The sun hung high in the sky, bathing Central Vedelia in warm golden light. It was barely noon, yet sothing about today already felt like one of the best days I'd had in a long ti.
Layla walked beside , clinging to my arm with a contented smile. Her delicate fingers curled around my sleeve as her dark pink eyes flitted across the bustling streets. She took everything in—the towering structures, the lively chatter of rchants, the rhythmic clatter of footsteps against the stone pavent.
"There are so many people here, Honey," she said, impressed by the sheer crowd.
"Well, it's Central Vedelia," I replied, glancing at the massive, ancient tree in the distance. Its whitish branches stretched skyward, shimring with a faint beautiful glow. "A lot of people co just to get a closer look at the Tree."
Layla humd in understanding. "It's the sa in Dorian. Ever since Aurora opened the Garden of Eden to visitors, people have been flocking there nonstop."
"She really knows how to reel them in," I said dryly. "At least she's smarter than her dumbass father."
Layla giggled. "I can't argue with that, Honey."
I smirked and raised a brow at her. "You sure you should be laughing at your King like that?"
She turned her head to , eyes twinkling mischievously. "My King?" A playful smile stretched across her lips. "My King is only my Honey."
A faint heat crept up my face, and I scratched my cheek awkwardly. Layla, seeing my reaction, grinned wider before suddenly slipping her arm away. She spun around to face , her black and pink dress flowing gently with her movent.
"Let's go on a date."
"A date?" I blinked, caught off guard.
"Of course, Honey." She bead. "I don't have much ti here. My father doesn't even know I left."
I frowned slightly. "And you're okay with that?"
Jarett Tarmias had always struck as a strict man, but I had a feeling he was the kind of father who would forgive anything when it ca to his daughter.
Layla simply waved a hand dismissively. "It's fine. Besides, we've never had a proper date before, have we? This place seems nice for a first real one." Her lips curved into a pout, resting her hands on her hips "If only we could chase away half the people here…"
I couldn't help but laugh at that.
"Alright, alright. Let's do it. But if we're going on a real date, I should dress properly first. My hotel's close by, so give a few minutes." I gave her a pointed look. "Oh, and tell your bodyguards not to spy on us. That'd be way too awkward."
Layla let out a dramatic sigh. "Honey, you're so insufferable," she teased, stepping closer. "But I love that soft side of yours."
Before I could react, she leaned in and placed a quick kiss on my lips. The street fell into a hushed silence as onlookers stopped mid-step to gawk at us.
Still processing the sudden kiss, I barely noticed Layla tiptoeing closer, her breath warm against my ear.
"Do you want to accompany you to your hotel room, Honey?" She whispered.
"I—I'll be fine," I muttered, quickly striding ahead before she could drive even crazier.
Layla always had this effect on —teasing, playful, utterly rciless.
But just as I was about to brush it off, a sharp sensation prickled at the back of my neck. My steps faltered, and I turned abruptly, scanning the crowd behind us.
Sothing felt off.
"Is there a problem, Honey?" Layla asked, tilting her head with a curious smile.
"…No. I just felt like soone was watching ," I replied, eyes narrowing slightly.
Layla let out a soft, amused sigh. "Honey, everyone is watching us. I'm the most beautiful woman in the world, and you're the most handso man in the world. It's only natural." She shook her head as if it was a simple fact of life.
I smiled, though the unease hadn't completely faded. "I guess you're right."
Still… that sensation wasn't just admiration. I was certain of it.
But for now, I pushed the thought aside and kept walking until we reached my hotel.
"Give ten minutes," I told Layla as I stepped toward the entrance.
"Don't make wait too long, Honey," she said with a smile, though I caught the playful warning in her tone.
As I turned away, I felt countless stares pressing down on us—particularly on Layla.
Every single man nearby was openly gawking at her, their eyes crawling over her like she was sothing to be devoured. It was pissing off to say the least.
Layla was used to it, but I wasn't. And I sure as hell didn't like it.
Suppressing my irritation, I quickly made my way inside, taking the elevator to my floor. The mont I reached my room, I practically threw myself inside, shutting the door behind with a relieved sigh.
"Finally, sothing interesting," I muttered with a smirk, peeling off my clothes and tossing them aside before heading straight to the shower.
I wasn't the type to sweat much, but I didn't care—I emptied half the bottle of soap and shampoo, scrubbing every inch of my body and working through the knots in my long hair.
And that hair… damn, it was a hassle to deal with.
I should've cut it ages ago, but I never got around to it. A lazy excuse, really. Back then, I was too caught up in my own head, drifting through a depressed haze like a ss of a person who just let their hair grow wild and unkempt.
But not today. Today, I had to look perfect.
Without hesitation, I grabbed a pair of scissors and began cutting, trimming it down to shoulder length. The strands fell to the floor in clumps, and I ran a hand through the newly shortened locks, feeling a strange sense of lightness.
Much better.
Even though I'd already showered earlier that morning, I still scrubbed my skin raw, as if trying to wash away months' worth of exhaustion.
Today was going to be different. And I had to be ready.
Stepping out of the shower, I wiped the steam off the mirror and stared at my reflection.
I had always been told I was gifted with good looks, but…
My eyes drifted down to the scars littering my body—faint white lines, deep ridges, evidence of past battles. My teeth clenched at the sight of the most prominent one: a jagged scar tracing along my jawline.
It was ugly. Unavoidable.
I sighed and quickly tied my damp hair back before moving on, brushing my teeth for the second ti. Then a third. The crisp, minty burn was oddly comforting.
Satisfied, I grabbed a bottle of cologne and applied just enough—not too much, just a hint of it.
Wrapping a towel around my waist, I stepped out of the bathroom and headed toward my room.
That's when I noticed it.
"Hm?"
The room was dark.
Didn't I leave the light on when I walked in earlier?
I frowned, trying to recall, but after a second, I just shrugged it off. Probably just my imagination.
"Alright, ti to pick an outfit that'll make Layla fall head over heels for all over again," I muttered, stroking my chin.
This was usually when Cleenah would chi in with so sarcastic remark, but for once, she was either giving space or simply wasn't around.
Well, whatever. I needed to hurry—
[]
"...!"
I reacted instantly.
I didn't turn around. Instead, I instinctively rolled onto my bed, putting distance between and the presence behind .
Soone was there.
A figure in the darkness.
The only thing I could make out were her eyes—white, shimring like eerie twin moons in the void.
"Who the hell are you?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
No response.
Then, she moved—climbing onto the bed, creeping closer.
"H–Hey, wait a second!" I yanked the bedsheet up, covering myself.
What the hell was wrong with this woman?!
"Oi… I know I'm handso, but that doesn't an you can just break into my room and try to assault !" I snapped.
She froze.
It was subtle, but I could tell she was processing my words. Then, her eyes narrowed even further—this ti with sothing much colder.
A flicker of steel caught my eye.
A knife.
She lunged.
I barely dodged in ti, jerking my head to the side as the blade tore through the bedsheet, embedding itself into the mattress.
What the hell?!
"You think pulling a knife on is going to make sleep with you?" I blurted out, still half-dazed by the insanity of the situation. "Are won in Central Vedelia really this aggressive…?"
"Shut it!!" She snapped, finally opening her mouth. "I'm not interested in you! Just die monster!!"
Another stab—this ti aid directly at my chest.
But I was faster.
My hands shot out, catching her wrist before the blade could find its mark. Muscles strained as I held her back, feeling the tremor of her effort against mine.
Her breathing was ragged, filled with pure intent to kill.
Who the hell was this woman?!
And why was she trying to murder in my own damn hotel room?
Wait!
My mind scread, but the word barely escaped my lips. Her strength was a brutal revelation, the knife's point closing the impossible distance to my eye. She was hella strong!
I put more strength and forced her movents to a standstill.
Her eyes narrowed, and she released a wave of Prana.
She was using Prana?
And then, the glow revealed them: white wolf ears, previously hidden beneath her hood.
A werewolf?!
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