JONEA“Tell me, why are you crying? Is that asshole Hunter bothering you again? Let me teach him a lesson!” Marilyn went over and took her jacket, but I held her back.“No, not him. I don’t mean because of him. I’m just worried about you.”Marilyn raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Is this because of Teddy? Oh, Jonea, I’m fine. We broke up, and for some reason, recently, he came back to me and--”I hugged Marilyn again tightly. “Do you like him? That Teddy? As long as you’re happy, I no longer need to worry.”I’m confused about what to talk about. I just feel relieved that Marilyn is okay. That’s all I need. After ensuring nothing had changed about Marilyn, I went home.“Let me take you. You’ve come a long way here.”“No!” I replied quickly. “I’ll just take a taxi.”It was enough that the devil erased Marilyn’s memory once. I don’t want it to happen again if Marilyn finds out where I live now.When I was about to leave Marilyn’s room, I stopped. I felt uncomfortable if I had to go back
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 appear
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