I BECAME A BREEDER

Chapter 7

“But if you are expecting my body as payment, then I rather just go the bear clan.”

“As I said, I won’t belong to anyone, be used as a tool or toy and tossed aside.”

He grinned, taking a few strands of my hair in his hand and twirling it around his fingers.

“When you look at me with those eyes, how am I supposed to ignore the challenge?”

“So, you accept?”

“Of course I do.” He leaned down, till he reached for my neck.

“I mean, you will offer your body to me of your free will at the end of the day. They always do.”

Shivers ran down my spine. I pushed him away.

“How do I trust that you will keep to your words?”

He frowned. But there was amusement in his eyes.

“Distrustful little thing.”

“How will you, indeed?” He smirked.

Urgh. I hate him.

“Your full name, let me know your full name at least.” I entered, crossing my arms over my chest.

The playfulness in his eyes fell.

“My full name?”

“Yes, your status only says Kane. No name, no ranks, even your position is hidden.”

The air turned chilly.

“If you are hiding it, then telling it to me should be a way of giving me your trust. And I can trust you in ret…”

He grabbed my neck, cutting off my air and slammed me against a tree before I could finish.

“How do you know that they are hidden?” His voice turned cold, threatening.

My heart picked up. I couldn’t breathe. I struggled against his hold, my life suddenly flashing before my eyes. But he only tightened his grip further.

“The…..” I slapped his hand. Just as his information appeared in front of me in glitches.

“Window….” I pointed towards it, though I was sure he couldn’t see it. He let me go and I fell to the ground, coughing and choking as I dragged in air.

“What window?” He squatted down to my level, his eyes as sharp and cold as steel. Fear clutched my chest. There was something about them. But something told me I would be dead if I made a single mistake. It was a knowing in my spine.

“There is a….” cough

“window in front of…” cough

“me, that shows the information of…anyone I come in contact with.” I coughed again. His eyes widened.

“That’s impossible.”

I shook my head, protesting his words.

“It’s the truth.”

“Human can’t use Aether, so how can you see that?”

I had no idea what he was talking about, but I didn’t dare move as I tried to catch my breath.

“How many people know you can see this?” He stood up. Alarms went off inside my head.

“I..I..don’t know.”

“What?” He grabbed me.

“I……” I didn’t think it was the right thing to tell him I had no memories of my life, except from a week ago.

“I never really said anything. Well recently…”

“What?” His grip tightened.

“It might have slipped from me before, but I just thought everyone can see it.” I really thought everyone did. Especially when he had said my name and information at that clothing store.

“No.” He snapped.

“Shifters see it because we possess high amount of Aether from birth.”

“But humans don’t.”

“They don’t see, absorb or manipulate even the tiniest form.” His eyes hardened.

My heart was racing now.

“For your own sake, I hope no one else knows.” He vanished, in his place, a tiny butterfly coated in flames. I gaped at where he had been standing. My heart, racing, confused, pale and utterly shocked.

“No wait…” I could barely hear my own words enough to register that he had just vanished like that. I didn’t know what was more shocking. The fact that he could do that in the first place, or that he actually left me there. Or the barrage of information he just laid bare before me.

I took a deep breath, trying to slow down the frenzy panic my heart had turned into, but nothing was working. Not immediately. Cold breeze cut across my skin, reminding me that I was in a night dress outside the mansion. My current predicament dawning on me like ice.

The only chance of escape just vanished into thin air. And if I was caught outside, then I feared another opportunity wouldn’t come again.

This was clearly the only opportunity I had. I turned to the woods. It was dark, underwhelming and probably overflowing with things I didn’t know. I needed more information on what I would expect if I took that path. Would I meet wild animals? Traps or be caught against an impregnable wall at the end?

My stomach churned.

I felt sick.

Another cold air and I shivered.

Right

Even if I was to run away into the unknown, I couldn’t do that in a nightdress and bear feet. No weapons, no food, no water and no preparation.

I sighed.

I needed to escape, not go on a suicide mission.

With that, I reluctantly returned to the house.

“Who are you?” The guards at the entrance stiffened as I drew closer, drawing their weapons.

“Inara, the lady of the house of Bloomwood.” I announced, tired. They frowned, turning to each other, then me.

“How are we sure that you, my lady?”

I guess vanishing and flying wasn’t the only thing this world was capable of performing if they suspected me of being someone else.

“I needed some fresh air after being cooped up for too long. It is I.” I tried to explain. They turned to each other again, clearly communicated in some ways. One turned to the house and the other turned back to me.

“Wait a moment, my lady.”

I nodded. It took a while, but the other guard returned, followed by the guards that were standing by my door. Their eyes widened at the sight of me, and I knew I was in big trouble.

“The Marquis has sent for you.”

No, not the marquis

He was the last person I wanted to see. But without an option, I was led to his study. The same place he had committed all sorts of debauchery. My stomach tightened as the meal I had that evening threatened to come undone.

Fortunately, he was dressed in a robe, with his back to me. The guards left us alone, closing the door behind us and I realized with dread that I was alone with this man.

“Inara.” His voice was even colder than the last time he had been angry.

“Father.” I clenched my fist, trying to remain as calm as possible, while I subtly searched the room for possible weapons.

“You went out of your room without permission.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes, father.”

“Through your window, of all things.”

“I just wanted to go to the garden once at least.” I started with the lies I had prepared as I made my way here.

“Before my claiming.” I tried to put some emotions into my voice, hoping that would appeal to him if nothing else.

He turned back to me. His expression was just as hard and cold as it was the last time. The only time it had ever been different was the day I woke up in this body.

“I will let this go because I understand you are frightened and getting nostalgic.” He started towards me.

I froze.

“And because you didn’t run away or do anything stupid and simply returned.”

“It tells me you are ready for what is to come and not trying to do anything stupid.” He stopped in front of me. An overwhelming sense of panic made my limbs lock and I found my gaze reaching for the floor.

“However, for even daring to go against my word.”

“Almost bruising the body, I had perfectly nourished and managed all these years, your punishment will remain and your window will be barred.”

“You are not to see sunlight till the morning of your claiming.”

My eyes widened.

“Father, ple…” my words stuck in my throat as I met his eyes. My hands trembled and I realized this wasn’t me, but Inara’s body reacting to him.

“Yes father.” I said, without another protest and was escorted back to my room. However, this time, Mary was waiting for me.

“My lady.” She ran towards me and disgust rolled through me. I recalled what I saw earlier and gritted my teeth. I wasn’t even sure why I was angry or if I should.

However, one thing was clear.

I was headed to the bear clan one way or the other.