The following day, the sunlight was the first thing to hit my eyelids. Slowly, arousing from my dream, I found myself in the comfiest of things.

Huh? When did I find a fluffy bed?

With a glance, my heart stopped when I realized Alijah was under me in his wolf form. I couldn’t tell if I was still in the same dream. Yawning, I slowly stretched before sitting as a chilling breeze hit me.

Wait… Wait… I’m still naked?!

Feeling my movements, the wolf stood up, allowing me to slide off him and onto the rocks below. He went to grab my bag before bringing it to me and placing it in front of me before cocking his head.

My brain function was slower than usual, leaving me to stare back at the wolf before me.

“Are you going to stay like that?” He chuckled, eyes shimmering lightly.

At that moment, my eyes widened, lighting up my face worse than a firework going off.

Wait… Wait! All of that was real?! I slept on you naked all night?!

Another realization that formed along with that one, since he was in his wolf form, was that he was also nude. His clothes were in the peripheral of my vision when he threw them out of the river. My heart quickly reminded me they were still in place, wishing to bolt out of me.

“Ah!” I yelped, grabbing my back before diving into a few bushes beside us.

Luckily, all the previous day’s blisters were gone, making my escape painless.

Arg, what the heck am I thinking? I’m not thinking at all that’s my problem. Rem, you stupid idiot!

“Seems you finally grew a brain, little Luma.” Alijah teased from the riverbank, leaving my eyes twitching.

Why are you being like this?!

“Maybe helping me dress would’ve eased your eyes!” I growled, searching my bag for spare clothes.

It had visible bloodstains on the outside, which meant I would need a new one when we got to the next village. My mind raced, looking for distractions from my current predicament, though it was troublesome that those raiders had all the equipment.

Iris... Sedatives... How did they gain it? Cerberus? Is there a smuggler within the organization? Well, it’s not like it matters. If those two are following, they’ll stumble into that cave sooner than later.

“Eh, that isn’t my problem,” The black wolf huffed.

Thank god. Wait... did I slip last night? I... I... think I didn’t. Wait, Did I? Arg... I’m an idiot. A big stupid moron. Why was I born without a brain!?

My nerves were getting the best of me.

“You’re a colossal fool,” I mumbled, wanting to slam my head into the tree beside me.

Perhaps then I would get a clue or two. However, Alijah thought I directed it to him instead. Lycans and their stupid hearing abilities!

“What?” He scoffed, triggering me to growl.

“Not you!” I yelled, putting on my clothes.

Even though my temper was flaring, it wasn’t Alijah’s fault. He kept me warm throughout the night for some reason, as I hadn’t slept that peacefully since arriving at Celestelia.

Why did you…

I think the wolf barely slept a wink last night. An orb floated by me as I found myself at the end of Alijah’s range.

What…?

He was probably worried about me because of the bond. Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense to me. Leaving my hidey-hole, he was already dressed in the extra clothes I had gotten him. Everything fit him so nicely, too.

Clearing my throat, I approached him while his crimson gaze followed me. I had left my shoes back where I shifted, which meant I was barefoot for the foreseeable future.

“I’m going to find out where we are,” I mumbled, avoiding his gaze and prompting him to chuckle.

Ignoring his snickering, I took out the little GPS device from the bag and attempted to figure out where we were. However, Alijah grabbed me by my waist and tugged me towards him before I could sit down.

“Do you want me to catch us something to eat?” He asked, licking his lips.

I hadn’t noticed how my belly was rumbling, and we hadn’t eaten in over a day. Hunger was the one thing that would make me face him with no resistance or shame. It seemed my expression was the only answer he needed as a soft smile rose on his lips.

“Okay, stay here. I’ll go hunt us something.” He announced, shifting back into his wolf form before bolting towards the forest.

A soft sigh left me while I closed the map and put on my headphones. With him gone, the unsought comments would return shortly; instead of letting myself fall prey to them, I went to look for sticks to start a fire. It was finally daylight, making it easier for me to find everything.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

When Alijah returned with two bunnies, the fire was set and going. He placed them near the blaze and returned to his humanoid form before grabbing a knife from his bag. We had gotten one before we left Luxon, making preparing raw food easier on our journey.

This wolf made the process easy, while I always struggled when Dad attempted to teach me. Wanting to be helpful, I went to heat water for us to store in our pouches. However, something stopped me when I gazed at the reflection in the running river.

There was something off about me as darkness still radiated from me.

What… But I…

Mesmerized by the shadowy aura coming from my body, I couldn’t take my eyes off it.

Murderer... Someone murmured in my mind.

The imagery of yesterday’s events swelled within me, freezing me in place. Unaware of my predicament, Alijah came beside me to wash his hands in the river after placing the prepped bunnies in the fire to cook.

He noticed a faint dark aura coming from me when he turned around to face me.

Instantly, he took off my headset, “Oi! Rem!”

Luckily, his voice snapped me out of it, shifting my eyes onto him.

“Sorry, I…” I mumbled before shaking my head. “No, it’s nothing.”

Slowly, I bent down to fill the small pot with water. It wasn’t like I felt guilt.

Or is it? No, I don’t feel bad, but I feel empty when I try to think about them.

“Hey... talk to me,” Alijah sighed, grabbing my shoulder.

Ah… if you keep this up, I’ll misunderstand you.

“I’m fine. Really, I promise.” I smiled.

Sadly, I could tell he didn’t believe a word from my mouth because he narrowed his eyes.

“Rem, the first ones are always the hardest. You’ll get over it.” Alijah tried to comfort me, leaving my heart aching.

No, you’re wrong, please stop…

“This isn’t the first time I’ve killed. I’m fine. None of this is new to me.” I informed.

“What?” He breathed, tilting his head.

“Look, a witch cursed me when I was born. It makes me lose myself to blood lust if I wolf out, so I can’t do it.” I sighed.

“Huh? Shouldn’t your connection to the red moon protect you from curses?” Alijah asked.

You’re correct, but Edna doesn’t play fair. Her magic is…

“Nope. Not from this one. The witch that cursed me used a relic from the gods and the life of a Lycan to cast it. So, I’m stuck with it until she croaks.” I shrugged, placing the pot on the fire.

Alijah unexpectedly grabbed my shoulder again, concentrating his aura on me to find the curse. I glanced up at him, unable to help but clasp onto my chest.

Why are you… Ah… What a fool… but… one I love.

My Lycan half resonated with him as my left eye shimmered along with his.

“I don’t feel it in you,” Alijah cocked his head.

I sighed, shaking my head. “Yeah, it’s different from normal ones. It only activates in specific moments; her curse also warps with my magic. So, it’s complicated and uncurable. Well, unless she dies.” I simpered.

Please… drop it. If you don’t… I’ll actually believe you care.

“No, there has to be something. Maybe the elves can help,” Alijah suggested, eyes darting to each side as he tried to find something in his brain to help me.

“It’s okay. Mom and Dad have already tried everything available to us. Sadly, the only way it goes away is if she croaks. Mom’s hunting her to the ends of the earth, too. She’s an eternal witch.” I gripped my arms, trying to calm my chaotic thoughts.

The only reason you care has to be because of the bond. Yes, this is all superficial. It has to be.

Even though I craved Edna’s death, she was an eternal witch. They were monsters who could control time. Usually, they would freeze time for their bodies, which meant she wouldn’t croak out of old age.

They even survived being haunted thousands of years ago. Some of them escaped, or perhaps you are the only one alive and alone.

“What’s her name?” he asked.

I bit my lip when he sat down next to me.

“Edna,” I replied, biting my lip.

This witch had ruined my life before it began, and that was something I could never forgive.

I have to kill her before I go back home. If I don’t… then I’ll…

The black wolf grumbled, “Edna... It sounds familiar.”

I nodded, knowing she was the reason he was in this timeline.

Without her, you’d still be… I guess she has her uses.

“It should. She was the crazy bitch that broke you out of that prison. Not that I dislike the fact that she broke you out. I’m glad she did, but sadly, she also wants to control you.” I clarified.

Eh, I guess you aren’t so bad. After all, you gave Alijah the chance to be happy. Yes, because of you, he has the opportunity to be loved by me and his past lover, which we still need to save from your clutches.

She had ripped Mom’s past life memories from her, which meant she plucked out the elven soul from her. This had happened the same day I was born and cursed.

I guess the spell you cast on my mother was meant to kill us and rip that part out of her. We both lost that day.

We suspected it was to revive the elven Lilith and use her to control Alijah—something I would have to inform him of, especially if I wanted to stop these emotions from breaking out.

“You’re happy she broke me out?” The curious wolf mumbled, getting close to me.

Ah… Yes… I think it’s time to kill off these emotions, Alijah.

After all, I didn’t want to hide anything from him anymore, especially about his Lilith. The moment I mentioned his old flame…

I’ll be nothing but a platonic pass time to you, which is good.

It would set my emotions straight once and for all.

Just because you’re my soul mate doesn’t mean I’m yours. This happened to Grandma and Aunty Amelia, too.

“Yes, I am,” I whispered, trying to keep my hands to myself.

Edna had made me happier than he would ever know.

“You’re a strange one, little Rem.” Alijah chuckled, gazing up at the trees.

The wind had picked up, making them shake. As they swayed, colorful leaves fell onto the ground around us. It was fall in Celestelia, compared to the winter back home.

“Hey, What do you mean by she wants to control me? How the fuck would a witch do that?” he added soon after.

Ah… Here’s the end for us. Not that we were ever meant to be, right?

“I don’t know what she wants to do with you, but she has the means to do it,” I informed.

It was hard to shut my heart to prepare myself for how he would react to that, yet it had to be done.

This isn’t about me, and it never will be.

“What?” the wolf mumbled.

I only had him in my clutches because the blood moon also influenced my magic.

Damn… this is harder than I thought. I really don’t want to tell you, but… we have to move forward.

After all, this wolf trusted me, and I could never tarnish it.

“Hey... Alijah, what would you do if you could have the person you love the most back?” I countered his question with one of mine.

He released a nervous chuckle before it quickly died down when my expression didn’t change.

“Anything,” He answered.

I closed my eyes, steadying my heart.

“Exactly. We would do anything to have the person we love with us,” I mumbled, taking out the map to distract myself.

Alijah grabbed it out of my hands, forcing me to face him. His expression was one of pure solemnity.

“Wait... you mean she can return Lilith from the dead?” He questioned, eyes shimmering.

I took a deep breath, trying hard to fight the urge to lie to him.

Damn it, I want to keep you all to myself, but that isn’t how this story will end. No, you’ll be with your loved one before I’m done. I swear it. But… why does it hurt so much?

I never knew it would hurt so much to have the man I had dreamt about for years pick another.

Ah... it’s all for your happiness. I’ll give the world to you, Alijah, if you smile at me.

No, I would give more than that.