Chosen Mate of the Beastmen Empire by Lewis Reed

Chapter 404

Chapter 404

At noon, after lunch, sunlight streamed through the hanging flower gate into the courtyard, warming everything until it felt. like your bones might melt. Nyx lounged lazily on a low couch, teasing the wolf cub with a grass.

A few maids finished their tasks and gathered around her, stitching while stealing glances at the majestic wolf. Kellingtown had wolves too, but they were scrawny little things-nothing like this impressive beast.

It looked so big and fierce, with a mouth full of sharp fangs glinting coldly like it could snap someone's throat in one bite. Yet, when it lay at Nyx's feet, it fawned over her like a puppy.

The maids, who hadn't seen much of the world, couldn't quite put it into words- they just quietly marveled at how amazing Nyx was

After tiring of pouncing on the grass, Nyx pulled a ball she'd sewn from her old clothes out of her sleeve and tossed it far across the yard.

In a flash, the gray wolf cub bolted after it like a gust of wind, its sleek form vanishing out the gate. It came back quick, the toy dangling from its mouth. And it wasn't alone-someone followed behind. Spotting that tall, broad- shouldered figure, the maids shot to their feet, too nervous to keep slacking off.

They'd gotten over their fear of the wolf since it didn't bite randomly, but even knowing the general wouldn't kill without reason, they still couldn't help feeling spooked.

No mystery why-his presence was just too intimidating. It's amazing that Nyx managed to tame a beast like that.

Nyx stayed sprawled out, not bothering to move. She had no intention of getting up to greet her guy, just flicked her eyes up at him and gave a lazy ware.

Right away, the wolf cub's tail wagged like a blur, and the general's eyes lit up with a clumsy, eager grin. "Nyx, I got you a gift."

"Oh: Clothes?" Nyx's gaze landed on what he was holding. "Let me see.

Maybe some local Kellingtown specialty outfit. When she shook out the fabric, Nyx realized it was a sharp, practical set- narrow sleeves, cinched wrists, super crisp.

Erik had even matched it with shoes-a pair of long boots with simple cloud patterns stitched on. No extra frills, but she could tell the craftsmanship was top- notch, with serious care put into the materials and stitching.

"Why'd you suddenly think to get me this?" Nyx asked, running her fingers over it with interest.

She didn't need to try it on to know it'd fit perfectly. She hadn't gained or lost weight these past three months, and Erik had measured every inch of her a million times before-he knew her sizes like the back of his hand.

Thinking of that, she narrowed her eyes and shot him a knowing look. She thought, "He's not cooking up some naughty plan to try new tricks with me, is he?"

Ever since the Emperor back at the palace got a taste of role-playing he'd gone wild with it, always roping her into new roleplays.

One day it was a power-hungry minister forcing himself on a favored consort, the next a pure-hearted guard secretly comforting a lonely noble, then some priest claiming to use his energy to exorcise her.

Teenage males had endless stamina and greed to match-Nyx could barely keep up. She'd finally escaped out here for some peace, but had the other guy at home quietly picked up bad habits too?

Erik had no clue why she was eyeing him like that. He got nervous and started stammering, “I—I got you, uh, a horse?

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Chapter 404

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The old garrison commander in Kellingtown loved fine horses and had offered him

a few choice picks when he arrived.

Erik usually didn't take gifts and had plenty of horses already, planning to send them back untouched. But then he spotted a gentle, adorable foal and couldn't resist.

He remembered Nyx riding a white horse to see him off before the campaign-her cool, heroic figure burned into his mind, haunting his dreams.

He couldn't fight the selfish urge, kept the foal, and sent some gold and silver as payment, treating it like he'd bought it himself. After getting the horse, he made a bunch of riding outfits for Nyx-this was just one of them.

"A horse?" Nyx's eyes sparkled. "What kind? Where is it? Take me to see it now!"

all excited, but then felt a weird ache in her waist. Her smile froze on her face. Erik was quick on his feet, catching her before she flopped back onto the

both going quiet. Seeing her clench her little fists tight, the

to give her the gift because he was scared she'd get mad again after the excitement wore off. After all, it was his fault she wasn't feeling great and

gawking from all sides, Nyx couldn't keep her cool.

a split second before she forced it back to normal, strolling into the room like nothing was wrong. She shut the door and glared at

unruly male to abstinence. Even

couldn't bring herself to actually kick

covers, trying to make up for his sins. Still, holding her soft little body, he

Nyx took pity on her guy. After freezing him out for a day or two and seeing him squirm, she let him off the hook. This time, Erik learned his lesson-

warm smiles. Before breakfast, she fed the wolf first, setting the basin on the ground and

Its green beast eyes locked onto the meat, practically

food. "Slow down, slow

watched from the side, amazed. "Nyx, you're incredible. You've got it trained like a

handful-not only did it ignore him, but even famous dog trainers couldn't handle it. Teaching it to wait and eat slowly had been a bust; it stayed a beast through and through, scarfing down

tried to take it.

so tame in Nyx's hands. Nyx looked at the cub, clearly starving but keeping its manners, and suddenly chuckled, "Yeah. Wolves

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starving like a good boy.

were cats, the situation would be completely different. They wouldn't stand a single meal without

then she thought of the Snow Wolf back home, with eight hundred tricks up its sleeve. She coughed and thought, 'Guess

Wolf again, feeling a little extra

her legs. Since Erik hadn't

eyes that darted around curiously. The second it spotted Nyx from afar, it trotted over

so little, and you didn't tell me sooner?" If

looking sheepish. When he held Nyx, she felt so light he barely noticed her weight-figured a foal

yet, Nyx didn't want to head back. She played with her little foal for a bit, fed it

with plenty of daylight left, she decided to wander around. Sitting in the carriage, she lifted the curtain to take

and water everywhere-beautiful views. all around. Too bad this era hadn't figured out tourism yet, and the place had been plagued by barbarian raids for years,

into the distance, then pointed suddenly. "What's that over

all sides, solid and heavy, giving off a suffocating

finger and frowned.

barbarians or die-hard rebels

to be shipped back to Hilltop City for

with.

spineless, but turns out he's got some guts. Arlong's

out his foster father no matter what. Funny thing was, that

"I want to

look. "There's nothing worth seeing in

interrogation gets messy." Nyx might end up with nightmares if she

while, but Erik couldn't talk her out of

drove the carriage toward where she wanted to

carriage from a distance and reported it to

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Chapter 404

carriage rolled up to the gate, a bunch of soldiers and

up front driving, the warden's legs went

in the carriage? Who could make the general drive for them? The Emperor himself, maybe?' Everyone stood there shaking, hearts pounding

they caught a glimpse. The general personally lifted the curtain and reached in to help and hug -'Hug?' Realizing something was off,

a fairy's-too perfect to belong down here. "Greetings to the general and madam," the head guy said, leading

The warden couldn't help butting in. "Why'd you

iron gate was a damp, gloomy tunnel, reeking of

dim yellow flicker of torches. Nyx's pale,

the torchlight, totally out of place

touching this ground.

his solid arm like he was her human mount. Nyx gave an embarrassed smile to the guy leading the way. "We were just passing by, and I got

bang rang out-a sharp crash that