Cold air brushed against Raken as he carried himself out through the main door. Silence and emptiness wrapped around the villa. Thoughts of Kala refused to leave his mind. He needed fresh air—anything to distract himself.
Raken narrowed his eyes when he spotted a slender figure standing in the courtyard. The distance didn't make it hard for him to recognize her. Long hair, a graceful frame—he knew it too well.
"Kala?"
No response. She should've turned around, shouldn't she? But instead, the girl slowly walked away, as if trying to put distance between them.
Without realizing it, Raken followed. He knew something was off, yet his feet kept moving anyway.
Leaves fell gently, stirred by the mild wind. The ground grew noisier beneath them, filled with the snapping of twigs underfoot. Raken had followed her quite far now—the villa had completely disappeared behind the tall trees. He didn't know how long they'd been walking, especially when Kala hadn't spoken or even glanced back at him once.
A faint sulfur smell drifted through the air. Raken didn't think much of it—it was a forest, after all. Smells like this weren't unusual. But why wasn't Kala reacting? For someone who loved fragrances, sulfur should've bothered her. Yet the figure ahead remained calm, unaffected.
"Kala, where are we going?"
Raken stopped abruptly when the girl in front of him halted. He took off his warm coat, intending to drape it over her, but before he could move—
A sudden, crushing headache struck.
The coat slipped from his hand, falling to the ground near his feet. Raken clutched his head, the pain unbearable. It felt like thousands of needles stabbing into his skull, tearing it apart from the inside. His eyes turned red as he glared sharply at the figure ahead.
"How dare you!"
"Well? I was useful, wasn't I, Nic?"
Raken struck his own head, trying to stay conscious. Now it was clear why none of his calls had been answered. The woman he had followed wasn't Kala—it was someone else. Someone he should have already eliminated.
"Impressive, Lora. You managed to bring this monster right to me." A chuckle slipped from Nic's lips.
A smirk spread across Raken's face. This pain was nothing compared to what he endured on the night of the red moon. He had only been caught off guard earlier. Now that he was adjusting, he straightened himself again, running a hand through his hair before flashing a mocking smile.
"So, just a dog, huh? What do you want with me? Planning to play with a bone puppet?"
Nic bared his teeth, ready to lunge—if Lora hadn't grabbed his arm.
"Don't be too arrogant, or the fall will break you beyond repair. The dog you're facing now isn't just any dog. Remember that," Nic said, restraining his anger, doing everything he could to keep it from exploding.
"True. Your barking is quite impressive. Enough to give me this headache."
Nic's fury flared even more at Raken's mocking laughter. If he let himself go, he would've already torn Raken apart.
"Nic, is this distance enough? Ah, I only scattered a bit of sulfur earlier. Seems like it's not effective enough against that monster," Lora asked sweetly, pressing herself closer to Nic.
"It's enough, Lora. Good work."
Nic's smile made everything clear to Raken.
A trap.
His jaw tightened. He tried to throw a punch, but at the same moment, fresh blood spilled from his mouth. Raken collapsed to the ground, his hand pressing hard against his chest. Even through all that pain, only one name echoed in his mind—Kala.
"Looks like our plan worked, Lora. I hope Aldor does his part properly."
—
Kala lay on her back, arms and legs spread like a star, when Hein suddenly burst through the door. The panic in the woman's eyes instantly put Kala on edge. She sat up just as Hein grabbed her hand, pulling her along as fast as she could.
Judging from Hein's movements, they were heading for the hiding place. What was happening this time?
"What's going on, Hein? Where's Ken?"
Without stopping, Hein answered weakly, "That's the problem. He's not here."
For a moment, Kala's world stopped.
"Ken's not here? Did… did he leave?"
Hein kept pulling her forward, but Kala didn't budge. Not even an inch.
"He must have a reason."
"WHATEVER THE REASON IS, HE CAN'T JUST LEAVE!" Kala's voice rose as she yanked her hand free. "Let go! I need to find Ken. He can't leave without me. Let go, Hein!"
"This isn't the time for this, Miss," Hein said, lowering her voice, hoping Kala would understand.
"Then when is it the right time? I just want Ken!"
"RAKEN IS IN DANGER! FOLLOW ME IF YOU WANT HIM TO BE SAFE!"
Hein finally snapped, raising her voice as a warning. Kala's current state would only put all of them at risk.
Hearing that, Kala froze. No one had ever raised their voice at her like that—except Pra.
Seeing Kala finally go still, Hein pulled her again, urging her toward safety. But after only a few steps—
Someone blocked their path.
And the very person they had been trying to avoid now stood right in front of them.
"Damn it… too late," Hein muttered, just loud enough for Kala to hear.
"Good evening, ladies. Why do you look like you're in such a hurry?" A man with jet-black hair streaked with gray smirked as he locked eyes with Hein.
"If you know that, then you should know better than to show up here, Aldor."
Hein's words were met with laughter. Aldor's gaze then shifted to Kala, who stood hidden behind her.
Black hair with soft waves at the ends, milky white skin glowing under the light, sorrowful eyes, and full, tempting lips—Aldor missed nothing. The moment he saw her, he was captivated.
"Take that filthy gaze off my lady, you bastard," Hein snapped, pulling Kala closer behind her.
"Oh, come on. There's no need to fight over something that can be settled peacefully!"
"Peacefully? Is that what you call bringing an army?" Hein scanned their surroundings, sensing the presence of immortal beings filling the space. They weren't visible—but she knew they could strike at any moment.
"Let's just say I came prepared," Aldor shrugged casually, showing neither guilt nor fear.
Hein knew him.
Aldor—the first prince, the future Alpha of the werewolf race. Don't be fooled by his foolish-looking face. He was the most dangerous among them. That easygoing smile? It was how he assessed situations… or crafted strategies. Aldor was cruel—utterly devoid of mercy. He tortured and killed his enemies while smiling, as if entertaining a guest.
"Hein of the Brodic family… the key to the spirit realm of the Noctyr Kingdom," Aldor said sweetly, then continued, "Someone so important should be wise, don't you think? Hand the girl over to me, and I'll make sure you walk away unharmed."
"In your dreams."
Kala, who had stayed silent, didn't understand any of this. Spirit realm? Noctyr Kingdom? Someone important? And why did that man want her?
What was really going on?
And why hadn't Raken come to protect her yet?
"So you're choosing to die here? Very well." Aldor nodded dramatically.
Kala's eyes widened in shock.
The man who had looked completely human just seconds ago began to change. Two ears appeared on his head. His nails lengthened into claws, and sharp fangs emerged. Even in her wildest dreams, Kala could never have imagined something like this.
The man who had been strikingly handsome moments ago now looked monstrous. Half-man, half-wolf. His predatory gaze locked onto Kala as his tongue slid over his lips, like he was savoring the thought of devouring a delicious meal.
Kala trembled. Her body nearly gave out if Hein hadn't caught her in time.
Then, in a blink—
Aldor lunged.
His claws snatched Kala away, tearing her from Hein's grasp and sending her flying. Hein had forgotten—this creature's speed was far beyond normal. Only in front of Raken did Aldor seem insignificant.
A thunderous crash echoed.
Kala's body slammed hard against the ground, leaving her unable to rise or escape. All that remained were pained gasps and repeated murmurs of Raken's name.
"Ken… it hurts…"
Another heavy impact rang out. Her breathing grew labored. Pain spread through her bones, rattling her from within. She could no longer fight. Her consciousness slowly faded, until she gave in—
And let the darkness take her.
"NO! KALA, WAKE UP!"