Sierra was back at the heart of her dream woodland. 

While carefully carving the eighty-sixth mark on the ancient tree trunk, she heard cautious footsteps from behind her.

With a hopeful heart, she eagerly turned around. 

Jin was standing there, on all fours, as she was expecting. He was still twice the size of a normal wolf, but he looked more of a tamed wolf now than a monstrous werewolf. His eyes no longer seemed mad. He was back to his calm appearance.

Sierra was greatly relieved but there was still a part of her that was worrying.

Please, don't turn into a nightmare like the last time, she solemnly prayed with all her heart and soul.

Trying her best not to be overwhelmed by anxiety, Sierra fearlessly approached Jin. She reached out her hand to tenderly caress his furry face before whispering with utmost sincerity, "I’m sorry."

Jin, like he always had been before her last dream, did not utter a single word. He walked towards the ancient tree and sat beside it. Sierra did the same. After leaning her back on the broad tree trunk, Jin lay down on the ground and rested his head on her lap. His beautiful golden brown eyes were gazing through her.

“I could not dream these past two months," Sierra went on explaining while gently stroking Jin’s furry head. "I had been busy earning money for my tuition and school projects. But even so, I should have been sleeping on time. Two months without proper sleep was starting to make me crazy. Thank you, Jin, for reminding me to take a rest.”

The tamed wolf raised his head and nudged her lap. He wanted her to cuddle beside him. Sierra smiled as she crawled on the ground and rested her back on his broad and furry body. He was always so soft and warm.

“Jin, these past three years, I'm the only one talking and telling stories," Sierra had quietly spoken while gazing drowsily at the dancing leaves above them. "Last night, you’ve shown me that you can also speak. Why don’t you tell me your story? Or tell me any story you know. Just, please, don’t transform into a human, especially into people that I know. I don’t want to see them in my dreams. I love my friends but I also love this kind of isolation that I can only get in this place.”

“I like hearing your stories.”

Sierra was a bit surprised when she heard Jin uttered those words in his growling voice. But she was glad that he can really speak and more grateful that he did not sound anything like Josh.

“I also like to hear yours,” Sierra sincerely requested.

“I’ll tell you my story some other time. For now, I want to hear how your heart is doing,” Jin’s last words made Sierra blush with embarrassment. “The last time you came here, you were still sad.”

“I’m okay now, so let’s not talk about it,” Sierra quickly uttered, wanting to evade the topic and avoid remembering every strange and maddening things that happened to her ever since she woke up from her nightmare.

But Jin went on as if he did not hear what Sierra had just said, “You told me a few things about your breakup, but you didn’t tell me who it was.”

“You didn't need to know,” Sierra sighed and buried her face in his fluffy fur. “Please, Jin, stop asking questions.”

“I’m glad that you are here with me again,” Jin whispered and Sierra was grateful the he finally heed her request.

“Did you miss me that much?” Sierra asked, gently stroking his fur.

“Terribly much,” Jin genuinely admitted then cuddled closer to Sierra, giving her more warmth and comfort.

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