Chosen Mate of the Beastmen Empire by Lewis Reed

Kai's muscles tensed up. Her warm breath tickled his neck, sending shivers through him. Hesitantly, he raised a hand to her shoulder. "Nyx. Nyx?"

He shook her gently, but she only mumbled nonsense, brows furrowed, showing no sign of waking. After a standoff, Kai had no choice but to carefully scoop her

up.

'Should I take her home?' Kai thought and frowned.

That place was a gift from Seafarion-he even lived next door. Handing his precious little female back to another guy's nest was something he could never do.

Nyx felt herself being lifted into a car, cushioned by soft pillows on the back seat. Kai stayed close, watching her intently

When they reached their stop, she nestled in his arms, head on his shoulder, and peeked through half-open eyes. It wasn't her familiar building or parking lot-it was a strange villa.

Nyx's lips curved faintly as she closed her eyes, pretending to sleep on. The usually sharp leopard didn't notice a thing. She had him wrapped around her finger, defenseless against her pull.

The villa sat empty most days, with Kai as its lone resident. His territorial instincts were fierce-he'd tolerate outsiders in the surrounding woods, but no one stepped foot inside this house. In that huge villa, there wasn't a single guest room to be found.

Knowing it was improper, Kai's ears burned as he carried Nyx to his own bedroom and laid her on the bed. The bed was big enough for two, but he couldn't join her.

He paced restlessly in the living room for a bit, then crept back to the bedroom, crouching by the bed to watch her. Even though he'd done this last night, it was daytime now. Having her in his den felt different.

Kai couldn't tamp down his excitement. His head dipped lower, sniffing her hair, lost in the sweet scent mixed with her shampoo. Up close, he could see everything clearer.

Nyx's face was pale with a pink flush, like a peach sticky rice dumpling, tempting him to take a bite.

Nyx shifted slightly. It wasn't a big move, but it spooked the guilty male enough.

Kai jerked back half a step, barely keeping his balance without tumbling over. He held his breath, terrified of waking her. Luckily, it was a false alarm. The figure on the bed rolled over and kept sleeping.

Once his heartbeat settled, Kai couldn't resist inching closer again. Nyx timed her flips perfectly, rolling over now and then, teasing the jumpy leopard until he let his guard down.

She flipped again, one hand slipping into her pocket to rip open a wrapper and pull out a catnip ball. At the same time, she opened her eyes.

Caught off guard, their gazes locked. Kai's green pupils shrank to slits. In a panic, his beast ears popped out uncontrollably.

Nyx was quick as a flash. She grabbed one. With a rip of fabric, the man in front of her turned into a massive leopard. The leopard panted heavily, eyes screaming "run,” but with his ear in her grip, he didn't dare pull away.

The catnip ball didn't work like Nyx expected. Kai barely glanced at it, staring at her instead. After a moment, he ducked his head nervously, then peeked up at her.

Compared to catnip, she clearly had a stronger hold on him. Nyx stayed quiet, and Kai didn't dare speak. He had no clue what to say or how to explain. Things had spiraled way beyond his control.

He'd dreaded exposing his true self to Nyx most of all, but despite his fears, it happened anyway. The huge leopard curled

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up tight, trying to shrink his presence and look less scary. He didn't need a mirror

terrifying he must seem

freaked out, he

leopard, Nyx slowly let go of his car. "What are you?" she asked,

she was pretty sure most people were regular humans,

hand on his ear rubbed it a couple times before letting go- or maybe he imagined it. He shook his head to ditch that wild

With nowhere left to retreat, he slumped to the floor. A leopard talking like a human was freaky enough-he

this leopard had a

questions. "How old are you? Did you just learn to turn human? How many demons like you are there? How'd you get a human identity? Does anyone else

barrage of questions left the leopard dizzy. Cornered by Nyx, he felt small, pitiful, and helpless, answering everything

had a solid grasp of the situation. She nodded thoughtfully. "Don't worry, I'll keep your

the courage to ask, "Are you scared of

"Nope," Nyx replied flatly.

laughed and patted his head. "Do I look

warm, smiling eyes, Kai's

skills. She'd just faked being drunk and asleep, fooling him completely. 'So, is she faking not being scared too?' he

for fun, then stood. "Can I check

space a demon like him

open. Nyx scanned the decor, noting it matched Kai's pre-amnesia taste-still as neat as

without memories, he's still the

in front of her. Its sharp claws were fully retracted, making

eyebrow, stuck her foot out next to it for comparison, and nodded seriously. "Yup,

like crazy. Nyx didn't tease him too

beast would trigger primal fear in any human. But after decades living with fierce creatures, Nyx was unfazed, turning calmly to the

spot a trace of fear. He tilted

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push, switching gears casually.

the water dispenser-then froze mid-step, realizing he couldn't pour it like this. Plus, the whole house only

breezing past the stuck leopard to grab the cup, fill it, and drink in one smooth move.

the leopard like a truck-shy and thrilled, he wanted to climb every tree in

set the cup down, her fingertip brushing the wet rim. The leopard suddenly felt parched, staring

tilting her head toward the stairs. "What's on

one step up, and the leopard sprang, pouncing in

paw swipe, then a roar, then a mock attack stance. Anyone could tell he was trying to spook her, give her a little scare. But his body stayed low, his eyes brimming with nerves he couldn't hide. Nyx saw

him. She softened

his back, settling in like a

against him, clinging tight. Electricity shot through him. He stumbled, legs tangling, forgetting

wrapped her arms around his neck, legs gripping hard to

settling her partner, Nyx pulled out her phone to check on Helly, asking if she'd made

boss,

home, I got

work today and

Dock my pay!]

[It's fine.