Chapter Twenty Five

Emily's POV 

How long would I have to live here while wondering about the white-haired man? He was a man of a few words alright, but that didn't matter. He should be willing to talk to me more since he rescued me. Why wasn't he taking responsibility for his actions? I scoffed. Then I realized something. I could as well be the one to initiate the conversation between the two of us.

And one day, I went to the kitchen and made a meal for the both of us. The white-haired man was sitting outside as usual under the bamboo roof. I walked to him with the pot containing pork soup and placed it on the table.

He looked at me as though asking ‘What are you doing?’

I gave him a simple smile.

“I saw some meat in the kitchen and decided to make us something with it.”

“Really?” He said, which made me frown.

“You don't like it?”

“You… don't have to.” He responded.

“I want to. To repay you for your kindness. By the way, what's your name? I don't know your name.”

The white-haired man grabbed a spoon and took a scoop of the soup and brought it to his lips. I leaned in eagerly, curious to see what his expressions would be.

As he took a sip of the soup, I watched his eyes brighten in awe.

I grinned instantly. “You like it. You like the soup.”

The white-haired man continued to drink the soup and eat the meat. When he was done, he placed the spoon on the side of the pot. Then he stood up and started to walk away.

“Hey, wait!” I yelled after him. “What's your name?”

He halted in his steps and then turned to face me.

“Ranson Fayne.”

I smiled.

Ranson Fayne. That was his name.

***

Days passed by, I tried to help Fayne by doing the dishes and cleaning up around the house but it didn't really amount to much. Fayne didn't really want my help. But I did it anyway.

One day as I was cleaning the kitchen, I remembered what I had been through in the past and it made me feel goosebumps. My life was supposed to be a sacred thing to be honoured and loved. But unfortunately, my life had a lot of horrible histories and it made me feel weak within myself like I would be unable to amount to much even though I had the resources.

Life was difficult but also good.

The experiences that I had shaped me. It made me stronger but until when did I have to remain strong.

My life was a battleground and there was no prince charming anywhere that could rescue me from the world or from myself. 

I wanted to cry so bad. From being a werewolf to being a berserker was not a good combination. I wondered what Fayne thought about it.

He didn't know that I was a berserker and I was not willing to tell him as I was in human territory and they didn't like my kind very often. And I honestly didn't blame them. Some rogue wolves' inability to control themselves have in the past led to the bloodbath between humans and werewolves. The fierce massacre of humans.

I sat on the stool in the kitchen, staring out of the window.

It was difficult for me to keep still.

I wondered how Penelope and the others were doing. Hopefully well without me. I worried about Fayne. He was a human. And I was not. I feared bringing pain into his life.

Although I didn't know him, I felt like he didn't deserve pain. And that was what I was famous for.

As I turned behind me, I jumped when I saw Fayne.

“Y… you,” I trailed off.

My instincts had probably dulled down a little bit. I didn't even notice him come in.

“Were you scared?”

I clenched my fists. Admitting weakness was not something I did so easily so I said no.

“Remember what the healer said?”

I hesitated. “Y-yes,”

“You should not be cooped up in the house. It's not healthy.”

“So…”

“Come with me.” Fayne said.

“Why?” I asked without thinking.

“For hunting.”

“Okay, I'll go with you.”

It had been a long time since I last went into the woods. I missed the serenity somewhat and I hoped that going with Fayne would refresh me.

I smoothed my hair and followed Fayne out the door. Fayne was wearing a vest containing his bow and arrows. It looked quite good on him.

“Your bow and arrows look nice.” I said.

Fayne turned to face me but didn't say anything. 

In the woods, I noticed a chubby rabbit hopping around.

I elbowed Fayne.

“Hey, that's a rabbit over there. Should I get it?”

He didn't respond, so I tip toed to the rabbit and caught it in my arms.

It surprising stopped moving so I ran my fingers on its head and it leaned closer to my body.

I walked over to Fayne to show him.

“Look, the rabbit looks fond of me. He's good.”

Fayne’s lips parted but he didn't say anything afterwards.

The rabbit snuggled closer to me and I looked at it pitifully.

“Don't tell me you're feeling bonded with the rabbit.”

“Please Fayne… let's just not kill it anymore.” I said. “

I walked closer to Fayne. “I know this is supposed to be hunting but the rabbit is innocent. I can't kill it.”

Fayne walked ahead of me. “If you won't kill it then let it go.”

I shook my head. “If I let him go, what if somebody else kills him?”

“That's the rule of hunting. We don't get to choose. Even though we release an animal doesn't guarantee that they won't be caught by another hunter. What more, there are traps here in the woods for animals specifically like the rabbit.”

I stared at Fayne incredulously and he noticed.

“What?” He asked.

“It's the first time you're talking a lot.” I said.