Chapter 32
Chapter 32 Feral Stirrings
La followed behind, pushing the meal cart.
She slid open the service hatch and was greeted at once by an angry, warning snarl from a beast.
Inside the cell, Rook remained curled in the same position as last time.
His spirit animal snarled to drive intruders away, yet he did not turn his head. He huddled atop torn, shredded clothing on the floor like a stray dog asleep in the cold.
One difference stood out: two large, round ears now sprouted from the top of his head, identical to those of the hyena behind him.
“Rook p>
Hadrien rapped his knuckles against the iron cell door.
Rook’s big ears twitched faintly. He gave no reply, choosing to ignore the interruption entirely.
Hadrien glanced back. Lyra stood holding the meal tray, watching him anxiously.
Rook had sunk into complete apathy. He might not even have the will to eat.
He waved a hand. “You can carry on with your rounds p>
He lifted his wrist and activated his Star Brain, messaging guards to bring over several sedative injections.
Lyra’s curious gaze swept over the wrist–mounted device, shaped much like a wristwatch. She nodded and moved on to deliver meals to the other cells.
The hatch for Cell 202 slid open. Draven sat right beside the opening.
He lifted his food container and spoke between bites. “Rook’s slipped into a partial feral state, hasn’t he p>
Hadrien, waiting for the guards, turned his head and offered a quiet hum in response.
Draven smiled, his tone casual. “It was only a matter of time. For you guys, that might even be a good thing p>
Rook’s temperament was every bit as volatile as he was troublesome.
Once he slipped into full feral transformation and got transferred to the third floor, wouldn’t everyone else be rid of a huge burden?
Lyra stole a silent glance toward their conversation.
Once all meals for the first and second floors were handed out, she turned to wheel the cart away.
Hadrien said, “Leave the keys p>
Lyra pulled the keys from her pocket and held them out.
Hadrien grasped the opposite end to take them, making sure their skin never touched.
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Chapter 32 Feral Stirrings
“Go get something to eat p>
She nodded, darting one quick look at the quiet figure of Rook inside before pushing the cart off down the corridor.
It was not long before the guards arrived.
At the sound of the key turning in the lock, the hyena sprang alert.
It lowered its head, bared its fangs, and let out a vicious growl.
Rook finally twisted around. His once pitch–black eyes burned with violent crimson.
Malice oozed from every line of his face, and he snarled darkly at those outside.
“Get lost! Leave me the hell alone p>
Hadrien had no intention of complying.
The instant the cell door swung wide, the hyena dropped low, coiled to strike, and lunged straight for him.
Its jaws gaped, sharp teeth glinting coldly as it charged.
Before it could close the distance, a shrill cry cut through the air. Hadrien’s towering nightmare beast materialized out of nowhere, rearing up and kicking toward the hyena.
Hyenas were cunning and brutal even on the battlefield, and this one fought with the same ruthless skill.
Dodging the blow with surprising agility for its half–human height, it sprang sideways to sink its teeth into the nightmare beast’s throat.
Hadrien’s body stiffened only slightly.
The nightmare beast shook its head in pain and kicked the hyena away.
The hyena scrambled back to its feet after hitting the floor, its gaze fixed venomously on its opponent, hunting for an opening.
Unwilling to drag out the fight, the nightmare beast slammed its hooves against the ground. Wraithlike, eerie flames swirled outward, coiling around the hyena to trap it.
The hyena licked blood from its muzzle and stared coldly at the flames closing in.
An inexplicable terror washed over it. Horrifying, twisted visions flooded its mind, primal fear thrumming deep within its soul.
Cold seeped into every pore, creeping through its limbs.
The beast’s sharp, furious gaze fogged over for a split second.
That was the nightmare beast’s unique suppressing power.
While the hyena struggled against the nightmare beast, the guards moved in on Rook.
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Chapter 32 Feral Stirrings
More than half his body had already succumbed to feral transformation.
Even twisted into this grotesque half–human shape, he rose to his feet, radiating killing intent, unyielding ro every warning.
Yet his mind swam in confusion, and he had not grown accustomed to moving on all fours.
The guards subdued him easily as he thrashed and snapped like a wild creature.
At the sight, the hyena’s eyes cleared. It roared, bursting through the flame barrier to rush to Rook’s defense.
Hadrien’s eyebrows lifted behind his face covering.
Truly worthy of the nickname killing machine. Even facing a Tier–3S nightmare beast, it could refocus in an
instant.
Spirit animals fought to the death once given a command. Only their owner could pull them from that
rage.
Mid–charge, the hyena was seized by a sudden, searing pain in its abdomen.
The nightmare beast seized its chance and sent it flying. It crashed heavily against the wall.
“Ugh… pfft p>
When a spirit animal suffered harm, its owner felt the pain too. Rook’s face blanched instantly, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
He collapsed to the ground, pinned down by multiple guards.
His crimson eyes locked onto Hadrien, who stood watching with his hands folded behind his back. Rook’s expression was as hideous as a vengeful wraith.
If he wasn’t trapped in this broken form…
Hadrien injected several sedative doses into Rook and closed the cell door.
The moment the lock clicked shut, the nightmare beast holding the hyena in check vanished without a
sound.
Ignoring its injuries, the hyena staggered to Rook’s side.
Sedatives had already dragged him into unconsciousness.
The hyena sniffed him carefully, then lowered its head to lick his cheek.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.