Chapter 159: The Declaration Of Ownership And The Threat!
Zyreth walked to his personal chamber carrying Neve in his arms.
Jereth was right behind him, his footsteps echoing through the stone corridors of the outcast territory. They reached the entrance to Zyreth’s private space and he looked behind him without turning his head.
"Everyone head back except Jereth," he ordered coldly.
The guards and attendants bowed immediately and left, disappearing down the hallways without questioning the command.
Zyreth carefully placed Neve on his discarded snake skin. The skin was soft and warm, perfect for resting on. Neve was still pretending to be asleep despite everything that had happened. He felt dizzy and his stomach was turning. He wished to vomit but he could not. If he did, he would get caught. He would give away that he was awake and listening to everything being said.
So Neve kept his eyes closed and his breathing shallow, maintaining the pretense of unconsciousness.
"I don’t know if I can trust Maren," Zyreth said, his voice carrying doubt and suspicion.
Jereth tensed immediately when he heard those words.
He knew that once Zyreth said he did not trust anyone, it could lead to war. It could lead to conflict. It could lead to violence and destruction. The last thing Jereth wanted was for two of the most powerful chiefs to start fighting. That would destabilize the entire outcast territory.
He clenched his fist as he swallowed hard, trying to control his anxiety.
"Why do you say so, my king?" Jereth asked carefully, trying to understand Zyreth’s concerns.
Zyreth sat close to Neve, gently using his fingers to rub the wet red panda fur. His touch was gentle and almost affectionate. He seemed to be enjoying the sensation of the soft fur against his fingers.
"He has met Neve just twice and he’s already thinking of harbouring some kind of affection for him," Zyreth frowned, his voice carrying jealousy and possessiveness. "First time they met, he threatened Neve. Yet Maren still saved him from drowning. He pulled him underwater instead of letting him drown. Why would he do that if he did not have feelings?"
Jereth looked at Zyreth with a confused expression on his face.
"May I ask how that bothers you, my king?" Jereth asked, trying to understand the king’s logic. "You are not in any kind of relationship with..."
Before Jereth could finish his sentence, Zyreth used his tail and slammed it against the stone wall with incredible force.
The impact was so violent that the entire wall cracked. Dust fell from the ceiling.
Jereth froze where he stood and immediately went on his knees, his body trembling.
"Forgive me, my king. I just thought..." Jereth said quickly, trying to salvage the situation. "You haven’t had a mate before. Do you plan on marking the male as your mate?"
Zyreth’s expression became darker and more possessive.
"Of course, I will," he said, his hand trailing Neve’s fur with clear intention. "He’s able to get pregnant, so there’s no difference between him and any female. He can bear my litters. He can give me heirs. That makes him my mate."
Neve kept his eyes closed but inside his mind was racing. He was listening to every word. He was processing what Zyreth was saying about marking him. About making him an official mate.
Neve did not mind Zyreth marking him, after all, Zyreth was his mate according to the system. But if Zyreth marked him officially, would he be able to meet his other mates? Would he be trapped here? Would Cael and the others still be able to rescue him?
"That’s why I can’t let Maren fall in love with Neve," Zyreth continued, his voice becoming colder and more dangerous. "He’s mine. Neve belongs to me. I brought him here. I own him. No one else can have him."
Jereth remained silent. He was processing the implications of what Zyreth was saying.
"What if the shark king wants Neve in exchange for helping you with the revenge?" Jereth asked, his tone carefully neutral. It was a super reasonable question. It was a legitimate concern.
Neve tightened his eyes at the same time and held his breath. He wanted to remain silent to hear Zyreth’s response. This was important. This could determine his entire future.
Zyreth was quiet for a long moment.
"That wasn’t the deal I made with him," Zyreth said slowly, considering the possibility. "But if he wants Neve..."
He paused, and when he spoke again, his voice was filled with certainty and murderous intent.
"I’ll just have to add him to the list of my enemies," Zyreth said coldly. "I will kill him. I will destroy the shark tribe. I will erase Maren from existence if he tries to take Neve from me."
Jereth was silent. He had gotten the answer he wanted. He had confirmation of Zyreth’s commitment to keeping Neve. He lowered his head in acceptance.
"Get some fruits and return to stay with Neve till he goes back to his cave," Zyreth commanded, his voice becoming authoritative again. "Make sure he doesn’t take a single foot out of his chamber without permission. Guard him. Watch him. Report to me if anyone tries to approach him."
"Understood, my king," Jereth nodded, bowing deeply.
Zyreth pulled his hand away from Neve’s fur.
For some reason, even though Neve had been pretending to be asleep, he felt the loss of Zyreth’s touch immediately. His body reacted to the absence. He had been secretly enjoying Zyreth’s hand on his body. He missed it already even though they had only just separated.
Just like that, Zyreth left the chamber, his tail trailing behind him as he moved with the grace of a powerful predator.
Jereth and Neve were left alone in the chamber.
The silence was heavy and filled with tension. Neve kept his eyes closed, but his heart was racing. He could sense Jereth’s presence in the room. He could feel the weight of being watched.
Neve knew he had to maintain his pretense. He had to keep pretending to be asleep. He could not let Jereth know that he had been awake the entire time. He could not reveal that he had heard everything Zyreth said.