Reborn As A Beast Queen with Too Many Husbands to Pet novel Chapter 174

Chapter 174 Riven Actually Feels Hurt

“Okay!”

74

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Snowball trotted a few steps away, still flashing Riven a triumphant grin. Only when Annelise shot him a hard glare did he finally sprint off.

If only Snowball could find someone he likes, she mused before turning back to Riven. “Don’t take anything he said to heart. He’s actually a little kid, and he’s completely different from the shifters in this tribe.”

Riven only gestured for her to keep walking.

When they reached an area with less snow, Annelise began digging up the nearly frozen herbs buried underneath.

Riven had sharp instincts. He vanished in an instant and reappeared just as quickly. By the time Annelise looked up, two baskets were sitting in front of her, and a third hung over his back.

“Three baskets. Is that enough? If not, fill one, and I’ll send it home.”

Annelise was touched. So he’s gone off to get baskets.

But right after that warmth came a tight, uncomfortable twist. He just got torn apart by Snowball earlier.

“Um… Riven, don’t let it get to you. Snowball’s like a brother to me. I know he’s a wolf and I’m supposed to be one of the Four Calamities, but between us… Well, we’re practically siblings. Even if he doesn’t admit it, I’ll make him, even if it takes yelling or beating.”

Riven stood beside her, watching her gather the wild greens and dropping them into the basket. The whole time, he didn’t respond-not a word. That only made Annelise feel more awkward.

She moved to another patch and found a type of herb she hadn’t seen before. The top layer had been killed by snow, but under it, tiny shoots were still alive.

She scraped away the frozen parts and realized the roots were usable. The scent suggested something with cooling, detoxifying properties. She’d have to grind it down later to confirm. Since the dead tops still had value, she planned to take everything.

Her hands reddened quickly from the cold snow. Riven crouched down instantly and nudged her out of the way. “Let me.”

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14:38 Fri, Feb 27 d..

Chapter 174 Riven Actually Feels Hurt

“You-”

“I’m not afraid of the cold.”

That’s not the point!

74

+10 Free Coins

After being mocked and taunted by Snowball like that, the old Riven-with his “if I die, I’m taking you with me” temper-would’ve exploded on the spot. Snowball would be wolf jerky by now. But instead, he held back, fetched baskets, dug herbs, and helped her quietly.

Annelise tried to ignore it. Tried again. And again. But she couldn’t hold it in anymore. “Riven… if Snowball made you angry, you can talk back. Insult him, scold him, even give him a slap. He was asking for it. As for me… You really don’t have to go this far to help.”

She explained how everything between them started as a transaction-five chickens. He was supposed to lure the chief out. That was all. Yet somehow it had all turned into this.

“Copulation, bonding… things between us are too messy. If we’re going to keep dealing with each other, even if we’re nothing-just strangers-we should sort it out, right?”

But Riven said, “Annelise, I think… I finally know you weren’t lying.”

“What?” It felt as if she was talking about one thing and he was talking about something else entirely.

Riven soon clarified. “Annelise, you didn’t copulate with me. You were telling the truth.”

Annelise was just about to think, Good Lord, how did you figure it out?!

As if reading her mind, Riven continued, “Because now I know what it feels like to be wrongly accused. I told everyone I didn’t force you to bond me-would you believe that?”

“I…”

Riven explained that he had finally experienced what it meant to be misunderstood-deeply and by many.

After curing Aiden that day, Evan, Hudson, and Rokky hadn’t said anything out loud. But they had all assumed the same thing: that Riven had done it on purpose. That he let his fire lose control. That even knowing his fire was unstable, he still rushed in to save Aiden-that he had meant for things to go wrong.

Then, he smiled faintly at Annelise. But the smile carried so much helplessness that it made her heart ache.

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14:38 Fri, Feb 27

Chapter 174 Riven Actually Feels Hurt

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