“You’re awake,” the statement escaped Klerien’s mouth.

After purging the daunting images that he saw in the plaza, he wandered around the nostalgic forest before going back to his place. The fresh breeze that filtered through the forest calmed his erratic breathing. The simple act of closing his eyes while being bombarded by the forest of his childhood created a feeling of being whole and complete. Even if it's for a mere second before everything crashes down. Klerien with his arms crossed across his chest and a rigid posture stared back at the very conscious man sitting on his cot. He sauntered closer.

Amber and emerald collided.

Despite the pounding heartbeat that was continuously growing louder in his ears, his dry mouth, and the tightening of his stomach, Klerien’s emerald eyes immediately noticed the unusually golden like amber eyes of the man on his cot. Last night, eyelids covered his irises. He couldn’t have guessed that gold hid behind those eyelids and long lashes.

The strange man had the most vivid and mesmerizing pair of golden eyes. The stranger’s amber iris was surrounded with hazel and vibrant golden flecks. The man’s pupils, although unfocused, was like a pair of the deepest coals mined underneath the earth. Klerien had never seen such enticing and gorgeous pair of eyes. ‘In his conscious state, he seems more alive with his free reign of movements. His sharply chiselled jaw and high cheekbones are apparent. His features scream sharp and wild, which are qualities that you will most likely see in some predators than in humans.’

“Where am I?” the man uttered. At least, Klerien knew that his actions that night was not for nought, but it was rewarded. Through his slightly clouded mind and him forcibly portraying a calm demeanour, he reluctantly pulled his eyes from those ambers and glanced at his real wolf. “Who are you?”

“I see that Maximillian has warmed up to your presence,” I told the darned wolf to guard him, not act like some infatuated wolf, Klerien thought, discreetly glaring at his friend. His eyes couldn’t help but looking back at those amber orbs after his wolf averted its eyes. The man comfortably sat on the cot with a silent wolf cuddling beside him when he flinched after hearing Klerien’s words. The stranger’s small but noticeable action caused him to frown in suspicion.

“There was a little- I would not label it as altercation; however, your wolf and I are in good terms. I am deeply indebted by your actions. I want to give my thanks in another form, but I’m afraid that I had to leave,” the man said, while avoiding Klerien’s gaze. “This man is hiding something,” he thought.

“I know that I might be overstaying my welcome. At first, I thought that I should leave. Instead, I decided to thank you in person, and your wolf would not permit my departure,” the man chuckled and ruffled Maximillian’s fur. Klerien gritted his teeth at the words that he heard. “If you may, I will leave this place and swear to never bother you again.”

Klerien felt heat filling his torso, with agitation. He glared at the cosy wolf on the cot. Maximillian did not even make a sound when he arrived. The wolf merely gave him a short glance before burying his head in the man’s caresses. He almost forgot what he first intended to ask until the strings holding his patience snapped.

With big strides, Klerien reached the side of the cot immediately. He hissed at the man’s direction. The amber eyes that enthralled him earlier suddenly made him irritated. “You will not leave this room until you answered all my questions truthfully and I gave my permission.”

“I-”

“Think of it as your payment.” Klerien said, staring intently at the stranger on his cot. “Do you remember anything about why you were unconscious? I’m not a fool. I treated your wounds, you should at least tell me how you acquired those. Am I right?”

The man pursed his lips before slowly speaking. “As you said, you treated my wounds, are you a practicing medicine? I thought your kind will heal anyone regardless of their background.”

“I’m not a healer.” Klerien answered. “Don’t change the subject. Do you know where you are? Why are you reluctant to say anything? Should I be worried?”

“You’re full of questions.” The stranger stared at him, brushing his fingers through his wolf’s soft furs. “You have a point, but why are you so curios about my presence?”

Klerien had enough. He scoffed after running his tongue over his front teeth. “I’ll tell you what I know instead. A merchant was strolling around the streets of Hemlock when a rude man bumped on his shoulders. Then, a shrill scream of a woman pierced the quickly darkening night sky. The merchant ran, and found you.” His eyes narrowed as the man bit his lower lip.

“How did he find me?” The man’s head cocked to the side and his perfectly arched brows lowered.

“Covered in blood and dirt. Oh, and lying on a pool of blood beside a mutilated body of a farmer.” Klerien grinned. Although, he’s intrigued of the man’s composure. “Will you tell me now? I have a lot of time to stroll around town and say your whereabouts.”

At his last words, he noticed those amber eyes darkening. He leaned closer when the stranger suddenly asked. “Do you know me?”

Klerien frowned. “Do I know you? Is that a trick question? I don’t go about and stalk people for a living.”

The man gave him a probing gaze. His amber eyes trailing on Klerien’s form. “Then, when did you arrive in town? You’re an outsider, huh. I don’t know if I should be grateful or… To answer your question, I only remember walking when I encountered two men arguing. I intervened then its blank.” Klerien squinted as amber eyes stilled. The man didn’t give any indication of anxiety, lying, or agitation.

Klerien reiterated his words. The man didn’t flinch at his murderous glare and agitated form. “What were you doing that night? Why were you unconscious? What happened? I would not permit your departure until you told me what happened that night?”

“I don’t have any use of lies.” Klerien spat. Leos pursed his lips at the sight of the agitated man. His light brown hair, illuminated by the fire in the lamp, seemed to have red tips completely suiting his mood. His nose flared in suppressed anger. His bright green eyes narrowed into slits as he glared, while his lips were drawn into a thin line.

Leos shrugged. “You do not know what you are getting into. It is better to wash your hands from all this before you got too involved. An outsider doesn’t have any business in Hemlock. Leave, and never return. Your merchandise wouldn’t sell well here.”

Klerien gaped, appalled. This man had the audacity to tell him to quietly step away like any of it wasn’t his business. Yes, the man might not know his motives or how this involves him greatly, but… how frustrating. While he was taking care of him, he thought that he looked like a harmless young man. He did not seem like someone as possibly be anything but rude.

Klerien scoffed, “I did not do all that trouble just for you to leave without paying for your due. I did not possibly save your life just from the kindness in my heart. And, you’d do well to not insult my merchandise.”

“I had not asked anything from you. I could have escaped on my own,”

“Truly?” Klerien leaned closer. His voice raised, and his tone darkened. The two did not notice as the wolf jumped from the cot. “Then, I should have left you in the hands of those mad people with their torches, pitchforks, and Catherine wheels?”

Amid their flaring emotions, they did not notice that their proximity. Klerien’s hands were placed on top of the headboard, trapping Leos’ top half.

“I…”

“No, I will not let you leave.” The back of the man’s throat produced a sound before his head unconsciously leaned closer. Klerien noticed their proximity but thought nothing of it. However, his voice wavered. “Are you going to ignore the fact that a woman saw you lying unconscious beside a man that looked like he was mauled by a wild animal. You live in this town? Then you should know how the people are.”

The man blinked and spurred Klerien’s temper. “I’m Leos, and you?” He took a deep breath as the man’s breath touches the skin on his neck.

“I’m Kl- Konrad, a merchant.” Most of the time, he would forget that Klerien Steinberg was no longer of this world. That he lived in a new name. “Leos, answer this truthfully, did you killed that man?”

“No, as I told you, two men were arguing. Did you saw another man?”

“No,” Klerien whispered, staring directly at his golden-like eyes. “Let me rephrase my words. Either your death or your answers, choose and fast. Before I lose my patience.”

Klerien mumbled his last words to himself. Then he added, with a dazed gaze. His eyes felt like it was being lulled and pulled by those golden eyes. “What were you doing last night beside a mutilated body? Did you kill that man?”

Leos sighed at the sight directly served at his face. Leos clenched his fist from the sudden urge to push him down and show him what he truly was.

“If I satisfied your curiosity, will you stop asking-…?”

“I don’t believe that you will ever satisfy me… speak,” Klerien interrupted his words, again. Leos curiously peered at him.

“You’ll regret this,” the corner of his eyes lifted, forming a smirk, directed at the unbelievable green-eyed man.

Klerien sneered. Tense and palpable tension engulfed the two. Amber orbs morped into sharp spears directed at Klerien. He gasped at the sudden movement. One second, he’s trapping the stranger; suddenly, the man captured Klerien’s wrists and pinned them on the cot.

A force pulled Klerien until his back laid flat above his cot with Leos forcing him down. His heart erratically pounded from the sudden turn of events. Klerien felt a huge weight on him. He felt everything. The man had muscles wrapped around his limbs. Strength suddenly left his body.

Klerien sighed with awareness as Leos watched him.

“What are you doing? Unhand me.” Leos listened as the spitfire laid still underneath. He seemed like he badly wanted Klerien to cower from his gaze. “This was the last time that I will repeat myself. Speak.”

“How about you?” Leos asked, watching as Klerien refused to look anywhere but him. “You think I killed that man. A better question. Do you believe in werwulfs? Do you... believe that there might be other existence that is cohabiting with us?”

“I will not answer someone who refused to answer my questions.”

“I already answered your question and you refused to believe it.” Leos’s grip tightened around his wrists. Klerien thought that it would leave marks on his pale skin. “If you told me your thoughts, I would not mind telling mine.”

Klerien contemplated. He didn’t want to trust him, but it was getting uncomfortably warm in his room. The irrational beating of his heart hadn’t stopped and the man was truly heavy. He felt his body being squeezed underneath the tight pressure.

“They’re not real. I refuse to believe and trust something that I haven’t yet to see,” He muttered. Leos shivered. He could feel vibrations from the man’s breathing. “Werwuls are a product of man’s imagination.”

Leos stared at his emerald green orbs, before gulping. Klerien was surprised, his eyes travelled from those eyes, passing his straight nose, wavering until he stared at his throat as Leos gulped. Unconsciously, he also gulped, noticing the dryness of his throat.

Klerien cleared his throat. “Will you unhand me now?”

Leos chuckled as he clenched his fists. “What?”

“Stop squirming. You don’t want to know what I would do if you didn’t,” Klerien halted at his words. “It’s your fault for not restraining me. I don’t know what thoughts ran in your head, but in my world, you should be extremely cautious and mercilessly cruel.”

“Then, you should also immediately remove your body on mine. I won’t be able to control myself,” Klerien ignored his threat. Leos perked at his answer. Drowning in his own amusement, he could no longer stop the urge.

Lifting one of his knees, he placed it between Konrad’s thighs. Removing one hand on his wrists, he placed his left hand beside Konrad’s head. His eyes closed when he suddenly felt a hand touching the skin on his chest. Without any warning, he completely dropped his body on Konrad.

“You’re the only man that I met who asked me about such things. You are partially right.” He spoke near Konrad’s ear. A grin formed on his lips when he felt a shiver underneath his skin. “However, there was one thing that I might have a hard time agreeing with you.”

“In this world, there are a lot of things that are made by a human’s imagination… and a werwulf isn’t one.” Klerien’s mind blanked when he felt Leos’ body draping on him. He felt his heaviness, his warmth, his breathing on his ears. The only thing that he could think about was Leos.

At that moment, Leos’ words are the only thing running around his mind. Leos, that man, overpowered everything that was lurking in his mind and chased them all away. At that second, he forgot everything besides the existence of a man named Leos.

How powerful his presence and voice could be? Klerien wondered how other people might act if they were in his place, however, the thought gave his tongue an unpleasant taste and a surprising sting on his chest. The two was too absorbed in a space that they created.

“Leos. I…” Klerien murmured. Suddenly, the trance was suddenly shattered by a sharp howl. The two flinched as they heard Maximillian howling. In a flash, Klerien pushed Leos’ body from him towards the floor. With a loud thud, Leos fell.

“Silence, Maximillian!” the wolf stopped howling and glanced at his glaring owner. Klerien’s face was completely red, spreading to his ears and neck. With a blink, he remembered that he just pushed a wounded man onto the floor.

“Leos!” he gasped, turning around. Klerien winced as he met Leos’ frown.

“Thank you for that, Konrad.”

Klerien grimaced.