When I asked Magnus, he hesitated for a moment.
After a long pause, he finally replied, “Yes, but it seems like Kael doesn’t like me. I was also worried it might get awkward. Besides, my studies are keeping me busy, so I decided to focus on school for now.”
So it was true-Magnus left because of Kael!
Realizing this made me angry. Was Kael being so obvious about his dislike? Magnus is such a sensitive person, so perhaps after realizing Kael didn’t like him, he chose to resign.
After all, Kael is the star of the Hawk Club. Everyone revolves around him. If he dislikes someone, all he has to do is casually mention it, and the rest will ostracize that person. Magnus must have found that atmosphere unbearable.
I frowned, considering confronting Kael about it.
But Kael was nowhere to be found at work. I didn’t know where he had gone. This wasn’t something I could ask over the phone-I needed to confront him face-to-face.
I searched the training room but didn’t find him. I even checked the arena, but he wasn’t there.
Had he left?
Thinking back to the last time we spoke, his sadness was palpable. It wasn’t impossible that he’d decided to leave. Maybe he wasn’t in the mood for anything right now.
If I got angry with him over Magnus, it would probably only hurt him more.
In the end, this was my fault. I should have been clearer with Magnus.
Still, I couldn’t help but wonder-would Kael have someone keeping an eye on Magnus? What if that werewolf appeared again in town and gave Magnus another potion? Would Magnus drink it?
The thought made me uneasy.
If Kael’s people were shadowing Magnus, they could catch that person when the time came.
These thoughts swirled in my mind as I wrapped up work for the day. I gathered my things and left the Hawk Club.
The night wind was strong.
I had plans to meet Evelyn at a new vegetarian restaurant near my apartment. It was one of Evelyn’s favorites lately.
Evelyn was a staunch believer in environmentalism and often said that eating more vegetables helped detoxify the body and improve health. She also argued that vegetables were less harmful to the environment than meat, which she’d been thinking about a lot recently.
I didn’t mind. Eating vegetarian once in a while could be a pleasant change, especially since many dishes these days tasted almost like real meat.
However, as I walked down the street, I suddenly felt a strange sense of danger.
There weren’t many people around. Occasionally, a car would speed by, its roaring engine sending a shiver through me. It was a feeling I hadn’t experienced before-a palpable, inexplicable sense of fear.
It reminded me of the time I first encountered Marek. That same irrational terror.
I turned around instinctively, glancing behind me. But the street was empty except for a few passersby.
Was I overthinking things?
Still, my instincts had grown sharper lately. I trusted them.
With that thought, I quickened my pace.
But just as I reached an intersection, a hand shot out and grabbed me.
I struggled, but the person’s strength was overwhelming. I was violently thrown to the ground. Pain shot through my body, and my stomach twisted in agony.
What was happening?
I looked up-and froze.
It was Vivienne.
I never imagined she would do this to me.
No, that wasn’t the point. The point was that while Vivienne’s face was still the same, her entire demeanor had changed.
Her eyes glowed red, and her expression was feral, almost predatory. It was as if she were about to devour me alive.
My heart raced as fear took hold.
“Vivienne, stop!” I shouted.
“I’m going to kill you!” she roared.
Her voice was completely different. Once sweet, it was now deep and vicious, brimming with raw aggression.
She sounded like a wild, untamed wolf.
The next moment, Marek appeared, landing a powerful punch that sent Vivienne flying into a nearby wall. The impact cracked the wall’s surface.
If she had been human, she would have died instantly.
But Vivienne was a werewolf. She got up quickly, charging at Marek.
This time, she threw him with such force that he flew several dozen meters away.
My God.
I stood there, horrified.
“Seraphina, it’s your turn now,” Vivienne growled. “You deserve to die. You had no business getting involved with Kael. I want you gone!”
I turned and ran as fast as I could.
Kael had just taught me how to escape last night, and now, I was putting it to use.
Damn it. Why were there so many ruthless werewolves around, capable of deciding my fate with ease?
I had always wanted to live as an ordinary human, but now, staring death in the face, I realized this identity couldn’t protect me.
If only I were a werewolf. Then I wouldn’t have to live in fear, constantly at the mercy of these monsters.
I ran as fast as I could, the wind howling in my ears. But no matter how fast I was, Vivienne appeared ahead of me, blocking my path.
I didn’t even see when she got there.
“Seraphina, stop running,” Vivienne said coldly. “Speed is my specialty. You can’t escape.”
She reached out and grabbed my neck.
I gasped for air as the crushing pressure of her grip took hold. Her glowing red eyes bore into mine, and her face twisted with exhilaration.
“Die, you worthless human-or are you a half-breed? Either way, you’re not a pureblood werewolf. You don’t deserve Kael, someone so noble. You should have known better.”
Was this how it would end?
I struggled, staring at Vivienne in defiance.
She had stolen my boyfriend, and now that I was with Kael, her jealousy drove her to kill me.
She wanted everything for herself, refusing to let anyone else have even a sliver.
Vivienne was a cruel, hateful woman.
No. I couldn’t let her kill me here.