- 2.
Corbin deliberately looked at me, his disgust
obvious.
<
922
Brock reached for Bethany, “I guarantee no one
will mess with your bunny clan if you marry me.”
The other women stared enviously. Everyone knew these men were the rulers of the land and sea. Marrying them meant wealth and power, maybe even becoming queen of all beasts.
And all that honor might be taken by a low bunny girl.
Corbin and Brock looked at her smugly, sure
Bethany would be grateful, ready to bow down.
Surrounded by curious and jealous eyes, I saw Bethany’s pale face.
She trembled, looking at me for help.
Seeing Bethany’s hesitation, the elder looked at
me, the ignored one.
く
Everyone was waiting for me to fail, since I was
supposed to be with Corbin, and he was looking
lovingly at my sister. It was a slap in the face.
“Cloud, who do you want to marry?”
“Hmph!”
Corbin sneered, glancing at me, his disgust
clear.
“No one wants a barren hen like you!”
Ignoring him, I smiled at the man who hadn’t
joined the choosing, and walked to him.
“Leader Jasper, I want to marry you.”
Jasper, head of the eagle clan, seemed
surprised, his cold face showing shock. His
sharp eyes swirled with something I couldn’t
read.
<
He suppressed his emotions, his voice deep, “Cloud, are you sure you want to marry me?”
“That bunny girl must be crazy,” someone said,
laughing. “She’s picking a doomed clan over the land and sea rulers?”
Corbin’s laughter was the loudest.
“Born barren, matched with childless. Perfect!”
Jasper’s eyes darkened, turning sharp.
The eagle clan was once too powerful, threatening the beast king, who cursed them. Since then, they had no children, no eggs. The once–great clan fell, losing any chance at ruling.
My choice seemed like a dead end.
But I knew the truth.
9:34
The elder said, “Cloud, you can choose
someone else, don’t give up.”
I shook my head. “I’m not marrying them.”
Then, another clear voice said, “If she’s not
marrying them, then neither am I!”
924
Everyone turned to see Bethany running to me,
trying to get away, like demons were chasing
her.
Everyone’s face changed, especially Corbin and
Brock’s, turning black as coal.
Women usually begged to marry them. This was
the first time anyone dared to refuse.
Bethany ran behind Jasper, hiding behind a
silver–haired finch.
“I…I want to marry Alistair!”
<
Everyone was shocked.
“Cloud, what did you tell Bethany? Why is she
marrying these impotent guys with you? Are
you jealous that she’s fertile, and trying to
make her childless like you?”
But no matter what they said, Bethany insisted.
on marrying Alistair.
They couldn’t force the marriage in front of
everyone. So they reluctantly chose other brides.
and returned to their territories.
As he left, Corbin glared at me.
“Cloud, you’re asking for it. When I become
king of the beasts, the first thing I’ll do is wipe
out the eagle clan and throw you into the
abyss!”
He seemed obsessed with not having kids last
time.
Г
But I wasn’t afraid.
Beast king? Keep dreaming.
No matter who you pick, you won’t have any
kids this time.
Suddenly, I felt arms around my waist. I looked
down at Jasper’s strong hands, holding me
close.
Jasper’s face was distant, but showed an
undeniable presence.
Corbin’s eyes darkened, but before he could
speak, Jasper said emotionlessly, “My clan isn’t
dead yet. My bride isn’t for the naga leader to
judge.”
Alistair also shielded Bethany, his amber eyes
glowing.
<
9:34
Corbin, initially taken aback, regained his
confidence as sea ruler, ignoring them and
leaving.
924
The eagle clan was weakening, their territory
shrinking. Bethany and I went with them to their
lands, and were placed in separate rooms.
Jasper let go of my hand, told the beast–slaves
to take care of me, and turned to leave.
I grabbed his hand.
“Where are you going, my husband?”
Jasper didn’t expect me to be so forward, and
his face turned red.
“I…I’ll find another room to sleep in.”
Leaving me alone on our wedding night?
Seeing my displeased expression, he thought I
was disgusted that he couldn’t have kids. He
looked down, hiding his sadness, and said, “You don’t have to worry. I know you married me as a temporary measure. I won’t force you sisters to stay. You can leave whenever you want.”
He was about to leave. What was I going to do if he left? How would I get pregnant with his child?
My body reacted before my brain, and I hugged Jasper’s strong waist.
