Chapter 141: The Snake King’s Arrival And The Abduction!
Neve could not say anything.
Not because of how handsome the man was. He was stunning, that was true. But there was something else about him that made speech impossible.
He looked dangerous. Deadly. Terrifying in a way that reminded Neve of Vaelthorn. There was a similar aura of ancient power radiating from this stranger. A power that was not to be challenged or questioned.
Even Cael could not say anything.
Normally, the leopard prince would use his commanding tone to ask who this stranger was. Normally, Cael would step forward and demand answers. But this time, he could not say a word. Something about this man’s presence froze everyone in place.
Neve looked above the stranger’s head and saw his name floating there with a favorability meter.
[Zyreth - 1%]
’A mate?’ Neve thought to himself, his mind reeling. ’But who is he? How is this possible?’
"How do you know my name?" Neve asked, trying to sound strong. But his voice was trembling. His entire body was trembling. He could feel his heart racing in his chest like it was trying to escape his body.
He wanted to run away from this monster. He wanted to scream for help. But he was frozen in place.
"I’ve heard so much about you," Zyreth said, his voice smooth and filled with certainty. "Oh! I must thank you for releasing a messenger of mine. He brought me such valuable information about you."
Zyreth took a step forward and suddenly vanished into thin air.
Was it invincibility like Sable had? No. It was worse.
Teleportation.
He immediately appeared behind Neve, manifesting from nothing like a ghost becoming solid. Neve felt his presence and spun around, his eyes wide with fear.
Cael flinched at the sudden appearance. He wanted to do something. He wanted to attack. Sable was also tensing, Neve could tell even though the fox was still invisible.
But neither of them moved. Neither of them attacked.
Zyreth’s long, elegant fingers held up Neve’s jaw. His touch was surprisingly gentle despite the danger radiating from him. He was sliding his hand up and down Neve’s face like he was examining a prize he had just won.
"You’re really beautiful," Zyreth said, his voice filled with appreciation and possession. "Just as perfect as that leopard had said."
"Leopard?" Cael whispered, confusion crossing his face.
"Was it Soren?" Neve gasped, his mind jumping to conclusions.
Zyreth tilted his head, considering the name.
"Soren? Was that his name?" Zyreth asked casually. "Was he important to you? I killed him accidentally for breathing too loud after he reported to me about you. He said it was information from his chief. From your tribe’s chief, I assume."
Chief? That meant it was not Soren who had reported to Zyreth. That meant it was someone else. The guard from that day maybe. The guard who had sneaked in on their conversation and heard everything.
Neve did not know why he felt relieved that Soren was not dead. Maybe because it meant he would still have to plan Soren’s painful death.
But the relief was quickly replaced by terror.
"Why are you here?" Neve asked, his voice shaking. "Are you here to take me away? Are you here to separate me from my mates?"
Cael finally managed to find his voice.
"Why are you here?" Cael yelled, his body tense. "Are you here to take my mate? Give Neve back!"
Veins popped from Cael’s forehead from the strain of his anger and fear.
Zyreth finally took his eyes off Neve and looked directly at Cael. His gaze was cold and dismissive.
"Mate, huh?" Zyreth asked, not bothering to hide his contempt. "I see."
His eyes dropped from Cael’s face down to Neve’s neck. Then to his wrists. He was studying the bond marks that connected Neve to his other mates.
Zyreth grinned, a expression filled with dark intentions.
"Once I kill them, would the bond marks disappear?" he asked, his hand sliding from Neve’s chin down to his neck. "Including that bastard dragon. If I find where he’s in slumber and kill him, would his mark disappear and I would own you alone? Would you belong only to me?"
The possessiveness in his voice was absolute.
"I will not let that happen!" Cael yelled, finally moving forward.
Zyreth’s attention snapped back to the leopard prince.
"I’ll have to kill small fries like you then," he said, grinning.
He immediately pulled away from Neve and shifted his lower half into his snake form. His transformation was fast and terrifying. What had been a humanoid male suddenly became a massive serpent. His upper body remained human but from the waist down, he was pure snake. Coils of muscle and scales stretched behind him. His body was very long and huge.
With one wave of his tail, he managed to slam Cael directly into the nearest tree.
The impact was brutal. Cael’s body crashed into the trunk with enough force to crack the wood. He fell to the ground, coughing up blood.
Popi screamed, her hands covering her mouth as she witnessed the violence.
"Oh! There was another one there," Zyreth said, noticing the footprints in the snow where Sable had been standing.
Sable had tried to attack. The invisible fox had launched himself at Zyreth with murderous intent. But Zyreth was faster. Zyreth was stronger.
Zyreth waved his massive tail again, slamming Sable into a tree with the same brutal force he had used on Cael.
Sable became visible as the impact knocked the wind out of him. Blood oozed from his mouth where his teeth had cut into his lip.
"Cael! Sable!" Neve yelled, trying to run toward them to check on their condition.
But before he could take two steps, Zyreth grabbed him from behind and hooked him under one muscular arm. He held him carefully because of his swollen stomach. He was treating Neve like precious cargo that should not be damaged.
"You’re coming with me," Zyreth said, his voice brooking no argument.
"Do not take Neve away. Give him back!" Popi screamed, her voice filled with desperation and anger.
She started drumming on Zyreth’s scaled back with her fists, trying to hurt him or make him release Neve. But her blows were futile against his hardened snake scales.
Zyreth turned around and saw her attacking him.
"Hmm, a female," he said, assessing her like she was livestock. "You’ll do well for our tribe. We’re lacking in breeding stock."
He grabbed Popi with his free hand and threw her over his shoulder like she weighed nothing.
Now he was holding both Neve and Popi. Two prizes. Two captives for his tribe.
"Now, goodbye," Zyreth said, looking back at the injured Cael and Sable. "This place is too cold for me. The snow is unpleasant. I prefer the warmth of the outcast territory."
With that, Zyreth’s form began to shimmer and fade.
Teleportation.
He was disappearing. He was taking Neve and Popi with him.
"No!" Cael screamed, trying to stand up despite his injuries. "Neve!"
"Neve!" Popi yelled, thrashing against Zyreth’s grip, but it was useless. She could not escape.
Neve reached out his hand toward Cael, his golden eyes filled with fear and desperation. He wanted to say something. He wanted to tell them he would fight. He wanted to promise he would escape and come back.
But there was no time.
Zyreth’s form faded completely from view. The snow where he had been standing was now empty. No trace of him remained. No sign that he had ever been there except for the broken trees and the bleeding beastmen left behind.
With that, Zyreth vanished with Popi and Neve.