Trapped in the Beastworld Breeder System (BL)-Chapter 34: Taunting.

Aries’ heart thumped violently in his chest, and the hairs on the back of his neck stirred awake as though sensing danger. His head, which had been turned toward Kenzie, stiffened in that position as he tried his best not to move, not to turn and meet Lucien’s eyes. He knew that if he did, if their gazes were to lock, he would easily give himself away.

Somehow, Aries was beginning to understand what it meant to be someone’s mate, but not fully one mate, for he was destined to be bonded to many.

With the mission that had brought Aries into this world, he was not someone meant to belong to another, to be called his or mine. He belonged to plenty of others, meant to be shared among them, even if he wished otherwise. Lucien, however, neither knew this truth nor would he ever accept it.

’System, is there a way I can break the mate link?’ Aries asked internally, panic threading through his thoughts, because suddenly he was starting to feel what Lucien had described—the infamous mate pull.

When he watched Lucien standing at the entrance of the hall, an overwhelming urge had surged through him. He wanted to rise from his seat, leave Kenzie behind, and walk—no, run toward Lucien. He wanted to ask how his injured hand was doing, or better yet, pull him into an embrace.

The way his body reacted without his consent startled him deeply. It amazed, and frightened him that Lucien, who was practically a stranger he had met barely three days ago, could evoke such an intense response. To Aries, this was unacceptable. Absurd, even.

It felt stupid. Saddening.

He remembered then that wolves had always been like this—waiting for an ordained mate and suddenly feeling emotions meant for years of shared memories toward someone they had known for only a day.

And the realization that he was gradually losing control over his own body unsettled him deeply. The loss of autonomy terrified him so much that, for a moment, he wished the mission would end already so he could leave this world and return to Earth.

Lucien’s eyes remained fixed on the unknown wolfkin seated beside his brother as he made his way back to his seat. Roger followed closely, standing beside him as Lucien settled down.

Once Lucien’s arrival had been acknowledged, the music resumed, and the festive atmosphere slowly returned to the hall, as though nothing momentous had just occurred.

Aries finally forced his gaze back toward the center of the hall as Lucien left. He cautiously shifted his eyes toward where Lucien was now seated, but Lucien wasn’t looking at him. Instead, his attention was focused on a man standing before him.

Aries’ eyes met Roger’s then just for a fleeting moment before he quickly turned away, his breath hitching.

Lucien leaned slightly toward Roger.

"He looked this way, didn’t he?" he asked quietly.

"If you mean the wolfkin seated with Lord Kenzie, yes," Roger replied. "When our eyes met, he turned away."

Lucien’s fingers tapped impatiently against his lap.

"Who is he?" he asked, his voice low and edged with unease.

"Well," Roger said thoughtfully, "from what I gathered before you arrived, there isn’t much to tell beyond the obvious. He’s Lord Kenzie’s guest, the one he brought to the celebration."

"Oh... I see..." Lucien muttered.

To him, the moment he entered the hall, it felt as though he was the only one present. Everything else had faded into nothingness. He had stood there, certain that Aries was before him, but when he searched the crowd, he didn’t see Aries at all. Instead, he felt someone else calling to him in a way that was impossible to ignore.

As Lucien sank deeper into his thoughts, Roger spoke again, his tone cautious.

"Is there a reason you seem so interested in this wolfkin?"

"Yes." Lucien responded, his gaze drifting away from the present space they occupied, his thoughts already far beyond the hall and the celebration. After a brief pause, he added quietly, almost to himself, "I think that’s my mate."

"Huh?" Roger blinked, clearly taken aback. "Is your mate a wolfkin or a human?"

"He can be whatever he wants to be," Lucien replied calmly.

Then, recognition dawned on him. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Aries had used a disguise spell before. Back then, the spell hadn’t been strong enough. It had broken the moment Aries fell against him, revealing his true human form. That was how Lucien had discovered the truth.

Lucien exhaled slowly, lifting a hand to his brow and massaging it as unease crept into his chest.

"Does that mean," he murmured aloud, "that he’ll change back into a human if I shake him hard enough?"

"What do you mean?" Roger asked, frowning deeply. He was genuinely confused now; Lucien hadn’t been explaining things clearly, only dropping fragments of information and half-finished thoughts.

"You remember I told you my mate can disguise himself," Lucien said, finally turning slightly toward Roger. "That’s how he hides so he won’t be seen as human. This wolfkin could be Aries. But to be sure...One would have to collide with him or shake him out of whatever is holding the spell together. Once that happens, the veil will fall."

Lucien didn’t need to finish his sentence. Roger already understood what he was implying.

Roger stiffened.

"But that’s not advisable," he said quickly. "If that happens here, the entire royal family and all the nobles will find out what he truly is. You’ll be forced to proclaim him as your mate in front of everyone, and after that, you’d be as good as dead."

"Yes," Lucien replied quietly. "I’ve already considered that." His jaw tightened. "So what am I supposed to do?"

Roger thought for a moment before speaking again. "Maybe you can get him to leave the hall. Somewhere private. Then you can confirm it without causing chaos."

Lucien nodded slowly.

"Alright."

And just like that, Roger and Lucien finalized their next course of action.

---

Meanwhile, when Aries turned back to Kenzie, he said quietly, "He has entered."

Kenzie glanced briefly in Lucien’s direction before looking back at Aries.

"So," Aries asked casually, "what’s the next step?"

"Just as we discussed," Kenzie replied with a faint smile.

Aries nodded.

The party continued as planned. One after another, guests stepped forward to present gifts to the king. Entertainers filled the hall with music and dance, laughter echoing beneath the chandeliers. Throughout it all, Kenzie and Aries kept talking in low tones, blending into the noise and celebration.

Then, at the appointed moment, Aries suddenly stood up from his chair.

All eyes turned toward him.

Lucien’s gaze sharpened instantly, fixed on the figure he now strongly suspected to be his mate. He watched closely, every movement etched into his senses.

Aries glanced at Kenzie and asked softly, "The wine is already with him, right?"

"Yes," Kenzie replied with a slight nod.

Aries smiled faintly. He reached for a glass on the table, poured wine into it, then turned back toward the crowd.

A polite smile was plastered on his face as he faced Lucien’s direction.

"Second Prince," Aries said clearly, his voice steady, "this toast is for you after the king, of course."

Lucien didn’t respond immediately, and Aries continued without hesitation.

"You should fill your glass with wine so we may toast together. I’m sure you’ll enjoy what I have prepared for you."

Lucien’s eyes dropped to the untouched bottle before him, then lifted back to Aries. After a moment’s pause, he reached for his glass, poured the wine, and stood.

As he did, Aries raised his glass.

"I toast to you today," he said, his voice carrying across the hall, "because you returned alive after being proclaimed dead, after making everyone fear the worst. Yet you survived the tiger kingdom for two days and returned to wish your father a happy birthday. I toast to your bravery."

Lucien smiled faintly. He hadn’t expected this—hadn’t wanted attention like this. He preferred solitude, quiet, and distance from drama. Being praised simply for not dying felt strange. Still, he raised his glass in return.

"Thank you," he said evenly. "And a toast to you as well."

He drank, then sat back down.

Roger leaned closer, his voice low.

"Why does it feel like this person did that deliberately to provoke His Majesty?"

"What do you mean?" Lucien asked, glancing toward the king.

Only then did he notice it—the king’s expression, no longer as pleased as before. And when Lucien looked further, he saw Kenzie smirking faintly in their direction.

Roger opened his mouth to speak, but Lucien raised a hand.

"Don’t worry. I understand now," he said calmly. "I returned with a tiger beast. The healer must have overheard my words about him being my mate, and reported it. Whether it reached the king or Kenzie, they know. That toast was a reference. He was mocking me."

"Exactly," Roger agreed. "And I don’t think that one is your mate anyway. No one tied to Lord Kenzie could be. They’re here tonight to taunt you, while your real mate is probably locked away somewhere in his quarters."

"That’s true," Lucien said suddenly, clarity settling in his mind.

He straightened slightly.

"My brother will be away from his manor tonight. Why don’t you go and check there? See if you can find him."

Roger’s eyes lit up. "That’s an excellent idea, my Lord."

After bowing lightly, Roger left at once.

Left alone, Lucien stared at the wine before him. He lifted the glass again and continued drinking, long after the toast had ended.

He needed something—anything—to steady himself.

After all, he had found his mate...

Only to lose him just as quickly..