Apocalypse Prefer the Beast World Real Estate Market (Joyread) novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30 Confrontation

Finished

Rosalie tried to step forward, but Micah’s arm tightened around her waist. His strength held her still.

“Matriarch, it’s dangerous,” he whispered, his breath brushing her ear. “You can’t get in the middle of this.”

The air thickened as the two men faced off, seconds away from transforming.

Rosalie’s anger flared. Her voice rang out, fierce and commanding. “Enough! Both of you, stop!”

She broke free from Micah’s grip, forcing her way between them. All three turned toward her at once.

Her eyes landed on Declan. Her tone was low but steady! “Declan, I don’t understand why you’re refusing to leave.

“I’ll let you stay a little longer. But when three months are up, you’re leaving. That’s final.”

Declan’s stare didn’t waver. His expression stayed unreadable, his eyes dark and deep.

“I’m not leaving,” he said coldly.

He turned and walked away, his voice echoing behind him like a slammed door.

Rosalie stood frozen, watching his back disappear down the hall. The disbelief twisted in her chest. This was the same man who once tried to kill her.

But now, he hovered near her constantly.

For the next few days, Declan’s behavior turned even stranger. He started doing Micah’s chores without being asked. He brought her tea, cleaned, and fetched things before she could even move.

Rosalie’s skin prickled every time he entered the room. It was unsettling, like watching an enemy smile at you with perfect politeness after years of hostility.

By sunset a few days later, her patience snapped. When Declan handed her a bowl, she raised a hand to refuse. Her palm knocked it, and the water spilled down his chest.

The liquid soaked through the fur cloak, darkening the hide until the outline of his muscles showed clear beneath it.

Declan arched a brow, the corner of his mouth curving with a lazy, dangerous grin. “Matriarch,” he drawled, “so this is the kind of play you like?”

Rosalie looked away fast, her cheeks burning. She didn’t have the patience for his teasing.

“What’s going on with you lately?” she demanded.

“I told you,” Declan said simply. “I’m not leaving you.

“The longer I stay here, the more I realize I like being near you.”

The words came out smooth, but his eyes stayed cold, lifeless as winter glass. Rosalie frowned. His tone didn’t match the confession.

He wasn’t supposed to want this. Freedom was right thee in front of him.

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18:18 Tue, Dec 30

Chapter 30 Confrontation

Yet the way he said it, it sounded like he’d already chose his cage–and her along with it.

Declan’s lips curled into a mocking smile as he watched her.

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Finished

To him, Rosalie hadn’t changed one bit. She was still the same gullible woman, dazzled by a handsome face. A little charm, and she lost herself completely.

He just needed to win her over. Once she was his, he could claim his destiny and ascend as an actual dragon.

Everyone in the beast world believed dragons were long extinct.

But that was a lie. Declan’s lineage was one of the last surviving dragon bloodlines. He was a flood dragon, sent into the world to earn his awakening.

He would find his fated person on his journey. When the time came, he would ask her one question. “Do you think I look like a real dragon?”

If she answered yes, he would transform into one of the ancient, sacred beings.

No one had succeeded for centuries, but Declan was convinced he would be the first to rise above them all.

He wouldn’t even be here if his mother hadn’t told him that Rosalie was his destined one.

Otherwise, he would never have lowered himself to flatter such a sly, manipulative woman.

Then, as if on cue, Rosalie leaned toward him. Her body brushed against his, her fingers slipping around his waistband. Her breath was warm and sweet against his ear.

“Since you’re so eager to stay,” she whispered, her voice silky and slow, “you’ll have to pay the price. You know exactly what I want, don’t you?”

Declan’s body tensed. Her touch sent a jolt straight through him, sharp and hot. Rosalie’s hand trailed up to his cheek. Her skin was soft and cool as she tapped his face lightly. “You don’t feel a thing for me,” she said with a teasing smile.

Her tone hardened. “Quit fooling around. When it’s time, you’re leaving.”

The haze in her eyes vanished. Her face was clear and calm again. The seductive act was gone. She had been toying with him all along.

Declan clenched his jaw, his chest still burning where her hand had been.

“What do you want?” he asked roughly. “Tell me, and I’ll give it to you.”

Rosalie laughed, the sound light and cutting. “Ten thousand ounces of gold. Do you have that?”

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