Surrounded by Five Beast Lords novel Chapter 50

Chapter 50 Storm Night

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The weather turned without warning that night.

Wind tore across the landscape like some unshackled beast, hurling sand and hail against the walls of their newly bu

house.

Then the rain came, thick with radioactive dust and corrosive particles, frammering the roof and the protective barrier deafening roar.

Pale lightning ripped the sky apart again and again, and the thunder that followed exploded so close overhead that th entire frame of the house trembled.

Dora had been deep asleep when a blinding flash of lightning struck almost simultaneously with a crack of thunder s violent it shook the walls. She jolted upright.

At that same moment, the wind slammed her unlatched window open with a bang, and freezing rain reeking of metal flooded into the room, soaking the carpet and bedding in seconds.

The curtains whipped wildly in the gale, and another bolt of lightning lit the room, catching the pale terror frozen on he face.

‘Ah!” The scream tore out of her before she could stop it.

Within a heartbeat of that scream, the master bedroom door flew open.

Clive materialized in the doorway like a specter, his entire body slick with rain. He had been outside, reinforcing whatev could against the storm.

One look at the wreckage inside and at Dora, soaked through and trembling on the edge of the bed, was all it took. His narrowed.

Without a second’s hesitation, he crossed the room in long strides and slammed the windows shut with near–brutal for The locks clicked into place, and he moved on to check every remaining door and window.

Then he turned and walked to the bed.

Dora was still drowning in terror. Her body shook beyond her control, and tears streamed down her face, mingling with t ainwater already there.

She had never seen a hurricane like this, never heard thunder so violent. The moment Clive came close enough, she sho her feet and threw herself at him.

Clive went still for a beat, then his arms opened on instinct and caught her.

The second Dora’s soft body collapsed into his solid frame, every muscle in him locked.

Her slender arms wound tight around his lean waist, and she buried her face against his chest, breathing in that faint, familiar coolness that had always made her feel safe.

‘Clive.” Her voice broke on a sob, so fragile it bore no resemblance to the fierce, spirited girl she usually was.

The body in his arms was soft, wet, and cold, still trembling faintly. Her signature sweetness clung ip her skin, threaded now with the raw scent of fear, and she pressed against him without a shred of guard.

Rainwater dripped from the ends of her hair and slid beneath his collar.

His mind drifted to that night at the hotel, when she had been just as helpless in his arms. But back then, reason still held

him in check.

Now, the world outside was a hellscape of wind and thunder, and inside stood the one person he had claimed in his heart long ago, soaked through and clinging to him as if he were her only anchor.

Every emotion he had buried, every primal instinct to possess and protect, caught fire on this savage, isolated night and burned past the point of return.

He raised one hand and wrapped it around her trembling shoulders.

The gesture was unpracticed but steady. His other hand came up to cradle the back of her wet head, pressing her face

eloser to his chest.

His low voice slipped through a gap between the here.”

ness that rarely surfaced. “Don’t be scared I’m

Successfully unlocked!

He said nothing more. He bent down, scooped her into his arms, and straightened. “Your room’s flooded. Come to mine for

Chapter 50 Storm Migit

Dora nodded against his chest, quick and eager, like a little bird pecking at seeds.

No way art sleeping alone on a night like this, she told herself.

He carried her out of the master bedroom, where the storm still howled against the windows, and strode down the secor floor hallway toward his own room.

They had barely stepped inside when the lights flickered once and went dead. The entire house plunged into darkness. His blackout curtains did their job well, and not even a sliver of lightning could break through.

He set her down on the dry bed, wrapped her in a thick, soft blanket, and felt around for a towel to dry her hair and face. Dora couldn’t see a thing. All she had were the sounds of wind and thunder raging outside.

Her fear hadn’t fully settled, and every crack of thunder sent her pressing closer to him on instinct.

Whatever calm she had managed to gather was shattered the moment the power cut out.

She kicked free of the blanket and fumbled blindly around her, desperate to find Clive.

As a Level 5 supernatural beastfolk, Clive had excellent night vision, and the pitch–black room was as clear to him as daylight.

He had stepped away to grab a towel, but the moment he saw her panic, he rushed back and caught her before she coul tumble off the bed.

Even with his hands steadying her, Dora still flailed, grasping for his arm or his hand. Her arms flailed through the darkne grabbing at nothing until her fingers finally closed around him.

She let out a shaky breath of relief. “I got you. I can’t see a thing, so don’t you dare move. Don’t leave me alone. I’m scarec

Clive didn’t answer right away.

n the dark, heat crept up his face. The composure he always wore had cracked, and an unnatural flush colored his normally stoic features.

One hand steadied her arm while the other rested against her waist. His voice came out low and strained. “Dora. Let go.”

Her stubborn streak kicked in. “No.”

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