Inside a dimly lit room in one of the hotels within the black market,
“Here…” Aether said, extending a thick wad of money towards Kaelen, who looked up with wide eyes, his expression a mixture of confusion and surprise, “What’s this for?” he asked, his voice laced with hesitation.
“For helping me,” Aether replied, a small, sincere smile tugging at his lips. He had gotten more than he ever hoped for, and despite the circumstances, Kaelen had been and really helped him… even if he had been forced into it.
Kaelen awkwardly looked at Aether, “I… I was just helping because my mother asked me to. I don’t know if I deserve this,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, laden with uncertainty.
Aether noticed the hesitation in Kaelen’s eyes and offered a reassuring smile. “This isn’t about what your mother asked you to do. This is for YOUR hard work, Kaelen. The product you sold… that’s all your effort. This money belongs to you.
Take it. You’ve earned it,” Aether said firmly, pushing the money into Kaelen’s hands, refusing to let him decline.
Aether chuckled lightly… It wasn’t like Aether was doing this for Liora’s sake or anything… Kaelen really deserved his reward for his hard work.
Aether wasn’t a bad guy, not really!!… But to be honest, if he hadn’t received that hefty price for his prototype, he might not have given the full amount—maybe just a small share of what Kaelen sold… but not the full amount!
Aether wasn’t an idiot to give that much when he was more broke than anyone!
Kaelen scratched the back of his head, his tail swaying slightly behind him as his eyes flickered with a mix of emotions,
[+10 AP]
‘OH!, Oh! Wait a damn second!’ Aether screamed inwardly as he took a step back. He wasn’t into this sword fight—no way! He was straight as an arrow, dammit!
Kaelen, smiled gently, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “Thank you… F….” as he hesitated to add something but then,
“Father!”
Aether turned, his thoughts scattering as he saw Liora entering the room, her hair still damp from freshening up. She looked at him with a seriousness that made Aether’s heart skip a beat.
Another voice came from behind. Aether turned his head and saw Liora entering the room after freshening up. freeweɓnvel.com
“It’s ‘Father,’ Kaelen,” Liora corrected, her tone firm as she addressed her son.
Kaelen’s face paled slightly, and he nodded quickly. “Y-Yes, Mother, I know.”
Liora’s gaze lingered on her son for a moment longer before shifting to Aether. He blinked, suddenly, wondering why she was staring at him now…. And then, like a light switch flipping on, he understood. Without a word, he nodded and stepped out of the room, giving them their space.
As the door clicked shut behind him, Aether let out a long breath. ‘Damn, am I starting to understand women?’ he thought, a mix of disbelief and amusement tugging at him. His eyes widened as another thought struck him, ‘Am I… becoming a genius?’ he mumbled to himself.
Inside the room, Liora’s gaze softened as she looked at Kaelen. She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before speaking. “I know he can never truly be your real father, Kaelen,” she said.
Hearing that, Kaelen lowered his head.
“You don’t have to force yourself to accept him,” Liora continued, her voice filled with understanding, “All I ask is that you call him ‘Father,’ even if it’s just for show. I don’t want you to feel pressured… but it’s important that we don’t shame him in front of others.”
Kaelen lowered his head even more. He knew why his mother was angry when that butterfly-masked woman asked for their family details. Kaelen had clearly hesitated to call Aether ‘Father’… Heck, he had never called him that in front of others… which had really irked Liora today.
Aether, on the other hand, had called him ‘son’ without a second thought, without hesitation.
She wasn’t asking him to accept Aether as his new dad or anything… She just wanted to protect Aether’s dignity, to avoid bringing shame to him in the eyes of strangers.
Liora sighed softly, her eyes drifting to the money still clutched in Kaelen’s hand. A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at her lips.
[+4000 AP]
“Just promise me one thing,” she added, her tone softer now. “Don’t shame him in front of others, okay?”
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Kaelen nodded, his voice barely a whisper as he replied, “Y-Yes, Mother.”
Liora then called Aether back into the room, and together, they prepared to leave the hotel. Their time in the black market had finally come to an end.
It hadn’t been a long stay, but Aether had learned a great deal during their time here.
“See ya…” Aether mumbled.
…
…..
Thud
Thud
Thud
Liora and Kaelen, both in their powerful wolf forms, darted through the dense woods, their paws barely touching the ground as they sped past trees and underbrush.
Meanwhile, Aether, perched atop Liora’s broad back, gazed at the lush green surroundings with an expression of pure joy and wonder.
The wind whipped through his hair as the scenery blurred past, a far cry from the cold, mechanical feel of riding a bike. There was something wild, something alive about this experience that he couldn’t quite put into words. It was thrilling in a way that stirred something deep within him.
Behind them, Kaelen carried heavy bags filled with the items Aether had purchased in the black market, along with a significant amount of money.
As Aether lost himself in the sensations of the ride, Liora suddenly mumbled, “Kaelen.”
“Yes, Mother?” Kaelen’s voice was tinged with a small frown, his instincts telling him that she was up to something.
“Let’s have a race”
Kaelen’s immediate response was a firm, “No!” He knew all too well how slim his chances were of winning a race against his mother, even on her worst day.
“Let me finish,” Liora insisted, her voice calm but commanding.
“…”
Kaelen hesitated, his ears twitching as he waited.
“Good,” Liora nodded approvingly before continuing, “If you reach the academy first, at full speed, you’re relieved from delivery duty.”
Kaelen’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected offer…..His heart skipped a beat with pure happiness!!… but Liora wasn’t done yet.
“And I’ll only use 50% of my full speed,” she added, a sly smile playing on her lips.
Kaelen’s eyes widened even further, a flicker of hope and doubt battling in his gaze. “And if you win?”
Liora bared her long, sharp teeth in a grin that sent a shiver down Kaelen’s spine. He didn’t need her to spell out the consequences. Before he even fully processed the challenge, his legs moved on their own, propelling him forward like a bolt of lightning as he raced away into the forest.
Liora giggled softly, shaking her head at her son’s reaction. She then clenched her paws, preparing to leap forward…. but instead of following Kaelen, she veered off in a different direction, plunging deeper into the woods.
“Hmm? Where are you going?” Aether asked, confusion clear on his face as he noticed her sudden change in direction.
Without a word, Liora jerked her body suddenly, causing Aether to be flung high into the air. As he twisted in midair, he managed to land gracefully on the ground, his feet barely making a sound as he touched down.
Aether looked at Liora with a questioning face.
Liora’s mouth curled into a grin, her eyes gleaming with a predatory light. “Fight me, Aether!” she demanded, her voice carrying a mix of challenge and anticipation.
Aether blinked, taken aback. “Fight you? Why?” he asked, his mind racing with questions. What was happening?
Why now?
It didn’t make any sense!!!
Liora slammed her front paws into the ground, her tone turning serious. “To take me!” she declared, her eyes locking onto his.
Realization dawned on Aether, his mind finally catching up to the situation. “I see…” he murmured, a smirk forming on his lips as he beckoned her forward with an amused expression.
Liora grinned back, her form flickering as she disappeared from his sight, moving faster than even Aether could track.
BOOOMMMM!!!!!!
The ground where Aether had just been standing exploded as Liora’s paws slammed into the earth, leaving a deep crater in her wake. The sheer force of her attack sent shockwaves through the ground.
Liora tilted her head to the side, her smirk widening as she saw Aether standing just a few feet away, his eyes wide with shock. “That was just a warning,” she purred, her voice dripping with satisfaction. “Next time, I won’t hold back…”
“…Wait, wait! Are you serious?!!” Aether exclaimed. He had barely reacted in time to avoid being crushed.
The playful banter was gone, replaced by the cold reality of the situation…. Liora wasn’t kidding around.
Liora’s smile grew even more predatory, “Yes, I’m not holding back….”
Aether shook his head, There was no way he could win against her in a fight… she was far too strong. He was just about to call it off when she spoke again.
“So you must not hold back either…”
Aether blinked in surprise.