Elara’s POV
When Julian spotted approaching, he quickly spun away. Even though... well, he still seed a bit hurt.
Since his last breakdown, he’d been acting like this. Honestly, even without saying anything, he probably knew he didn’t look his best—otherwise he wouldn’t have draped sheets over every mirror in his room.
Kaelen, anwhile, was practically glowing. He’d been getting VIP treatnt these past few days. Take breakfast—not only did he get juice, but also a steaming bowl of oatal.
Unlike Julian down the hall, who only got the juice.
That oatal slled incredible. Just as I was thinking that, I wheeled the al cart into the corridor. Spotting Kaelen in his Toothless form, I crouched down by his door.
The little dragon cocked his head, those bright eyes brimming with curiosity—clearly caught off guard that I’d stopped to watch him like this.
Kaelen shifted awkwardly, his front paws pawing at the air for a mont.
I was internally losing my mind. This was... impossibly adorable!!!
He seed to realize I liked his beast form. He quickly sat up straight, as if deciding he wouldn’t act carelessly around . Once positioned, he flashed a grin...
I stood up and pushed the cart away in a daze, completely overwheld by the cuteness.
The little dragon tilted his head again. Why had I left?
"Want so fish?"
I turned back, and my eyes crinkled into a real smile. In that instant, Kaelen went completely still. He gazed at blankly, even forgetting to respond, as if completely srized.
It took him a long, stunned beat before he nodded. I felt another surge of pure affection wash over . I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small Toothless plushie. "Here. For you."
Wait, what?!?!
Staring at the stuffed animal that looked nearly identical to him, Kaelen was completely speechless—but he masked it well. Calmly, he accepted the plushie. When he glanced up again, I was already gone.
He looked down at the toy in his grasp, his thumb unconsciously rubbing the plush fabric, as if he was wondering whether I had made it just for him.
——
Julian watched them.
Hmph. He’d gotten one too.
Julian slipped into the water and retrieved the little rubber duck Elara had tossed him earlier. He gave it a squeeze, and it released a sharp squeak.
Rubber duck in hand, he lounged against the pool’s edge, one eyebrow arched, and shot a smug glance across at Kaelen. His gaze drifted down, finally settling on the plushie clutched in Kaelen’s claws.
Squeak!!!
The sound pierced the quiet, completely jarring.
Julian squeezed it again. "Mine makes sound. Does yours?"
Kaelen picked up on it imdiately. With a beat of his wings, he soared a circle around the room, flaunting his beast form to Julian from every angle—a complete 360. Then he touched down and released a series of taunting chirps.
Julian got that ssage crystal clear too. With a splash, he dove back into the water, retreating even deeper than Alistair ever had.
He stared at his reflection in the water, and Elara’s words rang in his head. Whimper... He had erald scales and razor-sharp fangs—he looked like so kind of beast.
So yeah. He didn’t deserve a little treat. He didn’t deserve lemonade either.
Tiny droplets fell into the pool and rippled outward.
Barrett had no clue what had just happened, but he suspected it involved Elara...
The massive wolf rummaged through drawers and cabinets until he discovered a wine-red bow tie decorated with moonstone gems. It complented his fur perfectly.
After so struggle, he managed to secure it. In front of the mirror, Barrett turned left and right, checking himself out. Not bad—she’d definitely appreciate this.
His gaze landed on the mark on his wrist, matching Elara’s, and a smile played at his lips.
Their communicators had been taken, so they couldn’t research who their contracted mate was. Initially, when the bonding marks had suddenly materialized on their skin, they’d all been sowhat stunned.
After all, being shipped here basically ant the Valerion Empire had given up on them...
They’d all figured the system had randomly matched them with so unknown female. Never in their wildest dreams did they imagine their bonded mate was right here in the sa facility.
"Elara..."
Just thinking about her made Barrett’s mouth curve upward, and even the tips of his ears turned pink. They hadn’t known each other long, but he already really cared for his little mate.
He had to make it. He’d cooperate completely with the treatnt, whatever it took.
With that determination, Barrett climbed into the treatnt pod for the first ti entirely on his own.
——
Elara’s POV
I had just entered the kitchen when the alarm scread again!
This ti it was Chamber Seven—Silas!
The bunny-eared boy who’d been perfectly normal at breakfast was now thrashing wildly, teeth exposed and claws extended. He launched himself at the door repeatedly, relentless, seemingly unaware of the pain. Blood poured from his mouth in thick streams, over and over, until he was covered in injuries and finally collapsed!!!
"Dr. Pendragon? Dr. Pendragon, are you okay?"
It was Finnian. Separated by just one wall, he’d heard everything happening next door. An episode this violent... it was probably fatal...
The d-bots arrived. These emotionless machines followed the sa protocol day after day: treat the minor wounds, put the critical ones in pods. But today was different. Silas’s condition was critical. He’d completely reverted to his beast form, and his spirit collapse level was climbing.
The numbers rose faster and faster.
When the room announced his vitals, everyone in the ward fell silent. Why the sudden surge?
Ninety—didn’t that an total psychic breakdown?
The atmosphere in the ward grew suffocating. Recent days. Multiple episodes.
That frequency was terrifying.
"Why would he suddenly snap? He was fine. I swear Dr. Pendragon’s readings were normal..."
That was Alistair. He and the others had arrived later. In all the ti they’d been here, Silas had never had an episode. So why now?
Finnian added, "I don’t understand it either. Dr. Pendragon had been stable for so long."
"Prohibited substances detected. Patient self-administered injection, resulting in psychic collapse. Collapse level: 90. Complete bestialization. Requesting system authorization for lethal dose..."
Lethal.
A crushing weight settled on everyone’s chests. Death felt so near...
"Ding."
The door slid open.
It was .
I had sprinted all the way here—I had to hurry. The vines on my hand were about to spiral out of control...
"Elara..."
Julian and Kaelen both called out, but I ignored them. I was in full ergency mode.
Barrett stood by the window and saw , my forehead slick with sweat, rushing inside.
Alistair watched too. He didn’t understand—why was I here at a ti like this? When an SSS-class beastman had a psychic breakdown, it was extrely dangerous. Even the bots had to retreat. Why was I walking toward it?
"Ms. Sterling, this isn’t safe for you."
Alistair’ deep, calm voice cut through the tension, but predictably, I didn’t respond.
"Ms. Sterling... is Dr. Pendragon... still alive?" Finnian’s voice shook slightly.
"Yes."
My reply was brief, sharp—because I honestly couldn’t tell if that beautiful young man was still breathing. Chamber Seven was empty of people. All I could see was a basin-sized, blood-soaked white rabbit lying motionless on the floor. Beside it, a bot was requesting approval for a lethal injection...
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