So what if he had been deceived?

As long as his female master was safe and unharmed, even if it meant giving up his life, Aren would offer it without hesitation.

"And you can still laugh?"

Melanie stared at him, her voice sharp with disbelief. "Aren, wake up. That Rory doesn’t care whether you live or die. She has so many powerful males around her, she’s never taken you seriously."

But instead of anger, Aren’s smile only deepened.

Melanie’s chest tightened with irritation.

What was there to laugh about?

"My female master has never deceived me," Aren said weakly, his voice hoarse but steady.

"How many males stand by her side, who she loves... none of that matters to me."

His gaze softened, unwavering despite the pain.

"I only want her to be well. Even if she asked me to die, I would go willingly."

Rory had never truly lied to him.

Before he left for Beast God Mountain, she had sent him countless messages, explaining everything—explaining that she had pretended to be ill only to make him reveal his identity.

He had simply refused to believe it at the time, thinking she was trying to stop him from taking the risk.

"You... you’re completely insane..."

Melanie trembled with anger, unable to comprehend him.

What kind of power did that woman have, to make him abandon even his dignity and life for her?

Even Aris had become obsessed with her.

"Aren, do you even understand what you’re saying?" she pressed, her tone hardening. "The female I’ve arranged for you, Bree Dekhart, is a human. If you bond with her, just by drinking her blood, your body will recover instantly. Not only will you return to Rank Eleven, you may even break through to Rank Twelve."

In her mind, everything she had done was for his sake.

Aren had heard of human females, but they were of no interest to him.

"If she’s so valuable," he said flatly, "why not let Aris bond with her?"

"If Aris hadn’t set his sights on Rory, do you think I wouldn’t have?" Melanie snapped, anger flashing in her eyes at the thought.

Understanding dawned in Aren’s gaze.

A cold, mocking smile tugged at his lips.

"So that’s it. You want me to step aside for him."

His voice turned firm, resolute.

"You’d better give up on that idea. Even if I die, I will never bond with another female."

He belonged to his female master in life—and in death. He would not spare another woman even a glance.

"Good. Very good."

Melanie laughed in anger, her expression turning cold.

"If you refuse to listen, then there’s nothing more to say." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

She turned sharply and summoned two guards of the succubus clan.

Pointing at Aren, still bound and bloodied on the stone bed, she gave a crisp order:

"Clean him up. Change him into formal attire. Feed him our strongest aphrodisiac," Melanie said coldly. "Then send him to the room I’ve prepared for Bree."

At her command, one of the guards immediately took out an exquisite black porcelain vial.

Aren’s pupils shrank violently.

He knew exactly what it was.

The most potent aphrodisiac of the succubus clan. Once consumed, even a Rank Eleven powerhouse would be overwhelmed, reduced to nothing more than a creature driven by raw, uncontrollable desire.

"No!" He struggled fiercely. "Let me go. I won’t drink it."

With a sudden surge of strength born from desperation, he shoved the guard away. His heavily injured body dragged the chains with a harsh metallic screech.

He glared at the approaching guards like a beast cornered at the edge of death, eyes burning red.

"I will never betray my female master... Even if I die."

"You want to kill yourself?"

Melanie’s gaze turned colder. With a simple gesture, she ordered the chains to activate.

The black restraints came alive.

Dense spikes erupted from their surface, plunging into Aren’s body.

Each spike carried a paralyzing toxin.

"Ah—!"

Aren collapsed back onto the stone bed, his body rigid with pain, unable to move even a finger.

Melanie stepped closer, looking down at him with thinly veiled contempt.

"Look at yourself," she said coolly. "You can’t even die if you want to."

She lifted his chin with her well-manicured fingers, then took the vial from the guard and forced it into his mouth.

"You have no choice."

The empty bottle clattered to the ground.

"Get him cleaned up," she ordered. "Dress him properly and take him to Bree’s room."

The banquet was about to begin. She had guests to entertain.

***

Succubus clan. Banquet hall.

Rory entered dressed in a flowing blue gown, her appearance subtly altered.

Beside her walked Lola.

Behind them followed Yuel, Vincent, and the others, their appearances likewise disguised.

They had already discussed their plan on the way.

Aren’s condition was unknown. If he truly was gravely injured and hidden away, barging in openly would only alert the clan and make them conceal him further.

The succubus clan had sent an invitation to the Firebird Clan.

To avoid raising suspicion, Rory assumed the identity of a firebird noble, attending the banquet as Lola’s cousin.

Vincent, Xarion, and the others now stood as her guards, silent and watchful as they stepped into the heart of danger.

Inside the grand banquet hall, light and shadow intertwined beneath towering crystal chandeliers, casting a dazzling glow over the gathered guests.

The moment Rory and Lola stepped inside, Rory’s gaze locked onto a figure not far away.

Melanie.

She stood elegantly among the crowd, smiling as she held Bree’s hand, speaking to her with unmistakable warmth.

On the way here, Yuel had shown Rory Melanie’s image. That was why Rory recognized her instantly.

But Aren was nowhere to be seen.

Rory had just begun scanning the hall, intending to search for him, when Melanie’s eyes swept over them. Almost immediately, she took Bree by the hand and walked toward them with a welcoming smile.

"Princess Lola, it’s been a long time. I’m delighted you could attend our banquet."

Melanie’s tone was warm, her expression gracious.

She had already heard that Vincent of the Firebird Clan had reached Rank Eleven.

If she could use Lola to get close to him... then perhaps her daughter would have a chance.

Bree had told her that there was a way to sever a bond without punishment.

If Vincent could be separated from Rory and bound to her daughter instead—the benefits would be immeasurable.

Lola, unaware on the surface but fully briefed beforehand, responded with practiced ease.

"Lady Melanie, you’re too kind. It’s my honor to attend a banquet hosted by the succubus clan."

Her smile was bright, her tone perfectly courteous.

Melanie was clearly pleased.

Her gaze then shifted to the unfamiliar female beside Lola.

"This young lady... I don’t believe I’ve seen her before."

Lola looped her arm through Rory’s, her smile widening as she introduced her.

"This is my cousin, Inna. She’s always had a fondness for the males of the succubus clan. When she heard about this banquet, she insisted on coming along with me."

"Lady Melanie," Rory said softly, offering a polite smile.

So, another firebird noble.

And one close enough to Lola to stand at her side.

Melanie’s eyes softened instantly, a hint of indulgent affection appearing in her gaze.

"Our clan has many outstanding young males," she said warmly. "Later, I’ll have a few of them come over. You may choose two to take back with you."

A small exchange for a greater gain.

More than worth it.

Lola caught the shift in Melanie’s attitude and smoothly redirected the conversation, her eyes drifting toward Bree with feigned curiosity.

"And this lovely lady by your side... may I ask who she is?"

At the mention of Bree, Melanie’s expression brightened further. She clasped Bree’s hand affectionately.

"Look at me, I was so happy I forgot to introduce her. This is Bree Dekhart—my son Aren’s chosen mate."

So their guess had been right.

The succubus clan truly intended to bind Aren to Bree.

Rory’s gaze settled briefly on Bree’s delicate face.

She stood there, cheeks flushed with shy delight, unable to hide the excitement in her eyes at the mention of Aren’s name.

She clearly wanted this bond.

Lola smiled lightly.

"So you are the future First Lady of the Succubus Clan."