The priestess, who had spent most of her life within the silver-white castle walls, was amazed by the sheer number of forests the human world possessed. As she and her companions rode on horseback for two whole days, she couldn't help but notice the endless expanse of towering pine trees that stretched out before them as far as the eye could see.

The journey had been smooth thus far, thankfully, as the weather had been kind to them, and there was no rain to make their expedition more arduous. The priestess continued to marvel at the natural beauty of the forest that was covered in snow.

"Look at all these pine trees," Kaya exclaimed, her gaze wandering across the dense forest. She rubbed her palms together, trying to warm them in the chilly air. They were to pass the northern region, where the snow-covered landscape and freezing temperatures were more prominent this time of year. Despite the biting cold, she marveled at the breathtaking romantic scenery surrounding her.

Jimin, positioned to her left, couldn't resist teasing the young woman. "Are you going to describe the environment again?" he mocked.

She shrugged her shoulders, responding with a playful tone, "I could." It was then that the rider to her right, Jungkook, let out a chuckle, clearly amused by the banter between the two. "But your names would interest me more," the woman added, redirecting the conversation.

"Nice try, little beast." The male behind Kaya chimed in, provoking an elbow punch into his ribs. Tae shifted on the saddle, taking the woman with him. "Don't move so much," he demanded and tightened his thighs to hold her body still.

"I get it. Your names are so embarrassing that you can't tell me, right?" The woman joked, but what happened next was unexpected.

The frigid air of the wintry forest was filled with the sound of joyous laughter that resounded through the trees. Left and right rider laughed so heartily that the horse they rode on flicked its ear back in surprise. It was a rare moment of pure euphoria for them. They couldn't quite recall the last time they had laughed so freely and without a care in the world. The snowflakes danced around them as they rode more profoundly into the forest, their spirits lifted by the sheer delight of the moment.

As they made their way towards a quaint little village, the travelers noticed the eyes of the locals fixed upon them. Some were merely curious, while others appeared to be afraid. This was nothing new for the trio, who knew all too well that they were always the subject of scrutiny in unknown lands, especially outside of the underworld. After arriving at their destination, Jimin deftly secured their trusty steeds to a sturdy post outside a cozy cabin.

Upon entering the cabin, the trio immediately sensed an eerie atmosphere. Kaya had been yearning for some respite, and the food served was a simple soup, yet it had been a while since she had enjoyed a proper meal. They all ate in silence.

The group finished their meal, and Taehyung stood up and approached the middle-aged woman behind the counter. Meanwhile, Kaya and the others left the comfort of the cozy cabin. After a few minutes, the male rejoined them, telling them their overnight stay would be at a treehouse not far from there. Tae had even managed to get the keys from the lady.

"Jimin, the horses can stay here. Someone will take care of them," he added.

Jimin looked amused as he noticed Kaya's open mouth. "Tae, you just said my name," he pointed out.

Taehyung, however, shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, now she knows," he said in his deep voice and walked towards the forest on the other side of the village.

Kaya stepped between the two males and looked to her left with a broad smile, "Jimin, it is. I like it."

Jimin smiled warmly, at the little woman walking with him, his canines on display. She barely reached his chest with her height yet she tried to get a sight of his face but all she saw was his plump lips. He then made a tiny bow with his head as his sweet voice resounded, "Thank you, lady Kaya," and the faint smell of a juicy wooden evergreen forest hit her nostrils.

As they continued their journey, Kaya turned to the male on her right, "Would you like to reveal your name?"

The priestess didn't expect him to come closer, but he eventually did. She felt his breath on top of her ears, and even with the cloak between them, she could feel the warmth of his breath. This male smelled like leather on a winter night.  "Just call me Kook," he said softly. His voice sounded so gentle that it caused Kaya goosebumps.

She whispered his name as they entered yet another forest. "It's short for Jungkook," he said when he noticed the priestess was repeatedly whispering his name. As he saw her lips curled up into a smile, he felt joy within him, but the peace didn't stay long. The trio felt another creature very close to where they stood.

Kaya was immediately surrounded by the trio, who had positioned themselves around her as a protective shield. She could sense their experience as their bodies were taut with anticipation, and their heads were moving swiftly, scanning the surrounding area. Suddenly, Jungkook's hand began to emit a bright glow, and he forcefully expelled air toward a dense bush, causing it to shudder and reveal a massive wolf lurking inside.

The priestess's eyes widened with awe as she gazed upon the magnificent creature before her. She had only ever seen illustrations of such a creature in books and paintings, but this was different. This was real. The wolf stood tall and proud, its fur coat of a fluffy reddish-brown hue, its eyes piercing and of a deep crimson color. The wolf let out a low growl; its sharp and dangerous fangs bared as if warning them to stay away.

"What is a wolf doing here?" Taehyung stepped in and groaned at the beautiful creature. "Go back to where you came from, or we have to kill you."

Kaya's ears caught Tae's warning. Her heart plummeted to her knees. She felt a knot form in her stomach as she realized the gravity of the situation. "No, wait," she pleaded, her voice shaking. "She did nothing wrong!" The desperation in her tone was palpable.

Kook shifted his gaze towards the priestess, and in that moment, he caught a glimpse of her eyes, which had been concealed until then. They were an enchanting shade of silver-grey and radiated a captivating gleam in the moonlit night. Her beauty was genuinely unparalleled, yet there was something strikingly familiar about her. As he gazed at her, he wondered, "How did you discover the wolf is a female?"

The priestess appeared perplexed as everyone's gaze fixated on her. "It's her aura and the tone of her voice, " she explained.

Taehyung interjected, his voice deep. "But the wolf didn't utter a single word."

Kaya exerted her way through the athletic males, her petite height weaving past their bulging muscles until she arrived at the towering wolf. With her back pressed firmly against the creature, her silver-gray eyes blazed with a fierce intensity as she locked gazes with the trio. In a commanding tone, she warned, "Do not even think about laying a finger on her. She is not my enemy, nor should she be yours. Once, wolves and faeries were my ancestor's allies, and these magnificent creatures fought alongside them in the war. Now, it is my turn to protect at least one of them. She is no harm!"

As Taehyung and Jungkook approached the priestess, her body stiffened immediately, and her arm expanded, creating a barrier between them. Kaya was intrigued by how the two men hid their faces so well with their hoodies. It was the first time she had seen their eyes, and she was captivated by their unique colors.

Taehyung’s eyes had a golden hue that glowed in the darkness, resembling the eyes of a cat. Kook's eyes, on the other hand, were still hidden by his dark hair, had a similar color to Kaya's, but they were different. His eyes had a darker, silver-tone rounded with a line of pure black, which made him look intimidating and dangerous.

The priestess advanced. She felt a warm breath on her neck, a whiff of wood and cinnamon hit her senses, and she knew it was the wolf's scent. The tension was palpable until Jimin stepped in between them. He first glanced at his companions, who immediately relaxed their stance, indicating that they trusted their friend. Then, Jimin’s gaze fell upon the wolf that stood before him. Their eyes met, and an inexplicable aura enveloped them, plunging everything into a deep, eerie silence. It was like time had frozen for a few moments and only Jimin and the wolf were present.

Then, Jimin gazed at Kaya with his striking pine-green eyes, which seemed to hold the essence of the forest itself. His expression was gentle and devoid of any signs of anger or disappointment. Kaya could sense the gratitude in his voice as he acknowledged her words. "You're right," he said to the priestess. "If she had wanted us dead, she could have done so as soon as we entered the forest. The fact that we are still alive is a testament to her goodwill."

Jimin stood still, his eyes scanning the eerie night. He studied his surroundings with an expression that weighed heavily on the priestess' heart. Somehow, just for a short  moment, it felt like she could feel and hear Jimin's heartbeat. After seconds of silence, he spoke in a low voice, "This place, Pneuma, was once a holy land for the wolves. Centuries ago, it was ruled by the most powerful alpha wolf family, the Glowstones. The air still carries the remnants of their legacy. This wolf here, may be one of their pack members who survived the war. It's not uncommon for wolves to return to their ancestral lands to regain their strength and energy."

Jimin, with his green eyes gazed at the reddish-brown wolf with mixed emotions. He seemed to be bidding farewell before turning his back and heading towards the many tree houses that were nestled among the tall, sturdy pine trees. Taehyung and Jungkook followed in his footsteps, their figures slowly disappearing into the dark shadows.

Meanwhile, Kaya remained behind with the wolf, who had somehow communicated her emotions to the priestess. Kaya could sense the wolf's nervousness when the two men had threatened her. Moved by the creature's vulnerability, Kaya reached out to stroke the soft fur, surprised when the wolf leaned in closer, almost seeking her touch. It was a moment of pure connection as if the two beings had found solace in each other's presence.

Kaya spoke in a gentle, soothing voice, trying to ease the fear that must have been gripping the creature in front of her. "You must have been scared," she said softly. "But don't worry, we will leave tomorrow." She paused for a moment, taking in the moonlit surroundings. "Do you happen to know of a good place nearby? I need to perform my prayers, and I prefer to do it in a space where I can be alone rather than in a cramped tree house."

In the pale moonlight, Kaya felt a gentle nudge at her waist. As she looked up, she found herself gazing into the deep crimson eyes of the wolf. The light reflected off of them like shimmering ruby stones, mesmerizing her. The wolf's snout tickled her with another nudge, and Kaya couldn't help but chuckle. She followed the wolf as it led her into the forest, its reddish-brown fur blending with the moonlit shadows. Kaya walked behind the wolf, admiring how its muscles rippled beneath its fur with every step. She was grateful for the guidance and trusted it entirely as they ventured further into the forest.

•°•

Kaya had just finished her prayers, when she spotted Jimin standing beneath the shade of a towering tree as if he had been waiting for her return. The wolf accompanying her had vanished as soon as she had led the priestess back to where they had first met.

Jimin softly greeted her, "I was afraid you'd run away." Kaya looked up at Jimin, and their eyes met. She noticed the long scar running from his brow to his cheek, which marred his left eye. Jimin' skin was a rarity for the young lady; his tanned hue was not often seen in the human world. Due to the scarcity of sunlight, humans mainly were fair-skinned, with even the Southern people losing their beautiful, rich chocolate tone over time, albeit still brighter than their ancestors from a century ago.

Kaya and Jimin stood in front of a tree house high in the branches. She had a little smile on her lips as she teased him, "An Aurora never breaks a promise, remember?"

Jimin chuckled and stepped behind her, allowing her to climb the ladders of the tree house before him. He couldn't help but remark, "You always have an answer to everything, haven't you?" The sound of their laughter echoed through the trees as they made their way up to the cozy wooden platform above.

As she entered the wooden tree house, her eyes widened in surprise at how small the room was. The cramped space barely accommodated Jungkook and Taehyung, who were already seated on the floor, their attention fixed on Jimin and her. Kaya couldn't help but notice the lack of furniture in the room and pointed out in disbelief, "There's only one bed in here!"

Jimin behind her started to laugh with his loud voice, and Kook was so intoxicated by the green-eyed male that he had to laugh with his friend. Kaya looked perplexed at them, then at the single bed, and finally at Taehyung . "Hey, dumbass, why not pick a much tinier room? I'm literally swimming in so much space." The priestess said in irony. She was unhappy with the situation. Three males and a woman in a one-bedroom smelled like a taboo.

Tae's footsteps echoed loudly on the creaky wooden floor, resonating through the dimly lit room as he approached the petite figure of the priestess. His massive body towered over her, casting a shadow that seemed to swallow her whole. Yet, despite his imposing presence, Kaya didn't feel scared. Instead, she was mesmerized by his exquisite beauty. It was the first time she could see his face clearly. He was not just handsome. He was beyond beautiful!

The priestess had never seen a man so strikingly perfect. His dark eyebrows and lashes accentuated his piercing gaze, which exuded danger and power. His skin had a warm golden tone, which glowed under the soft moonlight that filtered through the stained glass windows. And then there were the black ink tattoos that crept up from his throat, coiling around his muscular neck like serpents and covering a part of his right cheek in tiger-like stripes - three bold black lines that seemed to enhance his already striking appearance.

"Call me dumbass again, and you can sleep on the floor, you ungrateful little beast." As he spoke, his deep voice resonated through the room, sending shivers along her spine. Each word was spoken slowly, with a hint of warning, as if he was trying to intimidate her. Kaya couldn't help but wonder what secrets lay behind those angry golden eyes. They were filled with so much pain as if joy was an unfamiliar emotion to him.

•••