Chapter 9. The black werewolves

Hera just felt a little uneasy because of Darth's departure, and suddenly she felt Darth's lips close up again, and she opened her lips happily, allowing Darth to conquer the land in her mouth.

She felt as if her body was on fire, and an unspeakable desire made her unbearable, and she couldn't help but embed herself tightly in Darth's arms.

after a long time,

She didn't dare open her eyes until he put her down on the ground, far enough from the crowd.

After a while, their eyes slowly opened, looking into each other's eyes, and Hera felt the heat inside, her cheeks flushed red with the kiss they had just shared. While Darth could 't believe his actions, his heart beat faster than usual until he distanced himself from her and looked away.

"Pardon me for kissing you without permission; I did that for a profound reason. Don't think I'm some pervert," he apologized sincerely. He may seem stupid for what he did, but that was just part of searching for truth to figure out her identity. According to the old covenant book, he has to kiss the woman inverted from his vermilion stone to find out who she is. It sounded absurd at first, but it was proven. If there was one thing he was sure of, that was the constant sentiment he was feeling toward this woman. Unfortunately, he got no answer other than shattered hope.

"N-no, it's fine," Hera stuttered, unsure how to respond as she could still feel his lips on hers. "I know it was an accident; you don't have to explain."

"Yes, it was," he agreed, but deep inside, the embarrassment was still stuck inside him. He was the red wolgan; He shouldn't be acting like such a stupid, not even with his current appearance. A man like him was supposed to be strong and calm in all aspects, like always. But because of Hera, everything became more complicated, maybe because he was captivated by her.

After a moment, Hera finally broke the inelegant silence, "You're not human. Please tell me what kind of creature you are. How could you manage to do such an extraordinary thing?"

He thought it over for a while, endeavoring to find an explanation. He wanted to tell her the whole story of the red wolgan, who saved the mortal world from cruel creatures and countless battles and was stuck on earth for a grave reason.

'What if Hera was the girl he'd been searching for? What if she's not?'

Just two questions were challenging to answer that kept on squabbling in his mind, making his thoughts crazy, and he had no choice but to ignore them.

"Are you the red wolgan?"

"Why are you so obsessed?" he asked firmly, not removing his gaze from her.

"I told you the reason. Don't you remember it?"

"I do remember it, Hera. But dreaming about being saved by red wolgan has nothing to do with you. That was just a dream, something that exists only in the absence of consciousness." he ambled toward her, striving to read her expression. "Not unless an imperative circumstance transpired between you and the red wolgan. Is there any such circumstance?"

For a moment, Hera remained hushed. She understood that her feelings were irrational, she knew it, but those feelings won't go away. "I don't have. I'm not against you, but I strongly feel about the red wolgan. I'm not saying that I'm romantically attracted. I feel... connected to him somehow, but I couldn't decipher in what way. Can you understand that?"

A deep sigh fled his lips. "Red wolgan is not just one. They are many."

"No, he's just one!"

"Are you certain? Do you know the history as well as you claim?"

The question caught her by astonishment, and she shook her head. "Not all. But you can't change my mind."

Darth shook his head in incredulity. This woman is persistent in trusting her superstition, high spirit, and determination to acknowledge the truth. To avoid further conflict, he turned around and took a few steps. "We have to go back now."

"Yeah, it's time." Hera followed his pace and walked beside him. "Anyway, thank you for coming, Darth."

He didn't respond, instead continued walking with a cold stare. On the other hand, his demeanor attracted Hera even more, considering that she was saved by him whenever she was in a particular dilemma.

The thought vanished instantly and veered to the scenario earlier, making her touch her lips and recall the soft kiss they had exchanged just minutes ago.

"Who is he?" Darth questioned as they walked together.

"You mean? Cayden?"

"The bastard."

"A-ahh, he's my suitor," she replied shyly.

"You like him?"

"No."

"Then you shouldn't have let him court you in the place."

"Yeah, I know."

Hera could not help but smile, even though she didn't know why Darth's words impacted her. Being with him made her feel guarded, and she had never felt this comfortable around anyone. Her whole life has been just an isolated existence, and now she has found a perfect zone where she could share her life more than a friend.

Many more minutes vanished until they arrived at the Cierra forest. The atmosphere is filled with tension for an inexplicable reason that almost suffocates Hera. However, Darth stayed subdued.

Suddenly, a strong wind aviated through the atmosphere, driving the trees to shake violently, disturbing the stillness between them. The sudden disturbance created nervousness that penetrated Hera.

"It's not safe here," Darth mumbled, staring intently into the sky, and Hera understood it. "Let's move."

Hera nodded and followed him to the other side of the forest.

After striding a few steps, an enormous presence from the air made them stop in their tracks as the pressure increased drastically.

"Wolves," Darth mumbled.

Hera's mouth fell open upon seeing the five black werewolves approaching. They were swift, running and jumping as if conveying how wild they were until they landed in front of them, revealing their sharp claws and razor teeth. And it seemed they could devour someone whole just in a short span.

"Grrrr!" they roared in unison, showing their aggressive posture and ready to attack whoever dared to stand in their way.

Before Hera could enunciate something, Darth walked to block their path, shielding her with his long cape.

"I warned you once, leave her alone," he commanded firmly.

With those words, the five wolves growled threateningly as an indication of outrage, and they didn't heed his words. The five wolves were about to attack Hera with all their might, but then Darth quickly revealed the flare fire in the palm of his hand, threw it into the air with a quick flick of his wrist, and then he hurled it to the five wolves, burning them alive.

A few seconds later, Darth extinguished the flame and took it back into his palm. Their bodies are covered with burns from the intense heat, causing them to shriek in pain. They are lucky because they're only burnt, not dead.

"Don't make me repeat myself." he glared at the cubs, full of intrepidity. "Now, show me your true form."

The five werewolves exchanged glances before they shifted into their human form. Two of them wore long coats made of leather with the hood covering most of their faces. The others wore black tunics that covered their arms from chest to wrist.

Darth scrutinized their faces, but none of them were recognizable. Hera did the same. She tried to survey their identity, and all she got was nothing but copious fear and curiosity. This was the second time she had witnessed such a dangerous creature who aimed to attack her. Luckily, Darth was there to protect her, and now she wondered if Darth was the red wolgan, just like he claimed he was. The view made her think twice, but she decided to put it aside and just watch the scenario closely.

"Who are you?!" one of the cubs shrieked. "Why do you keep intruding?!"

"I was born not to give an answer, so do not ask me. You should be grateful to be alive," Darth responded calmly yet dangerously.

"I pity you." one of them, wearing a coat, stood unhurriedly and walked toward him. "You have no idea how much larger a role you have to play now that you intervene in our matters." the man glanced at Hera angrily, making her even more uneasy.

"Stop threatening her. You're provoking me, you know."

"You will regret this... whoever you are, I swear, you'll regret it!" the man stated in a rage, closing his fist tight and readying to strike. He was about to swing his fist in Darth's direction. Soon as his hand came closer to him, Darth stared at him and controlled the air, allowing it to throw the man off the ground and hurl him in front of the tree. While the four wolves watched silently without uttering a word, they were aghast at his power. "Don't be so full of yourself. You're doomed to die! And that girl of yours isn't worthy of saving either!"

"I'm afraid I can't allow that. If you want me dead, then kill me yourself. But I can assure you that my sword is not aimless, and I am not powerless," Darth warned him with a dark aura, and his voice was low yet menacing.

He may lack truth about Hera's identity, but he still couldn't let anyone harm her.

Darth swiveled around and quickly grabbed Hera's waist while shielding her back with his long cape. He was confident that the cubs retreated and gone, not until the man in a coat who threatened them spoke again. And his last words made his heart thump aggressively.