Garruk, the buffalo beastman, recognized his mistake from Owen’s reaction.

He immediately suppressed his aura. It was far too dangerous for females.

Yet to his surprise, the lynx woman did not react the way he expected — or the way he was used to.

That dampened his anger slightly. But her next words changed that immediately.

Mirabelle did not know what had caused the beast to lose control like that. But she knew that this behavior was unacceptable. Even if he pulled back right away, he had broken etiquette and hurt Owen.

She glanced toward the old wolf, who breathed heavily and clutched his chest.

A hiss left her lips, and for the first time since she awoke, it felt right to Mirabelle.

Her claws extended, and with a swift motion, she rose to her feet and leaned forward, threatening.

"Do you dare to lose control in my territory? To harm my staff? To threaten me?

If you do not want to be here, then leave. I have no need for a male who cannot control himself."

Her voice lashed through the room and struck the buffalo beastman, each word a blow to his pride.

The worst part was — she was right. Someone of his rank should not have let that happen.

His hands curled into fists.

With his head held high, he left the room. But his pinned-back ears betrayed how much he felt like a scolded pup.

One gone. Two remaining.

Kaelith’s eyes followed the buffalo beastman, then returned directly to Mirabelle’s décolleté.

As she leaned forward, her robe shifted slightly, revealing a glimpse of the delicate curve of her breasts.

He swallowed. He did not like tame females — he preferred those with bite. The entire culture of the hyenas was built around strong-willed women. And for the first time, he saw one before him who might be worth the effort.

This was no longer chance — this was a game, and he had just decided to play.

Silas also noticed that her robe just had opened. And not he alone. His trousers suddenly felt too tight.

What fascinated him more, however, was how unaffected she had been by the aura of a high-ranking beastman. He was tempted to release his own aura and test her.

’Was that a skill or her genetics?’ he wondered silently.

Either way, it was more than desirable for the future pups of a beastman. The stronger the parents, the more likely their offspring would inherit their abilities.

For the first time, he felt that his presence here was not a waste of time.

There was something dangerous in her golden eyes.

And those very eyes were now fixed on him. Unconsciously, he tensed.

"Do you want to leave as well?"

She addressed both of them, but her gaze remained on him.

She had noticed his irritation when she entered — even though her glance had only rested on him for a second, and he had been certain he hid it well in hiding it.

She did not just see him — she read him, and that unsettled him more than her defiance.

The hyena beastman reacted first. He dropped into an elegant bow:

"By no means, Lady Mirabelle. I am honored by the chance to court you."

He looked up and gave her that same hyena-like grin, where only one side of his mouth moved.

She did not respond, but in her world, that counted as silent acceptance. Their culture dictated that courtship had to be tolerated for at least a certain time.

"I also ask that you grant me the right to court you," Silas said. His voice was deep and melodic. She thought she could hear a faint accent.

Kaelith’s smile faltered for a brief moment. It was unusual to phrase the request like that. Now the female could refuse. But if she accepted, it would already be a clear sign of interest.

’Did the panther just outsmarr me?’

Mirabelle hesitated, uncertain. She had not yet fully considered why she was here, what it meant, or what would come next. And now this man asked a question that could strongly shape her near future. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

On the one hand, she would have preferred to be rid of them. Refusing would help with that.

On the other, something about him drew her in, and she wanted to understand what it was. And she knew too little to say no.

’If I stay here, I will have to choose a mate eventually. There is no other way to survive in this society and this world. It only makes sense to choose someone of high rank and status.’

Mirabelle tried to convince herself it was logic that made her give a nod.

The nod felt small — but it carried more consequence than she was ready to face.

For the first time, Kaelith did not look amused — he looked challenged.

Satisfaction swilled inside the panther. A purr wanted to form. But he supressed it.

Mirabelle noticed it anyway.

Then she turned and knelt beside Owen, who was still breathing heavily. The aura had likely injured his meridians or even his beast core.

"Call the healer," she said, addressing no one in particular.

But her sharpened senses caught how the panther turned toward the door and stepped outside.

A/N: Please vote for me if you like the story and tell me why if you don’t.