JONEA
I stood in front of an old antique shop in the suburbs. I just stood there doing nothing for a while. And it's as if my reflection in the shop glass is teasing me.
You're a loser, Jonea!
Before coming here, I purposely dyed my hair bright red. I hoped this red color could disguise my pale skin from hiding in a cave in the forest for too long.
This old antique shop is among other shops selling everyday items. After standing there, I now became doubtful. Without noticing, one of my feet stepped backward.
"Is there anything I can help you with, Miss?"
I turned my head. A man in his 60s with neatly combed gray hair stood behind me. I glanced at his hand, carrying a cup of hot coffee from the vending machine across the street.
"Come in! You are free to visit my shop."
The man smiled kindly at me and walked towards the shop. He opened the glass door, and the old brass bell that hung above the door jangled.
I followed him into the shop. Strange, the feeling of doubt that appeared a moment ago in my heart now suddenly faded. There was even a strong urge to enter the shop without hesitation.
I looked at the interior of the shop building and saw that there were lots of old things that seemed very ancient on display.
"Sir, I want to sell myself!"
I conveyed my purpose to the man without strings attached.
The old man was surprised and cleared his throat.
“Sorry, Miss. Perhaps you mean you want to sell your antiques?"
I shook my head and looked at him thoughtfully.
"I want to sell myself."
I took a black card from my trouser pocket and handed it to the flustered man behind the shop window.
"Arman asked me to come here."
The silver-haired man checked the card I gave him. "Okay, I understand what you want."
I suddenly felt the shop was cramped and claustrophobic with strange furniture. Most of the table consists of glassware. I'm worried that I accidentally hit one of them and must compensate.
"Come with me, and please watch your step!" scolded the shop owner.
He led me away to a small door inside the shop. The door led us to a different room.
After passing through that narrow door, I suddenly felt like I entered a different world. I was baffled because I was no longer in the antique shop. We stood on the terrace of a building that resembled the Capitol building with tall, majestic pillars.
"Where is this? Am I dreaming?"
I literally rubbed my eyes because I couldn't believe my eyes. The old man who ran the antique shop had walked a few steps ahead of me.
"Wait, Sir! Do not leave me alone. What place is this? Do we go through the unique path and come to the back of the shop?"
"We are in the auction house." The man answered briefly while pointing at the nameplate printed in large between the pillars supporting the roof of the terrace.
"Auction building?" I repeated his words. I've never seen an auction building this grand.
"Didn't you say you wanted to sell yourself? This was no ordinary auction house but a place where magicians and underground creatures legally traded. There are a lot of magic items with supernatural powers being auctioned here."
I need clarification on what he's talking about. We arrived at the entrance. The old man spoke to the two men guarding the door. He handed me a black card that I previously gave him.
The antique shop owner said, "From here on, you can continue your journey with them and complete your needs."
I let out a deep breath. I've given up on my life. I no longer have fear or doubt. I came here with one goal: to give my life to someone who can protect me from those bastard werewolves out there.
Two young men in black suits led me into an office. It was in the office that I met Armand.
"Welcome, Jonea."
Arman once introduced himself to me as a professional auctioneer who worked for decades at the magic auction.
"Are you surprised?"
"When you gave me a black card and asked me to go to the antique shop, I thought you were joking."
"This auction venue is obscured by magic spells. Not everyone can come here."
"Am I really going to get what I want, Arman?"
"Yeah, if you're lucky. Countless races want to have the red moon girl. However, only special people would buy you at the highest price."
"What about the conditions I put forward?"
Armin nodded. "I've prepared a contract for you and your potential buyer, Jonea."
It all started a year ago.
I stand between the graves of my parents. The burial ground was even still wet and red. I clutched the flower sprinkles over their tombs.
I… failed to protect you.
I could only sob and wipe my tears with my sleeve.
I can't even keep Miller by my side. They took him.
My head could only continue to bow until my chin was attached to my chest.
It's only a matter of time until they discover who I am. I don't want to go to their pack and become a slave.
I shook my head and clenched my fists very tightly. Anger bubbled up in my chest. Before they died, my parents said that Miller and I were the sons of a local king banished by war.
Mr. and Mrs. Fallon are humans who accidentally found us. They know we are not ordinary human babies. However, they are willing to look after and care for us at the risk of their lives. They are also the ones fighting to cover our power with extraordinary magic.
"You are twins of the lycan king born on different days. You were born on a full red moon, Jonea, as for Miller, born the day after you. I helped your birth. Your father died as a prisoner of war. Your mother died giving birth to you. You're a special girl, Jonea. You're a red moon girl. Within you sleeps a great power that is being chased by many parties. Within your blood is stored a gift from the Moon Goddess that can turn the whole world around. Because of that, your biological mother casts a powerful magic spell to suppress your wolf soul from awakening. When your wolf soul awakens, all beings in this world will come to fight for your strength!"
The wind blows with leaves, plastic waste, and dust. A piece of newspaper in the wind hit my face. I grabbed the dirty-looking newspaper from my head and read its big headlines.
"The country is in a crisis due to the continuous war between packs. The country needs more soldiers. The remaining humans are forced to fight alongside the werewolves."
I crumpled the piece of newspaper into a lump in my palm. I closed my eyes, and the remaining tears spilled down my cheeks.
We've been trying to leave the Blue Sapphire country. However, a group of werewolf soldiers came faster and took us prisoner.
The government sent mercenaries to recruit and forcefully take every male family member to fight alongside the werewolf army. While the women were sent to refugee camps to be employed as slaves.
I can not take it anymore. I screamed while kneeling in front of the graves of my parents-Mr. And Mrs. Fallon. Even more, burials have just been made for the humans who died in the war.
The war in the Blue Sapphire country was no longer inevitable. I've lost everything. My parents died at the hands of the werewolves from Pack Abraham. They took my twin brother to be taken prisoner because he is a lycan. And what hit me the most, I had to be separated from Aland – the man I really loved.
I was just lucky that the wolf inside of me didn't awaken until recently. They think I'm just a useless human being. Is it luck or bad luck? Because I have to keep running to escape slavery. I fled to the forest and hid in a cave before meeting and living with my tight-fisted uncle's family.
I snapped out of my reverie when Arman handed over a piece of the auction contract that would change my life forever. I took the pen and paper contract.
"Are you sure?" Arman asked before I put my signature on the paper.
I nodded firmly, then quickly wrote my name on the auction contract.
Jonea Fallon.
"Now the contract is finished, Jonea Fallon," said Arman after checking the contract and saving it. "Someone will come and buy you at a very high price. I can feel his presence!"
JONEA Arman took me to a particular room behind the stage. It's like a stage play or opera, although I'm not sure. "We will directly start the auction for you today. Because you're special." I stayed silent when Arman put iron shackles on my neck, hands, and feet. I am like a beast that must be secured by iron shackles interlocked by chains. Even though the shackles were very loose, I had some objections because they were made of iron. This is very inconvenient. "Do these shackles hurt you?" asked Arman patiently. I can't tell the truth. I can only show a flat, expressionless face and shake my head at him. "I'm fine." "Sorry, Jonea. I have to do this for you. These shackles are only a symbol and a requirement for the auction process. Think of it as showing potential buyers that you're safely sealed. I hope you understand what I mean." I just nodded grimly. Even though my wolf soul hasn't appeared yet, I'm still a beast everyone hates. Instantly I feel nauseous when I have to i
DARAN "Sir, just a suggestion. Horse-drawn carriages are too old-fashioned for today's era. You should replace it with a Maserati, Lambo or Porsche.” "What are you talking about, Loko?" I am annoyed. I am still determining the names of the things he mentioned. Is that a new stagecoach? "I mean, you haven't left the castle in 100 years. Of course, there's a lot of change going on out there. Stagecoaches are not very suitable for use on the streets of the cities and countries you will visit this time.” I looked at Loko. He was very nervous but still determined to speak his mind without hesitation. I showed him my sour face. Let him know the taste. "Nonsense," I said. "Who asked your opinion?" I'm really pissed off. I know it's been a century of not keeping up with the world. But who likes to be taught and shown their mistakes like that? He's an entirely insensitive servant. "I don't care about other people's judgements," I added before getting into the stagecoach. "After all, the
JONEA This big and scary man stared at me from behind his devil-like mask. I was sitting as far away from him as I could. I just want to know why he said he would make me his bride? That's not what I want. I still have up to 20 minutes to cancel this contract. Cringle… I'm suffocating. Again he tugged at the iron shackles around my neck. Our faces met even though he was still covering it with a mask. I gripped the restraints tightly so he wouldn't pull them any tighter. I saw his face at the auction as he peeked out from behind the mask. I just saw his cynical smile, truly like the smile of a cold-blooded killer. The car goes fast. I glanced out the window, and people were not paying attention to us. Of course, there won't be. "Let me go!" I groaned in pain. He looked at me intently. The mask was the only distance between us. Our faces are entirely opposite. Suddenly he took off his mask and showed his natural face before me. Yes, he is very handsome. Typical of men who will be
JONEA Before Daran managed to reach the main door of the black stone building, I ran faster to hunt him down. Even if I only managed to tug at the hem of his robes, that would be better. "What do you think you're doing?" Daran hissed at my deed. He just turned his head slightly over his right shoulder. I do not know what I'm doing right now. How could I suddenly run up and tug at the hem of his robes without a second thought? At that moment, I immediately let go of my hand. The sound of the chains clattering around me echoed. "Actually-" I cursed my stuttering at a time like this. I have to say. I don't want to die while carrying all this burden and curiosity. At least, I have to try. Who knows, once I cross the threshold, I'll pass. At that time, I will not be too sorry for trying. Daran looked impatient with me. "Quickly say! What do you want to talk about? You've wasted my time here. I don't like being exposed to the sun for too long." "Weren't you able to kill them right
DARAN "What do you mean by taking off my clothes?!" My ears feel like they're going to burst. I had to close my eyes and hold my perverted breath. Her screams made my head hurt. The little fox in front of me looks so scared I will be harmful to her. But seeing her scared like this is really fun for me. I haven't played with someone in a long time. How many hundred years? I took off and threw my mask on the bed. Today I have a challenging task. Why isn't Loko here at a time like this? I busily removed the cuffs of my clothes and rolled up the cuffs of my shirt to my elbows. I also took off my tie and shoes. "Wait! What would you do?" Good grief! She's still screaming at me! You girl! I was lifting one leg to remove my shoes when she attacked me. What's with this mad fox? Can't she just shut up for a second? I hate fuss. Moreover, the sound of clattering chains on her body really bothered me. "What else do you want to know?" I've been annoyed too. "Everything was clear I said a
JONEA I sighed and sat quietly in the tub. I looked up at the ceiling with paintings of clouds and exotic ornaments. My body sags a little. I sink my whole body into the water full of flowers. Only my face is showing on the surface. "Looks like, starting today, I won't be able to bathe myself." I closed my eyes, and suddenly Hunter's face flashed back in my mind. The face when he looked at me so coldly while holding the contract paper in his hand. Instantly I felt goosebumps. I crossed both arms over my chest. "Why did Hunter go that far? I could understand him having to defend the pack and protect his people. But, is there no other way than submitting and enslaving Luke Draken?" I just realized the atmosphere in this stone house is so quiet and cold. My bath water is also not warm anymore. It's summer, but why do I feel like I'm shivering so much in this place? I want to get out of the bath. Something burst out of the slightly open window beside the bath just then. I screamed i
DARAN I was shocked and angry when I saw her coming down from the room wearing that dress. "What is this? What clothes were you wearing?" Her appearance in that dress made me completely lose my appetite. I wanted to throw all the lunch dishes that Loko had served at that moment. How presumptuous! She dared to take things I'd been trying to eliminate all this time but always failed. "Sorry," the girl stammered. "But I don't know what to wear? You… have taken the only clothes I have. And I didn't find any clothes besides this old dress that fit me in your wardrobe. I thought I could use it since I saw you kept it in a box and forgot about it long ago." She… actually answered my question? I'm so annoyed. What did she say? Forgotten? She said the dress was just a forgotten item? How can I forget all the disappointments and heartache I've experienced? The dress is a reminder not to make the same mistake a second time. And now, she wears it in front of me. Good grief! She really look
JONEA "Finish your lunch and rest." Daran got up from his chair, put down the napkin, and walked away from the dining table. He didn't even touch his food. When he was in the doorway, he glanced over his shoulder slightly and said something. "If you need anything, Loko will provide it for you. I still have very important business. I may not be back until tomorrow morning. So you have until tomorrow to enjoy yourself before serving me." The man left the dining room. He said all that easily without even a single expression. Serve him? I'm really sick of him. It's good that he has to go. I hope he won't come back. I irritably chewed on the rest of my steak, which was getting cold. Then I paused for a moment to regret my words. If Daran doesn't return, who will unseal the wolf inside me? How can I get up? I will never be able to save Aland if I continue to be sealed like this. Loko came when I was feeling really lonely in the dining room. I was relieved I wasn't alone in that old