Chapter 266: Do You Want Me?
“A-Adele...!” Wofoo woke up feeling incredibly embarrassed. Adele was holding a freshly roasted deer leg in front of her nose, tempting her awake with its savory aroma. And, to Wofoo’s mortification, she had actually drooled!
She quickly wiped her mouth and fled the tent, seeking refuge by the river to splash cold water on her face. As her mind cleared, she realized with a jolt that several uninvited guests had arrived at their campsite while she slept. Though she sensed no hostility, her wolf ears perked up, her body instinctively tensing, ready to defend Adele. A wave of guilt washed over her; she had failed in her duty as Adele’s protector.
Adele emerged from the tent, a half-eaten deer leg in hand. “Wofoo... they’re not enemies!” she said, her mouth full. They were, in fact, more like... family.
“Sorry, Adele...” Wofoo murmured, already realizing her mistake, but the guilt lingered. She had to at least appear contrite.
Adele, ever the gracious host, introduced everyone. Handing the deer leg to Celeste, she first approached Sharon, wrapping an arm around the silver-haired girl’s shoulders and giving her a quick kiss, a reward for their reunion.
“This is Sharon,” Adele announced, her voice full of playful affection, “Cromwell Academy’s famous Dream Eater. Isn’t she cute?” The “famous” part was an exaggeration; Sharon was a relatively low-key Sequence One. But Sharon, flattered by the attention, blushed and murmured, “A-Adele...” Public displays of affection were still a bit overwhelming for her.
Wofoo, unsure what a “Dream Eater” was, looked at Sharon with a mix of curiosity and awe. Perhaps it was a title on par with “Ice Queen” or “Vampire Princess”?
“And this is Wofoo,” Adele continued, turning to Sharon, “a werewolf-vampire hybrid!” The pride in Adele’s voice, her open acceptance of Wofoo’s mixed heritage, made Wofoo’s heart ache with a strange mix of gratitude and longing. It was the first time anyone had acknowledged her dual nature without a hint of disdain.
Sharon, shyly but sincerely, greeted Wofoo. “Hello... Wofoo, it’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too, rabbit!” Adele added, a playful non sequitur that only she seemed to find amusing.
“Nice to meet you,” Wofoo replied, her gaze shifting to the quiet figure standing beside Adele. She recognized the girl, even without an introduction.
Edith, Lady Chen Xi’s granddaughter, had become a prominent figure in Twilight City, her newfound status a consequence of her grandmother’s awakening. Lady Chen Xi, eager to make amends for her long absence, showered Edith with attention, introducing her to influential vampires, paving the way for Edith’s rise within the vampire hierarchy.