A Dragon's Love

Chapter 8

Ryujin and Yeji, now back in her human form, made their way through the dense forest. The path to the wolf hybrid village was narrow and winding, and the canopy of trees above them cast dappled shadows on the ground.

Ryujin fidgeted nervously as they walked, her mind racing with apprehensions. "Yeji, are you sure about this? I mean, wolf hybrids... they can be really intimidating. What if they don't like me? What if they think I'm a threat? What if they try to bite my face off?"

Yeji chuckled softly, glancing at Ryujin with amusement. "Ryujin, you'll be fine. I have friends in the village, specifically with a pack called the AESPA pack. They're all girls, and they're really nice. You don't have to worry."

Ryujin's eyes widened with curiosity and concern. "AESPA pack? Are they like a group of warrior wolves or something? Do they have secret wolf meetings and howl at the moon together? What if they see me as an intruder? What if they have a strict no-human policy? What if—"

Yeji interrupted her with a gentle laugh, placing a reassuring hand on Ryujin's shoulder. "Ryujin, you worry too much. The AESPA pack is very welcoming. They're used to interacting with both hybrids and humans. Trust me, you'll be safe."

"But what if they think I'm annoying?" Ryujin continued, her anxiety bubbling over. "What if I say the wrong thing? What if they don't like my scent? Do wolves have a thing about scents? Maybe I should have brought some kind of wolf-friendly perfume or something. Do they even make wolf-friendly perfumes? Oh gosh, what if—"

"Ryujin!" Yeji's voice was firm but kind, cutting through Ryujin's rambling. "Breathe. You'll be fine. Karina, Winter, Giselle, and Ningning are all really friendly. I've known them for a while, and they won't judge you. Just be yourself."

Ryujin took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. "Okay, okay, I'll try. But just so you know, if they start growling at me, I'm hiding behind you."

Yeji laughed again, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Deal. But I promise, you won't need to hide. Just trust me."

With Yeji's reassurance, Ryujin felt a bit more at ease as they continued their journey. As they approached the edge of the forest, the sound of distant howls echoed through the trees, making Ryujin's heart skip a beat. But with Yeji by her side, she felt a sense of courage and determination.

They soon reached the outskirts of the wolf hybrid village, where the forest opened up to reveal a small, bustling community nestled among the trees. Wooden cabins and tents dotted the landscape, and wolf hybrids of various sizes and colors moved about, engaged in their daily activities.

As they entered the village, Ryujin's eyes darted around nervously, but she kept her focus on Yeji, drawing strength from her friend's calm demeanor. Just then, a group of four girls with auras of confidence and grace approached them, their eyes lighting up with recognition when they saw Yeji.

"Yeji!" called out a girl with striking black hair and piercing eyes. "It's been a while!"

Yeji smiled warmly, stepping forward to greet her friends. "Karina, Winter, Giselle, Ningning—it's great to see you all."

Karina, the black-haired girl, looked curiously at Ryujin. "And who's this?"

Yeji placed a comforting hand on Ryujin's shoulder. "This is Ryujin. She's a friend, and she's with me."

The girls exchanged friendly smiles, and Ryujin felt a wave of relief wash over her. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Welcome, Ryujin," Winter said with a warm smile. "Any friend of Yeji's is a friend of ours."

Ryujin's tension melted away, and she managed a genuine smile in return. "Thanks. I'm really glad to be here. And I promise I won't be a bother... I hope."