"Still not leaving?" Idir’s voice dropped, and the temperature in the room seemed to plunge with it.

"The one who should leave is you," Odian replied coldly.

Nina pressed her fingers to her temple, a headache building again. "How about this—you all leave. I’ll sleep with the cubs."

She hadn’t planned on sleeping with Idir anyway.

"I’m not leaving," Idir said immediately. "I’m sleeping with you."

The others were just as unwilling. "Nina..."

If he kept this up, wouldn’t they lose every chance to be close to her?

"Nina, you’re the mistress of the household. Who stays should be your decision. We have no objections," Odian said.

"We’ll follow your choice," the others echoed.

Idir said nothing, but his jaw tightened. He didn’t want any of them near her.

And deep down, he had a feeling—she wouldn’t choose him.

Nina hesitated, then looked at him again. "Idir... why don’t you sleep in another room?"

Relief flashed across the others’ faces. She had chosen them after all.

Idir’s grip on her hand tightened abruptly. A dark haze crept into his eyes, the last traces of gentleness swallowed by rising violence.

"Nina... you’re really choosing them?"

"I..." She faltered for a moment, then said softly, "You should go to another room."

Silence fell.

He didn’t let go.

The air in the room grew heavier, suffocating.

"She’s already told you to leave. Why are you still here?" Kith snapped.

"I won’t leave," Idir said, his voice low and absolute. "I will never leave Nina’s side."

The darkness in his eyes deepened.

If she chose them... then he would kill them all.

"If she told you to go, then you go," Sal snapped, stepping forward to pull him away.

In the next instant, Idir’s aura erupted violently. A surge of power swept outward, rattling the doors and windows with sharp, echoing cracks.

The others stiffened.

Such terrifying strength!

Idir raised his hand, ready to strike.

Nina’s expression changed instantly. She threw herself forward and wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight.

"Leave—now!" she called urgently to the others.

This was bad. They had pushed him too far.

The mates clenched their jaws, unwilling to move.

Idir’s aura grew even more ferocious.

"Go!" Nina’s voice sharpened. "Now!"

She could feel it—he was on the verge of losing control. She couldn’t let anything happen to them.

Odian saw the strain in her eyes. Gritting his teeth, he turned. "Let’s go."

He walked out first.

One by one, the others followed, fists clenched, unwilling but resolute.

Idir tried to move after them, but Nina held him tighter.

"They’re gone," she said quickly. "Don’t be angry anymore. You can stay tonight."

With a flick of her power, the door shut behind them. But this time, the violent energy around him didn’t fade.

He turned toward her. The warmth in his eyes was gone—replaced by cold, restless fury.

Nina’s heart skipped. Why was he still so angry?

Idir stepped closer. "Nina... why did you choose them?"

His voice was low, heavy with suppressed emotion.

She instinctively stepped back.

What now...?

Fighting him head-on was impossible. So maybe...

Before she could second-guess herself, Nina reached up, hooked her arms around his neck, and kissed him.

Idir froze for a heartbeat, then pulled her into his arms and kissed her back.

At first, his kiss was fierce, almost punishing. But gradually, it softened. The storm within him began to settle, the darkness in his eyes thinning, replaced by something warmer... deeper.

"Nina..." he murmured hoarsely.

Sensing the shift, she slowly pulled away.

Looking at him, she let out a quiet breath of relief.

It worked.

"...It’s late," she said gently. "Let’s sleep."

Idir lightly bit her lower lip. "Nina... I want to mate with you."

Nina let out a quiet groan of despair. Why was this happening again?

She reached up and gently stroked his hair. "Not now. We’ll talk about it after you’ve regained your memories."

He bit her again, displeased. "Why do I have to wait until I remember? What does it matter if I’ve forgotten?"

Nina sighed softly. "Because you’re not in your right mind right now. When you remember later, you might regret it."

The Idir, who was clear-headed, was, at most, just her friend. And the Idir before her now—too powerful, too domineering. Either way, this wasn’t something that should happen between them.

Idir gazed at her seriously. "I won’t regret it."

If anything, he felt he would regret missing this chance.

Nina pinched his ear lightly. "Be good. Listen to me."

He pressed a kiss to her chin, then trailed downward. "No. I want you. Nina, we already have cubs—why won’t you agree? It’s not like we’ve never—"

Nina quickly caught his head, clearing her throat awkwardly. "That... the cubs were an accident. We’re really not mates."

A flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes.

So he really wasn’t her male?

But then his gaze hardened with resolve.

"Nina, then from now on—I am."

Even if he hadn’t been before, he would be now.

His voice turned solemn, earnest. "Nina, let’s become mates. I want to be your partner. I really do."

He wanted to stay with her—always.

Nina met his eyes. In them, she saw nothing but her own reflection.

Her heart stirred for a fleeting moment.

But he wasn’t himself. He didn’t even understand what he was saying. That thought grounded her immediately.

"I’m sorry," she said softly. "I can’t accept that."

She then looked away. "I’m tired. Let’s sleep."

She lay down, gathering the cubs into her arms, closing her eyes.

Idir remained where he was, confusion and quiet hurt passing through his gaze.

He didn’t understand. Why wouldn’t she accept him? Was it because of those other males? If he tried to accept them... would that change anything?

But the mere thought of her surrounded by other males made something twist painfully in his chest, a suffocating, unbearable feeling.

He wanted to hide her away—keep her only for himself.

But... that would make her angry, wouldn’t it?

After a long moment, he lay down behind her, wrapping an arm around her from behind. His chin rested lightly against her shoulder as he closed his eyes.

What was he supposed to do?

***

Outside, Odian and the others stood before the closed door.

With a sudden crack, Sal slammed his fist into the stone wall beside him.

"Are we just going to let that damned snake bully Nina like this? You heard him—he wants to..."

His voice trembled with anger, faint traces of blood appearing along his knuckles.

If that snake dared to force her—he would kill him, even if it cost his life.

The others were no better, their expressions dark with fury.

"I’ll find a way to suppress his curse," Odian continued, a cold edge flashing through his eyes. "I will."

Sal sat down by the door. "I’m staying here tonight."

"I’ll stay with you," Kith said, taking a seat on the other side.

One by one, the rest remained outside as well. None of them left.

If Nina was in danger, they would break in without hesitation.

Odian leaned against the wall, tilting his head up toward the night sky, his mind racing for a solution.

He was beginning to understand.

Yanai glanced at them, then silently took up a position nearby.

Lex sat beside Dian.

Setan leaned against the side of the building, quiet but resolute. He didn’t know everything—but he understood enough.

He, too, wanted to protect her.

That night, none of them slept easily.

Each carried their own thoughts into the darkness.