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Id	Vlad	Saved	Scrape Time	Status	Scrape Result	Title	Body	Cta Type	Link Url	Page Name	Page Profile Uri	Page Like Count	Enddate	Cta Text	Caption	Display Format	Link Description	Link Url	Creation Time	Page Profile Picture Url	Page Entity Type	Page Is Profile Page	Current Page Name	Startdate	Actions
2,728,683	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-02 02:54	active	2674	Getting Started with Google Business - Biondo Creative	New business? Setup a Google Business Profile and get found. Get our free tutorial 👉 https://www.biondocreative.com/go/landing-page-gmb-setup-tutorial/	LEARN_MORE	https://www.biondocreative.com/go/landing-page-gmb	Anthony Biondo	https://www.facebook.com/anthonybiondojr/	47	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	biondocreative.com	IMAGE	Learn how to setup Google Business Profile and start getting customers via Google Maps and Google Search.	https://www.biondocreative.com/go/landing-page-gmb-setup-tutorial/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480879139_1362683911399445_1869254664276238707_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kxouGCUBs5oQ7kNvgGolcrK&_nc_oc=AdhiMgSB9QJgxSLmP3UTcOpFBZpIJ_p4rQw8RkSu5aUcE_dh9Ezfup4Urqi5KbKw0C8_aZ2e_b9jcOZL53u2FXh8&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A1nAC9t_GY7CYyMLzpc0hfY&oh=00_AYA3AiHY4rgGNMnznxRfd0xiO3-4vATFzIagyTsJKEOVgw&oe=67C9FB7E	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Anthony Biondo	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,728,594	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-03-02 02:54	active	2674	Spring Clean & Protect with PJ’s Pressure Washing 💦	Winter has left its mark—refresh and protect your property with expert pressure washing and sealcoating from PJ’s Pressure Washing! For Businesses: A dirty parking lot or drive-thru can drive customers away. Remove oil stains, grime, and dirt to keep your property looking professional and lasting longer. For Homeowners: Driveways and walkways accumulate buildup that dulls curb appeal. A professional clean and seal restores a fresh look while preventing cracks and damage. ✨ Spring Special – Book Now for Exclusive Rates! ✨ ✔ Pressure Washing – Siding, driveways, parking lots & sidewalks ✔ Sealcoating – Protect asphalt, extend its life & boost curb appeal ✔ Serving Commercial & Residential Properties Proudly serving Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Scott City & surrounding areas. Call now or visit our website for a free quote!	LEARN_MORE	https://www.pjspressurewashingmo.com/?cam=soc-tp-m	PJ's Pressure Washing	https://www.facebook.com/PJPressureWash/	786	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	www.pjspressurewashingmo.com	VIDEO	Wash Away Grime, Seal in Protection	https://www.pjspressurewashingmo.com/?cam=soc-tp-m256151-c901541-g3010989-	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/482301617_1376689169915366_5259555054081316364_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3DGg12lB9g4Q7kNvgFq-7AY&_nc_oc=Adgaae1SiU04p8EC77sjs54H9PggnI3_5QMMxZfZ8NkT32TXszG94Wa_XMNbRFs6AEo0WdtoUWKbbj2ub9Bb72ss&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHzETx0CwIX1Sw31izdeIFO&oh=00_AYBrbmNcTMJpWGkmpoLjF-YMtDrH8Qt1XVYqPQ0q2eAyqA&oe=67C9F6A2	PERSON_PROFILE	0	PJ's Pressure Washing	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,727,997	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2727965}'	Yes	2025-03-02 02:54	active	2674	4 interest-free payments	Take your gifts to the next level 🎁💘 ✅Any order 10%off & more promotions enjoy now Shop Now👉:http://italojewelry.io/Cwo 💎Free shipping & After Pay💎	SHOP_NOW	https://www.italojewelry.com/italo-eternity-create	Italo Jewelry	https://www.facebook.com/italojewelry/	69,710	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop Now	italojewelry.com	DPA	✅One Year Warranty & 60-day Return	https://www.italojewelry.com/italo-eternity-created-white-sapphire-wedding-band-241109.html	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/476353667_589083727365888_5499129207521780762_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lQ0mZZYdSXEQ7kNvgHwqO31&_nc_oc=AdhXcY79dkpv1VpKr9e58JtOWtVjxkxoF3KbS1p0p9OysaeOMlWDz_FSwHu_-TOAjEF8OAIdV00EuayTPP26Gj5W&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AkIbJQai9GkG0D1z-zqLq5A&oh=00_AYA_oq9R72sD8cLUTlLNinAQfOO8F-BsStOJEMonuHVWaA&oe=67C9EE98	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Italo Jewelry	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,728,252	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-02 02:54	active	2674	Read next chapter👉	Everyone knew he married her for power. When her grandfather passed and his first love got pregnant, she was cast out. They all waited for her to become a discarded trophy wife--until he made it official: "A military marriage won't end. Slander carries legal consequences." ===== Chapter 1 Carry On With Whatever This Is A military jeep thundered down the bustling bar street, its presence like a storm on the horizon. The jeep, adorned with a high-ranking officer's insignia and a distinctive license plate, commanded the attention of all it passed. It came to a jarring halt in front of the neon-lit Serendipity bar, its brakes screeching a piercing challenge to the surrounding nightlife. The door of the jeep opened and then slammed shut with a force that reverberated through the silent evening, mimicking the sharp report of a gunshot. A man emerged, his camouflage uniform blending oddly with the urban setting. His stern expression and the firm set of his jaw added to his daunting presence as he stepped into the colorful chaos of the bar. Inside, the neon lights cast an otherworldly glow on his face, the shadows playing across his features as he moved with a purposeful stride. The bar was alive with the vibrant beats of electrifying music and the murmur of drunken chatter--yet he seemed to carry a chilling silence around him, isolating him from the revelry. At the bar counter, Ryland Flynn was engrossed in a flirtatious conversation with the bargirl. He looked up as the military man entered, the haze of alcohol clearing swiftly from his eyes. The imposing figure made a beeline for the elevator, and Ryland, sensing urgency, scrambled off his stool to intercept him. "Mr. Mitchell... What brings you here to Serendipity tonight?" Ryland's voice faltered under the icy gaze of the man. The man's eyes narrowed, his voice resonant and commanding as he demanded, "Where's Renee?" "I... I believe she's at her home tonight," Ryland stammered, struggling to maintain his composure under the piercing scrutiny. Without hesitation, the man pressed the elevator button for the top floor, his action sharp and decisive. "You have 30 seconds to alert her," he stated curtly. Ryland's heart raced as panic gripped him. He knew that fabricating a story was pointless now. With trembling hands, he pulled out his phone and dialed Renee Carter's number right in front of the imposing figure looming over him. The phone buzzed unanswered after three persistent rings, prompting Ryland to switch to WhatsApp in a frantic rush. Opting for a voice message, he pressed the microphone icon and whispered urgently, "Renee, your husband is here to see you; he's on his way up in the elevator." His attempt to keep his voice hushed failed miserably; the words echoed clearly in the tight space of the elevator. An icy chuckle emanated from behind Ryland, sending shivers down his spine as the elevator dinged open. Sweat started to bead on his forehead, each drop a testament to his growing dread. The man stepped out with a determined stride, heading straight for the VIP room. Ryland, caught in a web of fear, trailed meekly behind, his steps hesitant and his mind racing for solutions. Stopping abruptly at the door, the man turned slightly. Ryland, mustering a sliver of courage, spoke up with a shaky voice. "Mr. Mitchell, I assure you, she isn't here." "Last chance--open up, or I'll kick this door in myself." "Please, believe me. She..." Ryland tried again, his voice faltering. "Three," the man stated evenly, his tone leaving no room for argument as the countdown commenced. "Fine," Ryland murmured, his voice a strained whisper as he fumbled with the room key, a sigh escaping him. His hands trembled slightly--caught in a bind, he dared not cross a member of the formidable Mitchell family. As the door creaked open, the man's eyes narrowed, his expression hardened into the stern, unyielding mask of a seasoned military veteran. Ryland stole a brief glance inside and sharply inhaled, quickly diverting his gaze to safeguard his own wellbeing, positioning himself squarely in the doorway, observing from a cautious distance. Inside, Renee reclined languidly on the sofa, her figure draped in a vibrant red slip dress that made a bold statement, flanked by two young male escorts. Their bare torsos were adorned with the unmistakable traces of passion, scratches carved into their skin like echoes of their heated encounters. The abrupt noise of the door's movement caused the escorts to stiffen, their muscles tensing as they beheld the daunting figure looming at the entrance. In sharp contrast, Renee exuded an air of nonchalant ease. Slowly opening her eyes, her lips curled into a taunting smirk upon sighting the man. With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she regarded him through half-lidded eyes, her smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Relax, boys, it's not a police raid," she teased, her voice dripping with disdain. "Allow me to introduce him--this is my husband, the esteemed William Mitchell of the Mitchell family. You've surely heard of him, haven't you?" As she spoke, her gaze flitted over to William, observing his stoic visage with a provocative sneer. "Mr. Mitchell, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit tonight? Aren't you supposed to be getting busy with your childhood sweetheart instead of wasting time here with us?" William approached with deliberate steps, the chill of the night air clinging to his camouflage jacket, mirroring the icy reserve on his face. He seated himself on the sofa across from her, crossing his legs with a deliberate nonchalance. Smirking insincerely, he waved a hand. "Don't mind me--carry on with whatever this is." Chapter 2 Disappointment Isn't An Option Here The two escorts were already visibly tense, their anxiety written all over their faces, and the mere mention of William's name sent shivers down their spines. Renee, her head bowed slightly, felt a surge of anger well up within her. Yet, she masked it expertly behind a veil of serenity and commanded, "You heard him, didn't you? Now that Mr. Mitchell is in the mood, you'd better be at your best--disappointment isn't an option here." She then raised her head, her eyes gleaming with a mischievous spark, and flashed a coquettish wink at William. "Mr. Mitchell, consider this an invaluable lesson. You treat the bed like a battlefield--my two companions, on the other hand, know how to make a woman feel cherished. After all, we aren't your foot soldiers. While I might endure your roughness, think of your beloved. She's far too delicate for such treatment, don't you think?" William responded with nothing more than a frigid glance. Reclining against the back of the sofa, he struck a match with a sharp flick, lighting his cigarette. A veil of smoke soon enveloped him, masking his inscrutable expression. Renee's irritation spiked at his detached demeanor; he looked almost wounded, though she couldn't fathom what could possibly dent his icy exterior. Impatiently, she snapped at the escorts, "Well? What are you waiting for? At Mr. Mitchell's request, show him what you've got--who knows, he might actually pick up a thing or two." With a defiant flair, Renee tugged at the straps of her slip dress, letting them slip down her shoulders. The men jolted with surprise, their eyes darting involuntarily towards William, whose gaze was icy and unforgiving. Instinctively, they squeezed their eyes shut. "Uh, Ms. Carter... maybe it's best if we go." As they stooped to gather their scattered clothing from the floor, Renee fixed them with a frosty stare that rooted them in place. "I've told you already. Disappointment isn't an option here," she stated, her voice sharp as the winter air. Her attention turned back to William just in time to catch a camouflage jacket sailing through the air, draping over her with precision, obscuring her view. Before she could shrug off the jacket, she was abruptly swept up by two robust hands. "William! What on earth are you doing?!" she exclaimed, her voice muffled under the fabric. Blind to his expression, she could only sense the intense, ominous aura radiating from him. Effortlessly, he slung her over his shoulder, a half-smoked cigarette dangling from his fingertips. In a swift motion, he extinguished the cigarette on the back of one of the men, eliciting a sharp yelp. Simultaneously, his boot connected with the other man's knee, causing a stifled groan of agony to fill the room. Ryland, who had been nervously lingering by the door, stepped forward in alarm. "Mr. Mitchell, please, let's resolve this peacefully," he pleaded, his voice quivering. "Get out of my way!" William's command was a low rumble, more animal than human, that sent Ryland stumbling back in fear. Helplessly, he watched as William maneuvered Renee into the back of the jeep, her protests fading into the night. The engine roared as the vehicle surged forward, a reflection of the driver's burning temper. As Renee collapsed onto the plush, crimson bedspread, the effects of the evening's alcohol started to fade. Her eyes fluttered open, fixing on the ornate bed in the master bedroom--an emblem of union they had never truly shared since their marriage. The irony stung, blending seamlessly with her sorrow. Their three-year union was not a sexless one. The rare times William came home from his military duties, their encounters, though heated and passionate, were just fleeting moments of intimacy. Yet, their living arrangements spoke volumes--they maintained separate rooms, with this room remaining untouched by either. But tonight, William's demeanor was unhinged, as he dragged her into this "sacred" space and threw her onto the bed without hesitation. "William, what the hell are you thinking?" Renee gasped, her voice a mix of bewilderment and fear. She barely managed to prop herself up when he loomed over her, his gaze wild and red-rimmed. "Get ready, because I'm gonna fuck you until you're begging for more," he declared, his words seething through clenched teeth as he ruthlessly ripped her dress strap by strap. "So, Renee, you were saying I was too rough, is that it?" he huffed, his breath hot against her ear, his teeth lightly grazing her earlobe in a chilling caress. "I'm gonna fuck you nice and easy tonight--make you feel every damn second of it." Trapped beneath his weight, Renee writhed futilely, her struggles inadvertently drawing them even closer. As he tenderly grazed her earlobe with a punitive lick, his voice cut through the air, icy and stark. "Remember, you're a married woman." Just then, the shrill ring of his phone pierced the tense air. Although he wanted to dismiss it, the insistent buzzing from his pocket--just as he was about to undress--compelled him to reach for his phone with visible impatience. Recognizing the caller ID, his expression softened slightly. With a wry, self-deprecating smirk, Renee peeked at his phone screen. Unsurprisingly, it was his childhood sweetheart calling. Her voice dripped with irony as she retorted, "Seems you've forgotten you're a married man." His eyes flickered to her, but before he could gauge her next move, Renee snatched his phone and answered the call with deliberate calm. "Hello, Sylvia," she called out evenly. There was a brief pause as Sylvia Payne processed the unexpected voice. "Renee... hi," she stammered, her words stumbling over the shock. Upon catching William's resigned look, Renee's smile twisted into a sly grin. "Yeah, it's me. Sorry, but William and I are a little busy right now. You know how horny couples get after some time apart--it's like a damn craving that needs to be satisfied. He's got his mouth all over me, so I doubt he'll be able to answer his phone anytime soon." Chapter 3 A Fucking Liar Renee's words might have struck a nerve or instilled fear in Sylvia, who fell silent, stewing in her thoughts for a lengthy pause. Just as Renee braced herself for another onslaught of bold accusations, William intervened, snatching the phone from her hand. His kiss, fierce and claiming, then stole her breath away. William wasn't one to make empty promises--he showed her exactly what gentleness could be. After what felt like an eternity of torment, Renee broke down in tears, pleading for mercy--only then did he finally relent. Drained from the ordeal, she succumbed to sleep almost instantly. Throughout the night, she drifted in a half-conscious daze, vaguely aware of William leaving the bed. By the time morning crept in, Renee awoke alone. She lay there on the vast bed that held both fresh and lingering memories, her mind adrift in contemplation. She turned towards the curtains, tightly drawn, blurring the lines between late morning rays and the onset of dusk. A wave of weariness washed over her as she reached for her phone, her body still aching from the previous night's passions. That was when she saw it--a post from Sylvia on Instagram, unmistakably capturing William from behind, engrossed in cooking. The realization hit with the sharpness of a knife. In a fit of rage, Renee hurled her phone against the wall. Despite the force, the device miraculously survived the impact. "That fucking liar! That cheating piece of shit!" she snarled, fists clenched in anger. Lifting the blanket, she tried to stand, but the lingering soreness made every movement a struggle. That scumbag had really done a number on her. Yet, he felt no pain at all--if anything, he was in high spirits as he happily went to cook for his lover. Her anger simmered, fueled by each throbbing ache and the betrayal freshly unveiled. Sylvia's post was a glaring provocation. At that moment, a hesitant knock rapped at the door, followed by the maid's timid voice filtering through. "Mrs. Mitchell, are you up? Mr. Mitchell had me prepare something to help with your hangover." Renee seethed with annoyance. Now that he was out cavorting with his mistress, why even bother sending the maid? She inhaled sharply, trying to quell the rising storm within her. "I'm much better now, thank you. No need for that," Renee called out, her voice strained. Yet, the maid lingered at the doorway, her tone soft and persistent. "Mrs. Mitchell, Mr. Mitchell also specifically prepared a pill for you. Would you like to come out and take it?" Confused and a bit curious, Renee cracked open the door and peered out. "What pill?" she asked, her brow furrowed in suspicion. "You know, for after last night..." The maid trailed off delicately. That was the last straw. Renee's control snapped like a rope stretched too tight for too long. She was teetering dangerously on the edge of an outburst. Over the past three years of their marriage, Renee had diligently taken a contraceptive pill after each of their intimate encounters. The thought of starting a family hadn't yet appealed to her; she wasn't ready to embrace motherhood. The routine was simple when she managed it herself, but it felt different, almost intrusive, when William had the pills delivered to her. "I'm not taking it!" Renee declared defiantly, her voice thick with resolve. "Tell that scumbag that if I get pregnant, I'll have the baby! Let's see how he deals with that!" Her words echoed sharply as she slammed the door with a resounding thud, the sound reverberating off the walls. The moment the maid stepped out, she started digging through the room for the pills she bought before, her remark earlier nothing more than a bitter jab. Exhausted, she collapsed onto the plush bed, her body twisting and turning as she tried to find comfort in the soft linens. As sleep tugged at her consciousness, her mind seethed with curses aimed at William. She pondered his unexpected return from military service. Could his sudden appearance be tied to some trouble involving Sylvia? Indeed, Renee's suspicions weren't unfounded. William's return had everything to do with Sylvia. The moment he was discharged, he'd tried reaching out to Renee, only to be met with silence. His inquiries led him to discover her recent escapades, including the escorts she'd taken to keeping company. In a mix of rage and desperation, he had stormed the bar where she frequented, dragged her away, and then rushed to attend to Sylvia. Meanwhile, at the hospital, Sylvia sat uncomfortably as the doctor concluded his examination. "Ma'am, aside from some mild anemia, you're perfectly fine. By the way, is this gentleman your husband?" The question caught Sylvia off guard, a flush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. Leaning slightly forward, William questioned, "Doctor, should she be taking any extra precautions? Does she need to avoid any specific foods?" He neither confirmed nor denied, preserving Sylvia's dignity. "Just avoid seafood, particularly crabs. Beyond that, she's free to enjoy whatever she likes. Be grateful she's not constantly battling nausea. She's dealing with morning sickness--consider yourself lucky she can still eat without throwing up." "Got it. Thanks for your help, doctor." William's response was polite, tinged with a sense of relief. William stole a glance at Sylvia after leaving the doctor's office. She was cradling her belly gently, her expression radiant with the glowing joy unique to a first-time mother. He sighed, a whisper barely audible escaping his lips. "Sylvia." "William, I think... I can feel the baby's heartbeat." Sylvia's voice trembled with wonder, her eyes gleaming as they met his. He paused, the weight of his next words pressing down on him. "Sylvia, you should consider terminating the pregnancy." "No!" Her voice cracked, a visceral refusal. Tears instantly welled in her eyes as she implored him, "William, I want this baby. Please, let me keep it. Don't force me to give it up. I can raise this child by myself if I have to..." "And you think you can make this decision to keep the child without my agreement?" The cold, sharp voice of Renee sliced through their conversation. Both Sylvia and William turned to see her at the corner of the corridor, arms folded, her presence like a specter at a feast. Her stance and piercing gaze left no doubt about her stance--she was, after all, William's lawful wife, and her words carried the weight of her position. Chapter 4 Confrontation The moment Sylvia laid eyes on Renee, her heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively darted behind William, like a child seeking shelter from a nightmare. William's expression hardened into a frown as he faced Renee, his voice tinged with disbelief. "What are you doing here?" Renee's shoulders lifted in a casual shrug, her voice dry. "It's a hospital, William. What do you think?" As William's frown carved deeper lines into his forehead, he surveyed Renee from head to toe, searching for any telltale signs of illness but finding none. Taking a bold step forward, Renee's gaze locked onto Sylvia with unsettling intensity. "I heard my husband escorted another woman for a prenatal check-up early this morning. Naturally, as his legal wife, I felt compelled to see for myself." Her eyes, sharp and gleaming, bore into Sylvia's. "Miss Payne, let me be clear--as long as I draw breath, your child will never be acknowledged. Unless..." Her eyes then flicked to William, and she paused, letting the silence stretch before continuing with deliberate calm, "Unless William dares to divorce me. Why don't you ask him if he has the courage to do so?" Would William actually muster the courage to divorce her? Obviously not--otherwise, he wouldn't have made it through three years of this. When Renee was just 20, she declared to her family that she intended to marry William. Even her grandfather, Johnny Carter, who had doted on her since childhood, refused her for the first time. Johnny, a once-formidable retired commander, loomed large in his world, much like Renee's father, who, though steering clear of politics, had carved a significant niche in the business realm. Across the social spectrum, William's father, Eric Mitchell, wielded considerable influence as a high-ranking official in the political echelons. His current stature meant that allying with the Carter family could catapult him to even greater heights. The union between Renee and William was crafted as an unbreakable alliance, a powerful merger with no exits. Once vows were exchanged, the idea of parting ways was off the table. A divorce would not only fracture their personal lives but would also force their influential families into a messy, public tug-of-war, risking a feud that could echo through their elite circles. With Eric poised on the brink of a crucial promotion, he was adamant: divorce between his son and daughter-in-law was simply not an option. During the earlier days of their marriage, Renee had poured her heart into nurturing the union, but her efforts soon revealed themselves to be fruitless endeavors. Despite chasing William's affection for five years before she managed to marry him, his feelings remained elusive; not even the legal bond of marriage could spark affection in him. Faced with this reality, Renee suggested a pragmatic solution that they would continue to project the image of a devoted couple publicly and during familial gatherings, while privately, they would lead separate lives, each cloaked in their own solitude. With William being in the army for most of it, there wasn't much pretending needed anyway. Yet, one thing still baffled Renee--whenever William returned from the army, he would spend endless nights in bed with her, refusing to stop until she gave in. It was simply strange--he had ensured Sylvia lived close to his base in Stotta, so why did he still look like he hadn't touch any woman in forever? Renee guessed it was due to Sylvia's frail condition--William probably didn't want to strain her too much. What a fucking bastard! He pampered his lover like a queen while treating Renee like absolute shit. The sight of Sylvia tucked behind William sent a sharp, unexpected pang through Renee's chest. "What's wrong with you?" William's question sliced through the tension, but Renee's mocking laugh dismissed it, her disdain palpable. "William, I'm getting rid of Sylvia's baby right now. Are you going to try and stop me?" Her challenge hung heavy in the air, her words sharp as shards of glass. Their recent quarrel had left a chilly void between them. William had slipped away at dawn, his departure marked by a stinging silence. And then, the call from Ryland had come, twisting the knife deeper--William had escorted Sylvia to the obstetrics department for a prenatal checkup. The scandal, simmering just beneath the surface, threatened to boil over, exposing Renee to ridicule. "No! William, please, not my baby..." Sylvia's voice quavered, her fingers clutching William's sleeve as if it were her last lifeline. Her eyes, wide and pleading, searched his face for any sign of reassurance. But William remained eerily silent, his gaze unyieldingly locked on Renee's cold eyes. "William..." Sylvia's voice broke, terror lacing her whisper. She gripped his arm tighter, her plea more desperate. "I can't let go of this baby, William. Please, I need your help." "shut up!" The sharpness in Renee's voice cut through the tense air. In a swift, harsh motion, she raised her hand and delivered a stinging slap across Sylvia's face. The sound echoed, a chilling smack that left a vivid red imprint on Sylvia's pale cheek. "You don't have a say here, Sylvia," Renee hissed, her voice dripping with disdain. From the other end of the corridor, another voice challenged the oppressive silence, its tone imbued with an undeniable authority. "Is that so? And do I have a voice in this matter?" All eyes turned toward the newcomer. Her presence was commanding, her attire simple yet exuding an elegance that spoke of bespoke tailoring--clearly, she was a woman of significant stature. "Mom?" Chapter 5 As You Wish "Mrs. Mitchell..." Upon spotting William's mother, Esme Mitchell, Sylvia's eyes lit up with a flicker of desperate hope. She darted forward, throwing her arms around Esme in a tight embrace. Tears cascaded down her cheeks, painting her as a tragic heroine consumed by sorrow--an image that could melt even the coldest heart. It was no surprise that even William, with his usual stoic demeanor, found his resolve weakening under Sylvia's poignant display. Renee, observing from a distance, knew she lacked the flair for such dramatic expressions. "No need to worry, Sylvia. I'll protect you," Esme assured the younger woman, her tone warm and steady. "Mom, please, let's not escalate this," William interjected, his expression tense with concern. Around Esme, he often felt like he had no control. "William, if I hadn't shown up, would you have just stood by after Renee's outburst? I know I might have turned a blind eye before, but now, with Sylvia carrying your child--a new member of the Mitchell family on the way--can you really afford to let Renee act unchecked?" Esme's tone was both accusing and protective. At the mention of the baby being another Mitchell, Sylvia's eyes dropped, her joy of coming motherhood shadowed by the weight of those words. William shot a brief, complicated look at Sylvia, his face unreadable. "I can handle this, Mom," he stated flatly, his voice laced with frustration. "And how exactly would you handle it? By watching as Renee lashes out at Sylvia and doing nothing?" Esme countered sharply, her frustration mirroring her son's but for different reasons. Renee stood her ground, her voice a mixture of irony and resolve as she addressed Esme. "I'm your daughter-in-law, William's one and only legal wife. No matter how influential your family is, you wouldn't dare commit bigamy, would you?" Esme bristled, her response sharp and clipped. "Enough of your bullshit!" "Bullshit? Is that what you call them?" Renee shot back, her tone rising slightly with indignation. "It was indeed I who pursued William initially, but over the years, both I and my family have shouldered immense burdens to prop up your family's stature. And now, you wish to replace me with Sylvia? Did you even bother to consult the other members of the Mitchell family about your plans?" As she turned her gaze towards Sylvia, Renee's eyes flashed with contempt. "To even mention Sylvia in the same breath as me is laughable." "Renee, that's enough," William interjected, his voice icy and stern. Esme, emboldened by William's admonition, pressed on, her tone dripping with disdain. "William, did you hear her? This is not how a sophisticated heiress should behave. She lacks the basic decorum expected of her status. I've always said it--Renee is too stubborn and impulsive for our family. You should never have married her. Remember how I opposed it from the start?" But Renee wasn't fazed. Instead, she laughed heartily, a sound rich with scorn and amusement. "Indeed, a home-wrecker must be so sophisticated and possess impeccable manners," she said sarcastically. Deep down, Renee knew she was the one who had come between William and Sylvia. Originally, Sylvia's family had fallen into dire straits, and the Mitchell family, due to their precarious position, could not offer direct help. It was then that William had turned to Renee, who had been ardently pursuing him for five years. For the past five years, William had all but ignored Renee, treating her affection as if it were invisible. Renee, ever the hopeful pursuer, tirelessly chased after his fleeting attention. Ironically, the first time he sought her out wasn't for romance--it was to plead on behalf of Sylvia. Renee's disdain for Sylvia stretched back to their childhood days, a bitter rivalry that festered over the years. Thus, when William asked for her help for Sylvia, Renee seized the opportunity to turn the tables. She threw the notion of marriage at him like a challenge, expecting him to waver. But to her shock, he consented immediately, his compliance cutting her deeply. It was a stark, painful reminder of Sylvia's significance to him. Sylvia, the perpetual thorn in Renee's side, had been a constant source of agony since she became William's wife. Lost in these brooding thoughts, Renee was then jolted back to reality by a sharp slap. Her head whipped around, eyes blazing with fury, to find Esme standing there, her expression unyielding. "This slap is for Sylvia," Esme declared firmly. "Renee, don't think you can torment her just because she's an orphan and vulnerable." "Mom! Why the hell did you do that?" William interjected, stepping in front of Renee protectively. But Renee wasn't grateful for his defense. Instead, she scoffed, her laughter tinged with bitterness, "Oh, so I'm the bad guy now? Fine. Let it be as you wish." In a swift, fluid motion, Renee charged forward, her fingers entwined in Sylvia's hair as she delivered a stinging slap across her cheek. Her actions were fierce and immediate--Renee never hesitated to settle scores right then and there, refusing to suffer any slight quietly. "She may lack family, but I refuse to let that girl trample over the dignity of the Carter family!" Renee declared with fiery conviction. Despite Esme's frantic attempts to calm the storm, she was powerless against Renee's relentless fury. Raised with strict discipline, Esme was the polar opposite of Renee. And there was Sylvia, who had always been gentle and unassuming. Renee, with her commanding presence, could easily overpower them both. "William! Are you seriously just going to watch? Are you just going to let her go on a rampage like that?" Esme's voice cracked under the strain, her plea laced with desperation. Renee's eyes finally snapped to William, who had remained a silent observer. With his skills, he could have intervened at any moment, preventing the assault with ease. Why had he chosen to remain passive when she struck Sylvia? Lost in her thoughts, Renee barely registered the sensation of a strong arm encircling her waist. In an instant, she was lifted from the floor, her feet dangling helplessly. William, treating her with no more regard than one would a sack of potatoes, carried her away. His voice was calm, yet it carried an unyielding firmness. "Mom, I can handle my affairs. Stay out of this. I won't say it again," he stated decisively, before carrying Renee back towards their home. &8&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/70314322-fb_contact-e	Lime novel-E	https://www.facebook.com/100090637249756/	357	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.moboreader.net	IMAGE		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/70314322-fb_contact-enp133_6-250225-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=124213&accid=798859118295947&exdata=B83A640F8AE4343CFB55251FCA75D7938C8878F8ACAA486B	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480881202_1045970007341829_6598721571814710105_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Qhec3vg8dGAQ7kNvgE4qKcO&_nc_oc=AdiMj1__PYrFCyjdOta9BHa0YZNFoqKgL3te92QMMn7Z7Fyf7Q9qd9RF7nu4JsWa-Ujr_o4ln6l3kUuWhEEyTQ8h&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AvRIbCmJYJC5rnZ8nawbqRQ&oh=00_AYAJI33pbq_XlzBfQyTkRhuuRBgn8BnInuzwkKScd3-hrA&oe=67C9DDAD	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Lime novel-E	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,729,310	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2729266}'	No	2025-03-02 02:54	active	2674	🔞😍Click here to Read on More Spicy Chapters👉👉👉	"Females usually only soothe their own spouses." "Because the method of soothing is... mating." His eyes turned a golden as he stared at her. "I can't wait any longer." ---------------- Chapter 1 Dimention-Hopping Deep in a lush, ancient forest, three suns blazed high in the sky, their golden rays piercing through the dense plants. Sunlight dappled the forest floor and scattered across the pale, delicate face of Nyx Voss. Her slight and frail frame curled up in sleep spoke volumes that her body was starved of nourishment, and her soul was desperate for safety. Nearby, a magnificent tiger lounged lazily and looked like a silent guardian to the fragile figure. Not far off, a sprawling wolf pack kept a vigilant watch. The alpha perched closest to Nyx, its piercing vertical pupils betraying an unexpected softness as they lingered on her. In the shadows of the underbrush, several sleek leopards prowled quietly, their sharp eyes sweeping the surroundings, poised to defend against any threat to Nyx's peaceful slumber. Then, something happened. The deafening roar of engines shattered the tranquility, sending flocks of birds scattering into the sky and small creatures scurrying for cover. A massive spacecraft began its descent, breaking through the tree line and sending shockwaves of unease rippling through the forest. Yet the wild beasts surrounding Nyx held their ground. They showed their dangerous teeth and made low snarls in their throats, as if they had turned on the battle mode to drive this metallic intruder out of their territory. The ship landed with a mechanical hiss, its bulk settling on the ground. The hatch opened, and a squad of heavily armed soldiers emerged in formation, their boots crunching against the forest floor. They moved with practiced precision. Their mission was to extract the precious resources owned by the empire's military on this planet. This was a long-term mission and almost like routine work for the soldiers. Yet today, they stumbled onto something they couldn't have prepared for. "Uh... Are those... wild beasts?" one soldier murmured, staring slack-jawed at the surreal sight. "Tigers, wolves, and leopards? What kind of wild soap opera is this?" another added incredulously. It didn't take a zoologist to know that different species didn't make friends, and those apex wild beasts would never show up in the same picture. By nature, they were highly territorial and should have been at each other's throats upon meeting. Yet here they were, coexisting in an oddly harmonious way. "Look! They're circling something. Is it some kind of treasure?" one of them whispered. Speculation ran wild as they squinted into the cluster of animals. 'Is it some kind of rare mineral? Or maybe some valuable plants attract these beasts to guard them?' The soldiers edged closer, trying not to provoke an attack. The beasts became more bristled. They kept making low growls to stop the soldiers from approaching them. But then, through the gaps in the protective circle, the soldiers finally caught a glimpse of what lay in the middle. "Holy shit! That's... a female," one soldier shouted. "A female! Oh my! Am I dreaming?" another stammered, as if they'd just spotted a unicorn in a city park. Someone else asked, "This is insane! What the hell is a female doing on a Primitive Planet?" "Everybody, chill. Let's drive the wild beasts away. Don't let them hurt her," someone else chimed in. The soldiers tread carefully, opting not to use their weapons. They didn't want to wreck the planet's ecosystem or risk harming this unexpected discovery. Finally, after a few tense exchanges of growls and gestures, the beasts seemed to decide the soldiers weren't a threat. They exchanged looks, shot Nyx a few glances, and reluctantly melted into the forest. Just then, the soldiers realized that the group of wild beasts didn't mean to hurt that female but to protect her. "That was incredible," one of the soldiers sighed. "I can't wrap my head around it. Are those really just low-IQ wild beasts, not beastmen or something?" asked another man. "Damn, we might need to file a report on that. Somebody's gonna have to reclassify those species," someone else commented. For now, though, their priority was clear: get the female to somewhere safe. The mining task could wait. The spacecraft roared back to life and lifted off, carrying Nyx to their base. The moment the supreme commander of the base, General Theon Lane, heard about the rescue, he came straight to check on the female and wasted no time in sending a detailed report to the higher-ups. "She's in bad shape," muttered Zayne Larsen, the base's lead physician, as he flipped through Nyx's medical results. His face was a storm cloud of worry. "Her bone age tells she's barely twenty. She's severely malnourished, and she's covered in old scars..." "This has all the signs of a brutal abuse case," Zayne added, his voice cold with fury. "The planet she was found on is classified as a non-inhabited Resource Planet," he continued. "The soldiers said she was surrounded by wild beasts. "This isn't just abuse. Someone left her to die on that planet! It's a straight-up attempted murder of a female!" Hearing that, Theon was furious. He stood by the medical pod and looked down at the peacefully sleeping girl inside. Her delicate face was as small as his palm. Her pointed chin held a faint blush of pink. She was tiny, and her fragile frame was almost like a trembling flower bud on a windy branch—so delicate and soft that it seemed like a single touch might shatter her. She was so weak and heartbreakingly beautiful. It wasn't hard to imagine countless males would be willing to lay down their lives to protect her. The empire's current gender ratio was an alarming 1 to 79, and it was only getting worse. Under such dire circumstances, someone had the audacity to abandon a female. It was beyond disgraceful. In the medical pod, Nyx's lashes fluttered, and then she slowly opened her eyes. Her head felt light and fuzzy. The sensation wasn't new to her. Years of malnourishment had left her with severe hypoglycemia, and passing out had become routine. She remembered that she was summoned home by her grandmother before she passed out this time. She came home straight from work, only to find out her family had arranged for her to marry a greasy and potbellied man who had a marriage before. Apparently, they'd already pocketed 150 thousand dollars as a wedding gift from that man. Nyx refused their arrangement, of course, but it was too late. Her family locked her in the house for a week with no food or no way out. Seeing she still didn't compromise to register the marriage, they decided to ship her straight to the guy's place and let him settle the matter himself. On the way, Nyx finally managed to escape, but her empty stomach caught up with her. She hadn't made it far before collapsing. Looking around, Nyx wondered, 'Where the hell am I? Did they catch me? Is this that creep's house?' Her gaze flicked around the cold and clean room. It felt like a ward, with strange machines she couldn't recognize. She was lying inside one of those machines. Across the room, two men were talking, and they noticed she was awake. Zayne, in the white coat, strode over and opened the pod. His eyes were warm with concern as he asked, "Thank goodness, you're finally awake. Ma'am, do you feel unwell anywhere?" Though the stranger was way more good-looking than the actors she had seen on TV, Nyx still shrank back instinctively. Noticing her reaction, Zayne immediately looked regretful. He lowered his head slightly and spoke as gently as he could, trying to show he meant no harm. "You can calm down. "This is the 286th White Tiger Regiment. I'm Zayne Larsen, the lead physician here. You've been rescued. No one will hurt you again." Nyx blinked her eyes at Zayne and thought, 'Since when did arranged marriages warrant military involvement?' But almost immediately, she felt something was off. She had never heard of any White Tiger Regiment. And this physician guy wasn't just nice—he was almost respectful, like she was some big deal. She was just an ordinary citizen. Growing up in a family like that, she even lived a worse life than many. She didn't believe such an excellent man would treat her so respectfully. Her eyes darted past Zayne to the other man in the room. With just a simple glance, Nyx couldn't help but scream in her mind, 'Holy hell! This guy is so tall!' He looked easily over 6'3'', with a build that was towering and powerful. He stood ramrod straight in a military uniform, a cap perched neatly on his head. His sharp golden-blond hair and piercing amber eyes gave him the air of a lion, commanding and unyielding. This commanding man bowed slightly toward Nyx and said, "I'm Theon Lane, major general and supreme commander of this base. May I have the honor of knowing your name?" The pieces of information snapped together, and Nyx realized what was going on. She wasn't in her world anymore. She had somehow traveled to another one. Chapter 2 Females Rule, Males Serve The news that the female rescued from the Primitive Planet was awake spread through the base like wildfire. Everyone was buzzing with excitement. This base housed over 30,000 people—all male beastmen of soldiers and logistics personnel without a single female. By law in this empire, females weren't allowed anywhere near dangerous locations like this. Nyx was the first female to set foot in this military base over the years. Even though most of the males hadn't seen her in person, they all knew her name by heart. They thought Nyx was a beautiful name. It sounded like it belonged to someone equally stunning. Nyx was immediately scheduled to leave for the Central Planet Female Protection Association, escorted personally by Theon and Zayne. They weren't taking any chances with her safety and assigned her to the most secure spaceship available. "On the spaceship, Nyx's room was conveniently close to Theon's. The moment she stepped into her room, she froze. The place was breathtaking." Warm light filtered through soft curtains, casting a cozy glow over the lightweight bedding. A small bedside lamp and a vase of dried flowers added a delicate touch to the atmosphere, while the faint scent of a soothing fragrance filled the air. It was the exact opposite of the cold vibe she'd expected from that military camp. "This is... my room?" Nyx asked, unable to believe it. Misreading her expression as dissatisfaction, Theon quickly apologized. "It was a last-minute setup by my adjutant. I know it's a bit plain. Please endure it for now. If there's anything you need, just let me know." "It's... not plain at all," Nyx murmured, shaking her head as she stepped inside. She touched one of the soft cushions on the sofa and felt a complicated mix of emotions surge within her. All her life, she had dreamed of having a warm and safe room to call her own. But it had always seemed out of reach—a luxury she could never afford. During her growth, she'd been branded a "money sink", dropped out of school to work, and struggled to scrape by while her earnings were snatched away to buy her younger brother clothes, gadgets, and even a tablet. Now, faced with the reality of her long-held dream, it all felt surreal. To be fair, everything that had happened since she woke up felt like a dream. "Could I get some books to read? There's so much I need to figure out," Nyx asked after snapping out of her thoughts. Her request caught Theon off guard for a second, but then he quickly realized something. He knew the little girl had lost her memory. Aside from her name, Nyx remembered nothing, not the people who abused and abandoned her, not where she came from. Zayne had theorized it might be self-protective amnesia, triggered by her trauma. Theon thought it made sense, especially since Nyx had been visibly afraid of them when she first woke up. Whatever she'd been through was likely at the hands of males. Guilt and protectiveness swirled in Theon's chest. He gave Nyx a solemn nod and replied, "Absolutely. Whatever you need, I'll make sure you have it." Soon, an assortment of books was delivered to her room, including illustrated audiobooks aimed at younger audiences, which were easy to digest even if her memory failed her. Having had enough sleep, Nyx shut her door and dove headfirst into the stack of books, eager to understand this strange new world. She soon realized this was a vast interstellar empire, stretching across eight star systems and countless planets. Earth's technology couldn't hold a candle to what she read here. The citizens on this planet weren't like humans on Earth either. They were beastmen. According to the records, male beastmen had possessed two forms since ancient times—human form and beast form. They were powerful warriors, fiercely protective and capable of incredible combat. The females, on the other hand, wielded something called "mental power", which could calm males and prevent them from losing control and permanently shifting into their beast forms. Now, in the age of interstellar exploration, beastmen had conquered new frontiers and developed advanced medicine, with an average lifespan of 500 years. Among the planets, they were one of the most powerful high civilizations. But even they had a problem, a threatening crisis—Females were growing increasingly rare. The gender ratio was becoming alarmingly skewed. The empire had even dabbled in ethically controversial projects, attempting to create artificial females. But the results were disheartening—artificial females couldn't awaken mental power, and worse, their offspring often couldn't take human form at all and remained purely beast. After countless tragedies, the empire had no choice but to shut down its artificial female research program. Instead, they turned to fiercely protecting natural females, enforced strict laws to ensure their safety, and heavily promoted polyandry. At first, there were still criminals trying to enslave and exploit females, but as the empire cracked down hard and tightened the protections of females, the status of females rose higher and higher—until they were practically worshipped. The balance had completely tipped: Females ruled in this civilization, and males served. Nyx finally understood why Theon and Zayne treated her so respectfully despite their obvious authority and power. It wasn't because of who she was but because she was recognized as a female. Nyx's eyes widened, and she felt a mix of shock and disbelief. But it also made sense. No matter how strong or capable a male beastman was, they all depended on the mental power of females to keep them from losing control. Without it, they'd devolve into mindless beasts, unable to return to their human forms. Nyx realized how vital mental power was to those males, and she touched her nose with guilt, thinking she didn't deserve their treatment. She was an ordinary human, not a real female beastman. She didn't think she had any mental power at all. Later during dinner, Nyx asked Zayne about the mental power thing. "Do I... have mental power?" Zayne, who was taking his nutrient drink, suddenly paused his movement. He then glanced at Theon with a faintly accusing look. Theon immediately shook his head in protest, silently explaining he didn't say anything to Nyx. Zayne took a sigh and put his drink down to explain, "No, you don't. Mental power usually awakens by the age of 18, and since you're already 20, it's safe to say your mental power didn't awaken." Seeing her expression falter, Zayne added, "You don't need to worry about it too much. Around 20% of females in the empire never awaken their mental power, but trust me, you're just as precious as any of them." Zayne didn't lie to her. Though females with strong mental power held high status, those without it were still cherished as treasures on this planet. The next day, Nyx arrived at the Central Planet Female Protection Association, where she was greeted like royalty. The fanfare and attention were overwhelming, which was leagues beyond what Earth's biggest celebrities ever experienced. The staff at the association ran another full medical exam for Nyx. When they confirmed she had no mental power, their attitudes didn't change a bit. They still treated her like the center of their universe and escorted her through the process of registering as an official citizen of their empire. Nyx handed her medical report to a young male and flashed him a polite smile. "Thank you." The male's face instantly turned bright red. He held his breath, frozen in place, until Nyx moved on to the next step. Only then did he exhale and cover his chest like he'd just survived a heart attack. "Geeze, she's adorable," he murmured with a dreamy expression. Females in this empire were often spoiled, and they were either crusty or timid that they barely showed those males any smiles. Nyx's gentle demeanor and soft smile were rare, almost unheard of. "Too bad she didn't awaken her mental power," the male sighed. "If she had, I'd be chasing after her in a heartbeat." "Come on, get real," his coworker teased. "She's so gorgeous and sweet. Even without mental power, she's not gonna run out of suitors anytime soon. You're definitely not on her radar." The coworker added with a smirk, "Besides, malnutrition can affect mental power awakening. If she gets healthy, she might have a second awakening." "Second awakening? Come on, man. It's rarer than a blue moon. Maybe one case every century." "Yeah, you're probably right." *** "Nyx, meanwhile, was blissfully unaware of the conversation. She was waiting for her turn to input her information when a wave of dizziness hit her. The room spun around her, and she had to grab something to steady herself." As her vision swam, a line from the books she'd read yesterday came back to her: Intermittent dizziness is one of the key symptoms before mental power awakens. Chapter 3 Two Guardians The thought of mental power awakening flashed through Nyx's mind but was quickly forgotten. "Ms. Voss, your personal information has been uploaded to the system. From today, you're officially a citizen of this empire. Whenever you need to verify your identity, just scan your iris," the clerk explained. Nyx accepted the bracelet-like device, called Intelligent Brain, and tapped it to check her profile. Her name, gender, age, height, weight, health score, and other information were all neatly displayed. But then she noticed the section for her spouse's information. It said "None", and right next to it was a spouse applications counter, which was ticking up fast. Nyx furrowed her brows and thought, 'Is this thing broken? How could there be so many people applying to be my spouse?' "What's with this number?" she asked, pointing at the screen. The clerk said with a calm, almost rehearsed tone, "Since you don't have a spouse, your profile is automatically set to accept applications from eligible unmarried males. "You can choose one main consort and any secondary consorts you like. You'll be their matron, and they'll serve as your protectors, providing for your every need—housing, food, safety—everything. Their lives will be devoted to you." Nyx's face instantly turned awkward, and she asked, "Is this... mandatory?" The clerk sensed her displeasure and bowed in apology while explaining, "Not at all. The empire would never force a female to marry, I assure you. But for your safety, unmarried females are required to have at least three guardians." Apparently, most females ended up marrying their guardians anyway, but as long as it wasn't a forced arrangement, Nyx could accept it. She wasn't in any hurry to think about marriage now. Her recent experiences had left her with a pretty big mental block on the subject. Nyx glanced at Theon and Zayne, the two who had been by her side through everything so far. She bit her lip, hesitating. She barely knew anyone in this world, and she couldn't help but feel attached to them. Zayne, understanding her unspoken thoughts, stepped forward and said, "Ms. Voss, if you allow it, I'd be honored to be one of your guardians." Theon followed immediately and said in a sincere tone, "I'd like to be your guardian as well." Nyx nodded again and again but said no words. Seeing the scene, Zayne showed a gentle smile. It was a rare sight that softened his usually sharp and serious features. His calm, almost frosty demeanor melted away, and his smile was like the first warm breeze after winter. He took Nyx's hand and bowed slightly to press a light kiss to Nyx's fingertips. Theon did the same, gently kissing her other hand with a reverence that made her blush. "Does this mean we're... family now?" Nyx asked with a shy expression and mustered her courage. "Can you both stop being so formal with me? Just relax a bit." All the words like "Ms. Voss" and "honored" they said to her made her feel embarrassed. Overhearing those words, other males nearby exchanged envious glances and thought, 'How sweet this female is. These two guys really hit the jackpot.' Once the registration was finalized, the clerk reminded Nyx, "You have one month to find a third guardian. If you don't register someone by then, the system will automatically assign one for you." Nyx figured she had plenty of time, so she didn't stress about it. After that, the three of them left for Jade Garden, one of the most renowned fine-dining restaurants on Central Planet, to have lunch. In this age, culinary art had taken a backseat. Most people preferred nutrient drinks over actual food. Nyx had already experienced one forgettable meal on the spaceship—a dinner so awful that she barely managed to choke it down. Thus, she chose to have a nutrient drink for breakfast today, a peach-flavored one. It tasted sweet, though there was a weird aftertaste that reminded her it wasn't real fruit. Still, it was better than last night's disaster. She originally thought the food in the military cafeteria was terrible and had hoped for something better in the restaurant. However, when she arrived at Jade Garden, reality hit her hard that this planet had no good food at all. She swallowed a bite of a dry, flavorless steak and blinked back tears of disappointment. Compared to the military food, the only difference was the price. The food in the restaurant was ridiculously expensive and still just as bad. She'd been shocked at the menu prices when they ordered, but now that the food was in front of her, she felt outright scammed. Both Theon and Zayne, watching her closely, instantly picked up on her dissatisfaction. Theon leaned in and said in a low voice, "If you don't like it, pass it to me. Want to try something else? Or maybe we can find another place." Zayne poured her a glass of grape juice and slid it over with quiet patience, waiting for her to give the word. Nyx took the drink and flashed a sweet smile as she glanced at Zayne. Then, after a moment's thought, she leaned closer to Theon, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I don't want meat anymore. I'd like some vegetables." She had no idea how utterly adorable she was to those males when she whispered like this. Many prying eyes were fixed on her from every corner of the restaurant. Ever since she entered the restaurant, countless males had been attracted by Nyx's pretty face and had gotten excited. Theon felt her warm breath brush against his ear, and his sharp senses nearly short-circuited. The battle-hardened young general suddenly found his ears burning red, and heat spread all the way to his face. He stood stiffly, ordered several vegetable dishes, and returned to his seat. His movement earned himself a light "thanks" from Nyx. Nyx discreetly slid the rest of her dry, tasteless steak onto Theon and Zayne's plates. In exchange, she made them an earnest promise. "I'll cook for you guys someday." Every male in the restaurant who'd been sneaking glances at her looked ready to explode with jealousy. A nearby live-streamer, known for reviewing high-end restaurants, happened to capture the moment on camera. Suddenly, their small audience began skyrocketing in numbers—not for the food, but for the stunning female on-screen. [Hey, man! Zoom in, will ya?!] [Who is she? Geeze, she's adorable. And she said thanks! To a male!] [Wait, wait, wait... She promised to cook for them? I'm dying. How can they be so lucky?] [She's so sweet. Honestly, the kitchen's too dangerous for a female like her. Let the males handle it. We all learned cooking as a mandatory course!] [Yeah, she even smiles at them. My matron hasn't smiled at me in ages, let alone cooked or mentally soothed me.] [At least your matron doesn't whip you with a belt whenever she's annoyed.] [You guys shut up. I don't even have a matron.] [No female has ever talked to me, aside from my mom.] [Oh, poor me...] What started as admiration for Nyx quickly spiraled into a pity party in the chat. ["You're all missing the point! Look at the males she's with. That's Theon Lane! He's a general at such a young age. And another guy is the talented physician, Zayne Larsen. He was already very popular when he was at Imperial Military Academy.] [Theon always keeps a low key, but I heard his uncle's none other than Felix Lane. Their beast forms are both the lion.] [No freaking way. Felix Lane, the War God Marshal? I'm a big fan of him!] [Well, he indeed has an amazing background...] [Theon's not the only big deal. Zayne's an absolute genius. He owned several patents at the Imperial Military Academy. He's the guy who helped design the most widely-used medical pods today.] Zayne didn't have a good background like Theon, yet he still won a large group of fans due to his own ability. [Don't forget Zayne was already famous as a self-taught apothecary before he even got into the academy. A female once tried to pursue him, right? Could it be this female?] [No, that was Astraea Lynn.] Many females, enjoying living in the spotlight, would post something on social media to attract males's attention. Astraea was one of those females, and she had gained a pretty big fan base. [Astraea? Oh my! I think she's at Jade Garden right now too!] Nyx was quietly sipping her grape juice when she noticed a female, dressed far too extravagantly for the setting, stomping toward their table. Her face was twisted in fury. "ZAYNE! Good for you! Hiding out as a military physician in the middle of nowhere to avoid me, huh? And now you became someone else's spouse! Is this your way of humiliating me?" the female snapped. Without waiting for a response, she raised her hand, clearly ready to slap Zayne. Nyx immediately stepped in front of Zayne and caught Astraea's wrist. With a quick twist, Nyx pinned Astraea's arm behind her back, holding her firmly in place. The livestream erupted with more discussions! Chapter 4 Male Deserve Dignity [I take my comment back. This is the strongest female I've ever seen!] [She's so cute, but damn, she's fierce!] The males in the restaurant stayed frozen in place, unsure of what to do. Astraea, meanwhile, yelped in pain when Nyx gripped her wrist. Nyx released her, but Astraea wasn't done yet. She glared at Nyx and tried to kick her. Nyx dodged effortlessly. Astraea's foot swung through empty air, throwing her off balance, and she tumbled forward in a very ungraceful heap. By now, the livestream's viewership had skyrocketed, far surpassing the usual numbers for top streamers. The streamer, torn between fear and greed, kept filming despite the chaos. More viewers were drawn in by the commotion. What they saw completely surprised them. [Am I hallucinating, or are two females really fighting?!] [That's not a fight. It's called self-defense.] [But wasn't Astraea trying to hit Zayne first?] Zayne was a male, and in this society, males were at the bottom of the food chain. If a female hit a male, he had to take it. If he dared fight back, he'd be slapped with assault charges and spend at least ten years in prison. Astraea, furious after her double humiliation, finally remembered she wasn't alone. She turned to her companions and shouted, "You're just gonna sit there and watch me get bullied?!" They were two secondary consorts Astraea had just taken, a pair of brothers. The two of them seemed awkward now and hesitated. As Astraea's consorts, they were supposed to defend her, to fight for her honor. But the person standing opposite Astraea was another female, a more petite and delicate female who radiated an air of vulnerability. Even if they were willing to risk the consequences of hitting a female, they couldn't bring themselves to raise a hand against Nyx. She looked too fragile, like she might break if they even tried. Seeing their hesitation, Astraea took a shaky breath and burst into tears. Nyx blinked, caught completely off guard. Honestly, this was the easiest fight she'd ever been in. She'd never seen someone so high-maintenance, so full of temper, and yet so utterly harmless. After a moment's hesitation, Nyx pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and handed it over to Astraea. It was one she'd sewn herself with a little sunflower embroidered in the corner. Astraea snatched it without a word and wiped her face, glaring at Nyx between sniffles. Her pride was in shreds. Through her tears, Astraea's voice trembled with indignation. "Unbelievable! You hit me for a male?!" To Astraea, this was absurd. Females were meant to be above everything. Males, no matter their rank or status, were beneath them. And yet, that strange female sided with a male and humiliated her. Nyx raised a finger, her voice steady and firm. "First of all, I didn't hit you. I just stopped you from hitting him. "Second, everyone deserves dignity, and it has nothing to do with their gender. You feel humiliated because I stopped you, but how do you think Zayne would've felt if you slapped him in front of all these people? Does he not deserve respect? "And third..." Nyx's gaze turned sharp. "To me, you're just a stranger. But Zayne is my family. If you try to hurt him in front of me, of course I'm going to protect him." Astraea froze, staring at Nyx. This small, delicate female had spoken with a confidence and presence that left her completely stunned. The livestream chat went wild, and the viewers went crazy. [WHO IS SHE?! I need her name!"] [She's amazing! I'm obsessed!!!] ["Of course I'm going to protect him." Someone put that on repeat for me, please!] [She says males deserve respect. I'm so moved.] [I want her to call me family. I want her to protect me too.] [By the Beast God above, I swear I'll follow her in my lifetime. No other female will ever compare to her.] The livestream chat was exploding with comments. Viewers practically wanted to crawl through their screens to confess their love to this incredible female. Meanwhile, Theon got a message from a friend. Only then did he know the livestream had a massive audience. "His sharp eyes scanned the crowd and locked onto the streamer. He immediately gave that guy a cold, warning glare. Theon exchanged a quick glance with Zayne, and they both made the decision to get Nyx out of here." As they escorted her away, Astraea was now back with her consorts. She clutched the handkerchief tightly, staring at Nyx's retreating figure. For once, she didn't throw another tantrum. Inside the spacecraft, Zayne took the seat to Nyx's left. His gaze lingered on her profile, unable to look away. The image of her standing in front of him, shielding him, and those words she said to defend him replayed in his mind on an endless loop. His heart pounded relentlessly, like a drumbeat that refused to pause. Nyx could feel the weight of his stare, but she pretended not to notice. By nature, she was introverted, and now that the adrenaline had worn off, embarrassment started to creep in. At the restaurant, she acted on impulse, letting her emotions take over. But now, sitting quietly in the spacecraft, all she could think about was how over-the-top she must have looked. Her toes curled in her shoes as the awkwardness consumed her. After a few minutes of this unbearable tension, she finally couldn't hold back. She turned to Zayne and blurted, "Why are you staring at me like that?" Zayne was silent for a moment. Then, instead of answering, he said something completely unexpected, "I'm an orphan. I grew up on H973—a Desolate Planet." After he struggled to leave that planet, he had never talked about his past with anyone. Nyx was the very first person to make him open his heart. Zayne continued, "Desolate Planet is a place where resources have dried up. Most people leave if they can, but those who stay behind only face chaos. Crime, violence, and death are everywhere. There's no future, no hope." Nyx tried to picture it. It was probably like some of Earth's most dangerous regions, where even tourists risked losing their organs if they weren't careful. "That's incredible," she said, her voice full of genuine admiration. "You made it out of a place like that and became so excellent." Coming from a tough background herself, Nyx understood how much intelligence, determination, and sheer grit it took to claw one's way out of that kind of life. Hearing her compliment, Zayne smiled. It wasn't his usual polite, distant smile. This was different—warmer and softer. His gold-rimmed glasses, normally a shield that kept others from seeing the real him, couldn't hide the emotion in his eyes. It was like winter thawing into spring. For years, Zayne had carried the weight of his past alone. He'd fought tooth and nail to rise above it, enduring countless hardships and sneers from people who looked down on his origins. He had seen the ugliest sides of humanity, yet he never let it break him. Even though he treated females with the respect society demanded, deep down, he refused to submit to someone like Astraea. He wouldn't let himself be trampled on or used as a pawn in some petty power game. That was why he rejected Astraea and sought refuge in the military, choosing solitude over a life he couldn't respect. At first, his feelings toward Nyx were simple: he liked her and wanted to protect her. Agreeing to be her guardian hadn't been about romance or long-term plans. But now, things were changing. For the first time, Zayne found himself wanting more. He wanted to stay by Nyx's side forever. Nyx, meanwhile, was growing increasingly nervous under his intense gaze. She thought, 'He's not about to confess his feelings, is he?' Chapter 5 Popular Nyx Nyx and Zayne locked eyes, and the air between them instantly grew more ambiguous. It was clearly heading toward a confession. Nyx couldn't help but hold her breath. She had to admit that Zayne was incredibly, ridiculously handsome, with a top-tier job and a gentle personality. Over the time they'd spent together, she couldn't find a single flaw in him. But even if Zayne was the most perfect, tragic, and beautiful guy in the galaxy, she wasn't going to accept his confession. But she thought she might have misunderstood him. 'Okay, maybe I'm overthinking this. I'm definitely overthinking it.' Nyx mentally smacked herself. She was never this vain. Just then, Theon's Intelligent Brain chimed with an incoming message. That awkward atmosphere vanished instantly. All three pairs of eyes fell on Theon's Intelligent Brain. Theon frowned, glanced at the caller ID, pressed his lips together, and then declined the call without hesitation. Nyx let out a quiet sigh of relief, though she couldn't help but notice the pained look on Theon's face. He seemed a bit uneasy, like that unanswered call was weighing on him. She was concerned but didn't want to pry, especially since he wasn't saying anything about it. Taking advantage of the brief distraction, Zayne reached over and gently ruffled her hair, offering her a comforting smile. They soon arrived at their destination. Seeing Nyx distracted as she looked around the villa, Zayne casually asked Theon, "Was that Marshal Lane's call? Was it about Nyx?" Theon gave a curt nod but clearly wasn't in the mood to discuss it further. He quickly caught up to Nyx and guided her to her room. This villa had been purchased during Theon's teenage years when he was still at Imperial Military Academy. Since graduating and officially joining the military, no one had lived here. Before leaving the base for Central Planet yesterday, he had made sure to have the place cleaned and, for some reason, went ahead and bought a bunch of furniture and decor that he thought females would like. At that time, Nyx and he were still strangers who barely had exchanged a few words. He hadn't even become her guardian yet. It was all one-sided feelings. Theon, lying awake at night, fantasized about a future he hadn't yet had the courage to pursue. The youngest Major General of the empire, Theon Lane, was known for his ruthless prowess on the battlefield. But deep down, he was a completely hopeless romantic who had believed since childhood that true love was waiting for him someday. This was a secret he kept close to his chest, only his family knowing. Even if anyone else heard of that, they would think it was a laughable rumor. Theon flushed slightly as he showed Nyx the room with the best sunlight in the villa. The entire room was comfortable, easily three times the size of the temporary room on the spaceship. There was a walk-in closet, a bathroom, a small study—everything a person would need to live comfortably. While it wasn't overly decorated, all the essentials were there. The rest could be added gradually, depending on Nyx's preferences once she moved in. What Theon didn't admit to Nyx was that, when he first bought the villa, this room was the one that caught his eye. He had already decided back then that it would be for his future matron. And, of course, he intended to live next door. If he could ever get his matron's permission to spend the night in her room, that would be his ideal life. Nervously, Theon asked, "Do you like this room?" Nyx's eyes lit up, and she gave a joyful nod, which made Theon's heart swell with happiness. "If you like it, I'll transfer ownership of this villa to you," he added, a bit bashful but sincere. On this planet, it would be an honor for a male to give his home to the female he cared about. Nyx's jaw dropped, and she immediately shook her head. She thought to herself, 'Who just gives away a house like that? Is this some kind of weird culture, or does Theon just love being a sucker?' She couldn't help but feel a little suspicious. Things that seemed too good to be true usually were. Seeing Theon's slightly deflated look, she quickly tried to explain herself. It wasn't that she didn't like the room—it was just way too extravagant. She couldn't accept such a valuable gift. Although Theon looked a little disappointed, he respected her decision, silently vowing that one day, he'd make sure Nyx would accept his gift. The room still felt a little bare. Nyx pulled out her Intelligent Brain, deciding to browse the shopping platform for some things to spruce up the space. She remembered the clerk telling her that the empire provided a monthly allowance for each female, a hefty 10,000 StarCoins. Her allowance for this month had already been deposited when she registered as n citizen. As Nyx marveled at her effortless income of 10,000 StarCoins a month, she glanced at her personal account displayed on her Intelligent Brain. She stared at the numbers and counted for a few seconds, feeling completely confused. Nyx couldn't wrap her head around it. How the heck did she have so many followers on an account that didn't even have a single post? And the numbers were just climbing by the minute. What she didn't know was that the whole scene at Jade Garden restaurant had been live-streamed, drawing billions of viewers in real time. After the stream ended, word spread like wildfire, and even more people watched the replay. A huge chunk of those viewers, mostly males, had fallen head over heels for Nyx, and they soon became her most dedicated fans and suitors. Nyx even found her name trending on the social media. She nervously clicked on the hashtag and was immediately hit with a flood of praise—so much that she had to squint, feeling totally overwhelmed. She couldn't help but think that even top celebrities on Earth probably didn't have this kind of fan base and attention. It was crazy. She was getting tips from fans, and her account was now raking in an astronomical amount of StarCoins. But there were a few nasty comments creeping in here and there. In this era, everyone's personal information was out in the open, so it was easy for others to find her personal info based on a single live stream. Some questioned her lack of mental power, saying that Theon and Zayne weren't actually her spouses but just her temporary guardians. [Everyone knows that the only kind of males who choose a female with no mental power as a partner are the weak, herbivore-type beastmen. [They have a lower risk of bestialization, so they don't rely as much on the female's mental calming. As for General Lane and Dr. Larsen, if I'm not mistaken, both of them are carnivorous males, right?] [I think Nyx is trying to latch onto the big shots. How scheming.] [Big brain, no mental power? Doesn't make a difference.] Nyx clicked on those posts, and sure enough, they were all getting dragged with hundreds of thousands of replies tearing them apart. [Shut up! People with hearts see things clearly, but you guys only know how to spread dirt behind your screens. Come fight me, if you've got the guts. Address: xxxxxxx...] [So what even if she has no mental power? It doesn't change the fact that she's a rare gem, worthy of being loved by anyone.] [My beast form is the crocodile, a totally carnivore type. My annual salary's in the millions, and I'm willing to risk bestialization. I don't want any other females, just her!] [Crocodile? Please, I'm a leopard. Got a fortune, graduated from Imperial Business University, now running my own company. I'm financially free. I've already submitted my application to Nyx!] [If Theon and Zayne are too clueless to see how good she is, they can just get the hell out of the way. A billion males are waiting in line for their chance!] *** In the next room, Theon was on a video call. The guy on the other side of the screen was a more mature-looking beastman, a little older than Theon. They looked strikingly similar, except his hair was black instead of gold, and his eyes were sharp and piercing. This was Theon's uncle—Felix Lane, the marshal. It was Felix's call that Theon had rejected earlier. "Theon, you know exactly what I'm about to say," said Felix in a serious tone. Theon stayed silent. "You're not a rebellious teenager anymore. Stop doing impulsive things." Felix's gaze hardened as he looked at his nephew through the screen. "You know, the last physical check-up shows your Loss of Control Index was already at 74." Felix flicked through the report in his hand and showed it to Theon. Felix continued, "Once it hits 80, you'll start shifting uncontrollably into beast form, and when you do, you won't even have any sense of reason left. You'll be a wild beast. "Once it reaches 90, not only will you shift into beast form intermittently, but you'll go full-on crazy and attack everyone around you. "And once you hit 100, you're done. You'll be a mad beast for the rest of your life, never returning to human form. And no one will be able to save you." Felix tossed the report aside and leaned closer to the screen, his voice low and intense. "You need mental calming. You absolutely cannot have Nyx as your spouse. She has no mental power." Chapter 6 Second Awakening Theon opened his mouth to argue but barely managed to say a no when a noise from the next room cut him off, followed by Zayne's frantic voice. He instantly jumped up and hurried over. "What's going on?" The moment he stepped in, he saw Nyx curled up in bed, eyes shut, while Zayne was digging through their medical supplies to carefully run some checkups on her. "Nykie took a fall. She said she suddenly felt really dizzy," Zayne explained, his tone full of concern. Theon didn't have the energy to wonder when Zayne had gotten close enough to start calling her "Nykie". "Why is she suddenly feeling dizzy again?" Theon asked, his brow furrowed. Before Zayne could answer, Felix's voice came through loud and clear. "Intermittent dizziness is a classic symptom before a female's mental power awakens. Could she be about to go through a second awakening?" Even though it was a rare occurrence—one in a few hundred years—there had been cases in history where a female's mental power failed to awaken at 18, only to later experience a second awakening. Zayne raised his eyebrows at Theon. Only then did Theon realize he'd forgotten to end the video call. Without thinking, he just hung up. Seeing that, Zayne shook his head and asked, "Marshal Lane gave you trouble again?" Zayne had known Theon for many years, yet he never understood why Theon and his uncle always came into conflicts despite their close relationship. Theon shot Zayne a cold look and explained, "He's trying to break up me and Nyx." Zayne nodded and replied, "Nykie doesn't have mental power, and with your high Loss of Control Index, it's no wonder they pulled you from the front lines. Felix is just worried about you." When a male's emotions ran high, their Loss of Control Index would go through the roof. On the battlefield, with all the stress and constant violence, military men were among the most prone to losing control. They were just not suited for pairing up with females who lacked mental power. Theon said nothing but just stayed quiet. Zayne didn't want to dig deeper into sensitive topics, so he focused back to analyze the data carefully. When Nyx fell asleep, they left her room. Zayne told Theon, "Your uncle is right. Nykie is very likely experiencing the second awakening. She even has shown some mental power fluctuation. Her intermittent dizziness has something to do with this." By the time Nyx woke up, it was already evening. Seeing the two males waiting outside her door, she felt a little embarrassed. "Did I scare you guys?" she asked, a bit sheepishly. "I just have low blood sugar sometimes. It's nothing serious." Zayne chuckled and said, "It's indeed nothing serious, but it's not just low blood sugar. You might be on the verge of a second awakening." It was actually great news. All the females wished they could have mental power, and a higher mental power level meant higher social status and more respect. Thus, they could have stronger males as their spouses and lead a better life. The two of them had already planned how to celebrate it, expecting Nyx to be over the moon about the news. But when she heard it, her expression was anything but thrilled. She looked almost awkward. Nyx had no idea how Zayne had come to the conclusion that she was about to awaken. She thought he must have misdiagnosed her. After all, she was a human, and humans couldn't get mental power. But seeing the two of them so happy about it, Nyx didn't have the heart to correct them. She just hoped they wouldn't be too disappointed later. Zayne adjusted his glasses and gave her a reassuring smile. "From now on, you need to eat regularly, okay? And make sure to get plenty of nutrients. Regular supplements won't cut it for you. I've already ordered a batch of special ones, custom-made for your needs." Thinking about how Nyx seemed to have an unusually strong craving for good food, Theon nodded. He remembered that this was a trait common to all females—they couldn't stand bland, tasteless nutrient packs and preferred real, natural food. It was just perfect. In his younger days, Theon had aced cooking classes and was something of a culinary whiz. Theon glanced over at Nyx with a playful smile tugging at his lips. "If you're not into nutrient packs, what do you like to eat? I can whip something up for you." Zayne felt a sense of crisis upon hearing that. He had been so focused on the nutritional balance of her meals that he completely forgot about what females actually wanted to eat. On top of that, his whole celibacy theory meant he'd barely scraped through cooking classes back in the day, so his cooling skills weren't anywhere near Theon's level. Zayne had never thought of this day to come. He swore to himself that he needed to get some serious practice in cooking. Nyx chimed in, "Ah, well, actually, those nutrient drinks aren't that bad..." She was already disappointed in the food on this planet, and she thought she could just live on nutrient drinks. But then a thought popped into her head, and she brightened up. "Wait, how about I make dinner instead? As a thank-you for taking care of me these past couple of days." Theon and Zayne froze, exchanging a confused look and thinking, 'Is she serious? A female doing the cooking for males? If the Female Protection Association gets wind of this, we'll probably get dragged to court.' But Nyx was already ahead of them, rummaging through the kitchen. She found potatoes, asparagus, tomatoes, and a bunch of other things she didn't recognize at all—definitely not stuff she could find on Earth. The meat was about the same as what she saw back home, though she couldn't tell what kind of animal it came from. It was already cut into neat pieces, though, so she picked out some ribs and a chunk of what looked like beef brisket. To her surprise, the spices and condiments were decently stocked. But then, the real issue hit. She had no clue how to use the kitchen gadgets. Theon saw an opening and suggested, "How about I handle the cooking, and you just tell me what to do?" He thought this whole thing was a joke. He didn't believe a female could cook, especially one who couldn't even remember her past. Still, he went along with it. If it made her happy, he was down for whatever nonsense she wanted to pull. And even if they ended up with a disaster, he'd probably just smile and eat whatever she served. After all, he was tough enough to survive anything. Nyx then instructed, "Okay, first, cut the ribs into pieces and wash them. Then, put them in cold water with some ginger and scallions. If we don't have cooking wine, just use any other alcohol, and blanch them." Theon had no idea what "blanch" meant but did exactly as told. Zayne, not wanting to sit idly by, jumped in to help. He followed Nyx's orders to chop up the ingredients into the right shapes. Next, Nyx had Theon put the ribs in the oven and add in the seasonings like garlic and pepper. The kitchen soon filled with the mouthwatering smell of grilled braised pork ribs. Meanwhile, Nyx was busy guiding them through a second dish—tomato and beef brisket stew. Both dishes would take a good while to cook on Earth. But with their advanced devices, everything was done in a few minutes, and the result was just as tender and flavorful as the slow-cooked dishes. When it came time for the last dish, Zayne insisted on making the fried asparagus himself. However, his over-the-top precision caused some friction. He spent way too much time debating how much "a pinch" or "a little bit" of seasoning meant. Nyx was ready to lose it, and Zayne, realizing his mistake, scrambled to apologize. Luckily, the dish turned out fine in the end. They all sat down to eat. They had three dishes and something dry as bread. After two days of suffering through the bland, tasteless food on the planet, the smell of these homey dishes hit Nyx like a wave, and for a second, she felt like she was back on Earth. But then, she shook it off. There was nothing left on Earth worth clinging to. With a small, contented smile, she sighed inwardly, letting go of old attachments. On their planet, there was a custom: females would eat first, and males usually served the females. If the female was in a good mood, she might give them the leftovers. When Nyx first heard about this, she thought it was some weird roleplay scenario. But she wasn't about to feed them her leftovers. After sampling each dish, she waved them over and said, "Come on, join me. Let's eat together." She sneaked a glance at their faces, half-worried the food wouldn't be to their taste. She knew the flavors were probably too "Earthy" for their alien palates. Chapter 7 Theon's Bestialization Theon and Zayne were both touched, but they still stuck to the rules. However, Nyx insisted they join her for the meal, and after a brief exchange of glances, they gave in and sat down, eating with a little more restraint than usual. The ingredients on the planet were from specialized Resource Planets. Those planets were free of industrial pollution, where food was naturally grown. These ingredients were not only healthier than anything Nyx had eaten back on Earth, but the flavors were way better. The potatoes were savory, the tomatoes were juicy, and the asparagus was crisp with a refreshing aroma. The ribs had been grilled until their surface was crispy. Wrapping itself around the rich potato, the meat tasted even more indulgent. The beef brisket practically melted in their mouths, soaking up all the tomato goodness, leaving them craving more. Both males were completely stunned by the "home-cooked" meal Nyx had described. They'd expected the dishes to be decent, but not this astonishing! Growing up on nutrient drinks, with the occasional visit to high-end restaurants, they thought they knew what "good food" tasted like. But after trying this, they realized just how badly they'd been wasting ingredients all along. Sitting in front of Nyx, the two of them were doing their best to maintain some level of decorum, but their focus was entirely on the food. For Nyx, having someone to share the meal with made her appetite a bit better than usual, though she still ate less than most would. She finished first, excused herself, and got up from the table. The moment her footsteps left, the atmosphere shifted. Theon wasted no time to grab the last three pieces of ribs off the plate and add another piece of potato to his own plate. Zayne quickly scooped up the last of the tomato beef stew, leaving only a sad little pool of broth and two lonely chunks of beef, along with some shredded tomatoes. It wasn't that the fried asparagus wasn't good—it just wasn't their thing. Both of them were carnivores type at heart, and even though they were in human form, their dietary preferences still leaned heavily toward meat. Still, they didn't completely ignore the veggies. They divided the asparagus evenly between them and polished it off. Once the plates were cleared, Theon arranged his portion artfully, snapped a few pictures with his Intelligent Brain, and sent them off to Felix. Theon: [Nyx cooked. They are amazing.] Felix was stunned when the message came through. His rebellious nephew, who barely ever bothered to contact him, had not only rejected his calls twice today but was now sending him a message out of the blue. Felix clicked open the message, and as he had expected, it was about Nyx. 'A female cooking?' Felix's mind went into overdrive. 'Is Theon crazy? How could he let a female cook? What if she poisoned him?' But then he saw the pictures, and his eyes widened. The Intelligent Brain didn't just send the image itself—it also captured the smell and transferred it as data. Basically, pictures now came with a full-on sensory experience. In simple terms, pictures in this era could carry the smell together when they were delivered to the other party. As Felix stared at the pictures, the rich, tantalizing scent of the food hit him hard. His stomach betrayed him and started growling loudly in response. He cursed under his breath, embarrassed. Felix made another video call to Theon. This time, Theon answered soon, clearly too relaxed to care. He was lounging back on his bed like a content lion after a good meal, his posture anything but the rigid, commanding general he usually was. Seeing his relaxed state, Felix said with a chuckle, "Good for you, Theon. Letting a female cook for you? Are you trying to get thrown in jail?" Theon replied, "Nykie instructed me, and I just did the cooking. Don't worry, I'm not going to jail." He sounded like a kid bragging about a new toy with a grin on his face. "We're thinking about doing this for all our meals from now on. She says she'll teach me more recipes." "From now on?" Felix's smile faded, and his expression grew serious. He stared at Theon for a long while before finally speaking, "You don't have a future with her. "Nyx is a great female, the kind every male dreams of having as a partner. I get why you're so obsessed with her. Young guys like you always fall headfirst into love and want to drown in it. "But Theon, your Loss of Control Index is currently at 74, not even 64. If it were that, maybe I'd buy into your little fairy tale. Maybe I'd say, fine, just stick to desk work, stay off the battlefield, and keep your emotions in check." Felix's gaze was steady as he went on. "But 74? That's way too high. You can't hold it together for long. Are you just gonna waste your life and your efforts before?" "Nyx might like you," Felix admitted, his voice softening. "You're the youngest major general in the empire, and I've got your back. You've got a brilliant future ahead of you. "But she's not going to like a lion that can never turn back into a man. And the lion may lose its mind and doesn't even recognize her. Worse still, the lion may attack her like a stranger." Theon's expression turned gloomy, his fists clenching at his sides. He retorted, "Nyx will undergo a second awakening. She will have mental power." Felix sighed, the weight of the conversation hanging in the air. "You're an S-level male. An A-level female's mental power won't be enough to calm you down. Less than 2% of females even reach A-level mental power. Do you really think she can do it?" Theon fell silent, the truth settling like a cold stone in his chest. Felix added, "A-level females don't have trouble finding partners. And even if they can comfort a male, they're only allowed a few. There are always more males than available females. Time's running out for you, Theon." Felix's voice shifted slightly, the usual forcefulness replaced by something more vulnerable. "Theon, we're family. You're all I have." The Lane family had always been small in number. As if they were cursed by something, the Lanes died on the battlefield, from illness, from accidents, and most of all, died from bestialization. And now, Theon was facing the same fate. Felix's voice was final as he delivered his last command. "You can be reckless in everything else, but not this. I've got a list of available A-level females with partner slots open. Take a look and find one you like. Go after her immediately. Don't waste another second." The communication ended on a sour note, as the two men hung up, each feeling the sting of the disagreement. Theon shut his eyes, his mind a whirl of chaos. He thought of the soldiers he'd seen succumb to bestialization on the battlefield—those who lost all reason, who couldn't tell friend from foe, and who attacked without mercy. The image of them, mindless and savage, haunted him. He couldn't help but fear that one day, he'd become a beast, with no dignity, no humanity left to hold onto. He needed mental calm. But the awakening rate for A-level mental power was so low, and the chances of Nyx being the one to help him were almost nonexistent. Theon knew Felix made a point, but he just couldn't accept it. Theon's mind raced, frustration and unease tightening in his chest. His breathing became shallow, and his eyes were bloodshot with growing panic. His Loss of Control Index continued to climb. The moment it reached 80, the alarm sounded. A shrill warning beeped from his Intelligent Brain, and it notified his emergency contact, Felix, in an instant. In the blink of an eye, Theon's form changed, and the man was gone. Where he had stood, a massive lion now prowled, his clothes torn and his senses wild. With a roar, he smashed through the window and leaped from the second floor, bounding into the night. Zayne heard the alarm and rushed over, but he was already too late. He picked up Theon's Intelligent Brain from the floor and quickly made a call to Felix. "Marshal Lane, it's Zayne. Theon has shifted into beast form. He broke the window and ran off. Based on the traces, he's headed southeast. There's no major damage or blood in his room." Bestialization was different from a normal transformation. While some beastmen could shift willingly, retaining their human minds, bestialized ones were closer to true animals, their human reasoning completely gone. A lion in full beast form was devastating, and once it lost control, the destruction was catastrophic. The search for Theon was underway, with law enforcement and other departments mobilizing in full force. Zayne also joined the search team, but before heading out, he took a quick look at Nyx. She was fast asleep, undisturbed by the chaos that had erupted around her. Zayne tiptoed out, leaving her in peace. Later that night, Nyx was in a deep, hazy sleep when she felt something soft and furry brush against her face. 👇👇👇 There are limited chapters to put here, download Literie to continue reading (It will automatically jump to the book)	DOWNLOAD	https://website.literiess.com/share/middle/ytjcedn	Drama fantasy story	https://www.facebook.com/61561478104496/	18	1969-12-31 18:00	Download	website.literiess.com	VIDEO		https://website.literiess.com/share/middle/ytjcednrmumy3azzhdpha22r?campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481660470_1692239631331869_8651767436996058079_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YQ9rlqQgCHgQ7kNvgEwsgIM&_nc_oc=Adgn7ajM_bykBmMIUMUPoF0nZMJ7DWpcvBMu7DZEUMTNxnF57X0CuSf7L7GFRB_WLdeNMD2B8n0EVFa-nUW0CGqh&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AIKCkojLxxzfpu2G4vSCodz&oh=00_AYCbzXZ7mce-B6JUEN19rt67xnuLrJ9pyz6vAbFFzjiyrw&oe=67C9EEB9	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Drama fantasy story	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,729,184	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2729177}'	Yes	2025-03-02 02:54	active	2674	New 2025 Mazda CX-30 2.5 S Preferred Package \| $28,322	VIN:3MVDMBCM0SM783366	LEARN_MORE	https://www.mazdalakeland.com/new-Lakeland-2025-+-	Mazda Lakeland	https://www.facebook.com/MazdaLakeland/	524	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	mazdalakeland.com	CAROUSEL	VIN:3MVDMBCM0SM783366	https://www.mazdalakeland.com/new-Lakeland-2025-+-Mazda+CX+30-25+S+Preferred+AWD-3MVDMBCM0SM783366?alstad_source=car&alstad_vin=3MVDMBCM0SM783366&alstad_year=2025&alstad_make=mazda&alstad_model=cx-30&alstad_condition=new&alst_action=car&alst_action_value=3MVDMBCM0SM783366	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481118634_9648539958529886_2330347332218612764_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=foTihgnbIRgQ7kNvgHEaIzR&_nc_oc=AdgymTxF8eb26bAOOkyNOskxkjOSLRZTvPLLWXDpiHKLlYcH5NLDJnvonkYFE-jM1_y0NJp15n2-ZemVnFKFKZuY&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AWQXkoAzY9-LVzElPxWdKSR&oh=00_AYAogiCrhuopkLFR3ADVgP2pzhNQSki1MMzTNy9PaY3Bbw&oe=67C9DB99	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Mazda Lakeland	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,728,073	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2728072}'	No	2025-03-02 02:54	active	2674	🔞Attention! Do not read in public！👉	"Are... are you sure, Esther?" I ask with a broken voice. My heart races, filled with happiness. "Very sure, Luna. You're carrying a little wolf!" "Why haven't I been able to smell it, or his father?" I ask, worried. "It's very recent, perhaps that's why. Give it a few more days and you should be able to sense the pheromones." She replies, and I nod, my eyes blurred with tears. I am the Luna of the "Autumn Forest" pack. Three years ago, I married the man I love madly, despite not being destined mates, my Alpha Dorian. I've given everything to be the perfect Luna, the pillar he can lean on. However, a shadow looms over my marriage—the topic of an heir. I've never been able to get pregnant, and I admit I don't share the bed with Dorian as often. But I know his duties as Alpha keep him extremely busy and stressed. "Please, don't tell anyone in the pack. I want to surprise my husband." "Don't worry, Luna, I won't say anything. Congratulations!" She smiles at me, and I return the smile, overflowing with excitement and happiness. Despite being a foreigner, not originally belonging to this pack, ever since my parents died and the previous Alpha took me in, I've never felt rejected or looked down upon. That's why I've devoted myself fully to my duties as Luna. I'm grateful for my life and the wonderful man I'm married to. *** "What's with all this food? Is there going to be a party?" "Hands off!" I swat away the greedy claws of Sophia, my best friend, who sneaked in through the back kitchen door. "But wow, puff pastry tart and everything!" she says, sitting on a stool. Honestly, I may have gone a bit overboard with the dishes, but I'm so happy I want everything to be perfect. All my Alpha's favorite foods are ready! "Well, today is Dorian's and my anniversary. I want to celebrate with an intimate dinner," I say, turning back to the caramel on the stove. I don't hear her respond, so I turn halfway, curious. "What's wrong?" "N-nothing, nothing... I just heard the Alpha had an emergency today. Didn't he tell you?" she asks, and I frown. Actually, Dorian doesn't usually explain much about his work. I guess it's to avoid worrying me. "No, but he'll come back anyway. He knows today is special." I respond, completely convinced. She looks at me strangely. Lately, I can't quite understand her, but she's the first person who approached me in this pack and has always supported me. I value her greatly as a friend. "Sophie, there's something I want to tell you, but... I'll tell you tomorrow. It's very important to me," I say suddenly, wanting to share the good news with her, but not before confessing it to Dorian. "Really? Can't you tell me now?" she asks, gossip-mode activated, leaning over the counter while munching on a homemade cookie. "No, no. Tomorrow. I promise you'll be the second to know," I reply, and I can feel my happiness radiating from every pore. "Fine, I'll leave you with your mystery then. I've got things to do. Happy anniversary," she grumbles, frustrated I didn't spill the secret, and leaves the same way she came. I check the clock. There's still time. I take off my apron and head to the second floor to shower and get dressed nicely. Everything has to be perfect tonight, celebrating with my beloved mate. * I glance at the clock for the thousandth time, sitting on the sofa. It's past midnight, and Dorian hasn't arrived. I look at the cold dishes on the dining table and get up, resigned to reheating them again. I'm in the middle of that task when I hear the front door open and close. His delicious scent tingles my nose, warming my stomach. I glance at my burgundy dress, smoothing it out and fixing my hair in the hallway mirror. My jet-black hair is tied in a high ponytail, and my intensely blue eyes, highlighted with makeup, stare back at me. I step into the foyer, watching my imposing Alpha enter the door. "My love, how was your day? Lots of work, right?" I grab the coat he's holding to hang it up. I see him clutching some documents, but I assume they're pack matters. I move closer to kiss him, but he steps back. "I'm sweaty and dirty from the road. Don't contaminate yourself," he says, his piercing honey eyes staring at me—eyes I adore despite their constant coldness. It's just part of his nature. He carries too many responsibilities after inheriting the role so young when his father died. His blond hair is messily handsome, and for some reason, damp. I can even catch the scent of an unfamiliar shower gel. Why would he shower before coming home? And he said he was dirty, yet it's clear he just bathed. "S-sure, give me a second to reheat dinner. You must be hungry..." "I'm not hungry. Valeria, we need to talk." "But the dinner—" "Forget dinner. Let's go to the living room. I need to tell you something," his authoritative voice makes me tense. I follow him, starting to feel deeply worried. My hand slips into my skirt pocket, clutching the folded document stating I'm having his baby. "Why was the table so full of dishes? Were you planning a party?" he asks, glancing at the dining room. My heart clenches. "Love, I know you've been busy with pack duties. But... don't tell me you forgot our anniversary? Today marks three years since we mated," I say, sitting on the couch. I expect him to sit beside me, but instead, he chooses the armchair opposite. Dorian has never been overly affectionate, but tonight he's too distant. Too cold. An alarm goes off inside me. "Of course, I remembered. You have no idea how long I've been waiting for our third anniversary," he replies, but I don't see a trace of joy in his expression. I know everything will change with my news. Our relationship hasn't been great because of this. The pack elders keep pressuring him for an heir. When I tell him about the baby, he'll be happy. "I'll be quick because I can't stand this any—" "Wait! Wait, Dorian. Let me show you something first, and then you can tell me what you wanted to say," I interrupt him, feeling a strong premonition, I won't like his next words. Lowering my head, I take out the folded paper and hand it to him, my heart racing with emotion. He takes it, reading silently as I watch him, anxious, waiting for his joy to match mine. "I'm pregnant! I'm carrying your pup! We'll have an heir for the pack. I'm sure the Goddess has blessed us with a son!" I can't hold back and blurt it out directly. Tears in my eyes, I rise and move toward him, wanting to embrace him. But as in love as I am, even I can see this isn't the reaction I expected from the father of my child. "Are you sure about this, or is it just a trick to keep me tied to you?" he suddenly says, rising and pushing me away when I try to hug him. "Dorian... Of course, I'm sure. Look, that's the midwife's handwriting. Why would I lie about something so important? My love, what's wrong? What's happening, my Alpha?" "No, no. Damn it!" I watch him pace like a caged wolf around the living room. "This can't be happening. Not now!" "Dorian..." "Did you tell my mother? Anyone else?!" he asks suddenly, approaching me and gripping my shoulders tightly. "N-no, love. I was waiting to tell you first. I thought... you'd be happy. I know they've been pressuring you. Alpha, you don't have to be tense anymore. We'll have our family." I raise a trembling hand to caress his cheek, but he just stares at me with those golden eyes, silent. I can't figure out what's going on in his head. "You're right... I've been very stressed. I'm sorry," he suddenly pulls me into his arms, and I finally sigh, relieved, hugging him back tenderly. For a second, I feared he wasn't happy. "We'll get through this together, my Alpha. I'll be the perfect Luna so no one will judge you," I whisper, lifting my head. I want him to kiss me, to make love to me like we haven't in a long time. "Let's go for a run. A wild, unrestricted anniversary night." He suddenly suggests it, taking my hand and pulling me toward the back of our house, which borders the pack's forest. "Shift into your she-wolf," he commands, and I watch him undressing. He's so charming and strong. His hair glows under the moonlight, and I begin the transformation into my "she-wolf," one of the greatest lies and secrets of my life—something not even Dorian knows. * We run freely across the pack's lands. But I notice how we keep going farther and farther, even crossing the borders, yet I just follow Dorian's massive white wolf racing wildly ahead of me. We reach a remote place, at the edge of a deep cliff, but above us, the moon shines intensely, and the forest landscape stretches far below. "Where is this? We're outside our pack's territory... Aren't we trespassing on someone's land?" I gaze into the distance from the edge, mesmerized by the view, having already shifted back into human form, but no one responds. I feel uneasy and start to turn around. However, something inside me stirs with alarm. A crow caws in the distance—but it's already too late. "Do... Dorian, wha—?! Aaaaaahhh!" I scream as I feel wolf claws tearing into my abdomen, deeply ripping through me. Terrified and shocked by the sudden attack, I try to run. I attempt to shift back into my wolf to escape into the forest, away from whatever is happening, away from this rabid Alpha wolf whose blood-red eyes glare at me with pure hatred—but it's impossible to flee. "Ahhh! Let me go! Dorian, what are you doing?! What are you doing?! Ahhh! Help! Help!" I scream as he jumps on me when I try to escape. C2 THE WORST BETRAYAL VALERIA He bites my thigh viciously and drags me beneath his body, controlling me mercilessly. I try to resist, to call for help, my hands clutching my stomach, trying to protect my pup, but his claws, like deadly weapons, pierce my skin, tearing apart my small, vulnerable body. I have to raise my arms instinctively when his sharp claws aim for my face, and I scream in agony as a deep wound slices across my cheek from my forehead. Leaving my belly exposed, he struck our child. "Nooo, not the pup, please, Dorian, not our son!" Tears poured endlessly from my eyes as I begged him, but his canines tore through my flesh, and his claws dug into the depths of my insides with chilling cruelty, seeking to rip out the life growing inside me. I don’t know how long this agony lasted—I sobbed, pleading as long as I could speak. The pain in my entire body was unbearable, but worse was the pain in my soul, bleeding and shattered. I was discarded on the ground like trash, on the edge of a precipice, my consciousness nearly slipping away from the pain when I saw him shift into his human form. "You thought you could keep me tied to you forever?" he yelled furiously. His eyes were cold and disgusted, a look I had never seen before. "Did you really think I loved you, that I was dying to have a child with you? What a waste!" He kicked me with rage, but I no longer had the strength to even moan in pain. "Three damn years I've been separated from my mate because of you!" he roared, pouring out all the hatred he'd stored up over time. "Why…?" I barely managed to whisper, my face swollen, my tongue heavy, and my throat bleeding from a deep wound. "Because you came to the pack, the miserable orphan, and that old lady said you would give birth to the strongest Alphas, powerful enough to elevate my bloodline." "Pure nonsense from that crazy old hag, but my mother believed her and forced me to give up my mate for you because you were infatuated with me! She gave me three damn years—that was our deal. If you didn’t succeed, I’d be free." "So, today I come, ready to rid myself of an obstacle like you, and you say that you’re carrying my son," he laughed like a psychopath. "I won’t let you do it again, Valeria. You won't ruin my life again. This is the end for you!" He walked toward me, and I saw death staring me in the face. I wanted to say so many things... «I didn't know you already loved someone else. I was just a foolish, infatuated girl, but I never forced you to love me back. How could you deceive me, fake everything all this time? Our child… how could you… how could you do this…?!» I felt so powerless as I lay there, sobbing, bloody, and dying. I wished I could connect with his wolf, scream out this injustice, but I couldn’t—not even that. I didn’t have an inner she-wolf. I could only shift my body and pretend. Some said it was trauma from my adoptive parents’ violent death, where only I survived. Others claimed it was a curse, but I knew that wasn't true. I had never felt the presence of a wolf spirit within me. "Goodbye, dear wife. You don't seem so special after all," he said cynically, and with his foot, he kicked me over the cliff's edge. The last thing I knew was the sensation of falling into the cold void. I looked up at the dark sky as shadows of crows circled above my head, like messengers of death. "I'm so sorry, baby. I couldn't protect you." * "Why aren't her wounds healing properly?" "I can't waste the pack's blood on a stranger. Jake already did too much rescuing her from the rogue woods. She has to heal on her own." "Honestly, I don't even know how this woman is still alive. Poor thing… her body is horribly damaged, especially her belly… and her face." I heard voices talking nearby, hands examining me. An unbearable pain worse than death itself burned through my body, dragging me between consciousness and darkness. I don’t know how much time passed or where I was, but when I opened my eyes, I saw a white ceiling. I looked around and saw a small room, lying on a personal bed. "You're awake?" a female voice spoke suddenly beside me, and I saw an unfamiliar face. I tried to speak, but for some reason, I couldn't—it was as if my vocal cords refused to work. "Don't strain yourself. Stay calm. You… I don't think you can talk right now because of the wound on your neck," she explained with a troubled expression. And then, my foggy mind remembered—everything. The first thing I did was reach for my belly, trying to sit up despite the dizziness and searing pain. "Don't move! Wait, calm down, calm down!" she stopped me and eased me back down, but I needed to know—desperately—I had to know if a miracle had occurred. I looked at her intensely and then at my stomach, wrapped in thick bandages. "Yes… I understand what you're asking, but… I'm sorry… your belly was completely torn. Your womb was destroyed, and your pup… didn't make it. It was impossible to save him. We don't even know how you're still alive." I felt the tears pouring uncontrollably from my eyes. I closed them in pure agony, my soul shattering. My lips trembled, my entire body shook, and ragged sobs escaped my torn throat. Why did this have to happen to me? Why did everything around me have to turn into a nightmare? My baby, my pup was innocent. Why did something so horrible have to happen to him? "Calm down, please! You can't get like this! Aston, I need you here! Bring the sedative! Now, Aston, hurry!" "Aaaahh! Aaaahh!" I heard distorted screams, a cry so raw it could freeze the blood and shatter hearts. A desperate, broken woman wailed—and then I realized… it was me. That wretched woman who had lost everything… was me. * Days have passed. I know a man rescued me from the forest beneath the cliff. I'm staying in a small pack not far from Autumn Forest. With my hands still covered in wounds, I try to splash water on my face, but I can't even bear to touch my skin. I lift my head, and as I do every time that I face a mirror, I have to summon all my courage. My face, once beautiful and envied by many she-wolves, now bears a horrific scar running across my forehead and another deep one on my left cheek. Dorian not only destroyed my child's life, my womb, but he also scarred my face. It should have healed, but I know it won't. I don't possess the rapid healing ability of werewolves. Yes, I heal—but slower, and scars remain. I step outside the small room and hear the healer and the she-wolf who treated me speaking quietly. They're discussing how I've used too many resources and how they may have to ask me to leave soon since packs rarely welcome outsiders so easily. But the she-wolf argues that I’m still in terrible condition. I appreciate her care and empathy, but it won't be necessary to cast me out. I've already decided—I’ll leave tonight on my own. * Hours later, I walk through the dark forest like a lost soul, the damp bandages soaked with reopened wounds, bleeding. I don't care—my legs keep moving in a single direction. Hiding in the bushes, I watch the patrol line carefully. I know exactly how to slip past without being detected—I designed this defense rotation myself for Dorian. Like so many things I did for him and the pack. I slip away into the shadows, as quickly as my battered body allows. The night and darkness are my allies. It's as if they amplify my strange abilities. I hear voices, laughter, and lights in the distance—from the backyard of what had been my home for three long years. I walk as if in slow motion, wearing old sneakers and a worn-out dress that the she-wolf from the hospital gave me. "Ladies and gentlemen, I've gathered you all here today because I could no longer hide my happiness. I’m finally marrying my beloved mate, the woman of my life, my sweet Sophia, your future Luna." I feel like I'm falling into a cavern of ice as I watch them, smiling and kissing in front of those who once called me Luna. It was my "best friend" Sophia and my traitorous Alpha Dorian, celebrating their union while my body should have been rotting beneath that cliff if their plan had worked. Traitorous hypocrite! That woman was even wearing one of my evening dresses, made up with my things, stealing my life without a trace of remorse. She had deceived me all this time, just as I had been blind to everyone in this pack, and worse, to the man who lay beside me every night while thinking of another woman. Even the midwife who told me about my pregnancy was there! Dorian must have promised her something to keep her silent. I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms, my teeth chattering with rage. I waited, waited like the deranged psychopath I had become, watching their entire celebration until the lights went out and everyone left for their homes. * I climbed the stairs to the second floor, walked down the dimly lit hallway, but I could hear them perfectly—making love in the master bedroom. Her feminine moans slipped through the crack of the slightly open door. I saw myself pushing it open gently. The moonlight streamed in through the large window, illuminating that figure riding Dorian, her back facing the entrance. "Alpha, tell me I'm better than her… Mmm… Come on, Dorian, tell me I'm better than that frigid Valeria." "You're the best, baby… don't even compare yourself to that stiff. Do me in her bed, come on… wasn't that what you always wanted?" Their filthy words hit my ears, and it was the final trigger I needed for everything to spiral out of control in an instant. I lunged at them on the bed. C3 THE OWNER OF THE CASTLE VALERIA I hear piercing screams, the sound of shattering glass, a savage roar, an Alpha's growls, struggling, and fighting. Something hot splashes against my face and arms. My claws shred, and my canines teared. I can't stop. I can't. Rage consumes me from the inside, demanding release. I don't know what I'm doing. I'm not conscious of myself. All I know is that when I regain control of my body, the first thing I see is my red hands. I'm kneeling on the floor, everything around me drenched in red, wreckage, and pieces of what once was a powerful Alpha—Dorian. What have I done? What in the name of the Goddess have I done?! I stare at his severed head, lying just a meter away from me. Those honey-colored eyes still stare back at me in frozen terror, and I feel bile rising in my throat. I vomit to the side, unable to hold it back, disgusted by this scene of death and violence. Did I do all this? There's no one else here. I scan the area, not knowing where Sophia went. The only thing I'm sure of is that someone was thrown through the shattered glass window. I stand up on trembling legs, glance down, but all I see is the forest behind the house and bloodstains across the grass. "Don't let her escape! Sophia, stop crying and tell me clearly what happened!" Voices shouted, hurried footsteps ascending the stairs. It was my mother-in-law's voice. I had to get out of here. I had killed the Alpha, and only a painful death awaited me. Desperately, I looked down. It seemed I had thrown that wretch Sophia out the window. I decided to jump out myself, from the second floor. BAM! The door burst open during my hesitation, and my eyes locked with Anaís, my mother-in-law, the former Luna—Dorian's mother. I saw the shock, the pain, and the fury in her eyes as she took in the scene. "You miserable! You killed my son! You murdered my Dorian! Seize her! Restrain her! I'm going to tear her apart with my bare hands!" She screamed, and the warriors behind her charged at me. I jumped without thinking. "Aaagghhh!" I groaned in pain as I crashed onto the grass, rolling over, but I forced my body to shift into my wolf form and ran with all the strength I had left. I fled into the forest as fast as my weakened legs allowed, escaping death. I don't know if it was adrenaline or sheer will to live, but I ran like a madwoman through unfamiliar lands and tangled woods. Days passed that way, where I only stopped to rest when I was on the verge of collapse, drinking water from mountain streams and feeding on prey that somehow appeared dead before me. Yes, yet another strange thing about my life. The few times I dared to close my eyes, every time I woke up, a small dead animal lay in front of my muzzle. I devoured them without knowing if they were poisonous or where they came from—I just needed energy. All I could think about was surviving. One night, I felt them again. I thought they had grown tired of chasing my trail, but that wasn’t the case. The sound of multiple wolves' footsteps echoed not far away. Desperation and exhaustion consumed me—I couldn't keep running forever. I had been skirting the borders of various packs, trying not to get caught, but that wasn't a solution. "She's just ahead! I can smell her! She will pay for this!" I heard a snarl—already so close to my trail. I could practically feel the danger breathing down my neck as I pushed my legs and lungs past their limit. I was done. They were going to catch me after all this effort. Then I lifted my blue eyes and saw them—above me, a flock of crows. Cawing, circling over my wolf form, as if trying to lead me somewhere. And for some reason, I followed them. I followed their sign and ventured deeper into unfamiliar lands—into the forbidden forest where no one dared enter without an invitation. But I had nothing left to lose. If I was going to die, at least let it be quick and without torture. That's how I crossed through the mist, leading me to the Golden Moon pack, the territory guarded by the Guardians—the land ruled by the Lycan King. * I felt like no one was following me anymore. I had no idea how far I had gone into Golden Moon territory, but suddenly, several powerful warriors blocked my path, surrounding me. "Who are you, and why have you trespassed into our pack?" a massive gray wolf asked coldly, approaching me menacingly. The black wolf I shifted into, so small and fragile, would be considered an Omega—the lowest rank in the pack, the weakest, often reduced to servitude. That was why, when I became Luna, I had felt foolishly grateful to Dorian. "I'm only seeking refuge to rest… I’m sorry for entering your forest. Just a few days, please… I only need a few days to recover and leave." I pleaded, praying my pursuers wouldn't dare follow me here. "Where do you come from? Speak! Why did you cross the Forbidden Forest? No one comes here for no reason! Tell the truth, or I'll rip your head off right now!" He growled, shoving me with his shoulder. I let out a low whimper of pain, unable to resist. Before he could take further action or carry out his threats, darkness consumed my vision, and I felt my body collapse unconscious to the ground. Maybe this time, I wouldn't wake up again. * The next time I opened my eyes, I was in a dark, damp cell, wearing tattered clothes barely covering my battered human body. Only the Goddess knows how I'm still alive. It seems she wants me to suffer—slowly and torturously. BAM! The sound of a metal door slamming jolted me. "So, you're finally awake! Take her out!" A massive, bald, intimidating man ordered two guards, who dragged me out. It was that gray wolf. I didn’t even have the strength to walk, let alone resist. They took me to a small room where the questioning began—trying to dominate me with his Alpha presence. But it didn’t work. I had no inner wolf to submit. I spent hours there, sitting on a hard chair, my hands tied behind me with ropes cutting into my skin. No matter how much freezing water they threw at me, how much they shouted or threatened, I kept my story and waited to die. My head hung limply, eyes closed, exhausted. At least they hadn’t beaten me or done worse. I've heard horrible stories about this pack of barbarians. "Fine. Since you refuse to talk, you know what awaits you. I've given you the chance to confess." His dark eyes locked on mine, giving me his final warning, but I had nothing more to say. He drew a dagger, yanked my hair back, exposing my neck, ready to slit my throat. I saw hesitation in his eyes when my black hair fell away, revealing my hideous scars. Maybe I looked pitiful—but he had a job to do. And I was ready for it to end. The dagger lowered, and I resigned myself. But a knock on the door interrupted my death once again, sending my emotions from one extreme to the other. "Now what the hell…? M-Madam… I mean, Housekeeper, what brings you here?" His previously harsh voice turned nearly submissive. Curious, I looked toward the door and saw a short woman with blonde hair tied up neatly, elegant yet stern. "What were you doing here?" Her cold green eyes fixed on mine, and I lowered my head. "She’s an intruder. Pack business—" "You were going to kill her, weren’t you?" she accused. "M-Madam, can we discuss this outside? It's protocol with intruders—" I heard his words stop short as a pair of black boots entered the room, standing right before me. "What's your name, girl?" "Valeria," I whispered weakly. "Look at me when I speak to you!" she ordered, and I lifted my head. She has a superior, imposing aura, and honestly, I think she's more terrifying than the massive brute. "Tell me, Valeria, do you want to live or die? You can survive if you agree to work for me. If not, pretend you never saw me," she offered, leaving me stunned. "W-what kind of work would it be?" "Work for the Guardians, in the castle kitchen or wherever you're needed—as a maid. I offer you shelter and food in exchange, a new chance to live," she said without breaking eye contact. I hesitated, feeling like I was selling my soul to another ruthless ruler. The Guardians were the Lycans, and the worst of them all was their leader, Aldric, the "Specter Slayer," whom all werewolves considered their king, though he didn’t seem to care about the title. "I don't have all day. Are you coming or not?" she pressed. "Housekeeper, this woman is a stranger… how can she enter the castle with the Guardians? We don't know her intentions—" "I don't care why you entered these cursed lands. Your past stays behind if you accept my offer. But if you betray me or plot anything behind my back, slitting your throat will be the least of my punishments," the woman threatened, leaving me with only a second to decide. Live or die. Start anew in a strange place, possibly filled with more humiliation and suffering—or die now and end my miserable existence. "I'll go with you. I accept the job," I finally chose to survive. * The Golden Moon pack was located in a valley, surrounded by dense forest with thick fog, and perched atop a hill in the distance was an imposing ancient stone castle. We traveled there in a carriage, rolling along cobblestone streets. This pack was massive, far more powerful than my former one. I remained silent the entire way, my black hair always hiding the scars on my face, my head bowed, not wanting to draw attention. The enormous ebony doors opened, carved stone walls rising tall and powerful, with strange statues perched on the dark eaves. At last, we arrived at an inner courtyard, and I stepped down from the carriage with some discomfort. I stared at the looming castle, half-shrouded in mist, more nightmarish than inviting. "Come. I'll give you your uniform and show you your room," she ordered, and I followed her inside. The moment we crossed the entrance, we were greeted by a massive hall. A chandelier filled with candles hung in the center, illuminating the spiraling staircases that seemed to stretch endlessly upward. I was distracted for a moment, staring at the glossy black-and-white marble floor, when something seemed to fall from the ceiling. BAM! I stumbled back, startled, barely containing a scream of pure panic as a woman's corpse crashed at my feet. She was headless, and blood still gushed from her severed neck, staining the entire floor—and even my legs. The head rolled down next; lifeless eyes frozen in a horrified expression. I looked up, trembling, and at the top of the stairs, a pair of gray, lupine, savage eyes stared back at me for a few seconds, chilling my blood to the core. C4 TAKING OUT THEIR LOVERS VALERIA His entire demeanor screamed, I'm the damn master of everything here, the absolute ruler. I immediately lowered my head, trembling. It didn’t matter that I lacked an inner she-wolf— the power radiating from that man felt like it could suffocate you, crush your soul, and he wasn't even standing that close to me. He was a Lycan, the superior species of werewolves, the ultimate evolution, and I was almost certain this was the most powerful of them all—Aldric Thorne, the Lycan King. "Sasha, take out the trash and make sure my next personal maid isn’t a scheming one, or she'll lose more than her head," his deep, cold, and intimidating voice echoed, followed by the sound of footsteps retreating. "This is a disaster. That's the fifth one in two months. I don’t know what goes through these girls' heads. I warned them," the housekeeper muttered as she approached, pulling a small vial from the dead woman’s hand. "Another one who tried to please the King thinking she could be different and rise. Brainless. I'll call a servant to take her away. And your first task begins now—clean up this mess." And so, my work in the Lycan King's castle began. The first lesson I learned: never, ever try to mess with that dangerous man, or you'll end up headless. Unfortunately, I soon found myself on the razor's edge again. * Sasha introduced me to the staff, a group of she-wolves and wolves working in the castle, attending to the Guardians. They all stared at me as if they were looking at a monster. I didn’t care—I just wanted to keep existing and stay invisible. "The Guardians"—that’s what they called the five Lycans who lived in this ancient, dark castle. They enforced the laws of our world, or at least those affecting werewolves, maintaining balance with other supernatural creatures. They delivered justice, protection, and punishment—often in the most brutal, merciless ways. Especially the Lycan King. At least, that's what I had always heard. I was forbidden from climbing the stairs or wandering beyond the service quarters. And honestly, I didn’t plan to try. I focused on working and healing with the medicine the housekeeper gave me. The food here was good too. Except for the first day, I had gone three days without seeing any of the other Guardians. Until this morning. * "Hey, I heard the housekeeper saying she still hasn’t found a suitable candidate for the King's maid. Maybe she'll give us a chance." I was scrubbing the floor on my knees, listening to the whispers echoing through the castle's massive kitchen. My head stayed down, and my long black bangs nearly covered my eyes, helping to conceal the disfigurement on my face. My hands kept moving the cloth over the tiles, but ignoring the gossip was impossible. Suddenly, the room went silent. Heels echoed from the hallway, and tension filled the air— it was the housekeeper. "Stop what you're doing. I want all of you in a line," she ordered, her voice sharp. The cooks, maids, and even me—the lowly cleaner—all lined up like prisoners, standing side by side. She began her inspection, passing each trembling figure, heads bowed low. When her shadow passed in front of me, I thought she would move on. She didn’t. "What was your name again?" she asked. "Valeria, ma'am," I replied softly. Her cold finger pressed beneath my chin, forcing me to raise my head. My blue eyes met her intimidating green gaze. "Good. I think I'll try a different strategy this time. Come with me," she ordered, and a sense of dread twisted in my chest. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the stares from the other women in the line. Bitter glares filled with jealousy, anger, envy. Nothing good. That much was certain. "Listen carefully, Valeria. You're going to be King Aldric's personal maid," she dropped the bombshell casually, as if it were nothing, walking toward the other side of the kitchen. "Do you know how to cook, iron, organize a man’s things, his clothes, and so on?" "Y-yes, ma'am. But… I don’t think I'm the right choice for the position. Perhaps someone more—" "It's not optional," she cut me off, turning abruptly. "You either accept it, or you leave. I don't need a floor cleaner right now. I need a maid for the King. Understood?" I had no choice but to nod. Sometimes, I forgot that this harsh woman had saved my life. Though, honestly, I still didn’t know why—especially now that she was sending me straight into the Lycan's den. "Memorize everything I'm about to say. The King wakes up at… He doesn’t like… Prefers it this way… And his meals are only prepared by the cook from this section. Make sure it’s always her… And you must taste it before serving him." She paced through the kitchen, the laundry area, practically the entire service zone, listing the King's preferences and dislikes. I followed, my brain nearly short-circuiting from the overwhelming information. I need to write all this down later! "Alright. You'll deliver his first breakfast now. Do exactly as I tell you,” she said, placing a silver tray full of covered dishes in my hands. "And Valeria… remember, head down. Stay invisible. You're nothing but a piece of furniture." "And I trust you haven't forgotten the scene from your first day here. If you try anything against the King, believe me, he was merciful with that woman." Her warning made me swallow hard as I nodded. I didn’t consider myself a coward, but it felt like I was marching straight to the gallows as I climbed the forbidden stairs, moving through the dim candlelit corridors leading to the Guardian leader's quarters. I reached the only door in this wing—an enormous wooden door with intricate carvings—and tried to recall every instruction. "Don't knock at this hour. Go straight inside." So, I did. Balancing the tray carefully, I twisted the heavy doorknob. Step by step, I entered the den of the big bad wolf, avoiding unnecessary glances around. I immediately noticed the large wooden table at the center, the dim lighting, and I focused on setting the breakfast properly. But then I heard it—and smelled it. The scent of lust. Through my bangs, I glanced toward a black door, slightly ajar. Muffled female moans seeped through, despite being closed. More than one woman’s voice. The rhythmic sound of something hitting a wall echoed. Maybe the bed—I didn’t know, and I didn’t care. The most important rule: head down, stay invisible. Don't speak. Don't look. Don't listen. I was so focused on remembering every detail of his preferences, circling the table, that I didn’t even notice when the sounds stopped. "Who are you?" a dominant voice behind me made me flinch. My trembling fists tightened, and I turned, staring down at the gray rug. "Your Majesty, my name is Valeria. I am your new maid," I managed without stuttering. A massive shadow loomed over me, every instinct screaming danger, run—but I stood firm as he placed a finger beneath my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. I expected disgust at my scarred face. Instead, I saw fierce, intimidating gray eyes studying me—so captivating they resembled lethal steel. "Where's your inner wolf?" he asked, frowning. How had he noticed with just one glance? "I… I’m not entirely sure, sir. I suffered a traumatic experience before I turned eighteen, and her spirit never appeared. But… I can shift into my wolf form. Others say it's a curse." I added quickly, half-expecting to be dismissed on my first day. Scarred, cursed—what a perfect maid. "Is that why your face hasn't healed?" he asked, his voice calm but piercing. "I suppose so, sir. My healing is… slower than others." He said nothing, but his intense scrutiny made my skin crawl. Did I say the wrong thing? I avoided lingering on his rugged features, but it was becoming clear why so many women risked losing their heads just for a night in his bed. Aldric Thorne was a man built for sin. A towering figure, nearly two meters tall, with a powerful, scarred body, bold and commanding. Muscular, rough, impossibly attractive. And despite his icy aura, his long shoulder-length hair was deep crimson, just like his short beard—like fire, like blood he could spill without flinching. "I don't care about your peculiarities, but I do expect you to have understood the rules clearly because I won't tolerate disobedience or tricks," he warned me, his voice dangerously low and guttural. I nodded, swallowing hard. "Yes, your maje—" "And call me Sir. I don't like that Your Majesty nonsense," he clarified, finally releasing me and walking toward the other side of the room. I exhaled, realizing I had been holding my breath the entire time. Yet, I could still catch that scent lingering from his skin, something like aged wine—rich, and intoxicating. Could it be some cologne? I couldn't detect the pheromones of werewolves like others could. "They'll be here soon to collect those women. Make sure they leave and clean up everything," he ordered without even sparing me a glance, then disappeared through a door leading to what seemed like another room. I remained standing there in the dim light, frozen for a moment. Then, clenching my fists, I gathered my resolve and moved to deal with his lovers still in bed. I opened the door and stared in shock at the chaotic scene inside. The room was dimly lit, clothes strewn across the floor, and in the center, three women lay sprawled. The heavy scent filled the air, making it hard to breathe. "Umm… ladies, it's time to leave," I said softly, but none of them reacted, their eyes shut as if completely oblivious. They looked exhausted, their bodies marked with bites, bruises, and a mess of fluids staining their thighs. "The King ordered you to leave. You need to—" "Shut up, you annoying brat!" snarled the blonde lying in the middle of the two brunettes, even throwing a pillow at me, which I narrowly dodged. Well, they still have some energy left, it seems. Okay, this wasn’t going as smoothly as I had imagined, and they were already settling back down as if planning to sleep there. Aren't they uncomfortable covered in all that… stuff? But I couldn't fail my first task. I knew he had done this on purpose—to test me. I headed to the bathroom, filled a basin with cold water, and placed it near the bed. Rolling up my sleeves, exposing my pale arms, I then walked over to the massive crimson curtains, grabbed the heavy fabric, and yanked them open with force. "Aaaahh! Close it, right now! Close the curtain!" they screeched like the possessed, even though the sky was overcast. The sun never really shone brightly here—this land was always cloaked in thick fog. Grabbing the basin, I lifted it and—splash! —drenched them in icy water to snap them out of it. "Have you lost your damn mind, maid?!" C5 THE KING'S MAID VALERIA "Aahh, it’s horrible, she’s deformed!" "You’re just jealous, that’s why you want to keep us away from the King!" "The Lord has said you must leave now," I repeated impassively, while they hurled insults at me. But I felt nothing—not cold, not heat. I thought about how to get them out since, weakened or not, there were three of them and only one of me. Just then, loud knocks echoed from the side door leading to the hallway, a door I hadn’t even noticed before. It had to be the person sent to remove them from the castle. I walked over and opened it, revealing two sturdy servants who entered without a word. The women began to resist, screaming that their bodies were only for the King, threatening that our heads would roll. I didn’t need to be here long to see through their lies. That man had used them like disposable objects and was now discarding them like trash. The blonde rushed toward the door leading to the dining hall, but I stepped in front of her, standing firm and blocking her way. "Have some dignity and leave already. The King has ordered it. Don’t risk dying." "I want him to tell me himself! Last night, he showed me otherwise! Get out of my way!" she lunged at me, baring her fangs. I defended myself, grabbing her arms mid-air as we struggled. Her long claws scratched me in her fury, and I knew I could control her because, right now, she was weak. This she-wolf was stronger than me—honestly, anyone was stronger than me. With the help of the servants, we managed to drag the last crazed woman out of the room. I shut the door, breathing heavily. "Quite the first day on the job," I muttered in resignation, staring at the disaster I now had to clean. * I wiped the sweat from my forehead, taking a moment to catch my breath, surveying the nearly tidy room. The worst part was the bed. Even after removing the dirty sheets, I had gone overboard with the water. So, I thought of pushing the mattress closer to the window to let it air out and catch some sun. "Mmnn," I grunted, yanking at the heavy king-size mattress, my hands trembling. I doubted I could move it. I kept struggling when— "How many centuries does it take you to organize a room?" His voice startled me—I hadn’t heard him enter. I turned to apologize, but a wrong step, my nerves, and apparently a sticky substance I’d left on the floor caused me to lose my balance and fall forward. By instinct, I grabbed onto the first thing I could, falling to my knees with my eyes shut tight. Something had slipped from my hands, and now another thing, thick, brushed against my nose. A dark, musky, intoxicating scent assaulted my senses. When I opened my eyes again and saw the sight before me, I wished I could die right there without needing him to kill me. In my hands was a black towel—I assumed it had been around the King's hips—and I was on my knees, clutching his powerful thighs, with a massive, veiny member right in front of my wide eyes. «Girl, this could make you cry» was the first thing that crossed my mind in my nervous breakdown. And to think it was only half... not even Dorian’s compared in detail. "Should I fetch a tape measure so you can size it up too?" His cold voice snapped me out of my frozen state. Terrified, I raised my gaze to see him completely naked, in all his glory, his burgundy hair loose and tousled, damp from the shower, and I could swear his gray eyes held a mocking glint. "Your Majesty, I’m so sorry! Please, spare the life of this humble servant who doesn’t deserve your mercy!" I threw myself to the ground, pressing my forehead against the hard surface, begging him. What I had done was unforgivable. By the Goddess, I had even stayed there... staring at it. His threatening shadow loomed over my trembling body. I clenched my eyes shut, bracing for the end. "I’ll leave right away... I beg you... I’ll leave the castle... please..." "I don’t have the patience to find a new servant every day. You leave when I decide so. Now get up." His deep voice rumbled close to my ear, and I felt him tugging at the towel I still clutched in my hands. I released it immediately, sweat trailing down my back as my entire body trembled. "Besides, if you’re going to serve me, it won’t be the last time you see it. It’s not a big deal. Come to the dining room," he added before his bare footsteps echoed away from the room. Swallowing nervously, I stood on shaky legs. «Come on, Valeria, focus, please. » "Try the breakfast," he ordered, gesturing to the food set on the table. He sat, dominating the large chair, observing my every move. I picked up the fork and cut a small piece from each dish, tasting everything bite by bite. "If something is not to your liking, I can ask the kitchen to—" "That won’t be necessary. Everything’s fine," he interrupted and then fell silent. I kept my gaze on the floor, unsure of what he was waiting for, frantically reviewing every rule in my mind. "Do you think I’m a savage who eats with his hands?" "What? No, no, Your Maj... Sir..." I quickly lifted my gaze and saw him glancing at the fork still in my hand. Holy Goddess, I had covered the only utensil with saliva! The housekeeper hadn’t mentioned I had to taste the food here too! "I... I’ll get another, I’m so sorry—" "You seem to apologize well," he said as he took the fork from my hand. "It’s dirty, I... I ate with it—" I didn’t finish because he wiped it with a napkin and began eating calmly. I stepped back, standing in the corner, awaiting his orders. Through my bangs, I occasionally stole glances at him. He looked relaxed wearing just the towel, eating and reviewing some documents beside him. No matter what the Lycan King did, his aggressive aura filled the entire space, demanding only obedience and submission. This was my new master. And honestly, I was starting to wonder if I’d be better off running far away from this castle... and this pack. Aldric Thorne was the most dangerous thing I could have crossed paths with. *** Days passed, and despite my rookie mistakes, I managed to survive. The Lord wasn’t constantly present at the castle either—he often traveled between packs or faced dangerous situations. I hadn’t even seen the other “Guardians” until one morning. "Phew, I honestly don’t know how you handle the pressure and temptation," said Juliette. She was the only staff member who had approached me. An extroverted, cheerful girl. I didn’t consider her a friend, though—I'd never trust a woman like that again. But at least her chatter kept me entertained. We were walking through the underground corridor carrying laundry baskets when a side door leading to one of the many training gyms opened. A massive Lycan emerged. I knew by the powerful aura he projected. We immediately lowered our heads, waiting for him to pass, but his steps approached us instead. "Are these clean towels?" asked a strong but calm male voice. "Yes, yes, Sir," I answered, realizing I was the one carrying them. I glanced up for a second. Enchanting golden eyes stared back at me. I quickly lowered my gaze to the carpet and handed him a towel, but as he reached out, our fingers brushed for a moment. His touch was warm. Despite being intimidating, this Lycan projected a protective aura—not as sharp and wild as the King's. "I’m sorry... I’m so sorry—" "Relax, it’s fine. Thank you," he replied, taking the towel and walking away down the hallway. And then I dared to look at his back. Blond hair, massive like all Lycans, powerful, his muscular, sweaty back glistening, dressed in black combat gear. It seemed like he had been training. For some reason, the combination of his eyes and hair reminded me a bit of Dorian. I didn’t want to remember him at all, but the mind could be a traitor. He had been the first—and only—man I’d loved. "Right? He’s so handsome! I mean, they’re all attractive and hot, but for me, the best ones are the King and Guardian Quinn... Though the King, ugh, that man is pure fire. I’m torn—what do you think, Valeria? Would you prefer the King or Quinn?" Before I could scold her for talking so carelessly, her face turned pale, staring behind me in panic. A powerful presence pressed against my back, hot breath brushing against my ear. "I’d like to know too, Valeria. Who would you prefer? And why did you let another man touch what’s mine?" The basket in my hands begins to tremble along with my hands. I'm done for. And even though I know he’s talking about the towels, for some reason, it feels like he’s talking about me. "Ss… Sir..." "Get out!" he ordered Juliette, who looked at me for a second with guilt but had no choice but to flee almost running. I remained with my back to him. Could I run too? "I'm still waiting, Valeria. Tell me, are you unhappy with the position you were given? Would you prefer to be Quinn's personal maid instead? Turn around!"	LEARN_MORE	https://befant.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=18151&u	Galaxy in the Story	https://www.facebook.com/61555427913037/	2,466	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	befant.com	VIDEO		https://befant.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=18151&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480956548_678569037828008_6960702327071388742_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OxvPlzGlricQ7kNvgEZrE8D&_nc_oc=AdjU5VDctq61nbX_jUAznTGADKTKiyJh5IDPdPhCyUrxopKI3eMn-OdXVPHPHHHny8cQxXR3LTfGdl1AQ7ShtDzr&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AQ9A5mxbM4J8z6-Tu-MLUyU&oh=00_AYB-umFPwXpagZo1do_keGhhN3xOBXt6MdqVY3XFz1SHWg&oe=67C9DAF5	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Galaxy in the Story	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,728,259	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-02 02:54	active	2674	Read next chapter👉	She dreamed of marrying the man of her fantasies--a hero strong enough to shield her from danger and protect her from predators. But on the day she was cast into the unforgiving depths of the kingdom's dungeon, it was the Beast King who held her in his arms. "At last, I have you in my arms, my mate!" he declared. ===== UREKAI: In the days of old, the Urekai stood out as the strongest and most powerful beings in the world. The ancient tongue called them 'fearsome beasts' for: Like werewolves, they could transform into beasts. Like vampires, they consumed bld. And walked among humans with no one the wiser. The ageless, peaceful, selfless beings preferred to keep to themselves. Despite being feared and distrusted, they never responded with aggression. They granted passage to any species wishing to enter their lands beyond the great mountain and welcomed everyone. But five centuries ago, an unexpected species attacked the Urekais during their one night of weakness. The humans. While protecting his people, Grand King Daemonikai lost control of his mind, going feral. Becoming a danger to the same people whom he had given everything to protect. Although it seemed impossible, the Urekais managed to capture their king's beast form, imprisoning him in a secure cage, ensuring he could never escape. But, consumed by hatred for humans, the Urekai plunged themselves into darkness. Becoming the fearsome beasts others had always feared them to be. Wearing their monstrosity with pride. HUMANS: After invading the Urekais, a mysterious virus outbreak struck. No one knew where it came from, but many speculated their attack on the Urekais brought it on. While most males eventually recovered after a long struggle, the virus proved fatal for the majority of females. Survivors rarely gave birth to female children. Those left or born became scarce and sought-after commodities. In many kingdoms, greedy fathers sold their daughters to breeding houses. Some were forced into pleasure houses, existing solely for men's enjoyment. Some faced terrible abuse in exchange for protection. Even the wealthy and the privileged could not guarantee the safety of the females in their lives, as the mere sight of a female--be it an infant, a young girl, or an elderly woman--drew unwanted attention. Female children faced constant danger. They are not safe in the society. * PROLOGUE HUMAN LAND: THE KINGDOM OF NAVIA. "It's a g-girl, your highness," Prince Garret froze. As he turned, looking at the palace healer, his hands resting on his exhausted wife's body, shook uncontrollably. He had secretly arranged the delivery months ago, and now they were hidden in one of the underground rooms in the palace, where his beloved wife, Pandora, was giving birth. "What did you just say to me?" Prince Garret hoped he heard wrong. Perhaps it had been a mistake. Please, gods, let it be a mistake! But the pity in the older man's face couldn't be disguised. The palace healer turned the little bundle. "The baby is a girl." Terror crossed Pandora's face as she adjusted herself to get a closer look at her baby. "No. Oh, the gods, please no..." She shook her head vigorously fresh tears gathering in her eyes. Tears welled in the healer's eyes. "I'm so sorry, your highness." "No!!!" Pandora cried out burying her face into her husband's waiting arms, sobs after sobs ripping from her throat. Garret felt numb as he held his wife. His first daughter, Aekeira, wasn't even four yet, and the king was already negotiating with the kingdom of Cavar to sell her to the highest bidder. Because, apparently, Navia 'could use more funds.' King Orestus might be Garret's brother, but he was a tyrant, and his word was law. Now, another girl child? Two daughters? Tears filled Garrett's eyes as he looked upon the crying bundle wiggling around in healer's arms. The world was not safe for either of his daughters. "I'll raise her like a boy," Pandora declared suddenly. The healer's eyes widened. "Are you suggesting we keep her identity a secret?" "Yes," Pandora affirmed, her resolve strengthening. "This child will never be seen as a girl. No one will ever find out!" "B-but, it's impossible to hide something like this, your majesty." The healer panicked. "The king will order our execution!" "Then, we take the secret to our grave." Pandora's voice was fierce. "I was unable to protect my first daughter, but by the Light-gods, I will protect my second." Too dangerous, but Garret was all for it too. This was their best chance to keep their daughter safe, and they would take it. "As far as we are concerned, the child I bore today was a male." Pandora looked at the baby. "His name is Emeriel. Emeriel Galilea Evenstone." Emeriel. It's a neutral name, and also means 'Sky's Protection' in the old tongue. Garret liked it. Fitting too, for their daughter would need all the luck and protection in the world. "I agree," Garret spoke aloud. With the plan fully in his mind, Garret swore the two other men in the room to secrecy. ********* That night, Garrett and his wife, stood by the baby's small cradle, watching their newborn sleep. Across the room, their three-year-old daughter, Aekeira, lay curled under a blanket, her tiny chest rising and falling in peaceful rhythm. "In all my years on this earth, I've never seen anyone bear two female children, Garrett," Pandora whispered, voice cracking. She glanced up at him, eyes glistening with tears. "I don't know what this means for us... or for them." Garrett placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Maybe it means they have a great destiny to fulfill." "Or a great sorrow in their future," Pandora's eyes drifted to their eldest, worriedly. "I'm so scared for them. How could something like this happen?" Perhaps you've been touched by the gods, my darling," Garrett said in comfort. "I really doubt that. Why me? Why us?" He had no answer to that. "If that's true," Pandora sniffled, brushing her fingers over the baby's soft cheek, "may that god always protect my babies. We won't always be here to do that." Garrett pulled his wife into his arms, holding her close, fighting to hide his own worry. Because, she was right. What were the odds of a couple in these times bearing not just one, but two daughters? None. Absolutely none. As he gazed at their sleeping children, prayer rose in his heart. Whatever god you are, please... protect our angels. Chapter 2 THE PRINCESS IN A 'PRINCE' DISGUISE Twenty-one Years Later PRINCE EMERIEL. "He's so pretty," a voice murmured. "It's the feminine prince," another one said. The third man had lst in his eyes. "No man should have hair that gorgeous." Prince Emeriel ignored them all as he moved from the palace grounds into the building, head held high. Just because he was used to the unwanted attention, didn't mean it didn't make his skin crawl. He might have lived as a boy all his life, but it didn't exactly keep him all that safe. Men of Navia would stick their phllus in anything with a hle, especially if it looked remotely feminine. But Emeriel's senses were always on high alert. Which is why he was probably the only twenty-one-year-old vi*in in Navia. That, and his sister, Princess Aekeira, always did everything in her power to protect him. To make sure his secrets remained tightly hidden. A carriage accident had taken their parents fifteen years ago, and King Orestus had adopted them. That tyrant made life a living hell for them. Emeriel entered the hallway to Aekeira's chambers when he heard it. Whimpers. Soft, pain-filled whimpers. That sound was coming from… Rage surged through Emeriel. Not this again! Determined, he stormed down the hall, and shoved the door open, unsheathing his sord. "Get away from my sister right this instant, Lord Murphy, or I swear to the sky I will cut you down where you stand!" Emeriel snarled. The minister of human affairs's face twisted with irritation, and he stopped thrusting. "Go away, little prince. You're ruining the fun." Emeriel hated the jab 'little prince,' but surely not as much as he hated being called a 'slight prince.' Over the years, Navians had given him a lot of names thanks to his small and feminine look. "Get away from her right now!" Emeriel strode purposefully toward the bd, seizing hold of Lord Murphy and pushing him away from Aekeira. With a satisfying thud, the old oaf tumbled to the floor. Aekeira rose from the bd, clutching her vulnerable body, her face red from crying, eyes tired and swollen. Emeriel pulled his sister into his arms, hugging her tightly. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Keira." "It was not your fault." "Why the hell would you do that!?" Lord Murphy rose angrily. "I won Princess Aekeira fair and square in the card game at the gathering last night. The king wagered with her and lost to me! I was supposed to have her for two hours at least!" Emeriel's eyes blazed as he whirled around, facing him. "If you put your hands on her again, I swear to the sky I will cut off your mle oran, Lord Murphy." "You will not dare!" "I'll gladly take whatever punishment the king gives," he stated with conviction, "but you will be without your manhood. Choose wisely." Lord Murphy's eyes widened, his hands flying protectively over his cr*ch, face reddening in anger. "The king will hear of this!" The minister snarled. Taking his clothes, he marched out of the room. "Oh, Em, why did you do that?" Aekeira's eyes filled with worry. "The king might punish you with the hot whip again." "I do not care. Let us go to my room." Putting his sord away, Emeriel could not even look his sister in the eyes, dangerously close to tears himself. Helping Aekeira into her clothes, he led her out, and down the hallway. That age-old guilt crept down Emeriel's spine. Aekeira always protected Emeriel, even when it made her the sole target. His sister never hated him, but Emeriel hated himself for it. Aekeira was always bubbly and always happy. But in times like this, when her body was viated, she mostly looked tired then. Weary of the world. Worried about the next aristocrat the king would hand her over to. Much later, freshened up, Aekeira laid on the bed, closing her eyes. "Em? My worst nightmare when I was younger was thinking I would be sold to an aristocrat in Cavar, but now, I almost wish that heartless king went ahead with it, instead of changing his mind," Aekeira whispered. "Please, don't say that." Emeriel held her hand. "That kingdom is a horror play. Anywhere is better than Cavar, sister. Well, except beyond the great mountain, of course." Just the thought made Emeriel shiver. The Urekai dwelled beyond those mountains. "Sometimes I wish I could leave this godforsaken kingdom." A single tear slipped from Aekeira's eyes. Me too, Keira. Me too. ** That night, after bathing, Emeriel stood before the mirror, staring at his reflection. His long, silken black hair fell over his shoulders, cascading like a waterfall. With his hair down like this, he looked like what he truly was. A girl. What would it feel like to live freely, like the person the mirror reflected? To not live in fear of the next man who might seek to take advantage of him, like they do his sister? Emeriel fantasized about marrying the man of his dreams. A protector. Someone powerful enough to keep him safe, shield him from predators, and sweep him off his feet with immense strength and love. All delusion. But a sweet one, nonetheless. Reality was far too ugly. Shaking it off, he crawled into bed and closed his eyes, letting sleep take him. . . The dream began as it always did. The man filled the doorway, hidden in the shadows. He was big, larger and more masculine than any man Emeriel had ever seen. Tall like a giant, he made Emeriel feel small, like a cornered prey. "Who are you?" Emeriel's drowsy voice came out shaky, filled with fear. "What do you want from me?" "You are mine," he said, voice deep as rolling thunder. "Meant to be on your knees for me. On your back. To be fked you so hard your legs quake. You were meant to beg for me all the time. Only mine." Emeriel's face burned with shock. So scandalized, he scrambled upright. "Y-you shouldn't say such improper things to me! It's wrong!" But the mysterious man stepped into Emeriel's bedroom, emerging from the shadows. As he did, his body shifted into a...beast. The most terrifying Emeriel had ever seen. A Urekai. "Oh gods, oh gods," Emeriel's breath hitched in terror, panic setting in. Of all the shapeshifters in the world, why a UREKAI!? He advanced with purpose. Its glowing yellow eyes bore into Emeriel, filled with hunger. Shaking his head fiercely, Emeriel scrambled backward. "No, no, no! Leave me alone!" he shouted, "Guards! Someone, help!" But no one came. The beast leapt onto the bed, got on top of Emeriel, trapping him under. Claws tore through his clothing, Emeriel's vulnerable female body was exposed to its yellow eyes. His powerful thighs forced Emeriel's apart...! Emeriel jolted awake with a scream. Body shaking and drenched in sweat, he glanced around the dark, empty room. "It was just a dream," he whispered, trembling. "Thank the gods. Just a dream." The same dream again. He'd had this dream for months now. He swallowed hard, running a shaky hand through his hair. "Why do I keep having such a scary nightmare?" It terrified Emeriel a lot. A Urekai? No one in this world prayed to meet a Urekai in their lifetime. Certainly not Emeriel. Yet, even with all the terror inside, the hotness of the dream lingered in his body. His feminine core felt different. Wt. What does this mean? Chapter 3 UREKAI Stepping outside the next morning, two warriors stopped before Emeriel. "The king summons you, my prince," One of them said. "Your presence is needed in the courtroom." Sht. That foolish minister wasted no time ratting on him. Emeriel let the way to court. It's just whipping, he will be fine. But, as he walked down the hall towards the door, it was eerily quiet. Something was wrong. The court was always noisy from the outside. Mutterings, murmurs, arguments were always expected. His worry deepened when the door opened, and all eyes didn't turn to gaze at him condescendingly. Instead, everyone's eyes were fixed at the center of the king's court. Emeriel's eyes followed theirs. Two men dressed in all-white apparel robes, with long, straight, waist-length black hair stood, appearing harmless. But a longer glance had Emeriel noticing muscles barely concealed under their robes, their slightly tipped ears, and their incredibly unnaturally handsome faces that were completely unreadable. He froze. Urekai. These ones looked expensive and aristocratic. Emeriel's throat went dry. No one prays to meet a Urekai face-to-face. "What do you say, King Orestus?" the Urekai with the long scar running from his cheek spoke. He looked the most intimidating. "No, this cannot happen," King Orestus protested, looking terrified, and doing a poor job of hiding it. The frown on Scarred Urekai's face deepened. Clearly, this was a being that did not take no for an answer. "You are mistaken if you think we are giving you a choice, human king," he said, taking a threatening step forward. The ministers of the court gasped, shrinking back into their seats. "Easy, Lord Vladya," the other Urekai spoke, his voice gentler. Imploring rather than commanding. The scarred Urekai, Lord Vladya, gave the king a hard look that would make any man tremble. "It is the least you can do, human king. Give us the princess, and we will leave quietly." "We are ready to pay for her," the other Urekai added, reaching into his robe and withdrawing a large bag of coins. Fear receded. The king's ears perked up with interest. "Money?" "Not just money, there are gold coins too," The non-scarred Urekai said. Everyone gasped, including Emeriel. Gold coins were rare and highly valuable. The Urekai continued, "All you have to do is hand the princess over, and this bag is yours." Wait… Princess? They couldn't possibly mean... The grand entrance opened again as two guards led Aekeira into the court. No, no, no, not my sister. Emeriel moved forward, but the guards who had escorted him stopped his movement. He bit his lip hard, trying not to draw attention to himself, but it was incredibly difficult. Surely, this couldn't be what he thought it was. It had to be a dream. There was no way the Urekai were here to buy his sister as a slave...! The two guards leading Aekeira to the center of the court, stopped a few feet from the Urekais. The terror on Aekeira's face mirrored Emeriel's feelings. "So, let me get this straight," King Orestus began, "All I need to do is sell her to you, and all this money is mine? There are no other conditions? Nothing else?" "Yes," the non-scarred Urekai responded. Lord Vladya moved forward, closing the distance between him and Aekeira, who was visibly shaking now. Cupping Aekeira's cheek tilting her head to the side to get a better look. He appeared utterly disgusted. "She'll do." King Orestus picked up his gavel and struck it hard on his desk. "Sold! From this moment on, Princess Aekeira belongs to the Urekais." "WHAT!?" The shout escaped Emeriel's lips before he could stop it. He ran toward the center of the courtroom and fell to his knees. "Please don't sell my sister to them. Not to the Urekais! Please, Your Majesty." The king gave him a bored look. "It's out of my hands now, Emeriel." It's out of his… Emeriel couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You can't let this happen. She's your niece too! How could you do this!?" He wasn't proud his voice turned the high-pitch of a girl's, as he practically screamed. But he didn't care. "You know a fate worse than death awaits her beyond the great mountain! How could you agree to sell her to them?" "As if he has a choice," Lord Vladya scoffed, his deep baritone filled with cynicism. Emeriel whirled around to face them, anger blanketing his features. But as he stared into those intimidating gray eyes, he couldn't bring himself to give in to his rage. He had read in one of the books that an Urekai had the power to take a life without physical contact. It might just be a rumor, but with his sister's life on the line, he had no intention of testing that theory. "I will go too. Where Aekeira goes, I go," Emeriel said, lifting his chin defiantly. Aekeira snapped her head toward Emeriel, her eyes widened in terror. "No! What are you doing, Em?" "I'm going with you," Emeriel stated firmly. Lord Vladya arched a perfectly shaped brow. "No. We have no need for you; we only need your sister." Emeriel stood. "I don't care. Take me too. If you leave me here, I will always try to come to her. I will cross the great mountains if I have to!" Lord Vladya laughed. There was no humor in the cold sound. "Without the rite of passage, the great mountain will swallow you whole. You'll never make it to the other side." "I'll take my chances," Emeriel vowed. "No! My brother is not coming," Aekeira interjected, before turning pleading eyes to Emeriel. "Don't do this, Em. I'm already doomed. I don't want you to face the same fate!" "If you come with us, you will be taken as our slave." Lord Vladya stated, pinning Emeriel with a stare. "Urekai do not care if you're male or female; you will serve in any way your master wants you. Whether it's in the mines or the cellar, on your back, bent over, or on your knees. If you agree to be our slave too, your freewill ends today." A shiver ran through Emeriel's spine. "Do you know what it means to be an Urekai's slave, little human? You're a pretty boy; you will not lack masters to service." Fear seeped through his core. If everything he had heard growing up and read in books were true, being an Urekai's slave was worse than being a human's slave. And my dreams... I should be running in a different direction...! But he steeled his spine. "Where my sister goes, I go." "We did not agree to get two slaves," the second Urekai said. "That is settled then," Lord Vladya continued as if he never spoke. Reaching into his robe, the scarred Urekai pulled out another bag of coins, throwing both on the floor towards the king. "We will take both." "Sold!" King Orestus banged his gavel again. Chapter 4 SOLD TO THE UREKAI Aekeira cried for over an hour after they left the courtroom. At first, she had been angry, shouting at Emeriel about his foolish decision. And then, she broke down, crying as if her heart had been shattered. Now, they were left alone in a tiny room on the boat. Emeriel remained quiet throughout his sister's breakdown, the weight of his decision finally sinking in. By the Light-gods, he was now a slave. Lower than a loborn. Lower than a carpet servant. And not just any slave, but a Urekai slave. Or many Urekai, Emeriel had no idea yet. He would serve those heartless, ruthless beings who despised humans. "You're a pretty boy; you will not lack masters to service." A shiver coursed down Emeriel's spine. They were going to vilate his body. What he had always dreamed of would finally coming true. Only now, it wouldn't be just one beast, it would be many. As many as his master wanted. Emeriel swallowed the bile rising in his throat. His breath seized as panic set in. "Breathe, Em. Come on," Aekeira appeared by his side, rubbing his back. "In... and out... come on, Em." Aekeira's voice was gentle, soothing, giving Emeriel no choice but to follow its sound. Aekeira continued rubbing his back. "Good girl. That's my girl." Two Urekai came in and forced them to take an unknown pill. Surely they hadn't paid all that money just to kll them before they even became slaves, right? Emeriel thought as she swallowed it. Minutes later, they both dropped unconscious on the floor. • Much later, Emeriel woke to the bumping ride of the carriage. His head woozy, his senses disoriented as he blinked several times to adjust his vision. They had been forced to take a pill. Rising, he walked to the carriage's wooden window and pushed it open. A gasp left him. They are in Urekai land. Emeriel could see dozens of them. But what had his jaw on the floor was the humans. There were plenty in sight. Many females nearly matching the number of males. Everyone knew the Urekais had acquired and held numerous humans captive after the war, but the sheer number he could see surpassed his expectations. And they were all slaves. Some were working in the fields, their weary bodies bent under the weight of their labor. Some were hauling heavy loads, their muscles straining with each step, under the watchful eyes of Urekai's. Some Urekais held whips, while some held sords. The sight turned Emeriel's stomach, making him sick. Is this to be our life now? Aekeira's grn of wakefulness echoed behind him and Emeriel quickly turned to his sister, concern etched on his face. "Are you alright, Kiera?" he asked, his voice hushed. Aekeira nodded, rubbing her eyes. "Where are we?" she asked, eyes scanning their surroundings. Their kingdom, Urai," Emeriel whispered, keeping his voice down so the carriage master would not overhear. Together, they took in the huge fortress in front of them. The carriage was headed straight for it. "This place looks highly luxurious," Aekeira said. Emeriel nodded. As royalty, they were well-acquainted with luxury, but this was on an entirely different scale. Which begged the question... Who exactly were the males who had purchased them? And if they weren't his and his sister's masters, then who was...? ****** They were brought into an empty room after passing numerous chambers and passages. "This shall be your quarters for now," a soldier announced. The room was surprisingly spacious and tastefully decorated. Not long after the soldiers left, the sound of approaching footsteps reached their ears, growing closer with each passing moment. The door swung open, and an older human woman marched in. Accompanied by a younger human woman and three Urekai males. The older woman's gaze landed on Emeriel, and she did a double take. "You are one remarkably handsome male. I have seen a lot of pretty males in my time, but even I can hardly think of one who is half as pretty as you." Feeling uneasy, Emeriel took a step back, finding solace behind Aekeira, who spread her arms protectively to shield him from prying eyes. "Well, it's a shame you're not the one we came for," the woman said dismissively, turning away. "Prepare her, boys. Amie, get the bath ready." The three males closed in on Aekeira, beginning to undress her. Their hands removed her clothes, while another tended to her hair, undoing the knots. "What are you doing?" Emeriel asked, concerned. "Getting her ready for what is to come." The older woman didn't bother to look at him. "You can either stay or leave. I care not. But if you disturb me, I will have you reported to the soldiers and thrown into the dungeon." Numerous questions swirled in Emeriel's mind, but a shake of Aekeira's head silenced him. He watched helplessly as they undressed her, with the younger girl, Amie, preparing a large tub filled with water. Eventually, Emeriel decided to step out and explore, wandering the halls aimlessly. He followed one to a secluded passage that appeared hidden from casual glances. Voices echoed in the distance, so he moved closer towards them. "What shall we do with the boy? He was not part of the plan," one voice said. "I do not care, Lord Ottai. Perhaps we will think of something later." Lord Vladya's voice came. "For now, let us focus on the girl. The bad weather delayed our journey, I had expected us to return yesterday." His voice, chilling and authoritative, Lord Vladya added. "Time is running short; she must be in the forbidden chambers tonight." Forbidden chambers? Emeriel didn't like the sound of that at all. "Calm yourself, Vladya. That young girl cannot handle the beast," Lord Ottai added. "I do not care. They have made their bds, and they shall lie in them," Vladya said defiantly. A heavy sigh followed. "It would be heartless to send that girl in to service the beast without any inkling of what to expect. I know you have no love for humans, and frankly, neither do I, but we can surely do better than that," Lord Ottai reasoned. "Do as you wish, Ottai. Tell them everything or tell them nothing. I care not," Vladya stated. "Whether she lives or dies, I care not either. I shall throw in the pretty little prince next, and if he perishes too, I shall be on the next carriage to the next human kingdom to select another princess for him. That is the only aspect of this that concerns me." A silence fell after their exchange, leaving Emeriel's mind racing with fear and disbelief. Service the beast? Die? Chapter 5 YOUR PURPOSE HERE Emeriel was horrified. I must rescue Aekeira! We need to escape! "I know you are there, pretty prince. I can smell you," Lord Vladya's voice rang out. Emeriel gasped, frozen in place as Lord Vladya's imposing figure emerged from the door. Instinctively, Emeriel took a step back. Then another. Lord Vladya smirked. "I would advise against whatever thoughts are brewing in that little head of yours. You have no inkling of where you are, do you?" Emeriel could only discern they were in the tallest, most fortified fortress he had ever seen. He shook his head, his fear palpable. "You are in Ravenshadow," Lord Ottai said, coming up behind the scarred Lord. Ravenshadow? The Ravenshadow!? No, by the Light, this cannot be happening. "R-Ravenshadow Citadel? The home of the f-four grand rulers of the Urekais. The Whispering Abyss of great power?" Emeriel blurted out, unable to contain his terror any longer. Lord Ottai snorted. "That is what humans call it. We do not. But yes, you are correct. You are in the Ravenshadow Citadel, Prince Emeriel." "You do not need me to inform you that this is the most secure place in Urai, with vast lands in which you could get lost in if you attempt to escape." Lord Vladya smirked. "A vortex that would swallow you, never to be seen again. There is no escape from Ravenshadow." Emeriel heard their words, but his mind was consumed by a far greater fear. "The four grand rulers of the Urekais reside here?" Emeriel mused, dreadfully. "They do." Lord Ottai sounded mildly amused, drawing Emeriel's attention. Emeriel had no idea he'd said that out loud. Inching closer to Lord Ottai-He seemed the less intimidating and a preferable choice in that moment-Emeriel threw weary glances at the scarred lord. "I have heard rumors about Urekai." "What exactly did you hear?" Lord Ottai asked. "They are said to be deadly, unpredictable and almost feral in their actions." " Emeriel listed off on his fingers as he rambled. "Their mating habits are said to be as brutal as their killings, and while they have bldhosts, they prefer to drain humans' bld. And, after their king ran wild, they-" "Terrific. Just what I needed to hear," Lord Vladya added in a dry tone. Lord Ottai, still somewhat amused, spoke up, "I will leave the briefing to Lord Vladya. I need to attend to the council." What!? Please do not leave me with him! Emeriel almost shouted. But he bit his lips hard, restraining himself. Lord Vladya, however, did not hold back. "Think again, Lord Ottai. There is no way I will-" "Would you prefer Lord Zaiper handle the briefing then?" Lord Ottai asked quietly. A muscle twitched on Lord Vladya's jaw and he gave Emeriel a hard look, as if actually considering the option. Lord Ottai must have picked up on that, quickly adding, "You know you don't want that to happen. Besides, let us not forget the favor you owe me. Remember that?" Lord Vladya glared at him, and Lord Ottai offered a wolfish smile. "I believe it's time to collect. You do the briefing. Off I go." With that, Lord Ottai strode away, exuding an air of sophistication with every step. Finally, Emeriel and Lord Vladya stood facing each other. "Come." Lord Vladya began walking, and Emeriel fell into step behind him. "Forget whatever rumors may have spread in the human realm. Some may hold a grain of truth, but most are truly bizarre." Lord Vladya looked mildly annoyed. "However, I will not delve into the vast knowledge of our kind, for it is too extensive to cover. Instead, I will share the parts that pertain to your sister's presence here." Emeriel braced himself. "Five hundred years ago, and even before that, my people and humans coexisted peacefully. Grand King Daemonikai made sure of that." Grand King Daemonikai. The mere mention of the name had goosebumps spreading on Emeriel's skin, knees quaking in barely-concealed fear. One of the oldest Urekai to have ever existed, his reputation was known throughout the world, even to a child born in present times. He wasn't just one of the four rulers, he was the very first. The ultimate ruler. His power and strength were legendary. Some even suggested he couldn't be klled. That name, Daemonikai, was one that struck terror into the hearts of every species existing in this world. "His son, Alvin, made friends with a human prince." Lord Vladya continued. "During a conversation over a glass of champagne, Alvin, in a drunken state, told the prince the secrets of our people. The Eclipse Moon night." "A night when the Urekai were naturally stripped of their power and strength by the moon, right?" Emeriel asked, wondering if the rumors were true. "It comes every five hundred years, rendering you lots incredibly weak. Weaker than a newborn baby. Vulnerable to attack." The scarred Urekai stopped and eyed Emeriel, nodding before walking again. "What Alvin didn't know was the prince's father used his son to gather information about us. King Memphis had his eyes set on our land. To make a long story short, the humans breached our defenses and attacked us on the Eclipse Moon night, inflicting significant damage upon our kingdom." A shadow crossed Lord Vladya's eyes. "Many of our people were killed. The survival of the Urekai was largely due to the efforts of the four rulers, particularly Daemonikai." He looked distant, as if he could see that night playing out before him. "Daemonikai exerted every ounce of his strength to save his people. Sacrificed everything he had...knowing the consequences it would bring." Consequences? Emeriel suddenly felt bad. The humans regarded that night as a victory. Talked about it as a great achievement. But hearing it now, it was nothing short of barbaric. "After that night, everything changed," Lord Vlayda said. "Many Urekai lost their bondmates and children. Those who remained were hardened by the loss. Even our revenge did nothing to ease the pain in our hearts." "Your kind almost decimated the human population, forcing many into hiding." Emeriel couldn't keep the bitterness off his tone. "The Urekai took numerous slaves and nearly depleted the human lands of their females. And it did nothing?" As those chilling eyes once again stared at him. Emeriel snapped his mouth shut. "Then, Grand King Daemonikai gave in to his beast and went mad. His mind was completely lost, has remained so for the past five hundred years. The very people he sacrificed everything to protect are now in danger from him." Lord Vladya turned a corner. "The beast breaks free periodically, going on ruthless, brutal killing sprees. To prevent further loss, the beast is confined here in Ravenshadow." Okay... that sounded like a good idea. What was the problem? "But, confinement alone is not enough. Our inner beasts require two basic substance to survive: bl*d and sx," Lord Vladya surveyed Emeriel with a piercing gaze. "And that is where your sister comes in." Emeriel grew unease. He did not like where this was going. "Princess Aekeira will fulfill the beast's sxual needs. That is why she was acquired. As for you, since I have no use for you, both of you belong to the beast," Lord Vladya asserted firmly. "What?" The disbelieving whisper tore from Emeriel. "Surely, y-you can't mean that." "Tell Princess Aekeira to present to the beast. If she presents well, who knows? She might survive another day. I care little for the outcome." Emeriel collapsed to his knees, tears blurring his vision. "Please, Lord Vladya, don't subject her to this. To be a sxual slave? To a beast...the king's beast? My sister will die!!" He screamed, his words tainted with anger. Lord Vladya did not bat an eyelash. "Good luck trying to run away from Ravenshadow. For every attempt, you will be met with fifty lashes of the whip." With that, he turned on his heel, stridingpassed terror, and Emeriel surged after him, but the Urekai soldiers blocked his path. "Who do you think you are!?" Emeriel screamed. "Do you consider yourself so all-powerful that you can dictate the fate of living beings!? You are nothing more than beasts! You're a monster, Lord Vladya!" Lord Vladya halted at the doorway, casting a glance over his shoulder. "That is a compliment, human prince. And to you, it is Grand Lord Vladya." Emeriel froze. Grand Lord? As in, one of the four rulers of the Urekai, that GRAND LORD!? Holy light-gods, we're doomed. Chapter 6 SERVING THE BEAST The night had descended upon them. Aekeira's face turned pale upon hearing everything from Emeriel. She had not uttered a single word in hours. Instead, tears streamed down her eyes. Emeriel could hardly recognize Aekeira after the "treatment" Livia had given her. Aekeira was incredibly beautiful, well-groomed, and all dressed up in that scanty piece of nothing. He despised the purpose behind her transformation and dreaded the impending arrival of the Urekai guards, who would soon take her away. "Let us escape," Emeriel suggested urgently. "This place is vast, and-" Aekeira shook her head. "I cannot risk your life, Em. Grand Lord Vladya warned you about the severe consequences of attempting to escape. Moreover, if we're caught, they will undoubtedly discover your secret when they strip you down to whip you. It is simply not an option." Emeriel approached his sister and shook her firmly. "Pull yourself together, Aekeira! You will be forced to serve a UREKAI in its BEAST FORM! One that has lost its sanity and has remained feral for over five hundred years! You cannot subject yourself to such a fate! You will die if you do this!" he screamed. "We have no other choice!" Aekeira screamed right back, "I will not put you in danger, Emeriel. Can't you understand? You are my younger sister. Our parents risked everything to protect you, and I will do everything in my power to do the same. Not because you are a burden, but because I am your elder sister, and I love you dearly!" Emeriel bit his lip, struggling to hold back tears. "And who will protect you, Aekeira? Who will ensure your safety?" Aekeira's desperate arms grasped Emeriel, as she gazed into his eyes. "They must never discover you are a girl, Emeriel. Never! Neither the humans nor the Urekais must find out." The door swung open, announcing Livia's return, accompanied by the young girl, Amie, and another group of Urekai soldiers. "It is time. Let us proceed," Livia declared as her eyes widened. "It is inadvisable for you to touch her now. You do not want to leave your scent on her. Release her immediately." "What do you mean? What will happen if I touch my sister?" Emeriel asked, quickly pulling away. "The beast must not detect any other scent on her. If it smells a scent it hates, it may become even more brutal–might even tear her apart. That is why you must not touch her, Emeriel." Livia nodded for the men to escort Aekeira out of the room, and Emeriel followed. The journey was long and silent, involving a lot of twists and turns. They passed by human slaves and Urekai maids within the vast fortress, but as they approached their destination, the faces grew scarce, and the surroundings became eerily quiet. Fear and goosebumps crept over Emeriel as they entered a haunting corridor. A strange sensation fell over Emeriel, and the silence became almost deafening. It felt as though they were walking through a graveyard. "This is as far as we go," Livia whispered at the entrance of the hallway. You can proceed from here, Aekeira." Emeriel ignored the head maid's words about not touching his sister and gripped Aekeira's arm tightly. "Don't do it," he pleaded, shaking his head vehemently. Aekeira did not turn to look at him, as she gently pulled her hand away and continued forward. ** Back at their chambers, Emeriel began to pace. He scratched his arm, feeling restless and irritable. All he wanted was for his sister to remain alive until the next day. Whether she was wounded or in pain, it didn't matter, as long as she was alive. It might have been selfish of him, but he couldn't bring himself to care. But as he paced, Emeriel felt really, really strange. Hot. So hot. As if he was burning from the inside... ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &5&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65644322-fb_contact-e	Hello reading	https://www.facebook.com/61552535188096/	49,848	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.moboreader.net	IMAGE		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65644322-fb_contact-eny21191_2-250222-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=124213&accid=791750052879575&exdata=D3C875BCA1EDEE6A4B7E4FB7F0FE50B10A2A5CBA55B1CD4B	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480694859_1453727078739987_3137228567398903952_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iF_BlOeKd1wQ7kNvgGD5Jmx&_nc_oc=AdhqtMMrXnNdb6Q7KcOJFzFat6pX0qbNYcMOqfnM1C06d6dCh9n7exPq1m7k67mm6cYzvo9gXA1rEBK_S-26dHX_&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AvRIbCmJYJC5rnZ8nawbqRQ&oh=00_AYB0jHNjXIyEpxUhML8EKgSfXFXWRJmaq5Iwp-Jr9SCqjg&oe=67C9CBA7	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Hello reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,728,402	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-02 02:54	active	2674	Exclusive Offer \| FREE $0.00	Kineon: HEAL Your Gut, CALM Your Mind	GET_OFFER_VIEW	https://kickstar.topnreasy.com/product/kineon22541	Blissful Goods	https://www.facebook.com/61572900969997/	0	1969-12-31 18:00	Get offer	kickstar.topnreasy.com	IMAGE	Choose Your FREE Item Today!	https://kickstar.topnreasy.com/product/kineon22541/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480962315_1086374753524479_2625563375757173287_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kU8B2nDMAisQ7kNvgGa30Sb&_nc_oc=Adikia2dDmsuVLAM0f1IyBZgcgHAgJrI1qYYuXQztmCZt9egGP90jJijqmyKV2ZmE7OQF0Zv-z4K7tcuDr8MKhfc&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ASvZiMlyU_Osx5fKLJFZ_6S&oh=00_AYCCjhEkMQZxZTG1q5JFMJoGRpZklw-VNv3vpqZk2Y3Luw&oe=67C9CF0C	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Blissful Goods	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,728,910	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2728903}'	No	2025-03-02 02:54	active	2674	Personal tutor in your pocket	1️⃣ on 1️⃣ speaking practice with your personal AI.	INSTALL_MOBILE_APP	http://itunes.apple.com/app/id1286609883	Speak	https://www.facebook.com/speak.kr/	6,371	1969-12-31 18:00	Install now	itunes.apple.com	VIDEO		http://itunes.apple.com/app/id1286609883	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/477149661_9578991132164944_3981383146624625713_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4sE3CkV58bMQ7kNvgFstaox&_nc_oc=AdgB_QuWaPpXXeWQjom65_mJFuMMAtKt409pPXp_FpbzTMxEywWoMmmb2gS3G40Zr_I_Gdh0WF_bvpiUEXsD4GP6&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ALBBSNusA5pXkfl94HWfq8H&oh=00_AYABiA_LYCS9-XPhF2NbKrQfTUPAK4sDrrg8wfh1LwpPwg&oe=67C9E6A3	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Speak	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,728,093	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-02 02:54	active	2674	Everyone Loves Bacon	Ever wonder what's lurking in your septic system? Let us take a peek for you! Get a FREE camera inspection with septic pumping services - limited time offer until March 31, 2025! Call now to schedule and uncover the truth!	CONTACT_US	https://www.everyonelovesbacon.com/lp/free-camera-	Bacon Plumbing, Heating, Air and Electric	https://www.facebook.com/BaconPlumbingHeatingAirElectric/	2,602	1969-12-31 18:00	Contact Us	everyonelovesbacon.com	DCO	{{product.description}}	https://www.everyonelovesbacon.com/lp/free-camera-inspection-septic-pumping/?utm_source=F-B-septic&utm_medium=F-B-septic-coupons&utm_campaign=Septic-coupons	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/473623714_642549751436315_5235727633309731268_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=R89yK3dJXYcQ7kNvgGebdKU&_nc_oc=Adg4WIivUNd3EbAb-9_Oo9UgBNhhIfDHDO-PDRaUqKF0jlKueNSUwBlI68vrJz-yvxdCV5NglAgfmEca89N81EIA&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AvhvcO9cGkiRyiQzWDs650v&oh=00_AYDkl160-A7WEwCcxIvs7k2WbIt8YkkGIzs56AA7ihwWAQ&oe=67C9EFAC	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Bacon Plumbing, Heating, Air and Electric	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,728,404	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2728664}'	Yes	2025-03-02 02:54	active	2674	November Special! Two Weeks of Free Taekwondo Classes!	🥋 Give Your Child the Gift of Confidence & Focus! 🥋 💥 Spring Special: 7-Month Taekwondo Program! 💥� 🌟 FREE 2-Week Trial + Special Offer – Just $999 (Reg. $1,393) 👦 Ages 3 & Up – A Fun & Safe Learning Environment!� 💪 Teaches Confidence, Focus & Discipline� 🏆 Led by Expert Instructors Who Care 📍 New Students Only – Limited Spots Available! �📅 Act Now Before This Offer Ends! 🚨 Cannot be combined with other promotions. 📲 Book your trial now and see the difference Taekwondo can make!	SIGN_UP	http://fb.me/	CMAofchinohills	https://www.facebook.com/61552349828960/	54	1969-12-31 18:00	Sign up	fb.me	VIDEO	🚨 LIMITED-TIME SPRING SPECIAL! 🚨 Champions Martial Arts Taekwondo Classes for Ages 3 and Up.	http://fb.me/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481129766_1031018342397840_2651763657993281014_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1tg7mlRMqw4Q7kNvgEDgQV1&_nc_oc=AdhdrCsDrElZg46yG8UcdiJjf3RjNRQ5Hb-SJhAZRgrgygDOb_8FSazRGNhOtnMxzWBkl1qVzcTUdi90KUWZK9tM&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ASvZiMlyU_Osx5fKLJFZ_6S&oh=00_AYAF7c1wlq9HD8va0D3EZiIg_uZIJc6-pEjUOLdl2rsAlQ&oe=67C9F4EB	PERSON_PROFILE	0	CMAofchinohills	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,728,157	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2728664}'	No	2025-03-02 02:54	active	2674	Paint Transformations starting at $249	👋 Hi, I'm Juan, founder of locally owned, JC Residential Painting. ❓ Everyone always asks me, "How much would it cost to paint my home?" Well…Each project is unique! 🏠 After you answer a few simple questions about your property, we'll provide a FREE, INSTANT quote. 👆 Click 'GET QUOTE' below! 🌎 We're locally owned & dedicated to our community, which is why we're offering paint transformations starting at $249! Proudly serving Garland, Dallas, Arlington, Plano, Irving & Surrounding Areas!	GET_QUOTE	http://fb.me/	VooltPro Certified	https://www.facebook.com/vooltpro/	227	1969-12-31 18:00	Get quote	fb.me	VIDEO		http://fb.me/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480260912_1136447781555240_7839643687165428262_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=a19Ijm-6OAIQ7kNvgHfSoL0&_nc_oc=AdgHCGZy5FVaQTF2_VTan405c0j4Do-BF1gexpDVlryK-RoP-LB3HZOSj9zJVAZKtmT7x2OsaSxJqN8JWo3QcKfb&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AaR7wrdoI9lBeEx7MgHtz1h&oh=00_AYBbFrBaUrStPs_qDMc5AVFLLyhVzPkBX_yIKmwPLl7uQA&oe=67C9EE4E	PERSON_PROFILE	0	VooltPro Certified	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,728,514	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-02 02:54	active	2674	Enjoy Romance🥰Read More 👉	Overweight and unattractive, she was treated as a clown by her husband and his friends to entertain his first love. Heartbroken, she agreed to the divorce and left. Three years later, she transformed into a stunning beauty pursued by countless admirers, returning with a new identity, leaving her ex-husband drowning in regret! ===== "Verena, throughout the three years you vanished, not once did Lucas cease his search for you. And now, you are finally back!" Hearing that from inside the room, Belinda Wright, who was got drenched in rain and rushed to the Dream Club, suddenly stopped pushing open the door of the private room. But somehow keeping the cake she held untouched by the downpour. Verena? The same Verena Reed who used to be Lucas Clark's girlfriend? "But hasn't Lucas already gotten married?" queried a soft female voice. "Ah, Verena, there's no need to concern yourself with that woman Lucas married. Lucas was coerced into that marriage by his father, who threatened to kill you if Lucas didn't get married. Lucas married that woman only to protect you." "Really?" Verena's doubt was evident. "Absolutely! Why else would Lucas choose someone like Belinda? She is so unappealing and overweight. Besides, she is an illegitimate daughter. Marrying her was Lucas's attempt to annoy his father, to get back at him!" Outside the private room, Belinda felt cold; her complexion drained of color. Recalling the night when Lucas had proposed, she remembered her heart had soared. She had been blissfully unaware of the harsh truth. She had believed herself incredibly fortunate, not realizing she was merely a pawn in a revenge plot. It turned out Lucas had only married her because she was ugly and fat. Belinda couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh, her body wavering slightly. She clenched the door handle to steady herself. "Speaking of Belinda, it has been five hours since she left; it's doubtful she will ever show up. Delight Desserts is way out in the eastern suburbs, and just getting there and back takes more than three hours. Besides, that place is notorious for its long queues. Surely, Belinda isn't foolish enough to go there." "If Lucas requested it, Belinda would go there even if Delight Desserts were in another city. Everyone knows how deeply she loves Lucas. She is so pathetic." Upon absorbing these scornful remarks, Belinda inhaled deeply, put on a stoic expression, and thrust the door to the private room open, making her entrance. Her gaze quickly settled on the figure of confidence and charm at the center of the room. Lucas was sitting there on the sofa with his legs elegantly crossed, embodying a casual yet graceful air. His visage was stunningly attractive, with every feature exquisitely sculpted. This man was Belinda's husband, the esteemed leader of the Triumph Consortium. A hush descended upon the room momentarily when everyone saw Belinda enter. Shortly thereafter, a voice laced with mockery pierced the silence. "Verena, ever wonder what Lucas' wife looks like? Take a look at her now." At that moment, Belinda's appearance was disheveled. Rain-soaked clothes clung to her, accentuating her large frame. Strands of hair plastered to her damp face highlighted a noticeable dark mark on her left cheek. Ignoring the disdainful eyes upon her, Belinda approached Lucas, setting the cake on the coffee table with a strained smile. "Lucas, I've brought the mousse cake you requested." Without even glancing at Belinda, Lucas slid the cake towards Verena, saying in a charming voice, "Here, you can have it now." Verena responded with a bashful smile, "I just mentioned it casually. I did not expect you would actually ask her to buy it." A jolt of realization struck Belinda, her eyes widening in shock. She felt like her heart had been stabbed by a kife. The cake she had spent nearly five hours to get... It was meant for Verena? "Verena, you see how deeply Lucas cares about you now, don't you? He would fetch the moon for you if you desired it." "That's right! Go ahead and eat the cake. After all, Belinda just spent five hours to get this. Don't let her efforts go to waste!" At that, Belinda's fists tightened at her sides. She felt like the biggest fool in the world now. Just then, Lucas rose and strode towards Belinda, meeting her gaze with an expressionless face. In a cold voice, he said, "The divorce papers are on the coffee table at home. Sign them when you go back." Chapter 2 Nothing More Than A Tool For You "Divorce papers?" The color drained from Belinda's face as she stared at Lucas, her lips quivering. Lucas' expression was indifferent. "I married you only to appease my father and to keep Verena out of harm's way. Now that she has returned, I can ensure her safety." Belinda understood the implication behind his words. Their marriage had merely been a strategic move. With his objective already fulfilled, Lucas now saw no further use for her, a wife who only brought him embarrassment. Thinking of this, Belinda suddenly smiled. But her smile was tinged with resignation and bitter irony. She looked up at Lucas, her eyes filled with sorrow yet clinging to a sliver of hope. "Lucas, in all our years together, was I nothing more than just a convenient tool for you?" Laughter broke out around Belinda, scornful and sharp. "Is Belinda delusional? Does she truly expect Lucas could have any affection for her?" "Can't she see herself? She is so ugly!" Ignoring the cruel insults, Belinda maintained her gaze on Lucas. Her determination for an answer was evident. With a cold voice, Lucas said, "Yes." Tears immediately welled in Belinda's eyes. At that moment, it felt as though her heart had been ripped out, thrown to the floor, and mercilessly crushed. The pain overwhelmed her. A hollow chuckle escaped Belinda, laden with despair. "I see," she said. She nodded slowly, accepting her fate. "I'll sign the divorce papers when I get home." "See you tomorrow at ten at the courthouse," Lucas said coldly. He then turned and sat back on the sofa. Belinda's steps were heavy as she moved toward the door to leave. Just then, Verena's soft voice echoed. "Lucas, I'm too full. Can I discard this cake?" Hearing that, Belinda froze. "Of course," Lucas replied. Hearing Lucas' response, Belinda shut her eyes, letting her tears mix with the raindrops on her face. She left the room quickly, making her way back to Reverie Villa, the home she had shared with Lucas. On the coffee table awaited the divorce papers, just as Lucas had mentioned. Belinda scanned the documents and noted the settlement terms. After she divorced Lucas, she would get three hundred million dollars and two luxurious houses. Despite having used her, Lucas had ensured she wouldn't walk away empty-handed. Three years of marriage now equated to three hundred million and two properties--wasn't that a form of profit? With a bitter smile, Belinda signed the divorce papers. Just then, a tear splashed onto the document; she hurriedly dabbed at it and looked up, trying to hold back any further tears. At that moment, her phone buzzed with a new message. It was from her mentor. "Belinda, have you decided yet? Don't pass up this chance to study abroad--it's an incredible opportunity. You'll regret missing out!" Belinda looked at the message, her resolve strengthening as she replied, "I've decided. I will go abroad to study." For weeks, Belinda had been uncertain about accepting the offer to study abroad. Now, clarity had come. She would seize this opportunity. It was time for her to begin anew. She wanted a new life that was truly her own. After responding, she slipped her phone into her pocket and began to pack. Though the previous day's rain had left her feverish, she forced herself, fever and all, to the courthouse by ten the following morning. However, even after the clock ticked past eleven, Lucas still hadn't shown up. Belinda decided to call Lucas. Verena's voice greeted her as soon as the call connected. "Lucas, can you help me here..." Then, Lucas' voice came through. "I'm tied up now. We'll reschedule the courthouse visit." With that, he ended the call abruptly. Belinda stared at her phone as the call disconnected. A knot formed in her throat. With a heavy heart, she composed a final text to Lucas. Then, she removed her SIM card and discarded it in the nearest bin. She pocketed her phone and walked away without a backward glance. Today was not just any day--it was her departure day for Chixdon. Belinda made a vow to herself that once overseas, she would erase all memories of Lucas from her mind! Chapter 3 She Is Breathtakingly Beautiful Three years had elapsed, and the ambiance at the Thomas family estate in Owathe was alive with excitement. In the grand banquet hall, laughter and conversations mingled with the thick fragrance of perfumes. The Thomas family, which was among the top four influential families in Owathe, wielded considerable power. This evening, they celebrated the return of their family head's goddaughter from overseas with a lavish banquet. The city's elite had turned out in full force for the occasion. "Lucas, isn't it true that Belinda returned today as well?" Ryan Adams queried from a corner of the room. Hearing the question, Lucas paused for a moment, his fingers tightening around his wie glass. After a brief pause, he responded with a nod to confirm the news after savoring a sip of wie. Clad in a sharp dark blue suit, Lucas exuded an air of meticulous sophistication. "It's about time!" Ryan said, turning to look at Verena, who stood next to Lucas. "That woman Lucas married should have been gone from his life long ago. Congratulations, Verena. It must be only a matter of time before you become Mrs. Clark." Verena responded with a slight smile, her voice gentle, "Being close to Lucas is what matters to me, not the title of his wife." Despite her words, her intent gaze on Lucas spoke volumes of her true feelings, her expectation to marry Lucas evident to all observers. Lucas averted his eyes, his finger idly tapping his glass, remaining silent. Catching Verena's hopeful look, Ryan said, "Lucas clearly adores you, Verena. Once he is free from Belinda, he'll no doubt make you his wife right away. Right, Lucas?" Lucas remained unresponsive, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. Verena's lips parted as she was about to speak, but the room's attention was suddenly drawn elsewhere by a stir at the entrance. All heads turned as the sound of clicking heels resonated across the marble floor, echoing with the heartbeat of the crowd. A striking figure in a fiery red gown appeared. The gown had a deep V-neck and shimmering sequins, the fishtail hem dancing as the woman walked. Her presence was undeniably magnetic, her figure perfect. Her refined features were framed by bright eyes, their charm enhanced by dark eyeliner. Her beauty was not just seen but felt, leaving everyone present stunned. "Oh my God! Who is that woman? I can't believe someone so captivating has been here in Owathe all along! Why haven't I seen her before?" Ryan couldn't hide his astonishment. "Indeed, she is quite striking," Verena commented with a smile. Lucas slowly raised his eyes to look at the woman, and his eyes sharply narrowed at the sight. "I like her! I'll get her number right now. Just wait for my good news!" Ryan quickly said, heading towards the woman with determined steps. Approaching the woman, Ryan offered a smile he believed to be his most charming one. "Hello, beautiful! I'm Ryan Adams, son of the Adams Group's chairman. Would you allow me the pleasure of your acquaintance?" Belinda looked at Ryan, a subtle smile playing on her lips. Previously, among Lucas' circle, Ryan had been particularly harsh to her, always hurling insults her way. He had called her many foul names before, never considering her feelings at all. But now, here he was, standing before her, clearly captivated by her beauty. The sweet irony of it all made Belinda feel amused. Seeing Belinda's charming smile, Ryan was momentarily spellbound. He cleared his throat and said, "Could I possibly have the pleasure of knowing your name?" As Belinda opened her mouth, about to speak, a deep voice interrupted her, saying, "Belinie..." Chapter 4 Because I Said So Belinda and Ryan simultaneously looked over. The approaching man carried himself with an ease and allure that seemed to fill the space around him. "Mr. Thomas," Ryan said with respect. After giving Ryan a brief nod, Darren Thomas turned to look at Belinda. "Belinie, let's go. It's time to join Uncle Santino and the rest. Your godfather is waiting for you." "Okay," Belinda responded, quickly falling into step beside Darren. As Belinda walked away, Ryan's expression registered his astonishment. He hastened back to Lucas and the others, barely containing his excitement. "Did you see that? That woman is Santino Thomas' goddaughter! And Mr. Thomas just called her... Belinie or something. Anyway, her name sounds elegant!" Hearing what Ryan had said, Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly. Vincent James, who had been quiet earlier, chimed in, "Santino and his wife never had kids of their own. Despite attempts by relatives to have their children adopted by them, they rejected every proposal. It was only three years ago that they publicly announced a goddaughter in Chixdon, whom they adore. I always assumed she was from there, but now, it turns out she's from our country." Ryan suddenly burst out laughing, his enthusiasm evident. "I was hesitant about the task my mom had assigned me, but now, I'm fully committed!" Ryan's mother had hoped Ryan would forge a good connection with Santino's goddaughter. "You can't pursue her. She's not an option," Lucas interjected in a low, gravelly voice, cutting through the chatter. Hearing that, Ryan and Verena were visibly taken aback. They both turned to look at Lucas. "Why not?" Ryan demanded, confusion in his voice. Lucas' face was expressionless, his gaze fixing on Ryan. "Because I said so." His voice carried a commanding tone, his striking features betraying no emotion. Expressions shifted on both Ryan's and Verena's faces. Verena looked at Lucas and opened her mouth, about to speak. But before she could say anything, Lucas abruptly rose from the sofa and exited the room. Verena watched him leave, her hands balling into fists out of frustration. She was lost in thought. Why did Lucas object to Ryan pursuing that woman? ** Belinda exited the restroom, straightening her dress, ready to return to the hall. She paused abruptly when she noticed a tall and handsome man casually leaning against the wall nearby. Lucas glanced over at Belinda, their eyes briefly meeting. Belinda held his gaze for a second before casually looking away and walking past him. She pretended like she didn't know Lucas at all, ignoring his presence completely. "Wait, stop." Lucas' cold voice echoed. Belinda stopped and turned, her eyes locking with Lucas'. A slight smile played on her lips as she said, "Can I help you with anything, sir?" Her voice was soothing, like a soft melody. Belinda had thought three years would help her forget the man who had brought so much pain into her life. Yet, seeing Lucas now, she realized that his image was already ingrained in her memory. But she could remain composed in front of Lucas now. Lucas chuckled coldly at her words, staring at her pointedly. His smirk was tinged with irony as he said, "Belinda, are you pretending to have amnesia now?" Belinda's eyes sparkled with a hint of surprise. Had Lucas actually recognized her? ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &9&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65655322-fb_contact-e	Good novel2	https://www.facebook.com/61565429684287/	322	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.moboreader.net	VIDEO		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65655322-fb_contact-enp113-1212-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=200518&jump=1&exdata=2834592F077DE9048B4744DD60BF28D626D157835A230A2F	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481213327_621610997243948_6649302067889390610_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sGvvzMujSLYQ7kNvgGkx31L&_nc_oc=AdjG66_HWEDRJP7gJ03ivZvYh3OZwyQL6AMN-4q4cOUz-eSg8q0o_xWGKKpljdWXTXnCwL0rq7qfopP69cM38Sp0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZn1DwaC-fg0lM-Wuy94vgH&oh=00_AYC9UqQ21NZTa8aE77ZCv8u5aMV3HhpNyd6vjfK8H4MhTg&oe=67C9E542	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Good novel2	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete

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