“I have a request to make.”
A timid voice reached the entrance of a mysterious tent in the middle of a forest.
Another customer.
The tent stood quietly in the middle of the forest, hidden from ordinary eyes.
Dark ornaments hung from the ceiling, swaying gently whenever the cold night breeze found its way inside.
There was no extravagant furniture within the establishment—only soft pillows scattered across the floor and a low table placed at the center.
Most people found the place eerie.
The woman stepped inside cautiously and looked around.
She seemed nervous, but curiosity pushed her forward.
At the center of the room sat a woman wearing a black robe that covered most of her body and face.
Only her mouth could be seen beneath the shadows.
“What do you have in mind?” The mysterious woman asked, clasping her hands together.
The woman approached the table and sat across her.
“My name is Nerissa,” she said.
The woman waited patiently.
“I found my mate three days ago.”
“And?” The woman asked.
She had a feeling that it was going to be entertaining.
“He was a notorious womanizer.”
“Hmm, there it is,” she replied, resisting the urge to sigh dramatically.
“I-I talked to him about it,” Nerissa continued.
“Since we were mates, he told me that he would stop seeing other women.
He said his eyes would only be on me.”
Nerissa’s voice grew increasingly frustrated with every word.
“And what are your concerns, Nerissa?
Perhaps you lack trust in your mate?” The woman asked gently.
Her smile widened.
Nerissa’s lips trembled.
Then her previously sad eyes sharpened.
“I received news that my asshole mate was kissing a she-wolf in the pub!” Nerissa snapped.
“Well, that escalated quickly.”
“However, when we met later that day.
I couldn’t smell any female scent on him.
I want to confirm my suspicions.” Nerissa slammed her palms against the table.
The woman nodded slowly.
“I understand your worries.”
“You do?” Nerissa’s eyes widened with a hopeful gaze.
“Yes, some men had absolutely remarkable talent for causing their own problems.”
“…”
“Well then,” the woman said, reaching into the drawer beside her.
She took out a piece of paper and placed it neatly on the table.
“What would you like me to do?”
Nerissa stared at her for a moment.
Then she took a deep breath.
“I want you to seduce him and confirm whether he would take the bait.”
“Interesting,” the woman tilted her head slightly.
“And if he does?”
Nerissa looked directly into the woman’s eyes—or at least, where she assumed her eyes were beneath the hood.
“Beat him near death.”
Silence filled the tent.
Then the woman smiled.
“That is certainly a request.”
The woman didn’t ask for further explanation.
Instead, she pointed toward the paper and placed a pen beside it.
“Sign this.
It will serve as our agreement and consent.”
Nerissa didn’t hesitate.
She grabbed the pen and signed the paper immediately.
“You’re a decisive woman.
I respected that,” the woman complimented.
Then Nerissa reached into her bag and placed a pouch on the table.
Beside it, she put a piece of cloth.
“Paid in full plus tip, and that’s a piece of his used shirt.
I hope you’ll bring me good results,” Nerissa said, her lips pressed in a thin line.
The woman picked up the pouch.
Her fingers curled around it as she felt the unmistakable weight of gold coins.
It was heavy.
Very heavy.
Don’t worry,” the woman reassured.
“You’ll hear good news sooner or later.”
The woman felt extremely motivated and couldn’t stop herself from grinning as she stored the pouch away.
“You better do a good fucking job, alright?
I paid a lot.” Nerissa said, inhaling deeply as she struggled to contain her anger.
“I will do my very best!” The woman replied.
Her voice came out much higher than she intended.
Nerissa stared at her.
The woman cleared her throat.
“Professionally, of course.”
Nerissa nodded, apparently satisfied.
Then she stood up and walked toward the entrance of the tent.
Before leaving, Nerissa looked back at the woman one last time.
That woman simply waved.
The moment Nerissa stepped outside and glanced behind her again.
The tent had already disappeared.
“Oh my!
That was scary,” Nerissa whispered as she walked away with her body shivering from the cold night.
***
The following night, the woman entered the pub.
The door burst open behind her.
Immediately, dozens of eyes turned in her direction.
Then she lowered her head.
“Perfect.
This is exactly what I want.
The attention.”
The woman had altered her appearance for that evening.
Instead of the mysterious woman hidden beneath the black robe, she now looked like a frightened young lady who had apparently wandered into the most suspicious pub in the empire.
Her clothes were simple.
Her posture was timid.
Most of all, her eyes were wide and innocent.
She looked completely lost, which was impressive, considering that she had memorized the location of every exit before walking inside.
“One glass of milk, please,” she said softly.
She lowered her head and tried her best to appear harmless.
Beside her sat a man with brown hair and a neatly trimmed beard.
Devin.
She didn’t need Nerissa’s shirt to identify him.
The moment she entered the pub, his scent already reached her.
Devin looked at the girl from head to toe, sniffing her scent.
There it was.
The inspection.
“Hey, it’s my first time seeing you here.” He stated gently as his voice sounded pleasant.
However, his eyes told something entirely different.
She shivered, hesitatingly looking up at him.
“Y-yeah…”
“My name’s Devin, nice to meet you,” he said and extended his hand towards her.
She stared at it briefly before accepting it.
The moment their hands touched, Devin leaned closer.
“Umm, nice to meet you too,” she replied and immediately pulled her hand back.
Perfect.
Everything was going exactly as the woman expected.
“You don’t need to be shy.
I’m a nice guy,” Devin said, offering his most charming smile.
“Sure you are.”
The woman almost laughed, but she lowered her head again.
Devin glanced toward the barkeeper and pointed at the glass of milk.
“Put it on my tab.”
The barkeeper shook his head since it wasn’t the first time it happened, but did it anyway.
“Oh no!” She said quickly.
“You don’t have to do that.
I have money.”
She opened her pouch just enough for the gold coins inside to become visible.
Upon seeing the pouch, Devin’s eyes widened with astonishment.
But it only lasted for a few moments before he cleared his throat and attempted to hide his reaction.
But it was too late.
His interest had changed.
The woman giggled as she could practically see the thoughts moving through Devin’s head.
He was so easy to read.
“This place is not safe for an innocent woman like you,” Devin whispered sweetly.
He pushed the glass of milk closer to her.
“Look around.
Not all males here are good.”
Oh, the irony.
“I can show you a safe place to stay for the night,” Devin continued.
She stared at him silently.
Three seconds.
Four.
Then she changed her expression.
She suddenly launched herself against his chest and released a small, frightened cry.
“R-Really?
Are you going to help me?
I’m scared to be alone,” the woman whispered, pressing her head against Devin’s chest.
“Look at me.
I’m all alone.”
Her voice was so sweet that she was surprised that ants hadn’t started marching towards her.
Devin stiffened.
His nose flared with excitement, eyes rolling backwards.
His junior stuck down in his pants throbbed and wanted to come out.
“You know what?
Let’s get out of this place, but you should drink your milk first.” Devin placed the glass in the woman’s hand and urged her to drink it straight.
“O-Oh okay,” the girl chugged it all in, every last drop.
Then she seductively wiped the milk on the corners of her lips.
She stared at Devin with wide, innocent eyes.
“C-Can I really trust you?”
Devin’s face turned noticeably red as his junior wanted to burst at that moment, but he needed to remain calm, or he would scare the girl away.
“Of course, you can count on me,” Devin said.
He leaned closer.
“After all, I’m a pack warrior, and I swore to protect every female I see,” Devin stated, grinning.
He reached towards her face and wiped the remaining milk near her lip.
The woman grimaced internally.
Then he licked the milk from his finger.
“Hmm,” he said.
“Tasty.”
The woman nearly gagged, but instead, she forced an awkward smile.
“O-Okay, I will trust you.
You look like a nice guy after all,” she replied and pulled a portion of Devin’s shirt, an act of pure obedience.
Around them, several men watched.
Some looked jealous.
Others exchanged knowing expressions.
Apparently, they already knew what kind of man Devin was.
“I promise,” Devin said cheerfully as he stood.
“You will be safe with me, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy my company.”
He grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the exit.
The moment they stepped outside, whistles erupted from inside the pub.
Some men cheered.
Others shouted in annoyance.
Devin chuckled as his pride practically doubled in size.
“Where are you taking me?” The woman asked, following him with her bright eyes.
“You’ll see,” Devin replied, gripping the woman’s hand tightly.
Then, without a warning, he started running.
“Wait!
Why are we running?” The woman screamed in surprise and nearly stumbled behind.
However, Devin ignored her.
Devin led her through several streets, turning repeatedly until even an ordinary person would have difficulty remembering the way back.
Unfortunately for him, she wasn’t ordinary.
She memorized every turn.
Every street.
Every landmark.
Every possible escape route.
Eventually, they arrived at a small house in the middle of the woods.
It wasn’t far from civilization, but it was distant enough.
Far enough that no one would casually wander past.
The woman pulled her hand away from his.
Then she stared at the house.
“Where are we?” She asked quietly.
Fear entered her voice.
At least a convincing fake fear.
Devin walked forward with his back facing her.
Then he stopped, and a loud chuckle escaped his throat.
He slowly turned around.
He faced her with a maniacal look on his face.
The pleasant expression he had worn inside the pub was gone.
“Little lady,” Devin said.
The woman tilted her head.
“Welcome to my secret place.” His smile widened.
“You’ll be safe here because…”
He paused.
“No one can hear you from miles away.”
For several seconds, the woman simply stared at him.
Then she smiled.
A real smile this time.
Not the frightened smile of the innocent woman he thought he had brought here.
No.
This one was different.
“Really?”
The woman asked.
A question that Devin didn’t expect at all.
Devin’s expression slowly changed.
For once, he was confused why she reacted differently than others.
But Devin kept his composure.
“Of course!”
She tilted my head to the side.
“That sounds perfect.”
Because no one would be able to hear him either.
Thank you for choosing to read my novel.
Please prepare yourself for laughter, frustration, drama, and possible emotional damage caused by fictional characters.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the chaos!
Your support gives me the motivation to continue writing—and continue making my characters suffer.
Happy reading!