495 CH 481: WHICH OPTION?
'Is it what it feels like to be a parent?'
While mourning the loss of her sex life only two days after it began, Natasha tried to cheer herself up with the incoming dinner or should she call it breakfast? It was practically 2 am already after all.
"Well, It isn't like all hope is lost. I think we can slowly work on this. Either way, I believe giving Hugr some autonomy is important so she can leave your body and explore."
Natasha sighed. Indeed. In fact, she COULD block Hugr from sharing all her senses. She could do it. But…She didn't want to do so yet.
No matter how old Hugr was, for her, she was still a child. A naive child who never knew much about the world and was stunted by a lack of love and care.
Though she was not totally at fault, as this was something completely unprecedented, it did not change the fact that she felt responsible.
This responsibility was something Natasha would not throw away nor would she flee from it.
She wanted to accept this young wolf wholeheartedly. Hugr was not just some sort of alter ego for her. It was a part completely integral to her now and yet someone so much different.
"Well. Let's stop here. We are here to relax and have fun. No need to waste our time."
Adam chuckled as a red uniform and a white that covered the upper part of his face came out.
"Adam?"
"This time it seems like we were not able to reserve the whole restaurant."
"I see."
Natasha was a little worried. While what had happened exactly was not common knowledge to everyone, you didn't need to be some high placed hunter to understand that the cause of this incident was Natasha or a member of her family.
Aleksandra had already warned her that the common sentiment and opinion of their family outside was at an all-time low. This was understandable and there was nothing she could actually do about it.
Because even if they didn't want to do it. There was no denying that they caused a great amount of damage and while no death was caused by her actions, this wasn't enough to absolve her of her crimes in the eyes of many.
"Adam…Perhaps. This is not a good idea."
" —And what should be a good idea?"
He grinned, "Hiding in your home, tucking your tails between your legs, never showing your face to the world as you beg for forgiveness to some invisible people?"
He barked a harsh laugh, "Do you think this would change anything? They will not care. Those who will hate you will continue to do so and those who don't care will not think you are suffering."
He opened the door and walked until he reached the other side to open the door for Natasha, "You know what?"
"I can give you two options. No, even three for you to decide."
He lowered himself so that they were at eyes level while she sat at the interior of the car,
"Option 1. We decide we don't want the hassle and leave this place. No big deal. This is your birthday and the goal is for you to have fun."
This option was very tempting for Natasha but she did not answer and continued to listen to what Adam had to say.
"Option 2. The two of us enter the restaurant but I hide us behind an illusion. This is easy for me, I can make it so they don't recognize us or even unable to see us. I could even make all of them sleep and let us enjoy our meal before leaving."
This was indeed very simple for him to do something like this. He could come and go. Vanishing like a ghost, while leaving them no choice but to look around in bewilderment.
This proposal also pleased Natasha. After all. She did want to eat at the restaurant. She could still remember how delicious it had been and she wanted to share this feeling with Hugr if possible. She wanted to make the little girl who had never known happiness, smile in delight.
"Finally. Option 3."
The half mask he was wearing vanished, revealing his bare face to Natasha, a soft smile hung on his lips as he brought his hand toward her in a gentlemanly way,
"Option 3. We go in together boldly. No hiding. No fleeing. Be it for you or for me. A victim should not be blamed for a crime she did not commit and she certainly has no reason to hide and suffer in silence."
"But…Your identity…"
"If I make you enter this place. It wouldn't be just if I am the only one who can enjoy the pleasure of anonymity, right?"
He grinned. "I already told you. All those personas are nothing but masks that will be discarded one after another. Now, I am strong enough that I do not need to hide that I am a hunter."
As for him being a criminal or Cain's son…Well. This will be known one day sooner or later.
He just needed to be strong enough that no one cared about the reveal of his identity. Like how he was strong enough to not fear being attacked.
Thanks to Tsubasa, his last worry, Shuri, was now under heavy protection.
Natasha was now faced with a dilemma. She looked up and all she could see was a supportive light in Adam's eye.
Whatever decisions she made, he would be there for her.
'What do you think?'
[I want to eat. I don't want to hide.]
Natasha smiled. Such a simple view but at the same time. Why make things complicated?
"My decisions are made."
She would not fear. She would not hide.
She would accept all condemnation boldly and bear the cross of what she committed on her back without bending nor begging.
As long as Adam was there for her…She…No. They could bear.
'Right? Hugrúnulfr'
[Yes! Because I am a beautiful and Courageous Wolf.]
This time, Natasha outrightly laughed. All fears vanished from her heart.
Courageous and Beautiful they were.
So they had nothing to fear.
"Let's go."
She took Adam and stepped out of the car. It was time to eat.
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