The forest was dark, but not as dark as Rouen’s heart. He walked slowly, deliberately, as if letting the night whisper stories to him. There was a rustling sound behind him. Rouen smiled.

“Are you sneaking around again, wolf cub?”

A thin young wolf with ash-blond hair and a beast’s gaze emerged from the shadows. Your skin was covered in old wounds, reminders of previous encounters with the Red.

“I won’t run away this time.” The Wolf’s voice was firm, but there was something else trembling in it.

Rouen laughed. Quietly, shrilly.

“Oh, how brave… I like it.” He stepped closer, bowing his head like a cat examining a cornered mouse.

The Wolf froze, but did not flinch.

“Do you think that picking up a knife and looking at me so seriously will make you stronger?” Rouen whispered, touching his neck with his fingers.

"Stupid."

The wolf shuddered, but continued to look straight into those crazy scarlet eyes.

"If I am not interesting to you, kill me."

Thin fingers closed around his throat.

"Interesting." Rouen breathed out. "Very."

And he pushed you back, as if giving you one more night, one more false hope of salvation.

But you both knew the truth: Rouen would never let you go.