The silence in the dinning room was thick, almost suffocating. Kai could feel the tension radiating off his parents, their usual light hearted banter replaced by an uncomfortable stillness. He chewed his food slowly, trying to ignore the prickling sensation of their gazes on him.
Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. " What's going on?" He asked , his voice a bit strained. You're both acting strange. Just say whatever it is you want to say."
His mother sighed, her eyes filled with a mixture of worry and something else he couldn't quite place. " Kai, we need to talk about Ethan. We've noticed how close you both have become , and we are a concerned."
" Concerned? " Kai scoffed. "What's there to be concerned about? we're just friends."
"Is that all it is?" his father interjected, his tone serious. " Because we've seen the way you look at him, the way you light up when he is around. Are you....are you starting to fall in love with him?"
Kai hesitated, a knot forming in his stomach. He didn't know what love was, he had never felt it before. But he did know he felt happy, truly happy when he was with Ethan. "I don't know what love is," he admitted, his voice barely a whisper. " But I like it when I'm around him. He makes me feel....good."
His parents exchanged a worried glances. " Kai," his father began, his voice softening , "we are not against you being happy. But Ethan....he is different. You need to understand that."
"What do you mean?" Kai's voice was tight with apprehension. "Why are you so worried about him?"
His mother took a deep breath. " Kai," you need to stop seeing Ethan. It's not safe. You could get hurt."
" Hurt?" Kai's eyes narrowed. " What are you talking about? what could hurt me?"
His father leaned forward, his gaze intense." Kai, you need to understand. Ethan is human. And you... you're not. You're a warewolf. And warewolves can't love humans. It's forbidden, it's dangerous . It could lead to....to his death."
The words hit Kai like a physical blow. His mind raced, trying to process what he just heard. His parents were saying that his love for Ethan, his happiness could actually hurt him? Could kill him? His heart hammered against his ribs. Fear and confusion warring within him.
"Why? He chocked out, his voice raw. " Why can't I love him? What's so wrong with that." "But how do you know this if you don't know about my lineage?" Kai asked his parents. " We've went to meet a divine person who told us everything about you Kai. We were so curious about you," his parents lied scared to tell him the truth.
Kai stared at his parents, his heart heavy with a new crushing weight. He didn't understand the rules of their world, the boundaries that seemed to dictate his every move. But he knew one thing for sure, he didn't want to loose Ethan .