Elara’s POV

When Julian spotted me approaching, he quickly spun away. Even though... well, he still seemed a bit hurt.

Since his last breakdown, he’d been acting like this. Honestly, even without me saying anything, he probably knew he didn’t look his best—otherwise he wouldn’t have draped sheets over every mirror in his room.

Kaelen, meanwhile, was practically glowing. He’d been getting VIP treatment these past few days. Take breakfast—not only did he get juice, but also a steaming bowl of oatmeal.

Unlike Julian down the hall, who only got the juice.

That oatmeal smelled incredible. Just as I was thinking that, I wheeled the meal cart into the corridor. Spotting Kaelen in his Toothless form, I crouched down by his door.

The little dragon cocked his head, those bright eyes brimming with curiosity—clearly caught off guard that I’d stopped to watch him like this.

Kaelen shifted awkwardly, his front paws pawing at the air for a moment.

I was internally losing my mind. This was... impossibly adorable!!!

He seemed to realize I liked his beast form. He quickly sat up straight, as if deciding he wouldn’t act carelessly around me. Once positioned, he flashed me a grin...

I stood up and pushed the cart away in a daze, completely overwhelmed by the cuteness.

The little dragon tilted his head again. Why had I left?

"Want some fish?"

I turned back, and my eyes crinkled into a real smile. In that instant, Kaelen went completely still. He gazed at me blankly, even forgetting to respond, as if completely mesmerized.

It took him a long, stunned beat before he nodded. I felt another surge of pure affection wash over me. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small Toothless plushie. "Here. For you."

Wait, what?!?!

Staring at the stuffed animal that looked nearly identical to him, Kaelen was completely speechless—but he masked it well. Calmly, he accepted the plushie. When he glanced up again, I was already gone.

He looked down at the toy in his grasp, his thumb unconsciously rubbing the plush fabric, as if he was wondering whether I had made it just for him.

——

Julian watched them.

Hmph. He’d gotten one too.

Julian slipped into the water and retrieved the little rubber duck Elara had tossed him earlier. He gave it a squeeze, and it released a sharp squeak.

Rubber duck in hand, he lounged against the pool’s edge, one eyebrow arched, and shot a smug glance across at Kaelen. His gaze drifted down, finally settling on the plushie clutched in Kaelen’s claws.

Squeak!!!

The sound pierced the quiet, completely jarring.

Julian squeezed it again. "Mine makes sound. Does yours?"

Kaelen picked up on it immediately. With a beat of his wings, he soared a circle around the room, flaunting his beast form to Julian from every angle—a complete 360. Then he touched down and released a series of taunting chirps.

Julian got that message crystal clear too. With a splash, he dove back into the water, retreating even deeper than Alistair ever had.

He stared at his reflection in the water, and Elara’s words rang in his head. Whimper... He had emerald scales and razor-sharp fangs—he looked like some kind of beast.

So yeah. He didn’t deserve a little treat. He didn’t deserve lemonade either.

Tiny droplets fell into the pool and rippled outward.

Barrett had no clue what had just happened, but he suspected it involved Elara...

The massive wolf rummaged through drawers and cabinets until he discovered a wine-red bow tie decorated with moonstone gems. It complemented his fur perfectly.

After some struggle, he managed to secure it. In front of the mirror, Barrett turned left and right, checking himself out. Not bad—she’d definitely appreciate this.

His gaze landed on the mark on his wrist, matching Elara’s, and a smile played at his lips.

Their communicators had been taken, so they couldn’t research who their contracted mate was. Initially, when the bonding marks had suddenly materialized on their skin, they’d all been somewhat stunned.

After all, being shipped here basically meant the Valerion Empire had given up on them...

They’d all figured the system had randomly matched them with some unknown female. Never in their wildest dreams did they imagine their bonded mate was right here in the same facility.

"Elara..."

Just thinking about her made Barrett’s mouth curve upward, and even the tips of his ears turned pink. They hadn’t known each other long, but he already really cared for his little mate.

He had to make it. He’d cooperate completely with the treatment, whatever it took.

With that determination, Barrett climbed into the treatment pod for the first time entirely on his own.

——

Elara’s POV

I had just entered the kitchen when the alarm screamed again!

This time it was Chamber Seven—Silas!

The bunny-eared boy who’d been perfectly normal at breakfast was now thrashing wildly, teeth exposed and claws extended. He launched himself at the door repeatedly, relentless, seemingly unaware of the pain. Blood poured from his mouth in thick streams, over and over, until he was covered in injuries and finally collapsed!!!

"Dr. Pendragon? Dr. Pendragon, are you okay?"

It was Finnian. Separated by just one wall, he’d heard everything happening next door. An episode this violent... it was probably fatal...

The med-bots arrived. These emotionless machines followed the same protocol day after day: treat the minor wounds, put the critical ones in pods. But today was different. Silas’s condition was critical. He’d completely reverted to his beast form, and his spirit collapse level was climbing.

The numbers rose faster and faster.

When the room announced his vitals, everyone in the ward fell silent. Why the sudden surge?

Ninety—didn’t that mean total psychic breakdown?

The atmosphere in the ward grew suffocating. Recent days. Multiple episodes.

That frequency was terrifying.

"Why would he suddenly snap? He was fine. I swear Dr. Pendragon’s readings were normal..."

That was Alistair. He and the others had arrived later. In all the time they’d been here, Silas had never had an episode. So why now?

Finnian added, "I don’t understand it either. Dr. Pendragon had been stable for so long."

"Prohibited substances detected. Patient self-administered injection, resulting in psychic collapse. Collapse level: 90. Complete bestialization. Requesting system authorization for lethal dose..."

Lethal.

A crushing weight settled on everyone’s chests. Death felt so near...

"Ding."

The door slid open.

It was me.

I had sprinted all the way here—I had to hurry. The vines on my hand were about to spiral out of control...

"Elara..."

Julian and Kaelen both called out, but I ignored them. I was in full emergency mode.

Barrett stood by the window and saw me, my forehead slick with sweat, rushing inside.

Alistair watched me too. He didn’t understand—why was I here at a time like this? When an SSS-class beastman had a psychic breakdown, it was extremely dangerous. Even the bots had to retreat. Why was I walking toward it?

"Ms. Sterling, this isn’t safe for you."

Alistair’ deep, calm voice cut through the tension, but predictably, I didn’t respond.

"Ms. Sterling... is Dr. Pendragon... still alive?" Finnian’s voice shook slightly.

"Yes."

My reply was brief, sharp—because I honestly couldn’t tell if that beautiful young man was still breathing. Chamber Seven was empty of people. All I could see was a basin-sized, blood-soaked white rabbit lying motionless on the floor. Beside it, a bot was requesting approval for a lethal injection...