"Okay."

Nina answered softly and moved to head for the bath.

She tugged at her hand, still tightly held by Idir. "Let go. I’m going to bathe."

He refused to release her. "I’m coming with you."

He didn’t want to be apart from her—not even for a moment.

They were mates, weren’t they? Of course they could bathe together.

At the thought, a flicker of anticipation stirred in him.

Nina’s cheeks flushed faintly. "No. I’m bathing by myself."

Why did he have to follow her even for this?

Without another word, Idir scooped her up into his arms. "Then I’ll stay and keep you company."

If he couldn’t join her, then staying nearby was fine. He could even help her—his kind was very good at bathing.

Nina struggled in his arms. "Put me down. I’ll wash myself. I don’t need you there."

What was there to accompany in a bath?

Idir took a step toward the bathing room—but Yanai blocked his path.

"She said she doesn’t want you there. Put her down."

This damned snake—he actually thought he could bathe with her? Who did he think he was?

Odian and the others rushed forward as well, fists clenched.

"Idir, let her go."

Shameless snake—daring to take advantage of her.

Even they, her mates, weren’t allowed to accompany her like that. What right did he have?

If he refused to let go, even if they were injured, they would force him to release her.

Nina twisted against his arm, but his grip didn’t budge. So she reached up and twisted his ear instead.

"Put me down now, or I’m going to get angry."

Idir tilted his head slightly and finally set her down, though reluctance lingered in his expression. "You really don’t want me with you? What if something happens while you’re bathing?"

Nina gave his ear another sharp twist. "No."

Honestly, the biggest danger was him.

Idir sighed, deeply disappointed. "Fine. I’ll wait outside. If anything happens, call me."

Why wouldn’t she let him stay with her?

Nina stepped into the bathing room, pausing at the doorway. "Don’t come in. Got it?"

"...Mm." His answer was reluctant.

"Don’t worry, Nina. We’ll keep an eye on him," Yanai reassured her.

Odian and the others nodded. "Go ahead and bathe. We won’t let him in."

Strangely, that reassurance only made Nina more uneasy.

Would they start fighting the moment she closed the door?

She turned back, giving them a stern look. "No fighting. Did you hear me? Whoever starts anything is kneeling on a hundred durians."

"We understand." They nodded immediately. No one wanted that punishment.

Nina’s gaze shifted to Idir. "Especially you. No fighting. Understood?"

He nodded, still looking a little sullen. "Understood."

Though inwardly, he wondered—what was a durian? And why did it sound so terrifying?

Only after giving them one last warning look did Nina finally close the door.

Even taking a bath wasn’t peaceful.

Inside, she washed quickly, her attention half on the sounds outside.

Idir stood by the door, eyes fixed on it, waiting.

Yanai shifted slightly, blocking the gap. "What are you looking at?"

Perverted snake.

Idir’s fingers curled, restraining the violent impulse rising in his chest.

The others stood guard as well, watching him closely.

The atmosphere was tense—strangely balanced on the edge of conflict.

At last, with a soft click, the door opened.

A faint fragrance drifted out, and the males instinctively drew a deeper breath.

Framed in the doorway stood Nina—fresh from her bath, her face luminous like a blossom touched by water, her figure graceful and flowing.

For a moment, the air stilled.

Their breathing hitched, their gazes darkening.

Idir’s expression sharpened. In an instant, he appeared beside Nina, scooping her into his arms and striding back toward the room.

He hated the way those males looked at her—it stirred an uncontrollable urge to tear them apart.

The moment he shut the door behind them, he couldn’t hold back any longer. He lowered his head and kissed her again, relentless, leaving Nina no room to push him away.

Still kissing her, he carried her to the bed and laid her down, moving to press over her—

"Bad snake! Let go of my mother!"

A small, childish voice rang out. Momo shot forward and smacked him with his tail.

Idir paused and turned his head.

Only then did he notice—there was now a pile of little cubs on the bed.

He glanced around. He hadn’t gone to the wrong room... so where had these little brats come from?

Should he throw them out... or just change rooms?

He had no intention of being interrupted by them.

After a brief pause, he reached to pick Nina up again. "Nina, let’s switch rooms."

It was faster that way.

Nina slapped his hand away. "No. I need to put the cubs to bed."

Idir frowned, clearly displeased. He looked at the children. "They’re all yours?"

Nina gathered the two who had rushed to her first into her arms. "They are."

Idir grabbed Momo by his little tail. "He’s ours too?"

Momo twisted around and bared his tiny teeth, biting down on him.

Idir pinched the back of his neck, unimpressed. This little brat was fierce.

"Yes," Nina nodded, then quickly added, "Let him go—you’re hurting him."

Idir’s eyes lit up.

So he and Nina had cubs.

Then why had she said earlier that he wasn’t her male? They clearly had... already—

It didn’t matter. Tonight, he would make it true again.

He released Momo, who took the chance to bite him once more before darting back into Nina’s arms.

Nina glanced at his hand, a little concerned. "Are you alright?"

"I’m fine," Idir said calmly.

A bite like that couldn’t even scratch half a scale.

He looked at the cubs again, a trace of jealousy creeping into his tone. "They’re already this big—why do they still need to be put to bed?"

If anyone needed comforting, it should be him.

The cubs glared at him indignantly. Big? They were only a few months old!

They all burrowed into Nina’s arms, chirping happily: Mother, let’s play our bedtime game!

"Alright," Nina said with a smile.

Just as they were about to begin, there was a knock at the door.

"Nina, we’re here to help with the cubs," the mates called from outside.

They needed to keep an eye on that snake.

Nina turned to Linny. "Go open the door for your fathers."

Linny immediately flew over and opened it.

The mates filed in all at once.

Idir’s mood darkened. The little ones weren’t enough—now a whole group of adults too?

As they entered, Nina began playing with the cubs.

The males stayed nearby, accompanying them. For a brief moment, the atmosphere softened, warm and almost peaceful.

Watching Nina with the children, Idir suddenly felt a strange sense of familiarity. The violent edge in his heart dulled, replaced by a faint, unfamiliar warmth.

After a while, Nina began telling them a story. Her voice was gentle, soothing, and one by one, the cubs drifted off to sleep.

Once they were asleep, the fragile peace shattered.

The tension snapped back instantly.

Idir pulled Nina into his arms. "Take the cubs and leave. Nina and I are going to rest."

The others didn’t budge.

"We’re her mates," Sal said coldly. "If anyone should stay, it’s us. What right do you have?"

"Exactly. You’re the one who should leave," Finch added.

They had endured him clinging to her all day—but now he wanted to stay the night with her?

That was unacceptable.

A storm gathered in Idir’s eyes.

The others’ gazes sharpened like blades.

No one budged an inch.

The air thickened, heavy and still, as if a battle could erupt at any moment.