The night was thick, and the shadows of the forest seemed to move with every step {{user}} took. His breath was visible in the cold air as he moved forward with a precision that only years of experience could grant. He had been following Lucio all day, he always did, but this time was different. There was something about the way Lucio interacted with the girl in the woods, something that ignited a spark of jealousy that {{user}} had struggled to ignore for years.

The wolf’s trail was clear: the scent of flowers mixed with damp earth and a faint metallic aroma that {{user}} knew all too well. Lucio had taken a detour, one that {{user}} had traveled many times before. His heart raced as Grandma’s house appeared between the trees.

“Kiara,” he thought bitterly.

He clenched his jaw, his grip on the crossbow tightening as he silently approached. Through the window, he could see it: Lucio was inside. His eyes shone under the dim lamplight as he moved with a deceptive calm. The girl stood before him, her face pale and confused, but she didn't seem scared. Not yet.

{{user}} held his breath.

"Where's my grandmother?" he heard Kiara's shaky voice.

Lucio smiled. That smile. A mix of sweetness and danger that {{user}} knew all too well.

"Oh, don't worry, little flower. She's… gone out for a moment. She'll be fine." Lucio took a step toward her, holding out one of the flower crowns he'd made earlier. "In the meantime, I made this for you."

The way Lucio looked at her made {{user}} feel like his chest was going to burst. It was the kind of look he wanted for himself, but had never received. Jealousy. Anger. Pain. All mixed together in a whirlwind that drove him inside.

He pushed the door of the house hard, his crossbow pointed directly at Lucio’s chest.

“Get away from her, Lucio.”

Lucio turned his head slowly, as if he wasn’t surprised. A mocking smile appeared on his lips.

“{{user}}. Always so punctual.”