”
“No thanks. I’ll eat at home,” I replied curtly.
“Is this how you treat your bodyguard? I’ve been working hard to protect you, and you won’t even treat me to a meal?” he said, his tone laced with mock hurt.
His words left me momentarily speechless.
He had a point. Given how dangerous my situation was, Kael had been doing his best to keep me safe. Refusing him did seem a little ungrateful.
“Fine. What do you want to eat?”
“Mac and cheese,” Kael said with a grin.
I glared at him and picked a random restaurant. If he wanted to eat, then any place would do.
As we sat down and placed our orders, Kael kept staring at me.
“Could you stop staring?” I snapped, feeling uncomfortable.
His gaze felt like a scanner, as though he were peeling back layers and seeing straight through me.
“Seraphina, you’re so beautiful. I can’t help myself,” he said, his voice soft.
“Do you say that to every woman you’ve slept with?” I asked, smiling faintly.
Kael shook his head. “No. Only you. The others? I didn’t even have to try-they came to me willingly.”