Chapter 403
Seeing Penny finally leave, Momo happily wagged his tail. “Mama, did Momo do a good job p>
Nina smiled, tapping his little forehead gently. “Momo did wonderfully p>
She hadn’t expected the little guy to step up and defend Idir today. It seemed their relationship was genuinely improving.
Delighted by the praise, Momo rubbed affectionately against Nina’s shoulder. “Momo wants to protect mama’s beast-husband p>
The corner of Idir’s mouth twitched upward. The brat actually had some situational awareness today; it seemed he wasn’t entirely heartless after all.
Scooping Momo up in one hand, Idir said, “Since Father is in a good mood today, I’ll reward you with a sweet treat. What do you want to eat p>
“Let me go, you big bad snake!” Momo squirmed in Idir’s grip, but his eyes lit up the moment he heard the mention of his favorite treat. “I want to eat little cakes today p>
“Alright, little cakes it is,” Idir chuckled.
Wriggling free from Idir’s grasp, Momo flew back to perch on Nina’s shoulder. “I want lots of them p>
Idir scoffed softly. “Fine, I’ll make you plenty p>
Just then, Linny cried out and crashed headlong into Nina’s arms. “Mama, I’m transforming p>
The moment the words left his mouth, Nina felt her arms grow heavy. In place of the little beast, she was suddenly holding a chubby, round human baby.
Linny reached out his plump little hands to cling to her. “I can transform now p>
Nina looked down at the soft, pale little butterball in her arms. His tiny arms looked just like sections of a fresh lotus root. She couldn’t help but laugh softly. “Mm, Linny is wonderful! You’ve shifted form too p>
She pinched his soft, tender cheek. The texture was incredibly squishy and delightful.
Hardly able to put him down, she doted on him for a while before finally fetching a small set of clothes to dress him.
Momo watched Linny closely, thinking to himself that he would surely be next.
The other cubs gathered around excitedly. Brother Linny shifted form too!
Viann and the others were equally thrilled to see Linny’s transformation. Judging by how thick and sturdy that little layer of baby fat was, their young master was bound to grow into a remarkably powerful male.
Nina carried Linny to the dining room for breakfast, the rest of the cubs trailing eagerly behind her.
Seeing her approach, Aviel rose to meet her.
He cast a glance at Linny in her arms. Huh, the little brat shifted.
A look of satisfaction flashed in his eyes. Not bad—he looked healthy, sturdy, and well-fed.
Extending his arms, he said, “Nina, go ahead and eat your breakfast. Leave Linny to me p>
Nina handed the baby over.
Aviel caught Linny and gave him a slight bounce to test his weight. Whoa, the brat is pretty heavy. All that food didn’t go to waste.
However, he couldn’t help but wonder if Nina’s arms were sore from carrying him for so long. From now on, the brat should just shift back into his beast form and fly himself.
Meanwhile, the cubs took their respective seats, settling down to enjoy breakfast with Nina.
The journey home was cloaked in a heavy, stifling silence.
Once inside, Tair set Penny down. “Penny, isn’t it time to let this go? You saw it with your own eyes—Idir has already bonded p>
He wrapped his arms around her gently. “Let’s just live our lives well from now on. I will always stay by your side p>
Penny kept her eyelashes lowered, remaining completely silent.
Looking at her, a wave of panic washed over Tair. Her current state felt entirely unnatural.
After a long pause, Penny finally raised her eyes. “Tair, I can’t let him go. I love him too much. Just the thought of giving up on him feels like a knife twisting in my heart p>
“But Idir is already another female’s beast-husband! He even has cubs now. It’s impossible between you two,” Tair pleaded, trying desperately to reason with her.
A profound sorrow flickered deep in his eyes. Why was it that even though Idir was bonded, she still refused to let him go? Did she really love him that much?
“Cubs don’t matter. I can bear his cubs too,” Penny replied, her voice eerily calm. “Tair, I’ve heard that dark wizards possess a type of black magic that can sever a bonded male’s mating mark. Is that true p>
She had overheard some females whispering about such dark sorcery in the past. It was strictly forbidden in the Beast World, known only to dark wizards.
As for children, she was a highly fertile female herself. She could give him as many cubs as he wanted, so long as he was hers.
Tair gasped in horror. “Penny, have you lost your mind?! Do you have any idea what kind of price you would have to pay for that? Not just you, but Idir as well p>
He never imagined she would harbor such a terrifying thought.
He had done so much for her. Why wouldn’t she just turn around and look at him, even for a second?
Penny remained entirely reckless. “I don’t care what the price is; I’m willing to bear it. I know you have connections with dark wizards. Can you find him for me? Please p>
“Penny, wake up! Don’t do something so foolish.” Tair held her tightly, his voice laced with desperate entreaties. “As long as you’re willing to forget Idir, I’ll do anything you ask p>
Penny didn’t waver in the slightest. “Go find the dark wizard p>
Tair slowly released her, taking a step back. “I won’t do it. I won’t let you ruin yourself. Besides, even if you are willing to go through with this, Idir never will be. Why put yourself through this misery p>
“I will make him,” Penny said, her stance unyielding. “If you won’t go, I’ll find him myself p>
Tair seized her hands, begging through his tears, “Penny, I’m begging you. Stop thinking about Idir. Just look at me, please p>
Penny lowered her head slightly. “I’m sorry, Tair. I can’t. I truly cannot forget him p>
She knew Tair treated her incredibly well. After Idir left, she had genuinely tried to move on and accept Tair.
But the very moment Idir reappeared before her, all her hard work went up in flames.
She knew she shouldn’t act this way. Yet, the mere thought of Idir being with another female made her chest ache, as if thousands of ants were consuming her heart alive.
If Idir hadn’t been bound by an engagement back then, she would have proposed to him long ago. And even though that engagement was eventually broken, he had been forced to flee shortly after.
Tair’s hands dropped limply to his sides, his eyes brimming with profound grief. “Do you really love him that much? Enough to do absolutely anything for him p>
“Yes,” Penny said, looking straight at him. “Tair, didn’t you say you would do anything for me p>
Tair let out a self-deprecating laugh. “I would do anything for you—except this. You aren’t rational right now. You have no idea what you’re doing p>
He walked toward the door. “Calm down, Penny. Don’t leave the house for the next few days p>
“If you dare lock me in, I will starve myself to death right in front of you,” Penny said indifferently. “You can stop me from finding a dark wizard, Tair, but you cannot stop me from seeking death. I am perfectly lucid p>
She had spent countless nights worrying if Idir would bond with another female while he was away. He was so exceptional, after all; females were bound to pursue him.
She just hadn’t expected the day to actually come.
This wasn’t a sudden impulse. She had conceptualized this scenario long ago, agonizing over what she would do if he ever belonged to someone else.
Tair closed his eyes tight. “Have it your way p>
He shut the door behind him and walked away, utterly heartbroken.