The wedding celebrations had finally ended, and the guests had returned to their homes. The mansion, once a whirlwind of color, music, and emotion, now rested in a peaceful silence. Garlands dropped on the pillars, the scent of incense and roses still faint in the air. Asis stood at the window of her room, her fingers trailing over the curtains as she watched the car carrying Aarav and Itzel disappear beyond the front gates.
They were off on their honeymoon—an elaborate journey through the snowcapped mountains of northern Europe. Itzel had hugged Asis tightly before leaving. "I'll miss you," she whispered. Asis smiled faintly and replied, "Have fun, and take care of my brother."
Now, with their departure, the house felt too quiet. Mateo and Riya had gone out with Asis's parents. Her Dadi was taking a nap. Asis was working in her room, sitting cross-legged on the floor with her laptop, poring over architectural drafts for a new design project, when a knock came at the door. One of the housemaids entered with a slight bow.
"Miss Asis, there is someone here to see you. Mr. Karl is waiting in the living room."Asis froze for a moment, her pencil mid-stroke over a sketch. She looked up, her heartbeat skipping. For three days, she hadn't seen Karl. Not a glimpse. Not a text. "Thank you. Please let him know I'll be there shortly."
She shut her laptop and took a moment to calm herself. Then she rose and left the room, descending the staircase slowly, collecting her thoughts. Karl was standing by the large window in the living room, hands in his pockets, the waning sunlight casting golden shadows across his face. He turned when he heard her footsteps.
"Asis," he said, his voice tinged with relief. "I'm sorry it's taken me three days to come see you. Work pulled me away more than I expected." She replied, " It's alright." He came close to her and held her hands. She was surprised by this but didn't resist."Asis… I have feelings for you. I know I haven't been completely open, but what I feel—it's not something I can ignore." Her heart beat faster, but she didn't show eagerness and freed her hands from him. "I need time. I don't know you at all, Karl."He knows she is right."That's fair if you need more time to get to know me well." They stood together in the quiet hum of the room. Then Karl took a step back. "I should go."
"Wait," she said. "Thank you. For understanding me." He gave her a small smile, then left. That night, Asis drifted into an uneasy sleep, her body weary but her mind overwhelmed. Sometime after midnight, a whisper echoed through her dreams—a strange, soft voice calling her name. "Asis… come… come to me…"
She stirred, then slowly sat up, her eyes glassy. The voice continued, smooth and rhythmic like a lullaby. It felt like she wasn't in control of her limbs as she stood and walked barefoot out of her room, down the silent corridor, and through the back door into the garden.
The moon was high, veiled by clouds, casting a faint glow over the earth. The voice led her, almost hypnotically, toward the woods that bordered the estate. Her feet moved without resistance, and she entered the trees, the leaves rustling around her in strange harmony with the voice in her head.
Deeper and deeper she went, branches scratching lightly at her skin, until the voice ceased. The silence was sudden, heavy. Then the clouds above shifted. The moonlight spilled through the gaps like a divine spotlight, illuminating the forest floor. And there, standing beyond a wall of bushes, was Karl. Asis halted.
He was shirtless, his eyes glowing gold in the moonlight. As she stared, frozen, his form began to change. His bones cracked, reshaping. Muscles expanded. Dark fur spread across his skin. In seconds, the man she knew had disappeared—and in his place stood a massive black Lycan with gleaming yellow eyes.
The same beast she had seen from her balcony a month ago. Her breath hitched. Her scream caught in her throat. She wanted to run, to scream—but she couldn't move. Terror rooted her to the spot. Her fingers trembled at her sides.
The beast sniffed the air, and she knew he had caught her scent. Karl—no, the creature—froze. His eyes scanned the trees until they landed on her. But he didn't move closer. He lowered his head slowly, as if in shame or regret. Then, without a sound, he turned and disappeared into the darkness of the woods, his massive body vanishing behind the trees.
Asis stood there for a long moment, still unable to move, still hearing the echo of her name in her ears. Eventually, she staggered backward, then ran out of the woods, back through the garden, and into the house. She locked the door and sank to the floor, gasping, the fear in her heart was real. She knew Karl's secret, and she was terrified.
In the morning, Karl tried to contact her, but she didn't answer him. Asis thought about last night, and her mind was still denying it. She thought about it all day, and she didn't understand how this was possible.
In the evening, Berit came to meet her and she was a mess, " Asis, are you alright?" she replied without looking at her, " I don't know." Berit sat next to her on the bed, " Please take care of yourself. He will not be happy to see you like that." Asis looked shocked, " Who are you talking about?" Berit was worried, " Karl, he cares about you."
Asis can't believe her friend was taking his side, " You didn't see his true form, you don't know anything about him." Berit stood in front of her, " I knew about him, and I am one of them." Asis was heartbroken, " How can you do this to me? You broke my trust by hiding this."
Berit tries to calm her down, " I am sorry." She came near Asis, but she stopped her, "Don't and told him to stay away from me and my family, I don't want to have anything to do with him."
Asis' decision was made. She would leave Bo Liv. " I can't put my family in danger."She packed her bags with trembling hands. Her mother came in, surprised. "Bittu? Where are you going?"She replied, "I'm going back. I can't stay here." Her mother saw her pale face. " What happened?" She held her mother's hands, " You promise me you won't stop me if I don't want to settle in Bo Live." Mihika answered, " Yes, but please stay here until Aarav and Itzel return." She weakly smiled, "I did text Aarav and Itzel, not to worry, and enjoy their honeymoon."
Her parents tried to protest, but Asis was firm. She needed to be away from the whirlwind that was threatening to consume her heart and her reason. Riya and Mateo were also confused by her sudden decision. As she drove away from Sinha Haveily, her mind played Karl's words, Ayaan's warning, and her own heart's chaos on repeat.
She didn't know what the future held. But she knew one thing. She had to choose herself first. Even if it meant walking away from the one man who made her feel alive again, and if that man was a monster beneath the moon.
*****