chapter 4
1319 Words
Sofia’s Friends Leave — A Walk for Fresh Air
After resting for a while, Zoe and Molly packed their things and headed home. Sofia walked them out to the gate, hugging them both goodbye. Once their car disappeared down the road, the mansion grew quiet.
Too quiet.
Sofia sighed and stretched her arms above her head.
Her headache was fading, but her mind felt heavy.
She decided to take a walk around town to clear her head.
She grabbed her phone, slipped on her sandals, and stepped outside into the bright morning air.
---
Luke’s Side — The Streets
Meanwhile, in another part of the small town, Luke decided to explore the area.
Earphones in, backpack slung on one shoulder, he walked aimlessly while listening to music.
The streets were peaceful, with small shops opening and people heading to work. Luke found himself enjoying it. It was quieter than the city he came from.
Then he noticed a small café on the corner.
He hesitated.
Then pushed the door open.
A sudden wave of cold air hit his face, so sharp he nearly shuddered.
He rubbed his arms slightly and stepped in.
Inside, the place smelled like roasted coffee beans and fresh pastries. A few people chatted softly, others scrolled through their phones or typed on laptops.
But Luke’s attention snapped to one person.
A man sitting alone at the far corner.
Dark clothes.
Strong build.
Expression cold enough to freeze blood.
And he was staring directly at Luke.
The look made Luke’s skin prickle. He didn’t know why the man’s gaze felt… icy.
Luke forced himself to look away and walked to the counter.
---
The Café — June
A smiling girl greeted him warmly.
“Good morning! What can I get for you?” she asked, friendly and bright.
“Coffee,” Luke said quietly.
She nodded and prepared it quickly, then leaned over the counter.
“I’m June, by the way.”
Luke adjusted his glasses and just looked at her. No smile.
No reaction.
June blinked, then grinned playfully.
“You’re serious-looking, huh? Cute but serious.”
He didn’t respond. Just sipped his coffee.
June leaned a little closer, dropping her voice to a whisper.
“Hey… that guy over there…” she tilted her chin toward the corner, “he’s weird. Comes here all the time. Just sits and stares at people. Gives off creepy vibes.”
Luke glanced at her, then toward the corner—
but the man’s stare was already back on him.
He felt that same cold sensation crawl under his skin.
June pouted when Luke didn’t respond.
“Wow, not even one word? And here I thought handsome guys with glasses were polite.”
Luke opened his mouth to say something—anything—
“June! Attend the next customer!”
Her manager called loudly.
She groaned. “Ugh, coming!”
June rushed away, leaving Luke alone.
And suddenly, the café felt too cold, too strange.
He stood up, paid his bill, and walked out quickly.
---
Sofia Enters
Not even a minute after Luke stepped out, Sofia walked inside the same café.
Her long hair bounced behind her as she scanned the room—
and her face lit up when she spotted her boyfriend Jayson seated near the window.
She walked over with a bright smile and leaned down to give him a quick kiss on the lips.
“Missed you,” Jayson said, smirking.
She slid into the seat opposite him, and he signaled the waiter.
“Milkshake for her. Strawberry.”
Sofia grinned as she rested her chin in her hand.
They began chatting about the party, laughing softly together, unaware of how close their stories had just crossed.
....
The unknown watcher slipped out of the café and walked to his car. No one knew what he was thinking as he drove away.
At the Woods Mansion, Amara sat in her bedroom, brushing her hair, when a maid appeared at the door.
“The king is calling for you,” the maid said.
Amara set the brush down and followed her out. When she entered the main hall, she found everyone already seated. King Gerald stood in the center of the room, his expression unreadable—cold even.
She quietly joined them.
Gerald’s eyes locked onto Dyran immediately. His gaze was icy as he asked, “Tell me, who is the king between the two of us?”
Dyran hesitated only to glance at his mother before answering, “You are, Father.”
Gerald crooked a finger, motioning him closer.
Reluctantly, Dyran stepped forward.
The moment he was within reach, Gerald’s hand shot out, wrapping around Dyran’s throat. He lifted him clean off the floor. Amara stiffened, her gaze dropping quickly, brows tightening. Cillian gasped and took a half-step forward but froze.
Dyran’s feet kicked uselessly in the air, his breathing strangled. Gerald’s anger burned so fiercely that his nails lengthened—claws threatening to emerge. His teeth sharpened, the wolf inside him pushing through. He rarely let his wolf show.
But today… he was beyond furious.
“Do you have a death wish?” Gerald growled.
Cillian sprinted to Gerald’s feet, dropping to his knees. “Please, Your Majesty, have mercy on him!”
The plea only fed Gerald’s rage.
“Everything he does is disobedience!” he roared, voice mixing with a beastly growl. “What kind of son defies his king? Because of him, an entire town is covered in blood! Humans slaughtered. Children left crying over the bodies of their parents. Who is responsible for that?”
Dyran’s vision blurred—his breathing nearly gone, body trembling. His mother burst into tears. Her lips didn’t move, but her voice echoed silently into Gerald’s mind as she pleaded mentally. They spoke through thoughts—fast, desperate, wordless.
Finally, Gerald snarled and flung Dyran across the room. He hit the wall hard enough for cracks to split through it. If Gerald had held on a moment longer, Dyran would have died.
Dyran collapsed to the floor, coughing violently as air rushed back into his lungs.
Gerald stormed out of the hall.
Cillian scrambled after him, but not before shooting Dyran a cold, disappointed glare.
Amara lingered just a second—her eyes dark and sharp. She looked at Dyran with nothing but disdain before scoffing and walking away without a word.
......
Dyran’s POV
My back hit the floor so hard that the room spun. For a moment, all I could hear was the violent ringing inside my skull and my own breath—ragged, broken, desperate.
My father… my own father… just tried to kill me.
My eyes widened as the reality sank in. What the hell was that? The look in his eyes—there was no hesitation, no restraint. Just anger. Just rage. Just hatred.
And after this… after choking the life out of me… he thinks I will still honour him as my father?
Never.
He’s started a war he won’t be able to put out.
My chest tightened—anger spreading like fire. So I killed humans. So what? Useless, weak creatures. They were nothing. They were always nothing.
But somehow, he looked at me like I was the disgrace.
A maid quietly approached, hands trembling as she offered a glass of water. I didn’t even bother to look at her. I pushed myself to my feet, ignored the pain pulsing through my throat, and walked past her as if she didn’t exist.
I needed air.
I needed space.
I needed to get away before I lost whatever sanity I had left.
I left the estate without a word, fury burning in every step. Behind me, the grand walls of the mansion stood still and silent. But I didn’t stop walking.
Only I knew where I was going.
And right now… even I wasn’t sure if I’d come back.
- Writer
