I watched as Ulrich studied me intently from across the table, his fingers intertwined before his face. "I thought you would know," he said cryptically.

"How would I?" I replied, my brows furrowing in confusion.

Ulrich's expression remained unreadable as he continued to observe me. Finally, he shrugged and muttered, "Never mind." I couldn't help but wonder why he'd say such a thing. What could I possibly know about turning humans into werewolves?

As if sensing my thoughts, Ulrich stood up and walked over to sit on his armchair. I followed suit, settling onto the nearby sofa. It was then he continued his story, his voice low and measured. "Skol believed I knew how to turn a human into a werewolf. The old Nightshade legends mention the Nightshades recruiting humans for their pack, turning them into werewolves. At first, I thought it was nonsense, but when the previous alpha of the Nightshades was close to death, he revealed the secret to me. There's an ancient way, almost lost, of turning a human into a werewolf..."

Ulrich's gaze lingered on me, allowing a silence to stretch between us that was both electric and nerve-wracking. My curiosity piqued, I couldn't stand the uncertainty any longer. "So, are you going to tell me what this secret is?" I asked, my voice betraying a hint of annoyance.

A sly smile played at the corners of his mouth. "You can turn a human into a werewolf by making them ingest a certain flower during a full moon," he began, "and then biting them until blood is drawn. That's as much as I'm willing to say."

I stared at him in disbelief, wondering why he would trust me with such information so easily. Were his intentions pure? Was he truly a friend and ally to my grandmother?

"Until now, I've kept this knowledge hidden," Ulrich continued, his voice laden with solemnity. "I consider my condition as a werewolf a curse that keeps me separated from other human beings. I don't want anyone else to experience it. In fact," he paused, a look of determination flashing in his eyes, "if I could cure lycanthropy, I would."

As Ulrich's words sank in, I found myself studying him intently—his somber expression and the subtle tension in his posture. I had never considered that a werewolf could feel this way. It made me wonder, how would I feel if I were in the same position as Ulrich?

My heart ached for him, realizing that beneath his rough exterior lay a vulnerability that not many people had the privilege of witnessing. And yet, here I was, privy to his deepest secrets and emotions. It stirred something inside me, a sense of empathy and connection that I hadn't expected.

"I'm sorry I can't be more helpful," Ulrich apologized, his eyes downcast.

I shook my head and reassured him. "You've been helpful, despite the prisoner treatment," I joked, trying to lighten the mood. Ulrich chuckled, but there was still a lingering sadness in his eyes.

"Go find Silver now," he advised me. "He probably could do with some company. And something tells me there's no one else he'd rather see..."

"Thanks, Ulrich." I smiled at him before turning to leave the cabin. As I reached for the door, he called out one last warning.

"Be careful around the other werewolves, Red. You're a Hood, after all."

I nodded, acknowledging his concern, and stepped out into the night.

The weight of sorrow and concern sat heavily on my shoulders as I navigated the shadowy paths of the Nightshade Clan settlement. The moon cast an eerie glow on the trees and cabins, creating a haunting atmosphere that seemed to echo my own emotions. My heart thudded against my ribs, keeping time with the rhythmic whispers of the night.

"Red?" Ylfa's voice startled me as she emerged from the darkness, her eyes sharp and alert in the dim light. "If you're looking for Silver, he wants to be left alone."

"Ylfa," I replied, steeling myself. "Please... He's clearly in distress. I have to see him."

Ylfa scrutinized me for a moment, weighing my determination.

"Ylfa, I need to see him." I insisted, my voice firm with resolve. "Please, just tell me where he is."

She sighed, her expression a mix of annoyance and concern. "Fine," she relented, pointing toward the edge of the settlement. "He's by the old oak tree near the creek. But don't say I didn't warn you."

"Thank you," I muttered, turning away before she could change her mind. As I walked, I felt Ylfa's gaze lingering on my back, but I shook it off, focusing on the task at hand.

I had so much to tell Silver, and I was determined to lay it all out, no matter the consequences. Even if I could never give him what Ylfa could, I had to let him know how I felt about him.

As I approached the secluded spot Ylfa had pointed me to, I found myself in a small clearing surrounded by tall trees. The moonlight filtered through their branches, casting dappled shadows on the ground. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead, creating a soothing soundtrack to the scene before me.

Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I spotted Silver leaning against the ancient oak tree, his gaze fixed on the rippling waters of the creek. His muscular arms were crossed over his chest, and his silver hair caught the moonlight, giving him an ethereal glow. Even in his brooding state, he looked incredibly attractive.

Swallowing my anxiety, I knew I couldn't let fear hold me back any longer. It was time to face Silver and share my deepest emotions with him. I was tired of hiding and berating myself for how I felt about him.

"Silver, can I talk to you?" I asked tentatively, stepping into the moonlit clearing.

"Leave me alone, Red," he snapped, his voice cold and distant. The sharp tone stung me, but I recognized it as the voice of a man grappling with his own demons. I couldn't just walk away now.

"No, Silver, we need to talk," I insisted, standing my ground. I stepped closer, feeling the magnetic pull between us, even in this strained moment.

"Fine," he sighed, finally relenting. "What do you want?"

I hesitated for a moment before leaning on a nearby tree, trying to figure out how to start. "Silver, I... I apologize for the way I've treated you", I began softly. "I know you're hurting right now, and I'm sorry for everything you've gone through... I wish there was something I could do to make it all go away."

He didn't respond, his gaze still fixed on the rippling waters of the creek, but I could see the tension in his body. I dared to reach out and gently touch his arm, wanting to offer him some comfort. The warmth radiating off his body was palpable, and I could feel my cheeks flush as I realized he was only wearing a pair of black boxers. His perfect body was exposed to me, and the sight of it made my breath quicken. I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around him and take all his pain away.

"Look, I know I've been harsh... Okay, I was a complete asshole. But I was wrong," I confessed, my heart racing as I bared my soul. "I shouldn't have let my fear of werewolves overwhelm me because of what happened to my dad. Not all werewolves are bad people, and I'm sorry if I ever made you feel like you were. In fact, you're quite the opposite..."

At those words, Silver's head turned towards me, his yellow eyes searching for sincerity in mine. I could see surprise and vulnerability flickering across his face. My touch seemed to have broken through his icy exterior, if only for a moment.

I paused, waiting for him to respond, but he stayed silent. So I took a deep breath and continued speaking from my heart. "I've been so scared to admit it," I confessed, "but I care about you. You're not like anyone else in this world — you're courageous and kind and so, so strong... I don't mean only physically, but here," I said, placing a hand on my heart. "I never understood how complicated being a werewolf truly is. I didn't stop to consider that it's not something you chose, and now... now I understand that you're just the same as I am." My voice trembled slightly with the weight of my words.

Silver's eyes widened in astonishment as he listened to me. The tension in his body seemed to ease, and his expression softened. He looked at me with gratitude, his shoulders relaxing and the creases in his forehead smoothing out. "Red," he whispered. "I never thought I'd hear you say that."

My heart pounded in my chest as I prepared to bare my soul completely. I could feel the nerves twisting and knotting in my stomach, but I knew I had to speak my truth. "Silver, I need to tell you something else. I've been feeling this way for a while now, and... I wish I had never said that we couldn't be together because you're a werewolf."

His eyes locked onto mine, curiosity and hope mingling within their depths. I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. "I love you, Silver," I confessed, my voice barely more than a whisper. "Being a werewolf doesn't matter to me. I see you for who you are, not what you are."

The words hung heavy in the air between us, and I held my breath, waiting for his reaction.

Silver looked away as he took a few steps back. The revelation rippled through him like an electric shock, his eyes widening as a mix of emotions flickered across his face. I could see surprise, disbelief, and hope all battling for dominance in those intense yellow irises. His breath hitched, and for a moment, he looked like a man teetering on the edge of a precipice, ready to leap into the unknown.

Then, Silver shifted his gaze away from the creek and met my eyes with an intensity that almost took my breath away.

"Red," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I never imagined you would feel this way about me, especially after everything that's happened between us." He hesitated for a brief moment, and I felt my own heart pounding in anticipation. Then, with a tender, vulnerable expression, he continued, "I've been drawn to you from the moment we met. You're... You're brave, smart, and funny. Who wouldn't fall for you?"

He took a step closer, reaching out to cup my face gently in his strong hands. "Red, I love you. I have loved you since the day we met." The sincerity in his voice sent shivers down my spine, igniting a warm glow within me that seemed to chase away all the shadows and doubts. This was what I had longed for, what I had thought impossible – Silver's love, freely given and reciprocated.

"Silver," I breathed, feeling my whole body tremble under his touch, overcome by the intensity of the moment. "I want to be with you, no matter what obstacles we face. I don't care what the Hoods think, or what my Mom thinks. To hell with them all. I love you."

His eyes glittered with unshed tears, and he leaned in, closing the distance between us. The tension between us crescendoed as our lips finally met in a passionate kiss, electric and intoxicating. Our mouths moved in sync, exploring and tasting each other's warmth and desire, our breaths mingling as one.

His hands slid down to my waist, pulling me closer, our bodies pressed tightly together. The feel of his strong, muscular frame against mine sent waves of heat and longing through me. My fingers tangled in his silvery hair, tugging gently as I deepened the kiss, craving more of him, needing to feel the raw connection between us.

As we briefly parted, breathless and flushed, I knew there was no turning back. And for the first time in my life, I was truly unafraid.