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I fell for the werewolf my father kept locked up in his lab.
But he hated humans with every fiber of his being, wanting nothing more than to die.
To convince Caleb Shaw to keep living, I started giving him vouchers.
I promised him that if he collected fifty, I'd grant him any wish.
Caleb started to comply.
He started eating and sleeping on a regular schedule, and slowly, a spark of life returned to his eyes when he looked at me.
On the day I planned to tell him how I felt,
I caught Caleb gently kissing the tip of Vivian Brown's finger,
I'll play along, then dump her on her birthday. That's the price for stealing your research.
I ripped up the love letter and walked off.
Sometime later, as I passed by the Containment Area with my newly adopted rabbit beastkin,
Caleb suddenly lost control, smashed through the glass, and desperately reached out his hands
I've got fifty vouchers do you still want me?
The massive werewolf dropped to his knees in front of the small human girl.
As if tending to something priceless, he carefully kissed her slender fingertips.
Vivian Brown asked, her voice thick with tears,
Why did it have to be her birthday you broke up? You couldn't go through with it, could you?
Don't be silly.
Caleb's tone turned icy. Planting the worst memory on the day she looks forward to mostthat's how she'll think ofr you every birthday from now on.
I quickly looked away.
My heart ached like it was being squeezed.
The love letter I hid behind my back was nearly crumpled in my hand.
Caleb, who never wanted to show his beast side to humans, suddenly let a pair of brown-gray wolf ears appear.
He gave them a deliberate shake, as if trying to cheer the girl up.
Come on, Vivian, don't cry. You can touch them.
Vivian's face turned bright red, and she let out a soft, teasing whine,
Who knows how many times you let Luna Reed play with those ears? I'm not interested.
That fool who thought handing me a bunch of slips would win me over?
She's not worth it.
Caleb scoffed lightly.
He bent his head, offering his wolf ears into her palm, rubbing gently against them,
Once we wolves choose a partner, it's forever. We're the most faithful creatures.
Vivian, I'm yours. Only yours.
His vow was gentle, each word clear and full of certainty.
I ducked my head down further.
But I didn't dare make a sound.
All that came were tears, falling at my feet and spreading into small, dark puddles.

Using a love letter wasn't just some old-fashioned, impulsive move.
Once, I had found Caleb reading a book of poetry.
He was at the back of the Containment Zone, the usual intensity in his eyes gone, replaced by a gentle concentration as he whispered the lines.
That's when I knew he was educated.
He hatred for humanity wasn't absolute.
At the very least, wordshuman wordscould bridge the gap between species and find a place in his heart.
That's why I chose this way to confess to Caleb.
I hoped he could see my clumsy, sincere feelings through these words.
A long time later, the voices outside finally faded.
I wiped my eyes and tore the letter into tiny pieces.
My legs felt like lead as I walked to my father's lab.
He stopped his work mid-motion.
Taking in my red, swollen eyes, he let out a sigh.
Okay, what is it this time? Something for that little wolf?
I asked calmly,
You promised me, remember? If I got first place in the Qualifiers, you'd let me adopt a Partner Beast.
His frown deepened.
Of course I remember. But are you still fixed on him?
Luna, be reasonable, the two of you are a bad match
I shook my head, cutting him off.
No.
My voice, though carrying a barely perceptible tremor, was unusually firm
Dad, I don't want Caleb Shaw anymore.

At the prestigious BioGen Research Institute, there were plenty of Training Beasts.
But only the top researchers earned the right to a Partner Beast.
A Partner Beast meant ultimate trust from a human.
Once the bond was sealed, you trained together, fought together, could even build a life togetherthrough adoption, or marriage.
For the Beastkin, it meant the highest level of freedom imaginable.
I'd already won the Qualifiers last year.
But Vivian Brown's accusation tore it all down.
Our research topics were similar, and inevitably, some overlapping data appeared in our final reports, becoming her irrefutable proof I'd plagiarized.
The scandal was massive.
I got suspended for a year, pending investigation.
Although the truth eventually came out, proving my innocence, Vivian Brown refused to accept it.
She was convinced she was the real victim.
And I, the Head Researcher's daughter, had gotten special protection.
Caleb Shaw was my Training Beast.
I'dbeen working for a Partner Beast slot behind his back, wanting to surprise him.
Caleb desperately wanted to go home. I thought this news would surely make him happy, right?
Even though last year's delay was a setback, but not the end of the world.
I'd just have to win again this year.
I'd imagined a hundred times the expression he'd have when receiving this gift.
But I never knew Caleb didn't trust me.
That he actually hated me.
Hated me so much he'd planned this cruel revenge for my birthday, ready to shatter every good thing I'd dreamed of.

That afternoon, I filed the Reassignment Request Form for my Training Beast.
The clerk looked stunned.
Luna, I thought you were crazy about that werewolf. I was sure you two would
She didn't finish.
Yeah.
Everyone could see how I felt, only Caleb Shaw scorned them.
Without a word, I tossed Caleb's ID badge into the disposal chute.
It was the last thing that connected us.
Ms. Brown, are there any Training Beasts available for immediate transfer?
Yes, but they're the leftovers, the ones with low potential.
I scrolled through the short list on the screen. One photo made me pause.
A giant white rabbit, with calm ruby-red eyes, lying quietly in its enclosure.
The file listed its gender as female.
A pink bow with a tiny bell was tied around its neck.
So cute!
I'd bought one just like it for Caleb once.
He said it was stupid and girly, threw a fit, and trashed it right in front of me.
But none of that mattered now.
Now I had a rabbit.
Plump, cute, and obedient. Once I could dress it up however I wanted.
This one.
I snapped out of my thoughts, pointing at it.

I still went to Caleb's containment area.
Luna, you're late today.
A flicker of irritation shone in his amber eyes.
He sniffed the air, his tone sharpening,
You smell like another beast. Who have you been with?
I'd almost forgotten. A wolf's sense of smell is keen.
He clearly didn't know he'd been reassigned yet.
And I had no intention of being the one to tell him.
Probably just from walking past the other enclosures," I deflected.
Caleb's gaze dropped to my empty hands. He mentioned it offhandedly,
Didn't you say a few days ago that you'd written something for me?
You must have misheard.
My tone was flat.
His expression stiffened for a fraction of a second.
Then he turned away, feigning nonchalance. "Is that so.
Sensing my unusual silence,
Caleb spoke up again,
Your birthday is next week. Any plans?
I gave a non-committal shrug.
Haven't decided.
Oh? Usually, you're chattering about it a month in advance. This year is different.
Caleb cleared his throat.
He glanced at me from the corner of his eye.
Do you want to go see the fireflies with me?