Chapter 102 A Marked Beginning

Ethan's POVWhen I entered my room, I turned around to see Velcy quietly closing the door behind her. She did it very carefully and meticulously as if she was afraid to make noise and startle me.

She pivoted to face me but what happened next left me utterly stunned and held my attention captive.

Her shimmering silvery-white hair dimmed into a dull gray as though the very light had drained from it.

Then, deep dark scars began to reappear on her face and arms. They were etched into her skin as if an invisible hand carved them with deliberate cruelty.

The sight was unsettling and similar to watching beauty unravel into pain but Velcy did not react to it as if she couldn't feel anything.

What kind of sorcery is this? I thought as my eyes narrowed.

I had already concluded that Velcy wasn't like other beast folk but this ability to completely conceal her true form was something I had never heard of. It wasn't natural.

Suddenly the thought that perhaps my master had deeper reasons when she asked Velcy to be my HeartShadow or whatever that bond entailed crossed my mind.

I rested my chin in my hand and my expression was deeply thoughtful as I scrutinized her. Velcy seemed uneasy under my gaze and her posture was stiff as her eyes darted away nervously.

But I couldn't help myself. I had to observe and analyze the differences between her two states.

Her emotions which were usually so vibrant and dynamic now seemed muted. Even her swishing tail and fluttering ears had vanished, making her seem dull and subdued and like a shadow of the lively girl I had seen before.

"Come here, Velcy," I said gently, keeping my tone soft to ease her nerves.

Whether it was by my master's intentions or my secret desire, Velcy was now going to be a part of my life.

She was going to be with me for a long time and I had to ensure she felt secure in her new role.

She nodded and approached hesitantly in her slow and deliberate steps. When she stood close to me, her head barely reached my chest.

Suddenly, I couldn't help but notice how much I missed the small and lively movements of her tail and ears and it felt strange to see her so subdued.

Acting on impulse, I placed a hand on her head and began to gently caress her soft, silvery-gray hair.

The action felt instinctive though I couldn't explain why. Maybe I thought of her as a pet and the urge to pet her coursed inside me.

Velcy froze at my actions but then glanced downward with an embarrassed expression. Her face was tinged with pink and I could imagine her swishing tail and fluttering ears if she had them now.

"Big Brother Ethan…" she murmured in a low voice barely above a whisper.

"Do you hate the scars that suddenly appeared on my face? Do… do I look ugly?"

Her sudden words caught me off guard. It was clear that the scars were a source of deep insecurity for her.

But how had they appeared in the first place? Was it the work of the Blackwell family? If so, their cruelty knew no bounds.

My heart ached for her and the things that she had experienced but I wasn't entirely surprised. In my past life, I had witnessed even worse atrocities.

Still, for someone as young as Velcy such experiences must have been deeply traumatic. Her earlier violent reaction to being bound by my umbra shackles suddenly made sense and it was no doubt that it was a reminder of her past suffering.

I wanted to uplift her spirits and erase the sadness clouding her expression. Without hesitation, I spoke my true thoughts.

"No, Velcy," I said firmly, "I don't think they look bad. In fact, they add a certain charm to you. They make you look strong and even dangerous but also unique and cute."

As I spoke, I slid my hand from her head to her cheek and cupped it gently. My thumb brushed over the scars and traced their jagged lines. Velcy looked up at me with wide eyes that were filled with shock and disbelief.

Suddenly, I saw tears welling up in her eyes, and it looked like she was going to cry.

"They're not ugly," I continued in a soft but steady voice.

"If anything, they're a mark of what you've endured and a testament to your unbreakable strength. From now on, you should think of them as souvenirs from your past and they are reminders of how far you have come.

While others your age are living carefree and joyful lives filled with luxury and no worries, you have faced so many tough challenges that would break most people.

That makes you extraordinary, Velcy."

Her tears began to spill over and they rolled down her cheeks silently.

Seeing that I smiled and added,

"And besides, when you shift into your white cat form the scars on your face vanish completely. So there is no need to worry.

You're under my wing now and I won't let anyone hurt you again. You are more beautiful than anyone Velcy but you don't realize it."

I noticed her trembling slightly and her lips parted as though she wanted to speak but couldn't find the words. To lighten the mood, I teased her gently.

"But," I added with a small chuckle, "you've got to stop crying so much. It makes you look funny in my eyes." Sёarᴄh the Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

My playful comment seemed to have achieved the desired effect. Velcy blinked in surprise and her tears were momentarily forgotten as she stared at me with a dumbfounded expression.

Then, without warning she stepped forward and threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly.

Her small frame pressed tightly against me started trembling against mine and I felt my shirt getting wet from her tears that flowed like water from a broken dam.