Chapter 253 - 252

John was quite relieved, knowing that they would finally return to the human world. If he had to be honest he wasn't really fond of BloodBound or of the moments he had there. He had managed to ruin his relationship with Soran, he had had a mental breakdown and in general everything seemed a lot more gloomy to him ever since he had gotten there. Leaving this place was the only good news he had heard in a while, even if it was because the whole kingdom was in danger. 

He hadn't asked Kai if Soran would join them. When the prince had come to share the news and check up on him after he was done he hadn't stayed long. He wanted to be with his lover, John understood that. He was curious but at the same time pretty sure that Soran was going to join them. He loved Kai after all, unconditionally and he would do anything to be around him. That was the most annoying thing of all. He wasn't pursuing him, he didn't try to sabotage their relationship nor kill Philip, he just wanted to be by his side. That made John even more mad because the vampire, well, he was actually perfect. A grudge free creature that had the ability to love wholeheartedly someone who was with another without creating problems. 

The young werewolf sighed his problems taking over his mind once more. He was trying to take Kai's advice, wait until the white haired vampire would come to him but it was difficult when he thought that no matter what he did Soran would never notice him. He truly needed some time out of here, everything he looked at reminded him of him, devastatingly he considered himself as one of the most unlucky characters around here. All of them had their sweet love story, even the horrible queen had a man who loved her but he was stuck being constantly rejected. 

"I need to stop doing this to myself. I was fine on my own" He mumbled as he got up from his bed. He needed to take a walk and not think for a while. Maybe the garden would be a good idea, focus on the pretty flowers. He told himself. 

The werewolf got dressed, leaving his room with a dissatisfied expression as he walked in the dimly lit corridors. He hated the candle light. It was annoying and the darkness hurt his eyes. Creatures that were thousands of years old somehow had decided that electricity wasn't their thing, maybe because they could see well in the dark anyways. 

As he headed outside, taking the last turn before he found himself in the main corridor that led to the enormous palace exit, which for some reason seemed to always be open, he met with Philip's friends. Reina and Mika were talking among themselves, heading outside too. He hoped he wouldn't be noticed but like he had said many times before he was unlucky so both of them saw him and actually acknowledged his presence. 

"Hey." Reina called him and he forced a smile. "You're John right?" She asked him and he nodded, "Nice to see you. Are you heading out?"

"Yeah, I wanted to get some air. This place is a bit stuffy."

"Tell me about it" Mika agreed.

"Wanna come with us? We will go get a drink" She proposed. John thought about it for a second. He didn't really dislike them and he hadn't had the chance to spend any time with people of his kind. He had questions he wanted to ask and they seemed close to his age. Maybe it would be a bit entertaining. 

"Sure. Let's go" he agreed and followed the two werewolves outside as they headed to the main village. 

"So you will be coming back with us." Reina stated and John nodded.

"Thankfully, BloodBound was not really my thing." He said.

"You didn't like it here?" Mika asked him. "Makes sense, you're a werewolf after all. Even if you are with that vampire of yours."

"My boss is a really kind person. It wasn't his fault, it's just that this place is a bit gloomy and very dramatic. Something that I don't need right now." John explained and both of them nodded, agreeing with his words.

"Yeah, we've noticed that. Let's hope things will be better on the other side." Reina told him.

John really hoped that. A few peaceful days without worrying wouldn't be too much to ask after all.

After a while of walking the three werewolves reached the main village and the square where all of the taverns were but none of the two stopped. John looked at them confused, wondering where they would choose to sit but didn't say anything and followed them quietly. They walked into a few dirty and quite smelly alleys, making John frown as he probably stepped into things he really didn't want to.

"Where are we going?" he asked them, unable to limit his curiosity and Reina smirked looking at him with her excited eyes.

"BloodBound's most fun area. The Alleys." She announced and John's eyes widened. Of course they would head there. This was Reina they were talking about, every place that had trouble written on it was on her visit list. "I read about this place before and I have to say, it's exactly how I imagined it."

"I don't think we should be here…" John mumbled, concerned that Lun or his Boss would scold him. Mika laughed.

"Don't worry, it's fine." he said. 

The young werewolf didn't try to argue any longer. He wasn't really comfortable with the idea of taying here but at the same time he didn't try to leave. He looked around, kind of intrigued by the sudden change in the scenery. No luxurious buildings, no palace, just poor people and screams, the sound of music and drunk vampires stumbling here and there. 

While they were walking, searching for their final destination a scent invaded his nostrils. It was sweet, almost disgustingly so and warm. He stopped, blinking and in a sudden need to follow it. Walking slowly he found the source in an alley where a man was seated on the road, a dazed smile on his face as he inhaled something, a burned purple dust. 

John stood there, frozen looking at the perfectly relaxed expression of the man, the smell of the delightful smoke surrounding him and suddenly he felt his heart race. He took a step back, feeling scared when he bumped into Mika. 

"Are you okay?" he asked him and peeked into the alley to see what he was looking at.

"What…what is that thing he is smoking?" he asked.

"Ah, this is dragon's fin…something like human opiates." Reina explained. "Want some?" She asked him, a cheeky smile on her face and he gulped, his dark eyes traveling to the man seated on the ground, perfectly chill, perfectly happy.

"Yes.." John said.