Married To Darkness-Chapter 372: Eating Wolves and Coco water

Alaric’s voice cut through the tense air like a blade.

"We hunt."

Jean blinked. "Hunt? As in—actual hunting? Like... killing things?"

Lucius rolled his eyes. "No, Jean. We’re going to politely ask the rabbits to jump into our arms."

Jean groaned. "Ugh. I hate this."

Salviana adjusted her dress, her fingers grazing the dagger at her hip. "It’s not like we have a choice."

Alaric turned to Manni. "You stay with the carriage. Keep an eye on the area. If anything moves that shouldn’t, yell."

Manni nodded. "Got it."

Alaric looked at Lucius. "You take the east side. I’ll take the west."

Lucius smirked. "Splitting up? You sure you won’t miss me?"

Alaric ignored him and turned to Salviana and Jean. "You two, stay put."

Jean scoffed. "Excuse me?"

Alaric sighed. "Jean, you lose consciousness at every little surprise. Do you really think you can handle a wild animal?"

Jean huffed, crossing her arms. "For your information, I only faint because Lucius is weird."

Lucius chuckled. "Stay here, Jean. You can fight me later if you’re that upset."

Jean muttered something under her breath, but Salviana just sighed and pulled her to sit on one of the blankets.

"Be careful," Salviana told Alaric softly.

He glanced at her, eyes lingering just long enough to make her heartbeat quicken. Then he turned and disappeared into the trees. Lucius followed soon after, slipping into the shadows like a phantom.

The two women sat in silence for a moment, the heat of the sun pressing against their skin.

Jean grumbled. "I swear, if they don’t bring back something edible, I’m eating the grass."

Salviana smirked. "If you do, I’m watching."

Jean snorted, and despite the hunger gnawing at their stomachs, they laughed.

In the Forest

Alaric moved swiftly, his senses sharp. The forest was eerily silent. No birds, no rustling leaves—just the crunch of his boots against the dirt.

Too quiet.

He wasn’t a fool. Something had taken their food, and now the forest felt like it was holding its breath.

Lucius, a few hundred feet away, had the same feeling. He didn’t like it.

Then, a twig snapped.

Both men reacted instantly—a blur of motion, fangs slightly bared.

A pair of glowing eyes stared back at Alaric from the darkness.

A wolf.

No—a starving wolf.

Alaric stilled, one hand resting on his sword hilt. The creature was gaunt, ribs showing, fur matted with dirt. But it wasn’t alone.

Another pair of glowing eyes appeared. Then another.

A pack.

Lucius, from the other side of the clearing, sighed. "Of course it’s wolves. Why wouldn’t it be wolves?"

Alaric smirked slightly. "At least they brought themselves to us."

Lucius flexed his fingers. "What do you say, Alaric? Fresh meat?"

The wolves growled, their hunger making them reckless.

Alaric unsheathed his sword. "Let’s eat."

Then, the wolves attacked.

Back at the Camp

Jean paced in circles, grumbling. "How long does it take to catch something? They’re vampires, for god’s sake."

Salviana lay back on the blanket. "Patience."

Jean huffed. "Easy for you to say. You’re not the one dying."

Manni, who had been sharpening a small dagger, suddenly tensed.

Jean noticed. "What?"

Manni’s eyes scanned the trees. "Something’s coming."

Salviana sat up instantly. "Is it them?"

Before Manni could answer, the bushes rustled violently.

Then, a severed wolf’s head rolled onto the ground.

Jean shrieked. "OH MY GOD!"

Lucius strolled out of the trees, looking completely at ease, dragging two large wolf carcasses behind him. Alaric followed, blood splattered across his sleeve.

Jean gagged. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU TWO?!"

Lucius smirked. "We brought food."

Salviana raised a brow at Alaric. "Wolves?"

Alaric wiped blood off his hands. "They were planning to eat us first."

Manni whistled, impressed. "Damn."

Jean glared at them all. "This is NOT normal."

Lucius grinned. "Nothing about us is normal, Jean."

Salviana sighed. "Let’s just cook it before Jean passes out."

Jean groaned but helped gather firewood. Soon, the air filled with the scent of roasting meat.

Alaric sat beside Salviana as the fire crackled. He handed her the first cooked piece, watching as she took a careful bite.

She swallowed, surprised. "Not bad."

Lucius smirked. "Told you."

Jean, who had been sulking, hesitated before grabbing a piece. "...If I turn into a werewolf after eating this, I’m blaming all of you."

Alaric chuckled. "Noted."

And so, beneath the fading light of the sun, they ate.

The journey wasn’t over, but at least—for now—they wouldn’t starve.

The wolf meat sizzled over the crackling fire, filling the air with a rich, smoky aroma. Though unconventional, it was food—and after the long journey, none of them cared about the source anymore.

Jean, chewing on a piece, wrinkled her nose. "Okay, I hate to admit it, but this actually isn’t terrible."

Lucius smirked. "Told you. Hunger makes everything taste better."

Jean side-eyed him. "You enjoy this way too much."

Lucius shrugged, tossing a bone into the fire. "Survival, darling."

As the evening deepened, Salviana stretched, feeling the heat of the flames against her skin. "We need drinks."

Alaric leaned back on his elbows, his piercing gaze locked onto her. "What do you suggest? We didn’t exactly pack wine."

Salviana glanced around. "We’re in a tropical area. There should be coconuts."

Manni wiped his hands on his tunic. "There can’t be coconut and wolves in the same geographical place,"

Salviana said with a soft frown "I don’t think so, we could check,"

"Good idea. There should be some near the trees. I’ll go check."

Lucius stood. "I’ll go with you. Two sets of eyes are better than one."

Jean immediately perked up. "Wait, you’re leaving? What if something comes while you’re gone?"

Lucius smirked. "Alaric’s here. He’ll protect you."

Jean shot a glare at Alaric, then grumbled. "Fine. Just hurry up."

Manni and Lucius disappeared into the trees, their footsteps fading into the rustling leaves.

The fire crackled. Salviana turned to Alaric, her gaze softening. He was quiet, watching the flames flicker, lost in thought.

She reached for his hand, lacing their fingers together. "What are you thinking about?"

Alaric glanced down at her, squeezing her hand gently. "Just... you."

Salviana arched a brow. "Oh? That sounds suspiciously sweet."

He smirked, his free hand tracing slow circles on the back of her palm. "I can be sweet... sometimes."

She tilted her head. "Is that so? Because this morning, you were nothing but trouble."

Alaric chuckled, low and deep. "And yet, you still can’t resist me."

Salviana rolled her eyes but didn’t pull away. She leaned into him, resting her head against his shoulder, enjoying the rare moment of peace.

Jean, watching them, groaned. "Ugh. You two are unbearable."

Alaric didn’t even glance at her. "You’re still here?"

Jean scoffed. "Unfortunately."

Salviana laughed, closing her eyes for a brief moment, breathing in the earthy scent of the night.

The jungle was alive with distant calls of nocturnal creatures. The air was thick with humidity, and the heat from the fire made her skin glow.

A moment later, Manni and Lucius returned, carrying a bunch of coconuts and a flask of fresh water.

Lucius dropped a coconut into Jean’s lap. "There. A drink fit for a queen."

Jean scowled. "You expect me to crack this open with my teeth?"

Manni laughed, setting the rest down. "We’ll break them."

Lucius grabbed a dagger and, with one swift motion, punctured a hole in the top of one. He handed it to Salviana first.

She took a sip, the cool, sweet liquid instantly refreshing her. "Perfect."

Lucius passed another to Alaric, who took a sip before offering it to Salviana again. She drank without hesitation, her lips brushing the same spot he had.

Jean, watching them, gagged. "I take it back. You two are worse than unbearable."

Alaric smirked. "Then stop watching."

The night settled in, and for a moment, beneath the stars, it almost felt like a normal evening.

But they all knew—this journey was far from normal.

And the real dangers were yet to come.

The jungle was alive with whispers of wind rustling through thick leaves, the distant cries of nocturnal creatures, and the rhythmic crackle of the dying fire. But within their small camp, all was peaceful.

Salviana had drifted off first, exhaustion pulling her into slumber the moment she nestled into Alaric’s arms. Her breathing was steady, her body warm against his. He could feel the faint rise and fall of her chest, the scent of her lingering in the humid air.

Jean had grumbled about the lack of an actual bed but eventually curled up beside the fire with a blanket, muttering something about "never doing this again." Manni was a light sleeper, stirring every now and then but never quite waking up fully.

Lucius, ever watchful, stood outside their small camp, his arms crossed as he scanned the jungle with sharp, glowing eyes. He didn’t need much rest, and tonight, he was on edge. Too quiet. Too still.

He glanced back at Alaric, who was doing what Lucius expected—keeping Salviana wrapped in his arms instead of actually standing guard.

Lucius smirked. "Some watchman you are."

Alaric barely lifted his head, his lips brushing against Salviana’s hair as he whispered, "You’re standing. I’m watching."

Lucius rolled his eyes but said nothing. If anything were to happen, Alaric would wake in an instant, and they both knew it.

The night remained warm and silent, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and distant rain.

Lucius listened. No strange heartbeats. No shifting shadows. No danger.

For once... peace.

It wouldn’t last.

But for this one night, they could pretend it would.