104: 104 Stay With Me

104 Stay With Me

Vivian's POV 0

Confronted with Delia's reluctance to leave with me, I was already feeling disheartened, and now Alen was speaking to me in that tone! I understood that what he said was true, but I wasn't ready to admit it. He now seemed like a teacher scolding a child, and I was that naive child in his eyes.

"I don't want to talk to you anymore," I slipped my hand into my pocket, trying hard to put on a nonchalant façade, "I'm heading back to sleep."

As my left hand slid into my pocket, I came into contact with the flute Albert had given me. I realized I couldn't let Alen discover the existence of this flute, so I clutched it tightly, keeping my hand still in my pocket.

"Vivian, it's getting pretty late. Please allow me to walk you back to the carriage," Alen turned his head and gestured in the direction of the camp.

When Alen had finished speaking, he began to walk toward the campsite. I followed closely behind him, just one step away.

"Vivian, I'm still having trouble understanding why you ventured into the forest in the night," Alen suddenly said after a few steps, "Are you certain you didn't see anything?"

Alen's question incited a bit of anger within me. I'd already given him an answer, so why was he asking once more?

"No, I didn't see a thing." I retorted, my irritation evident in my tone, "Alen, don't you think you're being a bit too nosy? Even if I had seen something, I wouldn't be obligated to tell you everything, right?"

Hearing my response, Alen abruptly came to a stop. Caught off guard, I ended up crashing into his back, my nose meeting his solid frame with a painful thud, nearly bringing tears to my eyes.

"Ouch!" I exclaimed, rubbing my nose with my right hand, "My nose hurts so badly!"

I'd expected Alen to turn around and offer a consoling word. He did turn around, but the words he chose were, "Vivian, it seems you're really keeping something from me!"

"I..."

I realized I'd let something slip. Nervously rubbing my nose, I raised my hand to shield my eyes, trying to avoid locking eyes with Alen.

However, Alen wasn't going to let me dodge the question. He seized my right hand and demanded, "Vivian, answer my question. Were you just with a man?"

"Why should I tell you?" I was still reluctant to divulge anything about Albert. Despite Alen holding my right hand, my left hand remained tucked in my pocket, gripping Albert's flute tightly. "I don't feel obliged to provide you with updates."

"Vivian, that's not the point," Alen's face displayed anger upon hearing my response, and his grip on my hand tightened, "We're mates. I want to share your emotions and experiences, including the people you interact with. It's only natural for us to share these things."

This wasn't the first time Alen had brought up the term "mate." While I did hold strong feelings for him, was it really right to make a life-altering decision based solely on this connection? I was unsure about what course of action to take.

After a brief pause, I finally inquired, "Alen, what exactly do you want?"

"I want you by my side, always," in response to my question, a hint of tenderness appeared in Alen's eyes. His grip on my hand transformed into a gentle caress of my hand's back, "Both Prince Kral and Delia have taken a liking to you, and I've grown quite fond of you as well. If you're willing, you could stay in the palace forever."

Staying in the palace forever? I wasn't convinced it was the best idea.

Ever since my identity as a witch had been uncovered, I'd been able to sense a certain tension from some individuals within the palace. Although it unsettled me, I could understand their reservations. If a werewolf were to suddenly reside within the witches' domain, I wouldn't be quick to extend a warm welcome either.

"I'm uncertain if I can agree with that," I hesitated, "After all, the palace isn't my home. It's not feasible for me to remain there forever."

"If you're uncomfortable in the palace, I can purchase a house nearby. I can request permission from Prince Kral to live there, and then you could move in with me," Alen proposed with optimism, "Prince Kral and Delia share a strong connection, he'd likely understand my intentions."

"Live in your house, and then what?" I inquired further.

"Then we could live together, akin to a married couple," my questions led Alen's voice to lower in volume, and a shy smile crept across his face, "We could enjoy a life of happiness and contentment, just like any other loving couple, for the entirety of our lives."

At the mention of "the entirety of our lives," a surge of panic washed over me. Was I truly destined to spend my life within the confines of the werewolf pack, forever separated from the witch's realm and my master?

No, this isn't the kind of life I want.

"I don't want this," I pondered for a moment, then cautiously said, "Just because we're mates, does that mean I have to be in the werewolf pack forever? This isn't my home, and I'm not the same as you all."

"Vivian, don't underestimate yourself. Your mate is a werewolf, you have werewolf friends, and you've been getting along well with us. There's no real difference," Alen's hand gradually moved upward, quickly grabbing onto my arm with a firm grip. I could feel his strength, as he attempted to pull me towards his embrace, "If you're feeling out of place, I can help you integrate into our pack."

The term "integrate" made me uncomfortable. Why did I have to integrate into Alen's life? Did I have to adjust myself to his wishes? But on what grounds?

"No, I don't like this," I forcefully broke free from Alen's grasp, stepping back and creating some distance, signaling my stance, "I am a witch, and I should be living among my own kind. I have no obligation or desire to assimilate into your werewolf society."

"Vivian, are you sure about this?" My words and actions seemed to hurt Alen, and he took a step closer, still trying to persuade me, "You haven't tried it, so how can you be certain you won't like it? At the very least, you should—"

"Alen, you're really frustrating!" My emotions were tumultuous, cutting off Alen's words, "Why don't you ask what kind of life I want? You don't even understand my past life, yet you're demanding that I fit into your world. If you expect me to compromise and conform to you, then I don't like you anymore!"

As I finished my sentence, I sensed Alen freezing in place, and the world seemed to quiet down. Even the temperature around us dropped by several degrees.

"Vivian, I didn't expect you to say that," after what felt like a while, Alen responded in a subdued tone, "Are you serious?"

Faced with Alen's question, I attempted to explain, but I also felt drained and uninterested in continuing the conversation.

After a brief contemplation, I whispered, "Alen, I'm tired. I want to go back and rest."

I was clearly diverting the topic, and Alen realized it too. Continuing the conversation wouldn't resolve anything and it would only amplify our differences.

"Alright," Alen let out a sigh, reluctantly saying, "Perhaps you should get some sleep. It'll prevent you from overthinking and blurting things out."

With that, Alen turned and headed toward the campsite. This time, he hastened his pace, walking ahead without waiting for me.

Watching Alen's figure grow distant, he seemed like an elusive light, and suddenly my heart felt hurt. Even though Alen and I shared mutual feelings, how had things escalated to this point?

Alen had contemplated our future and proposed what he believed was a suitable solution, but I was unwilling to accept it. Was it because I was being too stubborn?

In the past, my master had often said my temperament was akin to that of a child. When I was unhappy, I acted stubbornly. I used to dismiss this observation, but now it seemed my master might have been right all along.

My character indeed had its flaws. I don't know how to express my feelings. Sometimes I hurt the people I love and the people who love me.

However, even if I worked to overcome these character flaws, making compromises for Alen, the thought of spending the latter part of my life among werewolves left me unsettled.

With a sigh, I couldn't help but wonder how much more complicated life had become after becoming an adult. I yearned for the simple and pure happiness of childhood. I hoped I could remain young forever.

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