Aselia carried out some light conversation with Irlana and Rumail while she sipped on her champagne. She was drinking too much and knew tomorrow she will have a bad hangover.

Rumail told them funny tales, making everyone laugh and keeping the mood light. The fire dimmed but Rivan added more logs to keep it going. The cold wind blew from the north making the weather chilly.

"I think it’s snowing on the mountains," Xiran said sniffing the air.

"Yes, it was in the forecast," Rivan added. Fritez City was surrounded by mountains from two sides, the place where Xiran had taken Aselia for a car race.

"I want to watch the snowfall," Aselia requested turning her attention to Xiran.

"I will take you," Xiran took her hand and promised with a warm smile. The fiery hues were falling on his handsome face and she couldn’t help but sense dread falling over, remembering earlier events of today. The hurt and torture he has been through broke her heart over and over again.

The smile on Xiran’s face disappeared as he saw her face fall. "Walk with me," he got up offering her his hand.

"I can’t, these heels," she complained.

"Take them off," relief washed over her and she gladly took them off, picking them up in her left hand she placed her right one in his.

"We will be back shortly," Xiran announced to the group, Rumail, and Irlana offered them smiles.

"I will get drunk," Rivan added and made his way toward the bar.

"We will walk for a short while, I know it’s cold and how you catch it so easily," Xiran declared.

"I am not that fragile," Aselia added with a bit of haughtiness.

"Oh! Please. Elves are the worst when it comes to immunity. They can catch a cold quicker than taking a breath," he teased her with a hint of sarcastic laughter.

"Haha, very funny," deep down she knew it was true. Her immunity to colds was extremely poor. The air ruffled her dress and even with his coat on, the cold air chilled her.

The night was dark and restless, the sea was cold and restless, the wind was swift and restless, while her heart was agitated and restless too.

"You are still thinking about earlier events," Xiran inquired as they moved further away from the bonfire.

"A bit, yes, I don’t know how just by looking at her I knew she had hurt you," the sand felt cold and yet soft and soothing under her feet.

"I think, It’s because of the bond. Wish we had a guideline for our bond, but I guess we will have to figure this out on our own," Xiran added with a sigh and she leaned on his arm placing her head on his shoulder. While he placed his hand on her back.

"I guess so," they walked a little further when the guttural sounds and menacing snarls filled the air. Xiran stiffened and in a split second pushed Aselia behind him before turning around with a loud hiss escaping his throat.

Hounds, five golden black hounds had them surrounded and were advancing toward them on silent steps. Their jaws clenched, skin stretched back to reveal their sharp teeth. The ruby-red eyes, brimming with feral thirst were fixated on them.

They had no scent, no wonder they were able to creep up on them.

"Aselia, stay behind me," Xiran instructed as he prepared himself for their attack. Aselia peeked at them from over his burly shoulder. She clutched the heel tightly in her hand as adrenaline rushed through her body, making her smile.

Three of them snarled and jumped simultaneously on Xiran, he caught two of them mid-air and snapped their necks with his bare hands as if they were rag dolls. One of them caught his arm with his razor-sharp teeth and began to gnaw, tearing his flesh.

Aselia had broken the heel of her shoe and held it like a small dagger, grabbing its mane Aselia yanked the hound before it could claw her face, she plunged the heel deep into the vital part of his throat.

The crimson blood gurgled and splattered all over her face and clothes, drenching her. Hound’s body jerked and spasmed for a second before going limp, Aselia let it drop to the ground.

The other two howled and pranced toward Xiran and Aselia, who stood with their backs connected. Both targetted Aselia, but Xiran caught one of them, while the other shifted midair into its human form and fell to the ground.

While Xiran tore the one he had caught into two pieces while the one which turned into human form attacked Aselia, she was ready for him. Her sidekick landed on his temple, instantly knocking him out.

"XIRAN!!!" Rivan called as he and Rumail came rushing toward them, pure horror evident on their faces as they saw the blood bath.

Xiran threw the dead hound on the sand and rushed to Aselia.

"You hurt," he took her face in his bloody hands, the worries crept up in his eyes and on his face.

"I am fine," she replied, there was no fear on her face, just pure excitement. He pressed her close to his chest, anger seeping over his whole being. Seemed like the day which was supposed to be fun, ended with blood.

"Are you guys alright?" Rivan asked while kicking the unconscious boy, who was around his mid-twenties.

"We are, they have fucking no scent. I couldn’t smell them until I heard them and they were already on our heads," Xiran spat out in anger, his arms still protectively wrapped around Aselia.

Rumail lowered himself to inspect the dead hounds while Rivan secured the unconscious one for questioning.

"Seems like these are Golden Hounds, but they are very rare and hardly ever attack without provocation. I wonder why they attacked," Rumail asked, his face full of curiosity.

"They are not Golden Hounds," Aselia replied calmly and everyone turned to look at her.

"How you know?" Rivan questioned with doubtful eyes.

"Because I fucking live with a real one."