(Fenrir's POV) Jar of Hearts

[Fenrir]

Fenrir left the meeting. He should've stayed to plan for the problematic visitor coming soon, but there was somewhere else he'd rather be. Tuning into his servants' insignias, he pinpointed Hyeon's whereabouts. His location was moving while talking to Coyote, but it stopped a while ago in the entrance hall. Other servants seemed to be gathered there, too.

As he got closer, the smell of blood and burned wood attacked his sensitive nose. A group of a dozen spirits was together up ahead, whispering to each other. Fenrir saw the damage that was obviously caused by Hyeon. Diamonds, ash, and paint chips crunched under his feet. The sound got the servants' attention. His approaching presence startled them and moved to the side. Fenrir could sense their anticipation, probably expecting to see the Norse god's outburst at seeing his castle in flames.

After they got out of his way, Hyeon, Haruma, and Shika became visible in the center of the grand room. Haruma had a hold of the back of Hyeon's suit collar to prevent him from running away. While Hyeon looked away sheepishly, the fox and deer spirits were having a serious conversation. Shika's wrecked arm dangled on his side. When they saw Fenrir coming towards them, the two servants bowed. When Hyeon didn't do the same, Haruma's red and blue eyes glowed purple in anger. He roughly pushed Hyeon's head down until he did a 90-degree bow. The sight was amusing.

At seeing Hyeon, a weird feeling filled his chest.

BA-DUM.

The chained wolf inside woke up from its deep sleep and lifted its head at the sound.

*What is that?*

BA-DUM.

BA-DUM.

Coty would have to check his heart later.

"What happened here?" Well, Fenrir already knew what happened, but he needed a distraction to avoid showing confusion at the alien feeling.

"My Lord, Mr. Falken decided to practice without supervision. In the process, a servant got injured."

BA-DUM. BA-DUM. BA-DUM.

"I…see," he said, still reeling from the foreign thumping. What was causing his heart to beat this way? He eyed Hyeon's plump lips. A shot of heat raced to his groin. The crotch area on his pants became tight.

*I saw him less than a few hours ago. What's different now and this morning?*

This needed to end soon before anyone noticed. Everyone stared at him. It was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop on the floor. They were waiting for his reaction. Would he hit Hyeon? Change into a wolf? Roar in fury upon seeing the destruction?

Instead, Fenrir turned to Shika. "This dýr is your acquaintance, is he not?"

Shika looked down nervously to avoid looking into Fenrir's eyes out of respect. "He is."

"What should his punishment be?"

The servant tensed up. Haruma and Hyeon were surprised, as were the others watching in suspense. No one has ever been asked to decide on someone's fate. It was always up to him or the highest-ranking spirits.

"I, er, have to do it, My Lord?"

"He hurt his companion. It's fitting."

"I don't…I don't think it's completely his fault. He's been through a lot recently. We all have our moments."

"So you're saying he shouldn't receive any punishment?"

"Yes…no. That's not what I'm saying." Shika thought about it for a second. "Hyeon should help clean this place," referring to the damaged room.

"Is that your final decision?"

"Hai (Yes)," Shika nodded.

Fenrir had nothing more to say. "Go get treated."

The deer spirit headed to the medical wing. Haruma let go of Hyeon's collar and told him to change clothes before cleaning. Since he was a loyal servant, the kitsune fox didn't question the punishment.

Before Hyeon could start the task, Fenrir needed to release his pent-up arousal and get rid of the irritating thump-thumps. "I'll tend to him."

Haruma bowed and dismissed Hyeon. The crowd of servants were confused. No doubt they were expecting a more severe penalty. Fenrir gestured to Hyeon to follow him. When they passed by the servants, one of them spoke up.

"What is this shit? He went against orders and hurt one of us. That bastard should be banned or at least be sent to the basement—"

Before he could finish the statement, Fenrir reached out and grabbed the spirit's throat. Fenrir squeezed until they couldn't breathe. This servant was Imoogi, the one who caused rifts between the others. Since Imoogi had a secret disability compared to the other spirits, Fenrir always brushed his bad behaviors to the side. He even told Haruma to disregard the small fights he caused as a ringleader, but not even Haruma knew the reason why. The defect was only known between Imoogi and himself. Very rarely did Fenrir feel pity for a demon-turned-spirit, but Imoogi's unique situation was one of them.

For some reason, his out-of-line words infuriated Fenrir. It wasn't even the disrespect, but how he talked about Hyeon. It was quite ironic to see the disabled dragon complain about the unfairness when he getting equal leniency, too.

Fenrir faced ahead while his arm stretched out to the side. Imoogi gasped for air. His glowing eyes turned to look at the struggling Korean dragon. "Know your place," he growled. When he let go, Imoogi doubled over and wheezed. The outline of the wolf god's handprint on his throat was beginning to bruise. The two left the scene.

The inner wolf was curious. Why did you not punish the human? You are aware that his punishment should've been more severe. It was basement-worthy.

*I can't send him there. As a half-human, it would ruin him, Fenrir responded.*

Why do you care? Is he not for consumption only? Who cares if he returned as a broken shell.

He glanced behind him. Hyeon followed behind quietly, obviously ashamed of the whole thing. Fenrir noted how he was physically okay despite the ragged uniform.

Fenrir snapped out his concerned thoughts. In addition, the mercy might create jealousy among the spirits. Many were sent under the castle for far less. This time, it was himself who made the situation more difficult. The wolf was right.

Why did he care?

BA-DUM.

BA-DUM.