My mates in Beastworld

"It’s okay, Ky-Ky," Lucas whispered, his voice barely audible but filled with affection. "I’m okay."

But Damon, who had been frozen in place, his mind reeling from Kyra’s words, suddenly felt a wave of regret wash over him. He had thought that winning this fight, proving his strength, would make Kyra see him as the rightful mate. But seeing her now, cradling Lucas so tenderly, he realized how wrong he had been. His victory had not drawn Kyra closer to him; it had only pushed her further away.

As if to mock him further, Lucas, still weak but conscious, looked up at Damon with a sly smile and gave a subtle wink. Damon’s anger flared once more, his fists clenching at his sides. How could Lucas, even in this condition, still manage to infuriate him?

Lucas, however, couldn’t help but smile inwardly. He knew Kyra’s heart better than anyone. She was kind to a fault, always caring for those who were hurt or vulnerable. Winning her affection wasn’t about brute strength or dominance; it was about understanding her, about knowing that she would always care more for the injured than the victor.

And it wasn’t just Lucas’s intuition that had led him here. Vincent, ever the strategist, had warned him before leaving. "If Damon challenges you while I’m gone, don’t worry about winning," Vincent had said, his tone casual but his eyes sharp. "Just make sure you get hurt enough that Kyra will pity you. Even if Damon becomes her mate, he’ll only face her coldness afterward."

Vincent had been right, as usual. Long live my dear snaky you’re da best, Lucas thought with a grin, feeling a surge of triumph that had nothing to do with the fight. All that mattered was Kyra, her soft touch, her gentle heart. Win or lose, he had what was most important: her love.

Damon, still kneeling on the ground, froze as he watched them. His hands clenched into fists, knuckles turning white. He had never expected Lucas to be so cunning, to turn the situation to his advantage even in defeat. Damon realized, too late, that he had underestimated Lucas. The wolf had played his cards perfectly, drawing Kyra’s affection even deeper through his apparent vulnerability.

With Kyra’s support, Lucas slowly stood, feeling much stronger than before. Her healing had done wonders, and though he was still sore, he knew he would be fine. He gave Kyra a grateful smile, one filled with warmth and affection, and she returned it, her eyes reflecting the same emotions, Damon stood up numbly.

The leader Marc, who had been observing the situation, finally stepped forward. His expression was stern as he approached the trio.

But as the leader marc approached, murmurs spread through the crowd. A powerful beastman, watching the scene unfold, shook his head in disbelief. "That female is crazy! She should have embraced Damon and accepted him as her mate for winning the combat."

Another beastman, softer in demeanor, disagreed. "No! It’s true love. That female loves the weaker male so much. Only someone who has experienced the pain of rejection can understand that. I feel happy for them."