Chapter 9

I hate mistakes, don't hate the wrongdoer. Condemn sin, yet show mercy to the sinner. Criticize words, but respect the speaker. Your mission is to eliminate the disease, not the patient."

"It's been a short time since the return of youth, and since then, I've been lost in thoughts of that werewolf's words. Suddenly, I can't trust anyone anymore. Who knows what he might become?"

"These unconventional beings! Evelyn, my companion, continued chatting, while my mind was never focused on her. It's hard! I've become terrified, thinking about how to survive every minute."

"Oh, leader, you're back!" Evelyn stopped chatting, staring at the cold-faced guy. Suddenly, my body shivered, feeling an inexplicable disturbance in my breathing!

"Our eyes met, creating a strong visual connection. Suddenly, I felt my body tense, unable to move or feel anything! His gaze pierced through me, and his cold expression increased my tension and trembling."

"My eyes involuntarily examined every inch of his body before I stopped, staring at his neck. His arms were already filled with tattoos, but I couldn't overlook the extended tattoo from his arm to his neck!"

"My eyes quickly focused on his lips, specifically below his lower lip, where a mole caught my attention. My heartbeats accelerated, and I couldn't control my breathing as he started approaching me."

"Oh, won't you stop staring at me?!" He paused two steps away, then continued with the same coldness, burying his hands in his pants' pockets. I gasped suddenly, standing upright and running towards the exit before feeling his hands pull the hood of my hoodie, stopping me."

"When will you learn to behave, Alicia Parker?!" He questioned, his previous gaze piercing me, making me swallow hard. How do I make him release me?

"He allowed me to leave?!" He stared at me, a kind of mockery in his laughter, before deciding to stay silent and step back. Seconds passed as I stared into space before hearing the others running downstairs with force!"

"All of them gathered on a couch, observing me, except Scarlett, who went outside, and Ivian, who seemed hesitant to sit. Wait, where's Kevin?"

"Don't ever appear bold from the first moment, but your tone with the leader surprised me!" Alex spoke excitedly, pulling me out of my daze to look at her with a kind of questioning."

"And who is this leader, and why does he act like this?!" I asked, making them look at each other before Ken answered, "They're not human, right?!"

He nodded calmly before rising and heading towards the window. "They're not human. Is it normal for a human to kill one of the best werewolves belonging to the strongest tribes?!"

He spoke as if it were obvious, and even though it was clear, I couldn't imagine that this is the reality! "Ask your books for the remaining information; they might answer you. Oh, by the way, we've avenged, so the forest is safe for you."

He finished, opening my windows, and leaped down, turning into a wolf. He stopped walking a couple of steps away, noticing the mysterious leader below, who threw those suspicious looks at me again, resuming his staring at the other!"

I don't know if it's just an illusion due to the darkness setting in, but his eyes glowed with that crimson color, causing me to retreat inside! My doubts grew about whether this masked man is the same mysterious leader!"

What kind of creatures am I living with if they're not human?! I turned, closing the windows, not wanting to stare at him anymore. I jumped in fright as my phone rang with that eerie tone. Wait, isn't the forest outside the coverage network?"

"Unknown number again?!" Oh God, could it be him?"

...

Make your relationship with everyone like the paper of a tree...

"Who remains bears fruit,

And who falls does not return!"

I stared at the phone, hesitant to answer before deciding to ignore the call. I'm not obligated to respond, right?

Half an hour passed, and the phone didn't stop ringing. Finally, I sighed in frustration, deciding to answer. A strange voice, akin to the sound of a whip and someone screaming harshly, reached me.

Wait, isn't that Kevin's voice?

"Oh, Alicia, why did you take so long to answer?"

The caller finally spoke, revealing himself to be that werewolf again.

"How did you get my number?"

I responded with a harsh tone before hearing him attempting to fake crying.

"Why are you cruel, my beauty? I'm not human, so getting what I want is easy. I already told you, my name is Matthew!"

I rolled my eyes, ready to end the call. I don't need another foolish encounter to end my day.

I wonder if my suspicions are justified.

"Wait, don't hang up. I didn't call you in vain!"

He added before I closed the call, signaling my disinterest in hearing more.

"Beware of the girl named Scarlett! She's never peaceful. Avoid being alone with her, and at least drag that leader or one of his followers with you; they will protect you!"

What the hell now? Is the witch's lookalike planning to assassinate me?

"Thanks for the warning."

I replied shortly, closing the call and heading outside. I felt bored, and since I'm on vacation, I don't have to go to that cursed university.

Walking a few steps outside my room, I glanced around. The house seemed large, so why not explore to make time pass faster?

I took a few steps toward a corridor, revealing many closed doors—ten doors maybe, all similar to my room.

I stopped after noticing a large door adorned with strange decorations, slightly open. Curiosity led me to approach, but as it opened suddenly, I hesitated.

What the hell?

I glimpsed Scarlett coming out, adjusting her dress while angrily trying to fasten her bra. What was she doing in there?

"Oh, look what we have here. The girl who ruined my night!"

She said, approaching me, making me step back. We were alone; who knows if she really wants to kill me?

"What the hell are you saying?"

I replied coldly, watching as she squeezed my hand forcefully. I imagined her nails getting longer!

"If you dare, let me show you what I'm talking about!"

She added, rushing towards me. In reaction, I raised my arms, trying to shield my head, but suddenly, someone stood in front of me. Scarlett held her hand tightly before throwing her to the ground forcefully. Her scream was incredibly loud, indicating she was truly hurt.

"What were you trying to do, Tok? Have you returned to defying me?"

She shouted, making it clear that Scarlett had suffered because of what she did. Was Mila really slapping her?

"I advise you not to try again. You know what it means to approach this girl!"

She added menacingly, her expression transformed into one I had never seen before. She seemed ready to kill Scarlett and tear her apart, despite being her friend!

But what did she mean by her words? What about me?

"Take her away from my sight!"

The one with the crow-like features spoke coldly, and they carried her body away in a gruesome manner. What if she dies like this?

"Follow me!"

She pulled me out of my daze with her pitiful appearance, leading me to that room. Closing the door forcefully, she hit my back with annoyance. Or maybe she's truly angry?

Why do I always end up with angry people?

"From now on, you will sleep in this room with me without objection. Also, avoid her as much as possible!"

She added with irritation, pointing to the bed, and then headed toward the couch.

"This is supposed to be my room, and I usually don't allow anyone to enter. Sleep on the bed, and I'll lie on that couch!"

She pointed to the couch, trying to suppress her anger while dragging me with her toward that huge bed. What's going on?

Wait, what are you doing?

"Until when will you keep staring at me?"

She spoke, making me wake up from my stupor, retreating backward until I fell onto the bed. How did she notice me without opening her eyes?

"Your strong thoughts reach me!"

She said calmly, causing my eyes to widen.

I found him towering over me, his gaze fixed on my eyes without flinching. How could he be so steadfast in such a situation?

"Your thoughts in moments like these become easy to read, Alicia. I can easily grasp how my appearance tempts you and your desperate desire for a lover to make your dead heart beat!"

He continued, making my heartbeats rise with fear. How could he read all my thoughts?

"I have no desire to see you weak and scared like this. Face your fears and challenge everyone boldly because what's coming won't be easy at all!"

He spoke again after a short silence, burying his head in my neck, relaxing his body on mine. All I could think at that moment was that he was the same masked person!

His tone, his demeanor, his strange words, reading my thoughts, in addition to the tattoo and the mole beneath his lip! This is definitely not a coincidence.

"Will you not back away?"

I said calmly, hesitatingly, and he raised his body gently toward me.

"Do you really want to distance yourself from me?"

Damn it! What is wrong with me and him?

He continued to stare at my face, extending his hand to move my hair away from my eyes. At that moment, I chose silence as an answer since I couldn't think of a response to him.

Silence, too, before he pulled me towards him, covering me with the blanket, leaving his uncovered.

"Sleep and stop thinking. The sun's rays have landed on my face, making me toss and turn in my bed, trying to sleep again.

"You're very lazy!"

A quiet voice made me startle, sitting up to face him. Suddenly, I remembered everything that happened last night; I slept in his room!

He was sitting on the open window frame, gazing downwards before redirecting his gaze towards me, pointing to a table with some food near the bed.

"Have your breakfast, and then you can do whatever you want until your return."

He continued talking after a short pause, then slid his head onto the pillow, leaving me without a cover.

"Sleep and stop thinking. The sun's rays have landed on my face, making me toss and turn in my bed, trying to sleep again."

"You're very lazy!"

A quiet voice made me startle, sitting up to face him. Suddenly, I remembered everything that happened last night; I slept in his room!

He was sitting on the open window frame, gazing downwards before redirecting his gaze towards me, pointing to a table with some food near the bed.

"Have your breakfast, and then you can do whatever you want until your return."

He continued talking after a short pause, then slid his head onto the pillow, leaving me without a cover.

"Can I know your name?"

I gathered my courage and decided to ask him.

"Will you not back away?"

He asked quietly, lifting himself towards me.

"And do you really want to know my name?"

I stammered, making him appear annoyed, before finally answering.

"I go by Jeon Jungkook—a person you won't want to get to know!"

He finally answered before heading towards the door, leaving me staring into space.

He's so mysterious!

I finished my breakfast, deciding to leave that room with the tray towards the kitchen. I went to my room, grabbing both my phone and my coat before heading to the outer door.

"Oh, Alicia, are you going out?"

Liam greeted me at the door, asking, and I nodded in response. I noticed the door opening, allowing Kevin to pass through, followed by Alex, tending to his wounds!

Oh God, he's in a miserable state!

He passed by quietly, giving me a gentle smile and heading towards the couch. He doesn't seem like he wants to talk now; he's tired, so I continued walking outside!

The forest became more and more terrifying with each step away from the house as the cold increased. I continued walking, determined to embark on an adventure tonight; after all, perhaps Jungkook is right, and I have to become stronger!

Jungkook? His name is beautiful.

I snapped out of my thoughts when I saw a strange building in front of me. My curiosity guided me towards it, despite it being dark!

My curiosity will kill me sooner or later!

Loud laughter suddenly emerged, making me freeze in my place. I heard the church door slam shut, leaving the place even darker!

"Who's there?"

I screamed in fear, sensing movements around me and the warm breaths hitting my neck.

Oh God, am I going to die like this?

...