Wang's Pov.
Jackson appears to be hiding something and refusing to disclose it to me. While I don't want to come across as desperate, my desire to locate green-eyes is becoming increasingly urgent. The mystery of who spiked my drink no longer consumes my thoughts; all I want now is to find green-eyes and leave this wretched place.
I'm counting on Liu's arrival today; if anyone can make Jackson talk, it's him. I'm hoping he can get answers I couldn't. With any luck, this will be the moment I finally find out the truth about green-eyes.
Despite my protests, Jackson insisted I accompany him to the club. He said he was mesmerized by the halfling, and I told him he could have him if he wanted. However, I had no idea that this fateful night would lead to my current situation.
I was about to go to the bathroom when I caught a whiff of the halfling's scent. I looked out the window and noticed him embedded in the tree, staring at me with his piercing blue eyes.
I mind-linked Jackson to come to my room, and as soon as he arrived, I told him about the halfling. He seemed intrigued.
"He's obsessed with you!" Jackson laughed jokingly.
"He better stop because I'm obsessed with someone else," I hissed. "I don't want him anywhere near me!"
His overwhelming desire to be with you is both frightening and beautiful at the same time. Jackson smiled, understanding his complex feelings.
I stripped naked and walked to the bathroom, feeling more comfortable in my own skin. Werewolves are shameless, after all, and I mind-linked Jackson to strip.
Jackson nodded, understanding my plan. I walked back into the room, my naked body illuminated by the full moon.
A few minutes later, Jackson walked back into the room. He wore a brief and sauntered towards my bed, still amused.
"Wang, I think you should listen to Zhan." Jackson said.
"No!" I hissed. "I'm not interested in what Zhan has to say!"
"Just listen to him for my sake," Jackson said, his voice suddenly serious.
"I'm not promising anything," I replied reluctantly, "but I will try to listen to what Zhan has to say."
"You'll be shocked," Jackson continued, "but trust me, you need to hear what he has to say."
Fear gripped me—what if the halfling is green-eyes? No, he couldn't be they didn't look alike. But if Jackson knew something I didn't, it was possible. I shuddered and tried to shake off the fear, willing myself to believe that the halfling was not green-eyes.
Lost in my thoughts, I was suddenly startled by a moan that caught both Jackson's and my attention. We turned our heads to see the halfling, his eyes closed, and his hands tightly clasped on his mouth. The sound was unsettling. It pierced through the silence.
"If you can't find green-eyes, I think you should opt for the halfling," Jackson teased. "The boy had a huge orgasm looking at your naked body."
Relief washed over me as Jackson clarified that the halfling was not green-eyes. I had been worried that the halfling was the person I was looking for, but I was glad it wasn't.
I immediately closed my curtains and switched off the light, kicking Jackson out of my room. I didn't want more interruptions or distractions. I had to focus on finding green-eyes and couldn't be distracted by the halfling's moans.
I peered through the window after Jackson left and saw he was still perched on the tree, watching intently. He seemed lost in his own world, completely unaware of anything. His brows furrowed, revealing his inner turmoil. The weight of his emotions was palpable, as if he carried the burdens of a thousand souls on his small frame.
30 minutes later, Jackson entered the room and switched on the light. The sudden brightness made me squint, even though I was still awake. I decided to close my eyes in order to shield them from the harsh light.
Sitting on the bed after I opened my eyes, "What happened to your jaw?" I asked.
"The halfling, he said, massaging his jaw. That boy is strong. He is something else, not just a halfling. I've never seen someone with that kind of strength."
"It's taking some time to heal." I grinned.
"He punched me in the jaw with a force I've never seen before," Jackson said, shaking his head in disbelief. "It felt like a runaway train hit me."
"What exactly happened?" I asked.
I was surprised when Jackson finished recanting the ordeal. I couldn't believe that a halfling could have such a powerful punch. All I could think was that this must have been some kind of magical power, not just physical strength.
"His eyes glowed golden before he punched me. It was the same thing that happened when you rejected him." Jackson blurted out.
The words hung heavy in the air as Jackson's revelation settled upon the room. The image of glowing golden eyes filled my mind—a haunting testament.
"Are you sure?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. "What you're saying doesn't make any sense. Are you sure you saw his eyes glow golden before he punched you?"
"Yes," Jackson replied, opening and closing his mouth to feel his jaw where the punch had landed. "I'm sure. His eyes were glowing golden, and then he punched me. It was like he was some kind of monster."
"A Lycan," I muttered as I thought about what Jackson had just told me. Could it be possible? Could he have been a hybrid, and his eyes glowed golden in a fit of rage? It seemed too bizarre to believe, but all the signs were there.
I can't compel him either. I saw him talking to someone, but the person vanished before I got there. When I asked him what had happened, he was clearly angry and refused to tell me anything.
Jackson, the only people we can't compel are liches, and they are believed to be extinct. I replied.
What about Urza? We heard about him 700 years ago. Jackson trailed off before continuing, I think he is real and alive. It's possible he is the halfling's father, and if that's the case, we may have a serious problem on our hands.
Jackson, those are just myths and folklore stories told to scare children," I laughed at him. "There's no proof that liches exist, let alone that Urza is one of them. We need to talk to the halfling.
He should be at work later tonight, but we should go early and talk to him before he gets busy. I pray I'm wrong about him, but I'm never wrong about things like this. Jackson sighed.
We'll find out soon. I hope you are wrong about him. I said before Liu's scent wafted through the window, and I smiled as it hit my nose. Even though it was faint, it was unmistakably his. I rushed to the window, eager to see him.
As he parked his car, I saw Meng emerge with a duffel bag. She had a determined look on her face, and I could tell she was on a mission. I silently prayed it wouldn't be bad.
A few minutes later, Meng and Liu entered my room. I rushed to my brother and hugged him tightly. His eyes were filled with worry, and I could feel his body tense up as I hugged him. I stepped back and looked at him, trying to gauge his emotions. He gave me a half-hearted smile, and I could tell he was anxious about something.
Meng stepped forward and pushed me away from Liu, her eyes studying me curiously. "I hear you have a lover," she said, her voice filled with suspicion. "Come now, tell me all about him. Who is he? Where did you meet him? What does he do?" She dropped her duffel bag on my bed and sat down, her gaze never leaving my face. "Well, come on," she said, her voice firm, "out with it. Tell me who your lover is."
Before you talked, a man came to the house to look for you. Apparently, his wife gave you a half necklace. Now he wanted to know if it was still in your possession. He said it is a family heirloom and would come for it when he was ready.
When the man is ready, I will ask him why his wife gave me the necklace in the first place. I will also ask him why he waited 18 years to retrieve it. Until then, it is safe.
"I can't find green eyes, Meng," I whispered, my voice quivering with frustration and longing. "I've searched everywhere for him, but I can't find him."
"What do you mean you can't find Zhan?" Liu asked, sounding angry. How did you lose him?"
"The Halfling?" Jackson and I asked in surprise. My heart was racing with fear. I'm sure he'll reject me.
No, he's not," Liu said quickly, shaking his head. I would have known if he was a Halfling." Liu ran his hand through his hair, looking exasperated. "So, what do you mean you can't find him?"
I was speechless, feeling stupid for not realizing. I took a deep breath and explained everything to Liu and Meng. They listened intently, and when I finished, they exchanged a knowing glance.
"Don't worry," Meng said, patting my shoulder gently. "We'll talk to him; I'm sure he'll understand." She gave me a comforting smile before turning to Liu, who had walked out of the room in a huff.
"Men!" She hissed, shaking her head in frustration. "No matter how old they are, they always manage to mess things up!"