Jasper’s greatest concern wasn’t the danger itself—it was the weight it might place on Rory’s heart. Threats could be fought, enemies confronted, but fear and pressure had a way of eroding a person from the inside.
"I’ll protect you," he promised quietly, his voice low but firm with unshakable conviction. "I’ll keep your secret safe. No matter what happens, I won’t let anyone uncover the truth about you."
"I know," Rory replied, eting his gaze without hesitation. Her voice was steady, her eyes clear. "I believe you."
And she truly did.
Even so, Rory understood sothing just as clearly. She couldn’t place every burden onto Jasper’s shoulders and expect him to bear it alone. No matter how vigilant he was, no matter how many safeguards or contingencies he prepared, all it would take was a single mistake—a mont of carelessness, one loose thread—for everything they had built to unravel like a fragile house of cards.
If she was going to survive—no matter how unforgiving the future beca—then she needed strength of her own.
After a brief pause, she lifted her head, resolve settling firmly into her expression.
"Jasper," she said, "I don’t know much about therians at all." Her voice softened, but her intent did not. "Can you tell everything you know? I don’t ever want another incident like what happened with Burnt Dumpling."
"Alright," Jasper agreed without hesitation.
He guided Rory to the bed, helped her sit, then knelt on one knee before her, looking up as though this were a solemn vow rather than a conversation. Patiently and thoroughly, he began to explain.
He spoke of therian society—its rigid hierarchies and ancient customs. He told her about their history, the rise of the Empire, the influence of the Dragon Kind, and the unspoken rules that governed power and survival. He explained how lineage, instinct, and rank shaped everything from politics to personal bonds.
The discussion stretched on for a long ti, deep into the quiet hours.
Outside the room, Nix—who had earlier been thrown out without explanation—was unusually well-behaved. He no longer harassed Burnt Dumpling or acted out. Though his intelligence had regressed to that of a cub, his instincts as a therian were razor-sharp. The instant Jasper activated every defense system in the cabin, Nix had felt it.
Danger.
He didn’t know what had triggered it, but every fiber of his being told him the asures were ant to protect Rory.
Nearby, Kather stood as still as stone.
He’d harbored suspicions before, faint and half-ford, but Jasper’s tense, guarded behavior confird them completely. It seed the Beast God’s prophecy—spoken over a thousand years ago—had finally co true.
So... she’s human, Kather thought grimly.
As a royal, he knew more about human females than Jasper ever could. The story passed down through sealed archives and forbidden records told of more than just a Rank 13 legend. That sa human female had been the catalyst for sothing far worse.
Rank 15.
A level so absurd it bordered on mythology.
That therian’s power had rivaled the Beast God himself.
Who wouldn’t crave such strength?
Greed alone could drive people mad—but greed paired with certainty? That led to horrors beyond reason. The pursuit of that power had destroyed the human female entirely. Her death had been slow, cruel, and unforgettable. Only afterward had the Beast God descended in wrath, erasing her torntors from existence as a warning to the Empire’s elite.
And yet...
Kather knew better than to believe such warnings would truly deter anyone.
The Divine Seeds of Beast God Mountain were dwindling. The sacred tree was weakening. The Beast God himself was aging.
Power was fading.
Which ant Rory had to be hidden—hidden until a new Beast God erged. But no one knew when that would happen, or which tribe would birth the next divine heir.
Inside the cabin, Rory listened in silence as Jasper finished explaining. By the end, her understanding of the Empire and the therians was far clearer than before.
Then Jasper spoke again, his tone grave.
"Rory, I’ll need to leave the Interstellar Hunter Alliance for a few days. I’m going to arrange a completely new identity for you."
She understood imdiately.
She’d told him how she’d been found in the forest, with no records, no past, no ties. If anyone ever started digging, it would be far too easy to trace everything back to her.
This wasn’t sothing Jasper could entrust to a subordinate. Rory’s life was on the line—he had to handle it himself.
Fortunately, they’d uncovered the truth early enough. He still had ti to ensure every detail was airtight.
When he finished, Jasper deactivated the cabin’s defense systems and opened the door, stepping out with Rory beside him.
Nix lunged the mont he saw her, pressing against her calf and whining pitifully.
"Awoo... awoo..."
I want a hug.
Now that Jasper knew Rory couldn’t understand him, he grabbed Nix by the scruff and lifted him effortlessly.
"She’s hugged you plenty already," Jasper said coolly. "Stop being clingy. And don’t think you can get away with nonsense just because you’re stuck as a cub. Keep it up, and I really will lock you in a cage."
So that’s what he’s been whining about this whole ti, Rory realized. He just wants affection.
Understanding dawned at last. Smiling, she tapped Nix gently on the forehead.
"One hug a day," she said lightly. "That’s the rule. I’m going to the kitchen to cook now. Go play—and behave yourself. If you do, I’ll make sothing delicious later."
"Awoo."
Deal.
Nix wriggled free, scooped up Burnt Dumpling in his mouth, and bolted down the corridor.
"Nix! Don’t bully Burnt Dumpling!" Rory called sternly.
"Awoo..."
Fine...
He imdiately set Burnt Dumpling down, nudging him apologetically with a paw. After a mont, Burnt Dumpling fluttered his wings and hopped onto Nix’s back.
"Chirp!"
Move!
"Awoo... awoo!"
Nix trotted off happily, Burnt Dumpling riding along.
Jasper stared after them, completely speechless.
It seed he’d been right all along.
When it ca to weapons, warships, and chs, Nix was a genius.
But when it ca to protecting Rory?
Utterly hopeless.
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