Surrounded by Five Beast Lords novel Chapter 78

Chapter 78

Clive didn’t seem bothered the slightest. If anything, the corners of his mouth lifted ever so slightly with self-satisfied pride, giving him the unmistakable air of a victor. They’re your back up beast makes. It makes sense.

“I know, Dora replied with a sigh, though a quiet warmth spread through her chest nonetheless.

She was just about to add something when a sudden crash echoed up from downstairs, followed closely by Elmer’s startled yelp and Lioren’s irate hiss.

The two of them exchanged a glance and shook their heads in helpless resignation.

I’ll go see what’s going on, Clive offered.

‘I’ll come with you,” Dora said, grabbing his hand. “Honestly, not one of you knows how to behave.”

When they made it downstairs, it turned out that Elmer had tried to sneak up to the third floor, only to be sent tumbling to the ground by a well-aimed swipe of Lioren’s tail at the bottom of the stairs.

Now they were locked in a silent standoff, eyes blazing at each other and looking as if a fight could break out at any second. ‘Both of you, back to your rooms this instant.” Dora announced, planting her hands on her hips with, an air of absolute authority. “If I hear any more trouble out of you, you’ll be sleeping in the basement for the rest of the wet season.”

Elmer trudged back to his room with his head hung low, while Lioren let out a derisive snort, leaped onto the second-floor windowsill, and curled himself up into a furry little ball.

Only then did Dora finally heave a sigh of relief. But when she turned around, she caught Clive watching her with a faint smile, the kind of quiet, delicate smile that, on his usually stoic face, felt almost precious.

What are you smiling at?” she asked.

‘Dora… tonight…” His gaze carried a quiet yearning as he reached out and gently brushed a stray lock of hair away from her cheek. “You look beautiful.”

Dora felt a quiet stir in her heart. She understood perfectly well what Clive was suggesting.

But for now, she simply wasn’t ready. She had no idea how to navigate the strange fortune of being mated to mulig e

husbands.

She needed time to ease into things and figure out how to treat them all fairly without anyone tecng Sighted

Until she could come up with a proper solution, fairness, she decided, meant sleeping on her own for the time beix

With that settled in her mind, she rose onto her toes and brushed a gentle kiss against his hips. Good nighh i als beast

mate.”

Then she spun around and burned off, casting a playful glance back at live over her shoulde) Tonight Ervally do wa sleep by myself.”

Clive stood there, stunned for a moment. It was only after she had turned and started up the stars that he husally raised a hand to touch his own lips, a deep and restless tide swirling beneath his gaze

Never mind, he thought. Let her off tonight! After all, these past two days had worn her out

Dora did not sleep well that night.

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Chapter 78.

anties firam, she was thrown from a hovering traft, with nothing but the howl of the wind and the savage chorus of beasts 40aring in her ears.

Her body crashed hard again scorched black rock, the impact forcing a rush of blood to her chest

Before she could even push herself to her feet. the ground began to tremble with the tense, pounding vibration of countless claws and hooves closing.

They were Level-3 Horned Crack Hyenas, Level-2 Iron-tail Bats, Level-4 Armored Storm Rhinos, their crimson eyes glowing through the dusty haze like countless death lamps lighting her way to the grave.

The rancid wind of death rushed straight toward her face.

And just when she was certain she would die between the jaws of the alien beasts, the entire world ground to a sudden hait

The wind, the roars, the frantic beating of her own heart-all of it was drained away into utter silence.

A pure white pillar of light split the clouds and descended directly over her.

Then she fell into a realm of emptiness.

Beneath her feet stretched a mirror-like sheet of water, perfectly still and without a single ripple.

Above her head swirled a revolving star chart where billions of lumincus points converged into an upside-down galary

uspended in midair.

The air carried the faint scent of old books and dust.

Dora.” The old man’s voice came from all directions at once, hoarse yet gentle.

She turned toward the sound and saw starlight weaving itself into the blurred, seated shape of a figure.

Who are you?” she asked.

Me? I suppose I’m what people around here call the Beastlord,” the old man replied with a faint smile

You were meant to be a jewel of this world, and yet jealousy and self-doubt have dragged you down to where you alt Tell me. Does that sit well with you?”

Dora clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.

The memories came flooding back: being cast out of the Southwell family, shipping her fance Furugte loner a bood between them, getting abandoned by him, and then being thrown into a pack of beasts

She hesitated for a moment before asking, “And what if it doesn’t sit well with me

The old man’s weathered, gentle voice iloated through the air. Then rewrite it

Dora let out a bitter laugh. “Rewrite it? How? Fin a defective temale in an nterstellar world where a feinales Spartan Rock the key to survival, how a:n I supposed to make it

The old man raised his hand, and the star chart before them contracted sharply condensing to a hammous blue plats t that hovered right in front of her

He said, “It’s the Ancient Blue Planet, the origin of all realms. If you’re willing to give up the memories of this life, spend thirty years of your lifespan starting from nothing, and walk alone in search of answers you might just tud a way

8:16 am P PP

Chapter 78

Fulny years? Dora.considered it for a moment. It still seemed better than dying right now in the jaws of aliente Leaving this world with nothing but regret.

Her voice came out hoarse, Bosher answer carried no hesitation at all. “I’m withog But without my memes even know what I’m looking for?

The old man’s voice grew fainter, slipping away like trist. Just go. Trust the path.

how we

She was jolted awake in the early hours by a sudden crack of thunder, and as she got up and walked to the window ber drifted back to the strange dream she had just had.

The rain had already begun to fall outside, each drop landing with a dull, heavy thud against the window boards that love had reinforced only the day before.

The wet season was on its way.

Thunder rumbled across the sky beyond the glass, but inside, the house held a warmth that kept the chill at bay

Dora gazed out into the darkness at her home as it slowly took shape, the corners of her mouth lifting into a bold, confident

¡mile.

No matter how many challenges the future held, she was ready to face them.

After all, she had returned armed with the full depth of civilization from the Ancient Blue Planet.

The next morning, Dora woke to the low hum of construction robots.

She rubbed her eyes and went to the window, where she spotted the intelligent construction crew Clive had arranged lready hard at work.

A dozen or so robots of various shapes and sizes moved about in orderly bustle, some reinforcing the walls others inaug waterproof layers, and still more hauling materials back and forth across the site.

Efficient,” she murmured to herself before turning to get dressed.

By the time she made it downstairs, breakfast was already well on its

way

Elmer stood at the stove in his little paw-print apron, busy scrambling cg

Clive sat at the table reviewing the day’s supply list

And Loren lounged on a chair beside the dining table, his amber eyes fixed on the koshere of frying pan in Elmer’s grip

“Morning” Dora said with a yawn “Are the construction robots really starting dus curly

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