Alea arrived at the bus stop. If Elton didn't give her a ride to work, Alea preferred to take the bus to her workplace.
That day, she called Elton and said she would go to work by herself because she was going to stop by her friend's cake shop for a while.
"Alea, why have you been standing here?" asked Arzenio, confused to see Alea standing at the bus stop looking to her right.
"I'm waiting for the bus to take me to work."
"Waiting for the bus? What is a bus? Is it like a horse-drawn carriage?" asked Arzenio with a confused look on his face.
Alea immediately chuckled at Arzenio's funny question.
"Of course you don't know what a bus is. A bus is a type of public transportation, like a car, but bigger." Alea pointed to a passing car.
"Oh... Like that. Alea, if you want to go to work, how about I take you there?"
"You? Take me where?" Alea looked at the man with silver hair in surprise.
"I can carry you and take you there quickly."
Alea's eyes widened, and she couldn't even swallow her saliva.
By flying?
Jumping from one building to another?
Is that what Arzenio meant?
"No way! People will get confused and find out you're not human."
"Aren't you tired of standing like that? I feel sorry for the baby in your womb."
"Werewolf! Um... I mean Arzen! Eww! I don't know what to call you!" Alea was annoyed with herself.
"Just call me your husband," Arzenio whispered, moving closer to Alea.
Alea's eyes immediately narrowed.
What was this? The man who usually looked cold and stiff was suddenly sweet, even spoiled.
"I'd rather call you Arzen than prince or werewolf. That would sound weird."
"Arzen... What a sweet name." Arzenio grinned to himself.
The bus stopped with a screech of brakes. The door opened.
Pssst!
Alea got on first.
Arzenio wanted to follow, but he stopped in front of the door.
He stared at the steps.
He stared at the metal handrail.
He stared at the e-money card in Alea's hand that he had lent her earlier.
"Arzen, get on," Alea said emphatically, but softly.
"Go in there?" Arzenio asked innocently.
"Just get on. The bus won't eat you."
Arzenio finally got on, too slowly, until the driver glanced at him.
Once inside, he stood stiffly, not knowing what to hold onto.
Alea pointed to the overhead handle.
"Hold that."
Arzenio stared at the handle, then glanced at his own height.
"That's really low."
"Then, do you want to hold the sky?" Alea held back her laughter.
As soon as the bus started moving, Arzenio's body immediately swayed forward.
Reflexively, he grabbed the pole, then pretended to be relaxed as if it were all planned.
Alea narrowed her eyes. "You idiot! Listen to me, this is your first time riding a bus, right? So, do what I say."
Arzenio pretended to look out the window. He was embarrassed to look strange in front of Alea.
The bus swayed slightly. Arzenio immediately moved closer to Alea, almost bumping into her shoulder.
Alea was startled, but she moved closer so he wouldn't sway again.
"Arzen, sit here if you're afraid of falling."
"I'm not afraid," he replied coldly, but immediately sat down.
Sitting there together, Alea smiled slightly.
"It's your own fault for insisting on coming, but thank you for taking me, even though you look like a lost soul on the bus."
Arzenio glanced quickly. "Alea."
"Hmm?"
"I'll get used to this human world," Arzenio said confidently.
Alea chuckled softly, but before she could reply, the bus stopped suddenly. A group of passengers got on, including a man in a leather jacket who immediately looked for an empty seat.
His eyes were fixed on Alea. He then whistled softly. "You're so cute, sit here with me, sweetheart."
Alea was startled. "Sorry, I'm already sitting here," Alea replied, trying to be friendly, even though she didn't like the man's attitude.
The man approached, his hand reaching out to touch Alea's chair back, his face grinning as if Alea already belonged to him.
Arzenio immediately turned his head, his clear green eyes darkening.
Something inside him, his wolf instinct, his instinct to protect his mate, surged.
"Go."
Just one word, flat, cold, but full of menace.
The man laughed. "Hey, you're so fierce. Is this your girlfriend? I think you're more suited to me."
Alea immediately became anxious. "Arzen, let's move." Alea asked Arzenio to move. However, before the man could finish approaching them, Arzenio stood up.
His body was sturdy, his aura filling the small space inside the bus, and even though he was human, there was something about him that made the man suddenly pale. It was as if he was looking at a wild animal that could pounce at any moment.
Arzenio leaned forward slightly. His smile was thin, but cold as ice.
"I said go. Don't touch her. Don't look at her, and don't even breathe in her direction."
The man swallowed hard, then scrambled to find another seat.
Alea looked at Arzenio, half surprised, half wondering why her chest felt warm.
Arzenio sat back down slowly.
"Alea," he said softly without looking at her. "If anyone bothers you..."
He clenched his jaw.
"I won't stand for it."
Alea could only stare at him for a long time.
Of all the chaos in her life, why was it a creature from another world that made her feel safe?
The bus arrived at the stop right in front of the office building where Alea worked.
Alea got off first, then turned to Arzenio, who was still standing stiffly behind her, as if he didn't know where to go.
"So, what are you going to do while I'm at work?" Alea frowned. "You can't wait in the lobby, people will stare at you."
Arzenio looked at the tall building, then looked at Alea. "Then I'll come in."
Alea immediately held her chest. "No! You'll look weird later. You're not used to the human world yet."
Arzenio looked upset. "Then where should I go? I can't leave you alone."
Alea took a deep breath. "Just go back to my apartment."
Arzenio looked at her expressionlessly. "I don't remember the way."
"Oh..." Alea rubbed her temples. "Yeah, you probably don't remember. In that case, just wait in the small park nearby. It's safe there, not many people."
Arzenio was silent for a long time. His face was expressionless, but his eyes clearly showed his displeasure.
Finally, he said softly, "Okay, if that's what you want."
Alea smiled with relief. "Thanks. I promise I'll go home right after work."
Alea stepped into the lobby, waving her hand.
Arzenio stood where he was, watching Alea enter the building.
As soon as the lobby door closed.
SRETTT
His shadow lengthened. His body transformed into the silhouette of a large white wolf, thin as mist.
Wolf Shadow.
"I won't leave you alone," he whispered, his voice barely audible.