Chapter 129: Serve me
’What am I doing?’ Laila asked herself as she walked aimlessly toward the forest. She didn’t even realize when she crossed the perimeter.
Her feet kept moving, just like her mind, without direction.
This wasn’t the first time she had argued with Caleb or heard him say something cruel. But this time, his words struck differently.
Usually, she would scoff at him, thinking it was his incompetence that always led to their fights. Since he knew he was in the wrong, he would just raise his voice, trying to hide his cowardice and incapability.
However, this time, things were different. Caleb had said something that, in the moment, felt ridiculous. Complete nonsense, not worth thinking about.
But when she left home to cool her head and began to think it through, a question surfaced. Why did it feel like he was telling the truth?
Was she really that envious of the life Luke now lived that she had started comparing Caleb to him, expecting her mate to become someone similar?
It wasn’t just about how much he earned. Luke’s entire personality had begun to influence her in ways she didn’t understand, or perhaps didn’t want to.
The way he spoke now, confident and unbothered by who stood before him. His nonchalant attitude toward those in power, and the fact that he wasn’t just talk. He had the strength to back it up.
Any woman would look at him and admire such a man.
And then there was the way he took care of their mother.
Laila knew that there was something going on between them...something a mother and son should never share. But what actually matters is that, Luke doesn’t treat Monica as a thing, or just a caregiver.
He takes care of her, prioritizes her feelings, brings her gifts and sweets, and even fights those who badmouth her.
What woman wouldn’t want a partner like him?
She had been too proud, too stubborn to admit it until now. But today, when Caleb pointed it out, she was forced to face it.
She—
"Watch out!"
"Ah!" Laila yelped as someone suddenly grabbed her hand and yanked her back.
In the next instant, to her horror, a large fox landed exactly where she had been standing.
She nearly dropped to her knees, staring at the growling beast that would have torn her apart if Luke hadn’t pulled her back in time.
Luke clicked his tongue and said, "Don’t stand near the tree. There’s a snake on the branch."
Laila whimpered and stepped aside. Her head tilted up, and in the darkening forest, the shape of a slithering serpent was unmistakable.
Luke lowered his stance and focused on the fox first.
The orange-furred creature hissed warily, clearly aware it wasn’t the only hunter in the clearing.
Luke moved first, unwilling to drag the fight out.
The fox wasn’t a mindless beast that would charge blindly. It tried to retreat, but with his enhanced stats, Luke outpaced it and appeared right behind it.
The fox spun around, maw wide, ready to tear into his shoulder. But Luke caught its lower jaw in time, his grip strong enough to hold it in place.
The creature tried to lift its front paws and rake his chest open.
Luke gave it neither the time nor the space.
He clenched his fist and drove his knuckles into the monster’s throat.
DOOOOM
The creature howled in agony.
And then—
SQUELCH
The fist buried in its throat turned sharp, something piercing deep within.
Summoning his steel claw at the moment of impact spared him any extra effort.
Luke twisted his hand, drawing more and more blood as the beast thrashed, desperate to escape, desperate to live.
But it was inevitable.
Luke lowered the beast to the ground, then dismissed his claws and flicked his hand to shake off the blood.
He turned to Laila. She was still on her knees, eyes wide, face pale. Clearly, she hadn’t expected this. Not in her wildest thoughts had she imagined that her once delicate brother would kill something with such cold efficiency.
"Get up. We’re going back," Luke said, pulling out a few tissues to clean his hand.
This wasn’t the first time she had seen something hunted. What shook her was how merciless Luke had been.
’He... is nothing like the person I remember,’ she murmured under her breath.
The snake no longer mattered. It had already slipped into hiding, sensing that facing Luke meant certain death.
The laws of the wild were simple. Only one rule never changed.
Survival.
As Luke walked beside her, he said, "Were you trying to get yourself killed? Is this because of that asshole?"
Laila shook her head immediately. "N-No... I didn’t realize when I crossed the perimeter."
She truly hadn’t. She might have been upset and wanted to be alone, but she knew how dangerous the forest became as daylight faded.
Luke remained silent for a moment before saying, "I’m throwing Caleb out of the house."
"...!" Laila’s eyes widened in shock. "Huh?"
Luke continued, "He’s caused enough trouble for us to tolerate him any longer. He doesn’t contribute to the household expenses and is nothing but a burden."
Laila froze, her steps slowing to a halt. "T-Then... what about me?"
Luke stopped as well and turned to face her.
Crossing his arms, he asked, "You tell me. What do you want to do? Because if Caleb stays, I’m leaving. I can’t stand seeing his face in my house another day."
Laila fell silent, her head lowering.
Then, in a quieter voice, she said, "Then... I’ll leave with him..."
Luke didn’t know why, but irritation rose within him at her answer. He clenched his fist. "Why are you so determined to stick with him? What exactly has he done for you?"
"Then what do you expect me to do?!" Laila cried, her eyes burning with tears. "If I don’t follow him, who will take care of me? Who will provide for me?"
She wiped her eyes, but it was useless. More tears kept falling as she continued,
"I wanted someone reliable as my partner. Someone who would take care of my needs, someone who would bring happiness into my life. But all I got is a burden who spends his days hoping for a miracle instead of working to build a stable life. I never dreamed of anything lavish. I just wanted a loving partner, someone who wouldn’t hide behind me."
Sniffling, she asked, "Is that too much to ask for?"
Luke remained silent for a moment.
Then, he gave her the offer, "Then become my woman."
"!!" Laila’s eyes widened at those words, "Huh?"
"I won’t make you my mate, but I will take care of you. I promise to fulfill all your needs, and protect you. But in return, you have to serve me faithfully. Whatever I ask for, you must do it without complaints."
Laila was too stunned to reply instantly.
...there was no denying it. When he asked her to serve him, he meant everything.
Something a brother and sister should never partake in. And yet...he was asking all of her.
Luke sighed and told her, "I will give you time to think. But by the time we reach back home, I need you to make a decision. Now, let’s go."
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A/N:- Hope you liked the Chapter.