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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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!"

waist. Her smile froze on her face. Erik was quick on his feet, catching her before she

Seeing her clench her little fists tight, the general's heart started pounding

her the gift because he was scared she'd get mad again after the excitement wore off. After all, it was his

keep

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

male to abstinence. Even when he gave her those pitiful, rain-soaked-puppy eyes, her heart

herself to actually kick her partner out. She left half the bed for

the covers, trying to make up for his sins. Still, holding her soft little body, he was too wound up sleep all night. He really wanted to kiss her but

end, Nyx took pity on her guy. After freezing him out for a day or two and seeing him squirm, she

fine, no discomfort at all, so she gave her obedient male plenty of warm smiles. Before breakfast, she fed the wolf first, setting the basin on the ground and

pup. Its green beast eyes locked onto the meat, practically drooling, but it held back because of her

okay, it finally dove in, pouncing on the food. "Slow down, slow down," Nyx said, patting its head. It obediently

the side, amazed. "Nyx, you're incredible. You've got it

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

tried to take it.

hands. Nyx looked at the cub, clearly starving but keeping its manners, and suddenly

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dumb Pale Wolf-tell him to go hungry, and he'd actually sit there starving like

be completely different. They wouldn't stand

thought of the Snow Wolf back home, with eight hundred tricks up its sleeve. She coughed and thought, 'Guess it wasn't

at her goofy Pale Wolf again, feeling a little extra

her legs. Since Erik hadn't explained it clearly, Nyx assumed he'd gotten her some dashing,

pure eyes that darted around curiously. The second

her partner a mock-annoyed look. “It's so little, and you didn't tell me sooner?" If she rode it, it would be

so light he barely noticed her weight-figured a foal could carry

out, even if she couldn't ride yet, Nyx didn't want to head back. She played with her little foal for a bit, fed it some treats to get it used to her smell

Sitting in the carriage, she lifted the curtain to take in the scenery. Erik played

lush greenery, tons of mountains, 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, leaving the locals

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

towering walls on all sides, solid and heavy, giving off a

frowned. "That's the prison for

barbarians or die-hard rebels now-key figures

be shipped back to Hilltop City

with.

to think he was spineless, but turns out he's got some guts. Arlong's crew grilled him for

he wouldn't rat out his foster father no matter what. Funny thing was, that foster father he adored so much had ditched him to save his own skin the second

a little, "I want

disapproving look. "There's nothing worth seeing in

choosing his words carefully. "Since they're hardcore criminals, interrogation gets messy." Nyx might end

forth for a while, but Erik couldn't talk

carriage toward

spotted the general's carriage from a distance and reported it to the boss right

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Chapter 404

a bunch of

driving, the warden's legs

maybe?' Everyone stood there shaking, hearts pounding with the jitters of facing some big shot. When the curtain twitched,

the curtain and reached in to help and hug -'Hug?' Realizing something was off, they jerked their

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

in. "Why'd you bring

rusty iron gate was a damp,

yellow flicker of torches. Nyx's pale,

torchlight, totally out of

shoes touching this ground. He'd been holding

out, letting her sit on his solid arm like he was her human mount. Nyx gave an embarrassed smile to the guy leading the way. "We were just passing

loud bang rang out-a sharp crash