The next morning, after waking up and freshening, everyone prepared to return to Zemura village.
Zavrion and Kenny's new life together had been going surprisingly well. Kenny felt lighter than ever, and Zavrion seemed to shine with a quiet happiness he had longed for. On the other side, Vixen was finally back to his old self—healthy, strong, and once again in full control of his alpha protective pheromone power.
Their days were filled with warmth and small moments of peace, yet underneath that happiness, a silent storm was brewing. Both Zavrion and Vixen could sense it. Something heavy and unsettling lingered over the villagers, like a dark shadow that refused to leave.
And that shadow revealed itself one night.
It was a little past nine when loud, frantic knocking thundered on Kin's door. Everyone startled. Zavrion quickly walked over and opened it, only to find a man and his wife trembling outside. Their eyes were red, their faces streaked with tears. Before Zavrion could even ask, both of them fell at his feet, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Please… please save us!" the man cried, his voice broken with fear. "We're in danger… we don't know what else to do!"
The noise had already pulled Vixen and Kin to the main gate. They rushed forward, only to see the desperate couple clinging to Zavrion's legs. Vixen's sharp gaze softened a little. He bent down and helped them up while Zavrion guided them inside.
"Come in first. Calm down," Zavrion said firmly but gently.
Once seated, Kin quietly handed them water, his calm presence soothing even in this storm. The couple drank, their hands still shaking. Then the man, his voice trembling, began to speak.
"My eldest daughter… she's not the same anymore. It's been over a week now. She barely eats, barely speaks. And when the sun begins to set, she refuses to stay inside the house. She screams, curses us in a tongue I don't understand, and keeps shouting— 'Let me go, or they will kill you. Let me go… let me go!'"
His wife broke down crying again as he continued, "At first we thought it was her mind, so we took her to the doctor. But there she acted normal… completely normal. No one believed us. But the moment she returned home, she locked herself inside her room and wouldn't come out. At noon, she eats only a little, then vanishes back inside. And at night…"
The man shivered, clutching his wife's hand tight.
"…at night, she whispers to someone. She talks to someone we can't see."
Silence filled the room like ice water, until Vixen's low voice cut through it.
"Who is with your daughter right now?"
The villager looked up at him, his eyes wide with dread. His lips quivered as he whispered—
"…My cousin's son. She says… he's with her."
The room froze.
Zavrion and Vixen exchanged a sharp glance, both instantly knowing what that meant.
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Continue....