Webtoon: Noblesse

(Y/n)'s POV

The warm summer breeze caressed my skin as I ran past the myriad of trees adorning the forest. The werewolves wouldn't stop, they wouldn't ever.

Tree branches caught my arms and legs, scratching whenever they could yet my regenerative abilities proved them to be nothing more than small irritation.

Running was all I knew and it was all I would ever know. I couldn't fight, I couldn't do anything that proved to be of any worth. I was simply...a failure of a werewolf.

"Hey (Y/n), stop running away from us. We only want to play," exclaimed Kyle (made-up character).

"Your definition of play is far from the universal meaning, I'm afraid."

"Then let me enlighten you. You're a weak, pathetic werewolf with no family, but you're incredibly cute. You have looks that attract everyone, even girls. Come to me, be mine and I'll make sure you never feel insecure again."

"In your dreams. I'd rather die than affiliate myself with you."

"Boys."

His subordinates formed a circle around where I stood. My breath caught in my throat, my hands clenched in fists. An arrogant smirk tugged at the corners of Kyle's mouth, ready to eat me alive.

With the click of his fingers, the others charged at me. My body flipped in midair as I avoided their heavy blows and rough attacks. Continuously dancing, constantly moving. Their strength alone overpowered me but with my agility, I could narrowly avoid it.

"Don't kill her. I need her alive."

I turned around, my eyes widening. All five of them had simultaneously formed an attack, their power combining into one. Did they not comprehend the words of their leader?!

There was...no time for me to avoid this. I was panting from dodging their moves, yet their supposed lack of depleting stamina could not even compare to my measly strength.

A sudden shadow blocked my view, the man's tall stature blocking even the incoming attack. With one slash of his hand, the power disappeared into thin air.

"M-my lord," Kyle greeted.

His subordinates followed suit and bowed before the lord of the werewolves. I, on the other hand, was trembling out of fear yet I did not know whom of. The lord ignored them and turned to face me.

"(Y/n), are you alright?" he asked, his eyes full of concern.

"Y-yes, thank you, m-milord."

"Kyle."

"Y-yes?"

"Have I not you before to keep your hands off of her? She doesn't belong to anyone."

"And yet, you seem to fancy her as much as I do."

"Are you asking for a death wish?"

"Forgive me, my lord, but we must speak what is on our mind, must we not?"

"Your pitiful concerns are of no value to me. Get lost."

Kyle repressed the urge to snarl, yet his eyes told a different story. Angrily retreating from the scene, he disappeared along with his men. Muzaka placed two fingers on my chin and lifted my head up so that now I was staring into his eyes.

"Why don't you use your power? You're not weak," he exclaimed.

"I am weak, milord."

"You just have to harness it. Don't be afraid to use it. Don't hide it away."

"B-but-"

"And it's not milord. It's Muzaka. There's no need to address me with such a formal title and besides, I don't like it."

"...I-I'm sorry."

I looked away from his sharp gaze, yet gasped as he pressed a gentle kiss against my lips. I froze as his hands cupped my face, having already pulled away yet the emotion hidden beneath his eyes told me everything.

Thump, thump, thump. My heart increased its beating by tenfold. Had the...lord of the werewolves...fallen for me? Was I...in the wrong for loving him back? Would I...cause unnecessary danger if I returned his feelings?

"I don't like you just because of your looks. I love you for who you are...so will you accept me for who I am?"

"I..."

This...must've explained his willingness to abandon his duties for my safety, the speed in which he exerted in order to help me, the way he always seemed to be opening up to me..

Yet, at some point, it seemed that our unbreakable relationship had grown distant. I had forgotten how to behave around him. I had created a shell around myself...because I was afraid.

"I haven't been paying much attention to you, have I?" he asked, his gaze softening.

"...eh?"

"I'm sorry I let Kyle harass you for so long. I was being insensitive when I asked you to use your family's inherited power. If used too much, it consumes your mind...doesn't it?"

I nodded.

"I won't ask you for an answer now but seeing your reaction, I take it you feel the same way about me?"

"*blush* S-stop making baseless assumptions."

"Are you playing hard to get?"

"No, I-"

He wrapped an arm around my body, using his own as a shield against the attack that reverberated across the forest clearing. The adrenaline and fear fuelled the fast beating of my heart.

Yet I could not tell whether it was because of Muzaka or our attackers...or both. His hand immediately found my own, his body stepping in front of mine as we faced those who had opposed us.

"Kyle, did I not tell you to leave?" asked Muzaka.

"You did, my lord, but I figured that I just couldn't give her to you. I truly love her, you see."

"If you did then you would've respected her wishes and never orchestrated an attack against her. What kind of man would hurt the woman he loves?"

"But she's not returning my love, my lord. I love her with all my heart, and there is no other way to show it to her. She needs to understand my thoughts!"

"You make me sick."

He gave my hand a reassuring squeeze before letting go and walking towards Kyle. His aura alone made the latter tremble yet he did well to conceal his fear.

The two engaged in a severe fight, their blows killing the nearby trees and the like. The sheer force from their attacks was overwhelming, causing the air around me to whip at my body.

Muzaka clearly had the upper hand but worry still clouded my mind. Kyle's punches grew sloppy, his speed worn down. His skills were no match for the werewolf lord.

Muzaka held Kyle by his throat, his eyes blazing with rage. Kyle clawed at his hand, yet the lord showed no mercy. I yelled at him to stop, not to become a murderer for a matter like this.

"You're lucky she still holds a small ounce of concern for you. Next time you come back, if you come back, you're dead."