I never expected Magnus to be so rational today.
Perhaps it was because my previous attitude toward him had made my resistance clear. The fact that Magnus was able to shift his perspective was, for me, undeniably a good thing.
“Yes, maybe you’re a doctor and often see the fragile side of humanity,” I said with a smile, “but I think you could try looking at it from another angle. Humans may be fragile, but their willpower is strong. Many people possess extraordinary mental strength. Isn’t that enough?”
In my view, though humans have delicate bodies, they can unleash unimaginable power. That’s something no ordinary creature can compare to. Perhaps that’s the charm of humanity.
What’s so great about werewolves? They’re like monsters, always on the brink of losing control, terrifying to look at.
If it were up to me, I’d never want to become a wolf. Kael’s wolf might be handsome, but the others? They’re just scary.
Even Marek, who always seems so well-behaved, like a little brother, still manages to startle me when his wolf side emerges.
Magnus listened to my words, his blue eyes glimmering with amusement.
“Seraphina, that’s an interesting perspective. But I’m curious-don’t you find it appealing at all that werewolves can run freely through the forest, heal instantly from injuries, or teleport to other places? None of that excites you?”
Magnus’s words pulled me back to that dream I’d had before.
In the dream, I was a werewolf. I raced through the woods, the wind whipping through my hair.
I could hear the distant rush of water, miles away, and smell the sweet aroma of fruit from kilometers away. My eyes could see farther than they ever had before.
Running through the forest, I felt pure joy. All my human emotions seemed to vanish, replaced by an exhilarating freedom.
There wasn’t a single moment that had ever felt as blissful as that.
But wait-wasn’t I just talking to Magnus? Why did it feel like I was suddenly back in that dream?
Realizing this, I snapped back to reality. The enchanting, dreamlike forest vanished in an instant.
I looked at Magnus and asked, “What just happened? Why did I suddenly remember a dream I had before?”
It was so strange. I wasn’t tired at all-it was impossible for me to have fallen asleep and started dreaming.
Could it be that Magnus hypnotized me?
Magnus was a doctor, and he’d mentioned studying psychology. It wasn’t far-fetched to think he’d mastered the art of hypnosis.
I immediately stood up, regarding Magnus with suspicion. “Magnus, I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but if you think you can make me accept werewolves, it’s not going to happen!”
I grabbed my bag and turned to leave.
But as I walked away, I caught the flash of surprise in Magnus’s eyes.
So, I was right. He looked panicked when I called him out.
He stood up and followed me out of the restaurant.
“Seraphina, wait. Please, let me explain,” he said, sounding desperate. “I was only trying to see what your deepest desires were. I was afraid you were saying one thing but feeling another. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m really sorry.”
Magnus reached out, trying to grab my hand, but I shook him off.
His apologetic tone didn’t make me feel any better. In fact, it only made me more irritated.
I was furious.
How could he hypnotize me like that?
Damn it. If my willpower hadn’t been strong enough, wouldn’t I have fallen deeper into his trap?
It made me wonder-were all those strange dreams I’d been having related to Magnus?
Was he the one making me dream about those things?
As Magnus tried to catch up to me, a chill ran down my spine. Goosebumps rose on my skin, and an inexplicable sense of fear gripped me.
“Seraphina, please, I’m begging you. Hear me out,” Magnus said, grabbing my hand and pulling me into his arms.
He held me tightly. I struggled, but despite his seemingly lean frame, his strength was immense.
He wrapped me in his embrace.
“Calm down, okay? Seraphina, listen to me. I didn’t hypnotize you to make you accept werewolves. I just wanted to help you see what’s in your subconscious.”
Pressed against Magnus’s chest, I could feel that his body was much stronger than it appeared.
Through the thin fabric of his shirt, I could sense the firmness of his muscles. If he took off his shirt, he might not be as ripped as Kael, but he definitely had some definition.
I couldn’t believe it-he didn’t even look like he worked out. How was his body this impressive?
But this thought only lingered for a split second before I pushed it out of my mind.
What was I thinking at a time like this?
“There’s no way my subconscious is thinking about those things,” I said angrily, my cheeks flushing, either from fury or embarrassment.
“You wouldn’t know, Seraphina,” Magnus replied. “That’s the nature of the subconscious-you’re unaware of it.”
As he spoke, he tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze.
He still held me close.
The scent of pine on him was soothing, and I felt my emotions slowly begin to settle.
Could this really be what my subconscious wanted?
On the surface, I rejected werewolves, but deep down, I craved the power they possessed?
“I’ve noticed your emotions have been unstable lately,” Magnus continued. “And ever since you said you saw a real werewolf, I’ve been worried. I just wanted to help you find some balance.”
“In psychology, to help someone, you first have to understand what they truly desire deep down. Seraphina, I’m sorry for not asking your permission before hypnotizing you. But if you’d known, your willpower would’ve resisted, and I wouldn’t have been able to help.”
Magnus’s voice was gentle and apologetic.
“But what you did was incredibly disrespectful,” I said.
“I know, and I’m sorry. Seraphina, please don’t be mad at me. I’ll do anything to make it up to you, but I can’t bear it if you’re angry with me.”
Magnus’s expression was one of genuine fear, as though he was terrified of losing me.
“I don’t want anything from you,” I said. “Just stop idolizing werewolves, okay? They’re ugly, feral, and look like wild beasts. If you turned into one, it would be awful.”
Magnus fell silent for a moment, then chuckled softly.
“Maybe, Seraphina,” he said, “not all werewolves are as ugly and feral as you think. Sometimes, they can be gentle too.”