"So... it’s a zombie virus?"
Roxy’s whisper barely disturbed the quiet of the bedroom. Her heart hamred against her ribs as she stared at the text hovering before her eyes.
[Negative. The Wither-Rot is not an undead pathogen. It does not reanimate corpses.]
[It exclusively affects living beasts possessing an active Mana Core. It corrupts the magical pathways, causing severe physical necrosis and driving the host into a feral, bloodthirsty state. Examples of susceptible targets within your imdiate vicinity: The Dragon, The Fox Beastman.]
Roxy felt the breath leave her lungs in a sharp, icy rush.
"Wait," she breathed, her green eyes widening in shock. "Zarek has a mana core?"
[Affirmative. The Dragon’s fire-breathing physiology and the Fox’s tracking and illusionary abilities are fueled by internal mana cores. They are primary targets for the Rot.]
Roxy felt a headache coming on.
She began to pace. Her bare feet making soft padding sounds against the wooden floorboards.
The sheer terror of the situation threatened to swallow her whole.
She had never dealt with sothing like this before. She was no doctor, and even if she was, there was nothing like magic in her world.
Only the biology classes she had in high school and college.
But what terrified her the most is that her Zarek could be brought down by a microscopic magical disease. And her Ren, chaotic, vibrant Ren, could be turned into a rotting, feral monster.
She had just saved him from his disease, now this?
"Okay, okay," Roxy muttered, rubbing her temples to stave off a headache. "If it’s a magical disease, there has to be a magical cure. System, what is the cure? Give a recipe, a location, anything."
[Query Denied.]
Roxy stopped pacing, her anger flaring. "Excuse ? The fuck do you an by denied?"
[This event is a designated Survival Trial. The Host must deduce the cure utilizing available world resources, intellect, and pack cooperation. Direct System assistance for the cure is prohibited.]
What shit are you uttering? When I need you the most, you pull up this shit?
[...]
Roxy pressed her lips into a thin, furious line. She sent a ntal glare at the blue interface before swiping her hand through the air, shattering the window into a burst of digital pixels.
She needed to think.
She needed a plan.
First and foremost, she needed to gather her children and her mates. She had to lock down the Manor. No one leaves.
If they stayed inside the periter, she could buy ti to look for clues on how to synthesize a cure.
Just as her mind began racing through quarantine logistics, a soft, rhythmic knock echoed from the bedroom door.
Roxy jumped, her heart leaping into her throat. She looked at the door, then rembered the crude crayon sign she and the girls had plastered on the outside.
She hurried over, her fingers fumbling slightly with the lock, and pulled the door open.
Kaelen stood in the dim hallway. Kaelen was in a simple, loose-fitting cotton shirt. He was holding a wooden tray that slled absolutely heavenly, rich, savory chicken broth and a bowl of perfectly stead white rice.
"I intended to feed you by morning," Kaelen said softly, his blue eyes sweeping over her face, searching for any lingering signs of the exhaustion he had put her through the night before. "But it is already late afternoon. I ca up hours ago, but I saw the... fierce warning on the door."
He nodded toward the crayon-scrawled.
Roxy let out a breathless chuckle, the tension in her shoulders easing just a fraction at the sight of him. She gave him a soft, affectionate smile, stepping aside to allow him entry.
"We had a very beautiful girls day," Roxy whispered, gesturing for him to be quiet. She took the tray from his large hands, carrying it to the small wooden table near the window.
"And the others?" Roxy asked, pulling up a chair.
"They are all back," Kaelen replied, pulling up a stool beside her. "We finished our respective tasks early. But we did not co up because we didn’t want to disturb you. We knew you needed the rest."
Roxy sat down, reaching for the wooden spoon, but Kaelen swiftly intercepted it.
"Allow ," he insisted.
He scooped up a perfect portion of broth and rice, blowing on it gently to cool it down before holding it to her lips.
Roxy rolled her eyes playfully but accepted the bite. The warm, rich flavor exploded on her tongue, instantly soothing her empty stomach.
"Oh my! Kae! Your cooking has improved." She exclaid, her eyes wide.
Kaelen’s eyes crinkled in warmth, "that’s because you taught ."
She chuckled, nodding her head, yes she was a good teacher.
As she chewed, Kaelen leaned in closer. His gaze dropped from her eyes to her lips, the mory of the previous night suddenly flaring in the blue depths of his irises. He tilted his head, leaning in to capture her mouth.
Roxy’s hand shot up, slapping flat against his lips right before they connected.
"Down, Wolf," Roxy whispered fiercely, her cheeks flushing. She pointed a stern finger toward the center of the bed, where Iris and Tanith were peacefully dozing under the furs. "The children are right there."
Kaelen’s broad shoulders instantly slumped. He let out a long, dramatic sigh against her palm, his fierce Alpha deanor crumbling into an adorable, exaggerated pout. His ears even twitched backward in defeat.
Roxy stifled a giggle, removing her hand. Kaelen picked up the spoon again, resigning himself to his feeding duties with a look of pure affection.
He continued feeding her patiently, bite by bite, until the bowl was completely empty and Roxy felt the strength returning to her limbs.
"Thank you, Kae," Roxy said softly, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Her expression shifted, the playful warmth fading into sothing serious and urgent. "I’m going to need to talk to all of you. Right now. Downstairs. Except the children."
Kaelen didn’t question the sudden shift in her tone. He simply set the bowl down on the tray, his gaze locking onto hers with devotion.
"Anyti you need us," Kaelen said, his voice dropping to a smooth, rumbling purr that sent a shiver down her spine, "you can always have us."
Roxy’s face burned. She reached out and smacked his solid bicep. "Oh, Kae! When did you get so good with words?"
Kaelen pressed his lips into a thin line, a faint smirk playing at the corners of his mouth, but he wisely chose not to comnt further.
Leaving the girls sleeping soundly in the center of the bed, Roxy and Kaelen quietly slipped out of the master suite and headed downstairs.
The living room of the Manor was a picture of dostic, chaotic peace.
Near the massive stone fireplace, Zarek was leaning over a large parchnt map spread across the wooden dining table, pointing out territorial lines to Drax.
In the corner, Ren was animatedly gesturing while discussing sothing, likely trade routes or shiny rocks, with Torian, who looked characteristically unamused but attentive.
Syris, was coiled lazily on the thick woven rug near the hearth, basking in the residual heat.
The mont Roxy’s foot touched the bottom step, all five heads turned in unison.
Everywhere beca silent. Soft, genuine smiles blood across the faces of the most dangerous n in the Beast World.
Drax was the first to move. The teenage dragon boy abandoned the map and closed the distance in three long strides, wrapping his arms around his mother in a tight, comforting hug.
"Mum, you are finally awake," Drax said, his voice soft as he nuzzled into his mother’s arm. He pulled back, shooting a smug look over his shoulder. "I was sure to push papa to his absolute limit on the mountain today. For stressing you all night."
Over at the table, Zarek let out a low, warning grunt, but Roxy just bead. She reached up, cupping Drax’s face in her hands. He leaned into her touch instantly, closing his eyes like a giant, scaly puppy.
"That’s my good boy," Roxy praised, kissing his cheek. She looked around the room. "What about Axel and Onyx?"
"They are sleeping in their room," Drax answered, straightening up. "They exhausted themselves trying to hunt a stag."
"Good," Roxy nodded, her green eyes hardening with resolve. She looked at her eldest son. "Drax, I need you to leave us for a bit. We need to have an adult conversation."
Drax’s brows furrowed. He opened his mouth, clearly wanting to protest, wanting to prove that he was old enough to handle whatever pack business she was about to discuss.
He looked at the serious expressions of his father’s, then shot his father a particularly dirty, resentful glare.
But he didn’t argue. He gave Roxy one last squeeze, and stomped out the back door toward the training grounds.
The heavy wooden door clicked shut. The Manor was silent, save for the crackling of the fire.
Roxy stood in the center of the room. Zarek gestured for her, and she quietly settled into his waiting arms. He nuzzled into her, kissing her hair.
She took a deep, steadying breath, before she clapped her hands together.
"Alright," Roxy announced, her voice leaving no room for argunt. "Shall we finally have a eting?"
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