JONEA"Why are you laughing?" I asked, startled and a bit in awe. It was the first time I saw Daran laugh, and honestly, it made him look twice as handsome.Daran stopped laughing but still had that smile on his face. "Watching you is fascinating!" he said casually. "One second you're happy, the next you're annoyed. One moment you're laughing, then you're frowning.""What are you trying to say... that I can't control my emotions? Are you saying I'm like some moody little kid? That’s not funny!""That's not what I meant," he answered calmly. "I like you, Jonea," Daran said after a brief pause. "I've lived for a long time. When you've been alive for so long, everything starts to feel like seasons passing by. Everything feels pointless. But you… you're always so genuine with yourself. I admire your honesty and everything about you! I like all of it!""I like you too," I blurted out without thinking about the implications. "I think I’m falling for you, Daran. I don’t know how to describ
OWENI stormed down the hallway, the anger pulsing in my veins with every step. The smug expression on Hunter's face earlier only fueled my rage. I spotted him coming my way, head down, fiddling with his phone, completely unaware of the storm barreling towards him.Without hesitation, I grabbed him by the collar, slamming him against the wall. "You’re a real piece of work, you know that?” I growled, my face inches from his. "Using Jonea as a pawn in your pathetic little games?”Hunter’s eyes widened in shock, but he quickly recovered, scowling as he yanked against my grip. "Are you insane? Let go of me!”I didn’t budge, pressing him harder against the wall. "What? Can’t handle it when someone fights back? How dare you treat her like some prize to be won?"Hunter pushed my hands away, his face contorted with irritation. "I don’t know what you’re talking about, Owen.""Cut the crap." My fists clenched, and before I knew it, my knuckles met his jaw with a force that echoed down the hall.
DARANI drove slowly through the cold night in Blue Sapphire. The streetlights cast a dim glow across the sidewalk, making the city feel like it was hiding secrets in the shadows. An uneasy feeling settled over me, a restlessness without any clear reason, though deep down, I knew what was really bothering me.Suddenly, the car radio crackled to life with static, and then the news announcer’s voice filled the cabin.“Breaking news from downtown Blue Sapphire: another mysterious murder victim has been found tonight. The victim, a young woman estimated to be around 20 years old, showed no signs of sharp or blunt weapons. Instead, her wounds indicate the bites of a wild animal, though the exact species remains unidentified.”I gritted my teeth, holding my breath as the report continued.“Forensics experts note that the bite marks on the victim’s body don’t match those of a werewolf or a dragon. The preliminary theory is that the attack may have been carried out by a lycan. Although their
JONEAI looked at Daran, waiting for an explanation. Whatever his reason was for stepping in earlier, I wanted to know. But he just stood there in silence, his eyes distant. It was like there was a part of him I could never reach, something he was hiding away, locked up tight.Maybe it's better not to know, I thought. If he didn’t want to tell me, I wouldn’t force it. That's his world—a world I can't enter.Finally, he offered to take me home, but I shook my head. I didn’t want to lean on him more than I already had. Without a second thought, I turned and walked away.I could feel Daran watching me as I walked, but I didn’t look back. The walk home felt way longer than usual, and each step brought me back to the mess earlier—Owen and Hunter fighting. Because of me. It was strange, almost surreal.Owen, with his warmth and straightforwardness, tried to protect me, and so did Daran. They both acted like I was some fragile porcelain doll that couldn't even get a scratch. But the way they
JONEAWhen I realized I’d gotten too lost in that kiss, I pushed Daran’s chest as hard as I could, breaking whatever had just happened between us. The lingering warmth on my lips confused me, but I forced myself to remember: I couldn’t allow myself to enjoy something like this. I couldn’t betray Aland. How could I let myself get wrapped up in another man’s touch while fighting so hard for the chance to be free and reunited with Aland?Daran looked at me, breathing heavily, obviously unsatisfied with how abruptly I’d ended things. His face showed confusion, almost like he was trying to figure it out. He asked softly, “What’s wrong, Jonea?”I looked down, unable to meet his intense red eyes, which were still smoldering. “This is… wrong, Daran,” I whispered, mostly to myself, reminding myself of the huge risk I was taking by letting my guard down with him.Daran looked bewildered but took a small step closer. “I wasn’t lying when I said you mean something to me. At first, I thought you w
DARANIt was just before dawn when a soft knock came at my door. Owen’s voice whispered, letting me know that another body had been found, the third one this week, with the same disturbing pattern as before. I couldn’t ignore it anymore. The whole town was tense; even the guards seemed like they hadn’t slept in days.Quickly, I gave the order to gather a few of my men in the back storage room, a hidden place away from prying eyes. They trickled in, one by one—my “shadow hunters,” lycans with powerful magic who could move unseen. They didn’t have faces; they were more like black shadows moving silently in the dim light.I looked them over, my voice steady, though my mind was racing. “The situation’s getting serious,” I said. “A third body’s been found, the same pattern. We can’t let this go on. We need to find out who’s responsible before anyone else dies.”They all nodded, some of them darkening as if sensing the urgency. I laid out my instructions: who they needed to talk to, where t
DARANAs the sun was setting on the horizon, I sat behind the wheel of my car, staring down at the report that had just landed in my hands. It wasn't just any report—it was the result of one of my shadow hunters managing to sneak in and snag a classified document from the dragon police. Carefully, I flipped through page after page, my eyes scanning every word and line on each sheet.When I reached the final page, I froze. A subtle yet undeniable pattern stood out. Every victim was a woman. Not just any women—they were lycan women who once worked for me. They were lycans I had freed from slavery.I'd spent so much time and effort freeing them from the chains of bondage, giving them a new life in the human world, where they could pass as hybrids and live in peace. But now, one by one, they were being hunted and killed.With a trembling hand, I gripped the report, clenching it tightly as anger and worry took over. This wasn't just random murder—it was a message. Whoever was behind this k
DARANAfter a long and intense conversation with Eve at the gallery, one harsh truth finally hit me: Jonea might be the next target. If this person is after the women connected to me, hoping to find someone with the “pure red moon blood,” then Jonea is likely their main goal. But maybe—just maybe—they don’t know she’s the one they’re after yet.A wave of panic rushed over me. I can’t let this happen. I should never have left her safety to Owen; this wasn’t his responsibility—it should’ve been me, protecting her myself.Without wasting another second, I jumped into my car and sped off from the gallery, heading straight for the café where we were supposed to meet. Hopefully, I wasn’t too late.But as I drove through the quieting city streets, doubts haunted me. Why did I leave her alone? I should’ve known how dangerous this situation is. Too many innocent people have already been hurt or killed, and I can’t let Jonea become one of them.When I reached the café, it was already late. We s
JONEAI was sitting in what felt like endless darkness. No sound except the echo of my own breath, no movement except the shadow of myself fading on a pitch-black floor like cracked glass. I knew it was just a dream, but it felt so real, like a trap I couldn’t escape.Suddenly, a voice broke the silence—cold and familiar.“Jonea,” it called, echoing through the void. “I know you can hear me.”Luke Draken.My body tensed, but I couldn’t see him. Just his voice, flowing with power and certainty.“Surely you’re starting to understand the dragon blood flowing in your veins,” he continued. “You can’t deny it, Jonea. Our bodies were bound long before the red moon rose.”In the dream, I touched my own body. My hand brushed against something that shouldn’t be there—hard, sharp scales covering half of me. I gasped, choking on a sob. What had happened to me?Luke chuckled softly, mocking. “I will live inside you forever,” he said, his voice drawing closer, as if whispering directly into my ear.
JONEAIt seemed like Luke noticed something off about my body. He grinned widely and tossed Hunter to the ground like a rag doll. Then, in a swift move, he picked me up and laid me down on the marble altar.Why? What’s happening to me? My chest felt tight, my whole body burning. I was so thirsty—desperately craving someone’s touch, someone to soothe me.Without realizing it, I started moaning and gasping at the same time. Luke gently lowered me onto the altar, then climbed over me with a calculated ease.“Union,” he whispered. “You’re breaking the seal. And when the crimson moon reaches its peak, your pure blood will be mine!”I couldn’t control my body or my thoughts anymore. Pain surged through me as I let out a scream. My eyes flew open, my head tilting back to stare at the dome’s opening. The full crimson moon stared back.“Ahhh!” I cried out as sharp fangs pushed out of my mouth, piercing my lips.Luke leaned closer, his eyes glowing bright red—the eyes of a dragon. He kissed me,
HUNTERI turned around to see one of the shadow creatures loyal to me in this secret mission. Its black eyes glinted under the moonlight."The werewolf forces are ready," it said shortly.I nodded. "Make sure no one knows the plan until the very last moment."The creature bowed and disappeared into the shadows.My thoughts drifted back to when everything began to fall apart.We used to be an unbeatable group—Beast Four. Me, Aland, Edison, and Elmar. Together, we protected the Sapphire Blue with strength and unbreakable friendship. But the Red Dragons destroyed everything.One by one, my friends fell. Edison and Elmar vanished into the darkness of the shadow world. Jonea, broken and battered, chose to hide. Aland—he was captured by Luke Draken. Back then, I didn’t understand why Luke targeted Aland specifically, my closest and most different friend.I remember that night vividly. Aland was locked in the dragon’s prison, his body covered in wounds. I knew he hated me for joining the Red
MILLERNever in my life did I think I’d witness something like this—a scene straight out of a legend. Standing before me were humans from the shadow hunter ranks, werewolves, lycans, dragons, and even jeverics, creatures that had been at odds for as long as anyone could remember. And yet, here they were, side by side, united by a single purpose: finding Jonea before it was too late.The sky was gloomy that day, heavy gray clouds mirroring the tension hanging over us. From the hilltop, I watched the valley below where thousands of figures had gathered, awaiting final orders before the search began.“All of this… it’s for Jonea,” I murmured to myself.Arabel stood beside me, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd with her usual vigilance. “They understand what’s at stake, Miller,” she said firmly, her voice calm but resolute. “If Jonea falls into the wrong hands, it’s not just her life that’s at risk. The whole world is.”I nodded, swallowing the fear creeping into my chest.On the human sid
DARANI’m losing my mind. There’s no other way to describe how I feel right now. My entire body feels like it’s on fire—an intense mix of anxiety and rage. I’ve been searching for Jonea for days, but there’s no trace of her.I’ve scoured every corner of this island, plunged into shadow realms, and even crossed the borders of the Blue Sapphire lands. It’s like she’s been erased from existence, like the wind leaving a faint trail only to vanish without a trace.“Jonea!” I shout, breaking the silence of the night.But only my own echo answers me.Frustrated, I press on, crossing boundaries I’m not supposed to. I find myself at the edge of the Dragon Valley, the gateway to the Land of the Blue Dragons. This is my last shot. If she’s not here, I don’t know where else to look.I’m furious.“JONEA!” I roar again, my voice echoing off the steep cliffs. My rage is so intense that the plants around me wither and die, drained by the destructive energy radiating from my body.But it’s not Jonea w
JONEAI froze, my heart pounding erratically as Luke’s words sank in.“The last time we met was at a graveyard, right?” he asked, a faint smirk playing on his lips, making my blood boil. “More accurately, I saw you. You knew I was there, but you chose to ignore me.”My eyes widened. A graveyard? I racked my brain, trying to make sense of his words. Only one graveyard stood out in my memory—the one where my parents were buried. The day I stood at the edge of a fresh grave, feeling the world crumble beneath my feet. The day I auctioned off my freedom for something far worse.“So,” I murmured, almost in disbelief, “you were there? Watching me?”Luke’s smirk widened. His face was calm, but his eyes hinted at something much darker.“You looked so fragile that day,” he said, stepping closer. “Just a little girl who’d lost everything. It was… entertaining to watch.”Rage bubbled in my chest, but my body refused to move, as if his presence alone was a chain binding me in place.He reached out
JONEAI stared out the hospital room window from my bed for what felt like the hundredth time. The white blanket covering me felt unbearably heavy—not because of its weight, but because of what lay beneath it. Black, cold, hardened scales covered parts of my body. It felt like I was trapped in an unending nightmare.This was the first time I had absorbed magical energy, and I never imagined the consequences would be this severe. My body, my mind, even my heart—all felt different. Yet, in a strange way, I didn’t regret it. The baby dragons had been saved. They were just like me—alone and scared, facing a ruthless world.Miller stopped by yesterday and explained everything. It turns out Aland brought me here, to this special hospital for hunters. Daran and Aland had a heated argument over where I should be treated. Aland insisted I stay under his watch, while Daran wanted to take me back. In the end, Miller mediated, and this hospital became the compromise.According to Miller, Aland wa
DARANI ran as fast as I could, my body trembling from both exhaustion and panic. The wet sand of the beach made every step heavier, but I didn’t care. In front of me, the dark ocean stretched endlessly. Waves crashed hard, as if reminding me that I was racing against time. Jonea was out there somewhere, and I couldn’t let her slip away.“Jonea!” I screamed with all my strength, my voice hoarse. But only the wind and waves responded.My body nearly lost balance when my foot suddenly hit a rock. I almost fell, but a strong hand steadied me.“Uncle, are you okay?” Owen’s voice was full of concern. He grabbed my arm, steadying me. “You’ve used up too much energy earlier. You need to rest.”“Let go of me!” I shoved his hand away. “I need to save Jonea!”“You won’t save her if you pass out here,” Owen said firmly but gently. “Calm down, Uncle. We’ll look for her together.”But I didn’t have time for his reasoning. Adrenaline pushed me forward even though my body was nearly at its limit. My
JONEAOwen stepped forward, his body morphing into a massive, intimidating lycan form. “I’ll try to hold them off. You guys figure out how to break their spell.”Without waiting for a reply, Owen lunged at the first beast, determined to stop it before it could cause more destruction. Meanwhile, Arabel and Miller began chanting spells, attempting to trace the dark magic controlling the dragonlings.I stood frozen, unsure of what to do. But when I saw the second dragonling start to move, I knew I couldn’t just stand there. Hesitantly, I approached it. “Hey, you don’t have to do this. We’re here to help you,” I whispered, even though I wasn’t sure it could hear me.The first beast fought back viciously against Owen. Their battle left the hall in even worse ruins. Eve, who was usually composed and cold, finally unsheathed her sword. “I’ll back Owen up. Protect Jonea,” she told Daran before leaping into the fray.I tried to get closer to the second dragonling, but an invisible force held m