- 4 hours ago
Fated to the Feral Lion EP
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I was dying. Border smoke choked the air from my lungs. An armor-piercing round had torn through my chest.
00:07I was shaking with pain. And there was my sentrinal, Dane, shielding another guide. A low-rank one, Vera. I
00:15called out to him. Five years. Five years of burning through my own cyanetic energy, day and night, to bring
00:21him up to A-class. He turned and looked at me. His eyes were full of disgust.
00:26Veda, an S-class guide like you won't die from this. Vera's too fragile. I can't lose her.
00:31I watched Vera nestle into his arms. She looked over his shoulder and smiled at me. Dane didn't look back.
00:37He carried Vera onto the rescue starship. I watched the ship disappear and broke down sobbing. What did five years
00:43of my life even mean to him? If I could do it over, I would grind them both into the
00:49dirt. A crack of thunder, then darkness. I don't know how long it had been, but I felt breath in
00:54my lungs again.
00:54My eyes snapped open. I was standing on the platform at the Empire's matching center. The system tone chimed in
01:01my ear.
01:01Guide Veda, the system has matched you with two sentinels. Dane at 90% compatibility and Supreme Commander Ryer at
01:08100% compatibility. Please choose.
01:11I squeezed my hands into fists. By some miracle, I was back five years earlier on matching day. I was
01:18really back. This time, I was going to make them pay.
01:23I looked around. Dane was standing a few steps away, wearing his most devoted expression.
01:29Last time, that face had tricked me into bonding with him. Then he'd abandoned me on the battlefield.
01:35I saw Vera drift to his side. She raised an eyebrow at me and hooked her arm through his.
01:40Dane shot me a guilty glance. He shook Vera off and forced a smile in my direction.
01:45Watching them, I understood immediately. These two had been together long before today.
01:50Nausea rose in my throat. I tightened my fists. Dane hurried over and grabbed my hand.
01:55His coaxing voice filled my ear.
01:58Veda, don't make a scene. Vera just came to wish us luck.
02:01As for Commander Ryer, he's perpetually on the edge of sentinel rage. He'll tear you apart.
02:07You're choosing me, right? Tell the system.
02:09I pulled my hand free. It's actually very clear who I should choose.
02:16I watched his expression relax. He strolled back to his position, certain I was coming to him.
02:22But instead, I turned to the system display and announced,
02:26I choose Commander Riker.
02:28Dane's smile froze. He shouted,
02:30Veda, are you insane? Choosing a monster for your sentinel, you'll regret this!
02:34A deep voice came from the entrance of the matching center.
02:37Who are you calling a monster?
02:39My eyes locked onto the man stepping forward.
02:41Each footfall of his military boots hit like a drumbeat.
02:44The crowd parted. The hall went silent.
02:46Riker, the Empire's most feared war god.
02:49Nearly two meters tall, his dark military uniform stretched taut across an enormous frame.
02:55He looked at me.
02:56Is that your final answer?
02:57Those gray-blue eyes held something untamed.
03:00I held his gaze. Yes.
03:02I took a step toward him.
03:06I reached out and took his hand.
03:08My general, take care of me.
03:10The moment I spoke, black psionic energy exploded behind Riker.
03:14A massive spirit form, a wild lion with a jet black mane materialized out of nowhere.
03:18The SSS class psionic pressure swept through the hall, buckling the knees of every sentinel present.
03:22The wild lion lowered its head and breathed in my psionic aura.
03:25Behind me, a white lop-eared rabbit spirit form leapt out.
03:28My white rabbit raised a paw and tapped the lion on the nose.
03:31The wild lion's rumbling purr drifted to my ears, almost pleading.
03:34This was 100% soul resonance.
03:36Our spirit forms were drawn to each other by nature.
03:40Riker turned his hand and held mine.
03:42Once we bond, there's no going back.
03:44He said, quietly.
03:46Come on. Let's go home.
03:49I followed him toward the door.
03:51Behind me, Dane's voice cracked with fury.
03:54He lunged for me.
03:55Veda! What is wrong with you? We had a deal!
03:58He didn't get close.
03:59Riker barely glanced at him.
04:01The black-maned lion whipped around and roared at Dane.
04:04With a scream, Dane's hyphenic spirit form shattered on the spot.
04:08He coughed blood and collapsed.
04:10Who said anything about a deal?
04:15I dropped the words like ice,
04:17stepped right over his body on the floor,
04:19and walked out with Ryer.
04:21After matching ended,
04:22Dane had no choice but to bond with the low-rank guide, Vera.
04:25I only heard about what followed later.
04:28He went around complaining he'd lost an S-class guide.
04:32He demanded Vera burn through her own psionic reserves
04:35to fuel his advancement,
04:37exactly as I had done in my past life.
04:39Vera would never agree to that.
04:41But she depended on Dane's protection.
04:45To redirect his anger,
04:47she fed him a scheme.
04:49Together they went to the Empire Center
04:51and filed a report against me.
04:52They claimed I had illegally boosted Dane's rank.
04:56Their plan was to get my work suspended,
04:58drive me into a corner,
05:00and I'd have to come crawling back.
05:02Then Dane could swoop in like a savior
05:04and keep draining me.
05:05And that's exactly what they did.
05:08Soon, Empire investigators surrounded me at my office.
05:12All my work clearances were suspended on the spot.
05:15I watched Dane walk over to me.
05:16His condescending voice filled my ear.
05:19Vita, you see your mistake now, right?
05:21Beg me, and I'll drop the charges.
05:23Looking at his face,
05:24all I felt was revulsion.
05:26He was using my own years of sacrifice
05:28as a weapon against me,
05:29biting the hand that had fed him.
05:32I don't need anything from you.
05:33Get out!
05:34I pushed past him and held my hands out
05:36to the investigators myself.
05:38Dane was seething.
05:39He raised his hand to hit me,
05:41but Vera grabbed his arm.
05:42Her soothing voice reached me.
05:44Dane, don't.
05:45Give her a few days of suffering
05:46and she'll come crawling back on her own.
05:49You're right.
05:50Vita, I'll be waiting for you on your knees.
05:53Dane lowered his hand
05:55and walked away laughing with Vera.
05:57The investigators clamped restraints on my wrists.
06:00Just as they were about to take me,
06:02heavy footsteps,
06:04sounded outside the door.
06:06Riker strode in.
06:07He ripped the restraints from my wrists
06:09and fixed his eyes on the investigators.
06:12She's mine.
06:13Who dares touch her?
06:18His sciacic energy detonated.
06:20Several investigators buckled to one knee on the spot,
06:23begging for mercy.
06:26Only when he reamed it in did they scramble out.
06:29Riker came to me.
06:30His hands rested on my shoulders,
06:32his eyes finding mine.
06:33What happened?
06:34I'm your sentinel.
06:35Whatever the trouble is,
06:36I'll handle it.
06:37All the hurt I'd been holding back broke loose.
06:39Eyes burning,
06:40I told him everything.
06:41I watched his fist clench.
06:42He said,
06:43low and flat,
06:44that he was going to destroy Dane right now.
06:46I grabbed his wrist.
06:48No,
06:49you're a supreme commander.
06:51He's not worth it.
06:52Don't worry,
06:53I'm an S-class guide.
06:54I'll find a new position fast.
06:55I struck a radicu-flexing pose to put him at ease.
06:58That got a quiet laugh out of him.
06:59He pulled me into his arms.
07:01All right.
07:01I believe you.
07:03But I'll write you a recommendation letter.
07:05Introduce you to all ten military districts.
07:07Whether you pass is up to my guide to prove.
07:08I heard the teasing in his voice
07:10and burrowed into his warm chest.
07:12With Riker's recommendation and my own abilities,
07:14I passed every assessment
07:15and landed a senior healer post
07:17across all ten military districts.
07:19Since Rike was stationed in the first district,
07:21I applied for placement there.
07:22When I told him,
07:23he didn't say anything,
07:24just the faintest curve at the corner of his mouth.
07:27I felt a small stab of disappointment,
07:29but it quickly reignited into resolve.
07:31A second chance at life,
07:32and I find a man who goes to bat for his own without blinking.
07:35I was going to pursue him.
07:36I had made up my mind.
07:38Meanwhile,
07:39Dane and Vera had no idea
07:40what the first district actually was.
07:43They'd heard rumors it was a frozen hellhole
07:45where people were sent as punishment.
07:47They actually requested a site in there.
07:52They were certain I was suffering out there,
07:54convinced that the moment they showed up,
07:56I'd throw myself at their feet
07:57begging to be taken back.
07:58Third day on the job,
08:00I was in my senior healer uniform,
08:02eating lunch in the first district mess hall.
08:04I looked up and saw Dane and Vera heading my way.
08:07Dane had that same condescending, charitable tone.
08:10Vita, rough out here on the border, isn't it?
08:13I knew the commander had no real feelings for you.
08:16Look, he just let you get exiled.
08:18If you're willing to ask me now,
08:20I might Dane to take you back.
08:21Vera leaned into Dane.
08:22Come on, be my assistant.
08:24Beat suffering out here.
08:25I looked at them both coldly
08:27and hit back without mercy.
08:28I'm the guide of an SSS class central.
08:31Why would I be anyone's assistant?
08:33Least of all in A-class.
08:34Keep your garbage to yourselves.
08:36Dane's face turned red.
08:38He jebbed a finger at me.
08:39You're exiled and you still dare talk like that?
08:42The commander obviously doesn't care if you live or die.
08:46You're nothing but a psionic relief tool to him.
08:49Sooner or later, he'll throw you out like trash.
08:52I stood up and fired back.
08:55Open your eyes.
08:56This is a senior healer's uniform.
08:58I'm here because my commander is here.
09:01Before I could finish, Dane roared.
09:04Shut your mouth!
09:06I fought to pull free, demanding he let go.
09:09Dane dropped every pretense.
09:10He raised his hand and slapped me across the face.
09:13I went down.
09:14I saw something flash in Vera's eyes.
09:16She picked up a bowl of scalding broth from the nearest table and walked toward me.
09:23Brother Dane, she won't listen.
09:25Pour it on her.
09:26She won't be able to fight back.
09:27Do it.
09:27I heard Dane answer without a moment's hesitation, hissing through his teeth.
09:30Vera raised the bowl, aiming for my head.
09:32And in that split second, the temperature in the air plummeted to zero.
09:35A terrifying wave of sciatic pressure swept through the entire mess hall.
09:38Dane and Vera didn't even have time to scream.
09:40They were driven straight to their knees by the pressure.
09:42The broth exploded on the floor and splashed back on them.
09:44I was sitting on the ground, and I looked up.
09:46At the mess hall entrance, a figure in the black minique form was wafting.
09:50Riker came to my side.
09:51Dane and Vera were still on their knees, trembling under his sciatic pressure.
09:54But he only had eyes for me.
09:56Does it hurt?
09:57Those cold eyes went soft the moment they found mine.
09:59He crouched down and gently touched my sway-soul and cheek.
10:02Not anymore.
10:03Not now that you're here.
10:05I leaned into him.
10:06Riker turned his head.
10:07Those gray-blue eyes fixed on Dane like he was looking at something already dead.
10:11Who gave you the nerve to touch my guide on my base?
10:15Dane was shaking in pain, too crushed by Riker's psionic pressure to even lift his head.
10:19Commander, she spoke to us with disrespect first.
10:21Riker gave a cold laugh.
10:23The black-manned lion spirit form surged into view and released a deafening roar.
10:27Its corporeal killing freight was so dense that Dane and Vera collapsed flat, struggling even to breathe.
10:34Whatever she says goes.
10:36Riker's voice carried the weight of a verdict.
10:38On this base, Veda's word is my word.
10:40If I see either of you within five meters of her again, I'll break your legs.
10:44Riker put his arm around my waist and walked me out.
10:46Behind us, Dane and Vera trembled in humiliation.
10:49Dane knelt on the floor, jaw clenched, eyes locked on our backs.
10:53His eyes suddenly lost focus.
10:54The air seemed to warp for an instant, and a sliver of psionic consciousness forced its way into my mind.
10:59My vision lurched.
11:00Dane's venomous face loomed large in my mind's face.
11:02Don't get comfortable, Veda.
11:03You think the commander will protect you forever?
11:05You're a tool to him.
11:06Tomorrow morning, I'm filing a report.
11:08Your psionic core has a fracture.
11:10The Empire Center won't tolerate a defective guide bonded to the commander, and neither will his family.
11:15Once they know, they'll discard you like garbage.
11:20He'd used our old residual Psynec resonance to transmit this threat directly into my mind.
11:25Ice spread through me.
11:26That evening, I moved into Riker's private estate.
11:28In the main hall, Riker's mother, the Duchess, and his younger sister, Zara, were having tea.
11:34A muffled explosion suddenly came from deep inside the estate.
11:37The reinforced windows on the second floor shattered under a surge of black energy, shards raining down like a storm.
11:43The Duchess went pale.
11:44It is Riker!
11:44His trauma episode!
11:45Evacuate!
11:46Quickly!
11:46The whole estate fell into chaos.
11:48The guards braced as if facing an enemy.
11:50I pulled off my heels and walked barefoot through the broken glass toward the master bedroom upstairs.
11:55Veda, are you out of your mind?
11:57A sentinel in feral state will tear you apart!
12:01The Duchess shouted after me.
12:04I pushed the master bedroom door open.
12:06Pitch dark inside.
12:07Expensive furniture had been reduced to splinters.
12:09Riker knelt in the center of the wreckage.
12:11Eyes blazing red.
12:12His shirt split apart by the surge of muscle beneath.
12:15The massive black lion roared in agony behind him.
12:17General, I called softly.
12:19My mind was torn.
12:20A deep healing now might expose my fractured psionic core.
12:22Make Dean's threat real.
12:23Give his family reason to reject me.
12:25But I looked at Riker in that pain, and I wanted to help him.
12:27I ran to him anyway.
12:28Riker lunged.
12:29The force came into the floor.
12:30His body's covering mine entirely.
12:31One large hand locked around my throat.
12:34The pressure was immense.
12:36His breath fell across my face.
12:37I released my full psionic auras, cupped his straining jaw in both hands,
12:42and pure white light bloomed from my fingertips.
12:45In the mindscape, my white rabbit leaped to the top of the lion's head
12:49and gently smoothed its bristling mane.
12:51The white light poured through Riker's mindscape and extinguished the inferno there.
12:55The red slowly drained from his eyes.
12:57He looked down and realized what he was doing.
13:00Riker released me as if shocked, his whole body trembling.
13:03I'm sorry.
13:05I almost hurt you.
13:06He tried to pull away in a panic.
13:07I hooked my legs around his waist and wrapped my arms around his neck,
13:10stopping him from going anywhere.
13:12Every muscle in his body went rigid as I'm...
13:14General, your psionic energy is freezing.
13:17Hold me close.
13:18I whispered against his ear.
13:19Riker's last thread of reason snapped.
13:21You asked for this.
13:23His voice was rough as gravel, eyes fixed on my lips.
13:25He swept me up from the floor and tossed me onto the bed.
13:29His body covered mine immediately, kissing me with desperate urgency.
13:34He drank in my warmth greedily, his rough hands leaving trails of heat across my skin.
13:39He kissed me breathless.
13:40My nails dug into his broad back.
13:43The next morning, sunlight streamed in.
13:45I jolted awake and turned with a rush of anxiety.
13:49Riken was breathing steadily.
13:50He was alright.
13:51I let out a long breath and sat up, stealing myself to tell him about my fractured psionic core.
13:56Riker opened his eyes and smiled gently, then scooped me up and carried me downstairs to breakfast.
14:03I nestled in his arms.
14:05The words didn't come.
14:07The Duchess and Zara stared at us with dropped jaws.
14:10I was a mess of worry and embarrassment, asking Raiden to put me down.
14:14I'd barely gotten my feet on the floor, about to confess everything, when the estate gate burst open with a
14:21crash.
14:21Dane stormed in, trailing a crowd of Empire Center officials.
14:26Dane pointed at me and shouted.
14:28Your Grace, you've been deceived.
14:30Veda is defective.
14:32Her psionic core is fractured.
14:34She can't withstand the Commander's fur all episodes.
14:38She'll get him killed!
14:39The Empire Center Director immediately chimed in.
14:42We've received a formal complaint.
14:43We are required to take Veda in for quarantine and examination.
14:46Egged on by Dane, the Empire Center personnel stepped forward to take me by force.
14:51The hall fell silent.
14:52Dane smiled in triumph, waiting to watch me get thrown out.
14:55The Duchess rose from her seat and walked to Dane.
14:57The Duchess slapped Dane hard across the face.
15:00She healed my son.
15:01She is our family's benefactor.
15:03Who do you think you are coming into my house to insult my daughter-in-law?
15:06Dane stood there with his hand over his face, completely stunned.
15:12Guards, throw this garbage out.
15:14Exile him to the frontline mining zone permanently.
15:17The Duchess gave the order at full volume.
15:19The guards dragged Dane out like a dead animal, his screams of despair echoing the whole way.
15:24I was a little dazed.
15:25I looked up at Riot.
15:27What is going on?
15:28Riker pulled me into his chest.
15:30You don't have a fractured psionic core.
15:32Dane's rank was too low.
15:34He wasn't as he 100% matched for you.
15:35He couldn't unlock your full potential, which created the appearance of a fracture.
15:39He lowered his head and kissed me deeply.
15:41Last night proved it.
15:42You're perfect.
15:43We're a 100% match.
15:45My eyes burned.
15:46We held each other tight.
15:48The Duchess and Zara were laughing and teasing from the side.
15:51I buried my face in Riker's chest, flushed with embarrassment.
15:54Half a month later, Riker petitioned the Empire to host a grand interstellar banquet, formally
16:00announcing our bond.
16:01I wore a deep V galaxy blue gown and walked in on Riker's arm, making no effort whatsoever
16:08to be subtle.
16:09The banquet hall blazed with gold and light.
16:11I stood on the second floor terrace with my champagne, getting some air while Riker was
16:14pulled aside by senior military officials.
16:16Then that voice again.
16:17Veda.
16:18Veda.
16:19Dane walked over with his glass, eyes crawling over the neckline of my dress, his gaze full
16:23of twisted possessiveness.
16:24Dressed like that to attract other men?
16:26You never wore anything this revealing before.
16:29Did Riker force you to?
16:32I looked at him coldly.
16:36What I wear is none of your business.
16:39Vera walked over with two glasses of wine, wearing something far more more revealing than
16:43anything I had on.
16:45She saw me with Dane and something vicious crossed her eyes.
16:49She deliberately stumbled and hurled her wine straight at my dress.
16:56I sidestepped fast enough that the giant only caught the hem.
17:00Vera went down hard on the floor.
17:02That hurts.
17:03Vera burst into tears.
17:04Veda, why did you push me?
17:06I was just trying to toast you.
17:07Even if you're Riker's guide, you're just a guide, not his wife.
17:10Why are you bullying me?
17:11The commotion drew eyes from the hall below.
17:14Dane rushed to help Vera up.
17:15Righteous invignation all over his face.
17:17Veda, just because you're the commander's guide doesn't mean you can treat people however
17:20you like.
17:21Apologize to Vera!
17:21The nobles around us began to whisper.
17:23I gave a cold laugh and was about to pull up the security footage.
17:26Who dares ask my fiancƩ to apologize?
17:29The voice, cold as deep space, cracked through the entire hall like thunder.
17:34What?
17:34Dane and Veda's faces went slab.
17:36Dane tried to step forward and argue.
17:38Veda's nothing but a common rabbit.
17:39What gives her the right to be the commander's fiancƩ?
17:41The words died in his throat as Riker unleashed a wave of psionic pressure that drove Dane to
17:46his knees.
17:47The crowd went silent as mice and parted to open a wide path.
17:50Riker strode onto the terrace with an expression carved from stone.
17:54He came to my side, stripped off his black uniform jacket, then draped it over my shoulders,
17:59covering me completely.
18:00He turned his head.
18:01Those gray-blue eyes looked at Dane and Veda like they were nothing.
18:05Commander!
18:05Veda pushed Vera!
18:07Dane's whole body shook.
18:09Pull the footage.
18:10Riker gave the order to his adjutant.
18:12Graphic projection lit up in the center of the hall.
18:15The footage was clear.
18:16Vera had deliberately tripped and thrown the wine.
18:18I hadn't touched her.
18:21The truth was out.
18:22Vera's face drained of color.
18:23The nobles broke into contemptuous laughter.
18:26Deliberately framing the Supreme Commander's personal guide.
18:29Dane, for aiding this frame-up, your A-Class Sentinel rank is stripped.
18:32Both of you will report to the Border Mining Star for service tomorrow.
18:35You are permanently banned from the capital.
18:36Stripped of rank.
18:37That was Dane, finished for life.
18:41Commander, please have mercy.
18:42I was wrong.
18:43Dane melt on the floor in despair, knocking his head to the ground again and again.
18:48Vera was so frightened, she collapsed where she stood, speechless.
18:51Ryder put his arm around my waist and addressed the room.
18:54Let me make a formal introduction.
18:56Veda is my personal guide and soon-to-be wife.
18:58Anyone who disrespects her is my enemy.
19:00The hall erupted in applause.
19:02Dane and Vera were hauled out by military police.
19:04As they dragged Dane away, he was still screaming.
19:06No!
19:06This can't be happening!
19:07Edvita, you wait!
19:08I will make you regret this!
19:10The space around us went quiet again.
19:12I looked at him cautiously.
19:13FiancƩ, what did you mean by that?
19:15You only said it to help me, right?
19:17No.
19:18Riker drew me into his arms, his eyes warm with amusement.
19:22Veda, I mean it.
19:23The night you helped me, that was the night I decided you were the one I'd marry.
19:28With that, he dropped to one knee, produced a ring, and looked up at me with burning eyes.
19:33Veda, beyond being my guide, will you marry me?
19:36I covered my mouth with my hands, eyes flooding with happy tears.
19:43In my past life, I had given everything for Dane, and he'd never once been willing to claim me.
19:48But Ryark...
19:50I knew I had already fallen deeply in love with him the moment he first looked at me with gentleness.
19:58I nodded hard.
20:00Ryder slid the ring onto my finger with a smile, and we held each other as we both cried.
20:05The guests had gathered around us at some point.
20:07Cheering, Riker leaned to my ear.
20:09I can't wait to make you my wife.
20:11The day after the banquet, the military suddenly issued an emergency order.
20:15Border rebels had risen up, and Outrider was required to personally lead the suppression.
20:20One week at most.
20:21I'll be back to marry you.
20:22On the landing pad, Outrider held me tight.
20:25I'll be waiting.
20:25Three days after Riker left, Dane had the nerve to send anonymous messages through the military network, spreading rumors.
20:33He swore up and down that the border was full of high-rank guides, and that Riker couldn't control himself
20:39on the battlefield.
20:40I laughed it off and deleted every message.
20:43Tactics that pathetic were an insult to my intelligence.
20:47At 2 a.m., a military encrypted video call connected.
20:51The holographic display lit up.
20:53Ryder had just come from a bloody battle.
20:54He was leaning against cold armor planing, his tactical top hanging open.
20:58In the dim light, fresh sweat and new gashes marked his chest.
21:02His dark hair clung to his forehead.
21:05His eyes still held the dangerous edge of battle.
21:08Vader, did you miss me?
21:10His throat moved, voice rougher than gravel.
21:14I was lying on the bed, bundled up in the dove with just my head sticking out.
21:20Yes, so much I couldn't sleep.
21:25Riker breathed in slowly.
21:27Even through the screen, his eyes looked like they wanted to consume me whole.
21:31Just your face.
21:33His voice held that dangerous pull.
21:35A command that left no home to refuse.
21:38Put the blanket down.
21:40Let me see my rabbit.
21:41Tens of thousands of light years away, this beast was still impossibly possessive.
21:45I bit my lip, hooked one finger under the blanket and let it slip.
21:49My thin silk pajamas left very little to the imagination.
21:53As I slowly turned, the resonance of our psisonic link made the rabbit ears emerge alongside the flush on my
21:59face,
21:59and a small fluffy tail appeared, both trembling.
22:04Do you like what you see, husband?
22:08On the other end of the screen, Riker drew a sharp breath.
22:12He stared at the screen.
22:13His eyes reddened.
22:15His entire body visibly tensed.
22:18Vader, are you trying to kill me?
22:19He was fighting himself, his breathing turning rapid.
22:23Then Riker's hand slipped out of Frayn, reaching into the blind spot of the camera.
22:28A second later, I heard sounds of fabric through the screen.
22:32Riker, what are you doing?
22:34I stamped my foot, face burning red all the way to my toes.
22:38He kept his eyes locked on me on the screen, a low, restrained sound escaping him, his eyes blazing with
22:44raw desire.
22:46Those gray-blue eyes burned with a fire that could turn me to ash.
22:50Thinking about you.
22:53Watch me, Advita.
22:55Watch what you do to me.
22:56He breathed the words out, voice so low and rough it sent a shiver through me.
23:00A rush of shame and overwhelming sensation shattered my composure.
23:03A strange heat gathered low in my body.
23:06My legs pressed together on their own.
23:07My throat went dry.
23:10Something was awakening inside me.
23:13The instinct called bonding fever.
23:15My breath came faster.
23:17Sweat beaded at my temple.
23:18Riker on the screen blurred.
23:20An emptiness that could incinerate a soul swallowed me whole.
23:23Riker, I feel so wrong.
23:25So hot.
23:26On the other end of the screen, At-Rider went very still.
23:29He had noticed the flush spreading across my skin.
23:31Through the thin thread of our phyosetic link, he was sensing my era, sweet and spiraling out of control.
23:35I was moving without thinking, my voice dissolving into a whimper.
23:37Vita, your bonding fever has come early!
23:39The desire in At-The-Rider's voice began an instant, replaced by pure tension and panic.
23:43I didn't know.
23:44Riker, help me!
23:46The strength went out of my limbs.
23:47I curled in on myself, a guide not yet fully marked by their sentinel.
23:51If bonding fever erupted and found no relief, the mind space would be burned to nothing.
23:56Damn it!
23:58Riker's fist slammed into the armor plating beside him, caving it in with a concussive boom.
24:03Vita, listen to me.
24:05Lock the estate's master bedroom door to maximum security right now.
24:09Don't let anyone near you.
24:11I'm coming back immediately.
24:12Trust me.
24:13I will make it.
24:15Hold on.
24:16Wait for me.
24:16On the screen, Riker sprinted to the starship and engaged the warp engine at reckless speed.
24:22The comm was forcibly cut.
24:23The holographic screen went dark.
24:25My body went lilp and I slid off the bed, crawling on my last thread of rational thought
24:30towards the control panel, slamming down the maximum security lock.
24:33The heavy metal door sealed shut.
24:35I was completely isolated, but the fire inside me only burned hotter until even my breath felt scalding.
24:41In the prison transport carrying Dane to the border mining zone.
24:55Dane was leaning against the cold iron wall when a sudden, violent pain tore through his mind.
24:59Countless memory fragments from another timeline forced themselves into his head like shards of glass.
25:04He had awakened.
25:06Every memory of his past life flooded back.
25:09He remembered the five years I had spent loving him, desperate and self-effacing.
25:15No, it shouldn't have gone like this.
25:18Dane beat the wall like a man going mad, tears and snot streaming down his face.
25:23Veda was mine.
25:24We had 90% compatibility.
25:26She only ever loved me.
25:27Crushing regret nodded his heart like a snake.
25:29He had thrown away a top-class guide who had given him everything and wound up with a coward like
25:33Vera.
25:34Then at Dane's head snapped up, a glint of madness in his eyes.
25:37He remembered, in his past life, to control me he had planted a hidden mark deep inside my mindscape.
25:42That mark would activate tonight.
25:44It was designed to trigger an early onset of bonding fever.
25:47Vera has no idea.
25:48She'll fall into it tonight.
25:49Ryer can't get back from the border in time.
25:51Fate is handing me one last chance.
25:53Dane was euphoric.
25:55He caught a guard off guard.
26:00Seized the weapon, killed him, and stole a small aircraft.
26:06He flew like a demon and made it to the door of Riker's estate, master bedroom.
26:14Inside the bedroom, I had completely lost myself.
26:16That cursed hidden mark had activated.
26:18My clothes were soaked with cold sweat.
26:20I was rivaling on the cold floor in agony, nails clawing the carpet.
26:23Ryder?
26:24Husband?
26:24Where are you?
26:25I was crying out.
26:26In my mindscape, the white rabbit was barely alive.
26:34Beep.
26:35Dane cracked the blast door's security code.
26:38The heavy blast door slid open.
26:40I forced my tear-blurted eyes open and saw the man in the doorway.
26:44Ryder?
26:45I reached out wheeltly.
26:47Veda, it's me.
26:49You're Dane.
26:50He lunged toward me like a dog in heat, eyes devouring the sight of me.
26:54I remember everything.
26:56I was blind in the last life.
26:59But this time, I'll make it up to you.
27:01Let me in.
27:03I need to mark you.
27:04The revolting scent of a hyena's spirit rushed into my nose.
27:08My stomach heaved.
27:09I used every last bit of strength to slap him hard across the face.
27:12Get away from me!
27:13Don't touch me!
27:14You disgust me!
27:15My slap knocked his head aside.
27:17The madness in his eyes flipped to rage.
27:20You disgusted?
27:21You used to love being in my arms.
27:23Tonight you're mine, no matter what.
27:26He grabbed my wrist and tore at my clothes.
27:29No!
27:29Let go of me!
27:31Ryder will kill you!
27:33I fought with everything I had.
27:35Just as his filthy lips were about to reach me, boom!
27:37An explosion that could have brought down the entire estate detonated outside the window.
27:41The floor-to-ceiling windows behind Dane along with the thick Illinois wall were kicked into shards of scrap metal
27:45by a terrifying force.
27:47Wind and debris swept through the entire room.
27:49Through the clouds of smoke and dust, a figure stepped into the room.
27:52As if walked out of hell itself, it was Ryder.
27:54He had entered a terrifying partial beast form.
27:57His pupils had shifted to vertical slits radiating gold light.
28:00Blood dripped from his jaw.
28:01His tactical armor trailed white steam.
28:04All ten fingers.
28:05Black claws.
28:09He had jumped from the starship at tens of thousands of meters without a parachute,
28:13and punched straight through the estate's shield barrier.
28:19Commander!
28:20Dane's nerve shattered completely.
28:22His legs gave out and he dropped to his knees, his trousers soaked in fear.
28:26Ryder said nothing.
28:27He didn't even look at Dane.
28:28Behind him, in the spirit dimension, the black-maned wild lion had grown so large it nearly filled the room
28:34floor-to-ceiling.
28:35The wild lion unleashed a soul-shaking roar of absolute fury,
28:39and hurled itself at Dane's hyena spirit form, a one-sided slaughter.
28:43The lion's enormous paw pinned the hyena to the ground.
28:46Its jaws closed on the hyena's neck without mercy.
28:49With a sound that curdled the blood, the hyena was torn in two.
28:52The instant his spirit form was destroyed, Dane let out a streal shriek.
28:57His mindscape collapsed on the spot.
28:59Blood ran from his every orus.
29:01He crumpled to the floor.
29:02A huck.
29:03Ryker walked to me, step by step.
29:05He lifted his tactical boot, and without even glaresing down, kicked Dane like a piece of trash.
29:10Send him flying to the far.
29:11Then he deployed an SSS-class Psytic barrier that sealed the entire master bedroom completely.
29:16He turned around and looked down at me rivaling on the floor in agony.
29:18Those beast-like Isle of Fury that could flood a continent and beneath it,
29:22desire that had been held back so long it was about to erupt.
29:24Vida.
29:26Vida.
29:36Burning hot, Ryder dropped to his knees and swept me into his arms.
29:44Where did he touch you?
29:46He tore away the remnants of my clothing.
29:49His teeth gritted, voice a controlled fury.
29:51He didn't... he didn't reach me.
29:53I only want you.
29:55I clung to his shoulders and buried my face in his neck.
29:59You are mine.
30:00Only mine, Vida.
30:01I'm going to mark you permanently.
30:02Yes.
30:03At my nearly breathless answer, he let out a low growl and drew me down when with him onto the
30:07floor.
30:07The sheer difference in our size gave him absolute control.
30:10I arched my neck and let out a cry, aching and sweet at once.
30:13Tears spilled down my face.
30:15Cry.
30:16Louder.
30:16Your tears belong only to me.
30:18Ryder had completely lost himself.
30:20His arms locked around my with ferocious possessiveness.
30:23The mating heat brought physical union, and at a deeper level, the most profound interwailing of two mind spakes possible.
30:29In my mindscape, the black lion held the white bear of it beneath it in the grass.
30:34The lion's teeth closed on the rabbit's phyedic node and poured into it an absolute phyedic anchor.
30:40Undeniably its own.
30:41In reality, Rydic was doing the same.
30:44He left his marks across my skin without mercy, pouring his SSS class phynetic era into my body in an
30:51unbroken stream until every fiber of me carried his scent.
30:54Too deep.
30:55Ryder, I'm going to break.
30:58I nearly blacked out.
31:01Even if you break, I'll take care of you for the rest of your life.
31:05He made me look into his blazing red eyes.
31:11Veda, give me a little lion cub, will you?
31:17Those words, soaked in absolute possessiveness, were the last thing standing between me and complete surrender.
31:24I let go entirely, and fell into the current he commanded.
31:28The mating heat lasted three days and three nights.
31:32From the cold floor to the ruined sofa, from the sofa to the wide bed, he was tireless, each time
31:38carrying me higher.
31:39In the most primal way, he carved his absolute mark into my soul and body, completing the deepest 100%
31:46permanent bond.
31:48Fourth morning.
31:49The blast door opened again.
31:52Ryder carried me out wrapped completely in his oversized black military coat.
31:57I was too exhausted to lift a finger.
32:00Marks covered every part of me.
32:02At the far end of the hallway, Dane was sprawled face down like a dead dog.
32:06Without his spirit form, he had become weaker than ordinary, hollow-eyed and drippling.
32:11Veda is mine.
32:13She loved me so much in the last life.
32:16Nearby, Vera was pinned by two armed military police.
32:19She stared up at Riker and me and screamed hysterically.
32:23Why her?
32:24She's nothing but a useless rabbit!
32:26Riker stopped and looked down at the two insects on the ground.
32:30Throw this worthless wreck to the slops in the lower district.
32:35Let him spend the rest of his life scavenging in the garbage like a rat.
32:39Riker's voice was ice.
32:40He didn't even consider killing Dane personally.
32:43Too dirty.
32:44For a man who'd awoken memories of a past life, dragging through endless regret and decay was the cruelest punishment
32:50of all.
32:53Dane's body convulsed.
32:55His howl of despair echoed.
32:57As for this woman...
32:58Riker's eyes moved to Vera.
33:00Confined her to the deepest cell of the Polar Star prison.
33:02She is never to be released.
33:04Vera's screams of despair echoed through the estate as the military police dragged her away.
33:08Three months later, the Imperial Capital Star witnessed a wedding that came once in a century.
33:13Holographic rose petals fell like rain.
33:14I walked down the red carpet in a hand-sewed white wedding gown toward the man waiting at the end.
33:18The Duchess sat below the stage in tears, clapping with everything she had.
33:22Zara was hopping up and down beside her.
33:24Riker stood in his black commander's dress uniform watching me approach.
33:27This warrior who had never shed a tear in battle had red eyes now.
33:30In front of cameras broadcasting across the entire star system, he dropped to one knee before me.
33:35Vita.
33:36He held my hand and pressed his lips to my fingertips.
33:39Thank you for pulling me back from the abyss.
33:42My life, my glory, my loyalty.
33:44From this day forward, they belong to you alone.
33:47I smiled.
33:48As do mine, my general.
33:50He rose and pulled me into his arms, burning warm, and kissed me deeply.
33:55In the spirit sky above, the enormous black-maned wild lion gently circled the small white rabbit in its paws
34:01and let out a lion's roar, one that shook the galaxy, yet was full of nothing but tenders.
34:07From that day on, in the territory of this feral lion, there lived only one little rabbit,
34:13and she was his alone.
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