CHAPTER 002
1336 Words
CHAPTER 002
His sharp eyes were fixed on the unconscious girl lying in the grass, and Joon won kept his distance. Her presence was a storm just waiting to break, even now as the chaos of the fight dulled and a silence returned to the forest.
She was small, fragile, barely holding herself together. But back there, that light was unlike anything he’d ever seen. The clearing had burned, forcing their attackers to retreat, but it had nearly overwhelmed her as well.
His wolf was still under his skin, ready to resurface if the shadows stirred again, and he stepped closer. She breathed shallow, her face visibly pale in the moonlight. Only the faint glow of the scar on her wrist had dimmed, a pulse glowing faintly to remind her of what she was.
He crouched beside her and gently touched her shoulder. He said, testing the sound of her name, “Han So-yeon.” It was a heavy name, a name that weighed centuries.
She groaned, a small pained groan, and her eyelids fluttered. Her eyes opened and locked onto his. She didn’t scream or cry, just stared, her fear plain but her gaze steady.
She croaked out, “Who… who are you?”
She gave her space, Joon won straightened. “My name is Kim Joon-won. “I’m the Alpha of the Eunwol Pack,” I said.
Her brows knitted in confusion, she blinked. “Alpha?”
He nodded. “Leader. Protector.” He flicked his eyes to her wrist. “Only one person can keep you safe right now.”
She stiffened her body, tried to push herself up, wincing as her arms shook. She said, her voice trembling, “I don’t need protection.”
Joon-won let out a low sigh. “Do you even know what just happened?” “Do you have any idea why they were after you?”
Her lips parted, but she said nothing. Her hand brushed over the faint scar on her wrist and she looked down. “I… I don’t know,” she admitted.
‘That’s why you need me,’ he said firmly. “You’re not safe out here. They weren’t just random attackers. ‘They were hunting you for a reason.’”
She shook her head, frowning. I don’t even know who they are, or what they want. And why should I trust you? “Out of nowhere you just appeared!”
Joon-won’s jaw tightened. He knew her fear, her hesitation, but they didn’t have time for this. “You don’t have to trust me. But you will come with me. ‘It’s your only chance of survival,’ he said.”
She looked to the trees, as if calculating her odds of running again. She moved before Joon-won saw it. The panic in her eyes, the slight movement of her muscles.
He warned, his voice low, “Don’t.”
Her shoulders sagged, and she froze. I asked her, Why are you doing this?
The weight of the truth pushed down on Joon – won. He couldn’t tell her everything, not yet. Finally, he said, “Because you’re important.” You’re more important than you realize. If they get to you, it won’t just be you who suffers.”
Her fear turned to something darker, doubt, anger, as she stared at him. But she didn’t argue. She let him help her to her feet, her body swaying unsteadily instead.
She asked, “Where are we going?”
“Home,” he replied.
The word was foreign to her, as if it didn’t belong.
---
The trip to the Eunwol Pack’s territory was quiet, tense. Joon-won walked ahead a few paces, while So-yeon walked behind him as her eyes darted to every sound in the forest. Neither of them spoke.
Within the tree line So-yeon’s breath hitched. It was nothing like the village before her. Set into the shadow of the mountains, it was like it had ’come out of another age.’ Slanted roof cabins made of wood were packed in here with their chimneys puffing smoke into the starless night. In the small paths, wolves padded through, their forms waffling uncertainly between human and beast, under the moonlight.
Her legs refused to carry her any further, so-yeon stopped. “What is this place?”
He turned, his face unreadable. “You’ll be safe here.”
She didn’t move. She clenched her hands into fists at her sides. “Safe?” she repeated. “I don’t even know you. “How do I know this isn’t some kind of trap?”
His towering presence was stepping closer, and she made sure to shrink back. “I wouldn’t have saved you back there if I wanted to hurt you.”
She didn’t look away, but her throat tightened. “Why do I feel like I’m walking into something worse, then?”
He looked at her for a moment, then motioned for her to follow. Soon enough you’ll understand. For now, stay close. ‘The others… they’re not exactly welcoming to strangers.’”
---
Joon-won wasn’t wrong.
Children ran away from them as they walked through the village and every gaze, however heavy it was felt on So-yeon. Soft, but sharp enough to sting, whispers followed them.
“Who is she?”
“Why did the Alpha bring her here?”
“Is she one of them?”
Her scar burned faintly, and she ducked her head. She was some kind of monster, the wolves—no, people—stared at her.
She looked at them, whispering, “Why are they looking at me like that?”
Joon-won’s voice was low. “They can sense what you are. They know you don’t belong here.”
Her stomach twisted. ‘Then why did you bring me here?’ If they don’t want me—”
“Enough.” He cut her off with a sharp tone. You’re here because you need to be. Let them stare. It won’t last.”
She didn’t believe him, but she didn’t say anything.
---
The tension didn’t ease that night. She was not in a cabin assigned to her but she realized Joon Woon had put her in prison rather than give her a sanctuary.
She was sitting on the edge of the bed in the dark, fingers to the scar, the faintest of glows so faint she could still see them. She thought, senseless and crazed. Who were these people? Why did they fear her?
Why did Joon won seem so desperate to protect her?
Out into the night she slipped, taking in the weight of the cabin as she stood. Now the moon's long shadows were across the paths, and the village was quieter.
She walked aimlessly with her feet until she heard a sound, a low growl, the c***k of bones. She froze, her heart pounding.
Up ahead a group of wolves shifted under the moon light and became human again. It all happened automatically, like it was easy as breathing.
So-yeon’s breath caught. These people weren’t human. They weren’t even like her.
Her mind raced, and she backed away. This wasn’t her world. She didn’t belong here.
“Lost?”
Joon won startled her spinning to see him standing behind her arms crossed. His eyes faintly glowed, unreadable.
“I… She stammered, ‘I couldn’t sleep.’
His eyes never left hers and he took a step closer. He said quietly, “You’re not ready for what’s out there.” “You’re not ready for what’s here, either.”
She clenched her hands into fists. “Then why am I here? ‘Why did you bring me to this… this place?’”
Joon-won’s jaw tightened. It seemed like he wouldn’t answer for a moment. He then said, “Because you will only survive here.” You’re safer here than anywhere else, whether you trust me or not.”
His words didn’t comfort her. They left her with more questions if anything.
What was he so afraid of? And what was he hiding?
- Writer
