Wrapped in a layer of animal fur, Nina slowly sat up, rubbing her sore waist with a faint wince. Honestly... he’s ridiculously strong—and completely lacks restraint.

Her gaze drifted to Idir’s face once more.

Those lashes... trembling like that—was he pretending to sleep?

Why?

Frowning slightly, she reached out and pinched his handsome cheek. "If you’re awake, get up."

What was the point of playing dead?

Idir couldn’t keep up the act any longer and reluctantly opened his eyes.

He hadn’t meant to pretend, he just didn’t know how to face her. Instinct had driven him to avoid it.

But now, there was no escape.

He scrambled upright and, without hesitation, dropped to his knees in front of her, his face filled with guilt and self-reproach. "Nina... I’m sorry. I—I’ve done something unforgivable to you."

These past days... he had monopolized her, clung to her—and last night...

The weight of it crushed him.

He didn’t even know how he had produced it, but a dark, gleaming snake scale appeared in his hand. He held it out to her with trembling fingers. "You... you should kill me."

This was the hardest, sharpest scale on his body—capable of piercing even his own flesh.

Death felt like the only fitting atonement for what he had done.

And if he were to die by her hand... he would accept it willingly.

He only hoped she wouldn’t come to hate him.

Nina blinked, taken aback. "What are you doing?"

Was it really that serious?

But... something about him did feel different.

She studied him more closely, her expression shifting. "...You’ve recovered?"

Idir lowered his head, unable to meet her gaze. The curse markings at the corner of his eye had faded, hidden once more. "...Yes."

The curse had been suppressed—for now, at least. His mind was clear again.

And that clarity only made everything worse.

Thinking back on what he had done... he felt utterly unworthy of even looking at her.

Nina blinked again.

Just like that—he’d recovered?

Was it because of last night? Or had Odian’s array finally taken effect?

Idir extended the scale toward her once more. "Nina... kill me. I truly am sorry for everything I did."

Nina coughed lightly, a little awkward. "It’s... not that serious. I allowed that. You did not really force it."

She gently pushed the scale back toward him. "But... I guess you did do something wrong. So you should be punished a little."

Truthfully, she wasn’t entirely sure what to do either.

Was it his fault? Yes... but also no.

Idir didn’t dare take the scale back. "Whatever punishment you decide... I’ll accept it."

Even if he had been out of control, those actions had come from somewhere within him. He didn’t feel wronged at all.

"I..." Nina hesitated, suddenly aware that he was still completely unclothed. She quickly looked away, her ears warming slightly. "At least... put some clothes on first."

Idir immediately dressed himself.

Then, noticing that she hadn’t, he hesitated before asking carefully, "Nina... do you... want me to help you?"

He held the edge of the clothing awkwardly, clearly nervous.

He had never helped a female dress before—and he didn’t know if she would even want that from him.

The tips of Nina’s ears flushed faintly. "No. Go outside first. I’ll dress myself."

Things between them... were a little awkward now.

"...Alright. I’ll stand guard at the entrance."

Idir rose and moved to the mouth of the cave, keeping watch.

A trace of disappointment flickered through him.

It was natural for a male to help a female dress—but she didn’t want his help.

Did that mean... she disliked him now?

It would be understandable.

After everything he had done—especially last night, when he had lost all restraint...

Guilt tightened in his chest again.

She must have been exhausted.

He clenched his fists, forcing himself not to turn back.

He was failing her even now.

He should be taking care of her—doing everything for her, not making her lift a finger.

But... perhaps he no longer had the right.

Inside the cave, Nina glanced toward the entrance, her thoughts tangled.

What were they now? A one-night stand?

But that felt... irresponsible.

Should she accept him as a mate?

But wasn’t that too sudden?

Maybe... he could become a guardian beast first?

Before, with Aviel and the others, it had been different. They had already given so much for her, and Kith had already been her guardian.

She hadn’t wanted to show favoritism or leave anyone feeling slighted—so she had accepted them all together as her mates. Dian had simply joined at the right moment.

But Idir... was different. And she didn’t even know what he wanted. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

He hadn’t asked for a place by her side. Maybe... he didn’t want one at all.

Nina let out a quiet sigh.

How was she supposed to handle this relationship between them?

A flicker of regret crossed her mind. If she had just held back last night, she wouldn’t be stuck in this headache now.

After getting dressed, she used a trace of her ability to ease the lingering soreness in her body, then bent to pick up the locator that had been tossed aside.

She checked the positions of her mates. They had already regrouped and were heading in her direction—and they weren’t far anymore.

Nina quickly connected to Odian’s locator.

The moment it vibrated, relief surged through him. He answered immediately, his voice urgent. "Nina, how are you? Where are you? I’m coming to you right now."

He had been searching all night without rest, unable to find her. Not knowing whether that damned snake had hurt her had nearly driven him mad. Right now, he wished he could appear at her side instantly.

Sal and the others crowded close around him, equally anxious, waiting to hear her voice.

Soon, Nina’s calm tone came through. "Don’t worry, I’m fine."

She checked her surroundings. "I’m in a cave, still to the southwest. You’re already close—I’ll wait here for you."

"Alright. Stay there—we’re coming immediately," Odian replied.

"Okay, I’ll hang up now."

"Nina, stay safe. We’ll be there soon."

"...Mm."

After ending the call, Odian and the others sped toward her at full pace.

Knowing that Mino and the others were still waiting in the Barbarian City, Nina contacted them as well to reassure them she was safe.

Only after finishing the calls did she step out of the cave.

Sensing her presence, Idir turned at once. "Nina—you’re dressed? Are you... feeling alright anywhere?"

Heat crept onto Nina’s face. "I’m fine."

Just a little sore—that was all.

Her gaze flickered briefly to his strong, lean waist before she looked away again. As expected of the serpent tribe...

Idir seemed to relax slightly. "Then... would you like to rest inside a bit longer, or should I take you back to your mates?"

He raised a hand instinctively—then stopped himself, lowering it again as he stepped back.

He had wanted to carry her inside... or take her to them.

But what if she didn’t want him to touch her anymore?

He had heard her speaking with her mates just now.

Nina noticed the way he withdrew, as though deliberately avoiding contact.

Had he... come to regret everything after regaining his senses?

It wasn’t impossible. After all, none of it had truly been his choice—and in the past, he had always kept his distance from her.

She bit her lip lightly. "Idir... about last night..."

It was better to make things clear.

"Last night—last night was my fault," he blurted out in a fluster, almost panicked. "It—it has nothing to do with you. As long as... as long as you’re not angry, that’s all that matters. You can punish me however you want."

He remembered her saying he wasn’t allowed to blame her.

But how could he ever do that?

It had been his own shameless desire, his own willingness. If anything, he was the one who had taken advantage.

All he hoped was that she wouldn’t come to hate him.

"I’m asking," Nina said softly, "what you think about what happened last night."

This wasn’t something for her to decide alone. Whatever they became... it should be decided by both of them.

If he was willing... perhaps there was a future between them.

"I..." Idir faltered, his thoughts in chaos.

What should he say?

Could he tell her the truth—that he liked her, deeply? That last night had made him happier than he had ever been? That he wanted to be her mate, to stay by her side for the rest of his life?

But... did he deserve that?

No.

He didn’t.

He was someone who could only bring her harm.

Slowly, painfully, he made his choice. His fingers dug into his palm, hard enough to hurt.

"Last night..." His voice was strained. "Can we... can we just treat it as... as if it were a dream?"

He didn’t know how much strength it had taken to say those words.

For a moment, Nina couldn’t even tell what she was feeling.

"Idir..." she said quietly, "is that really what you think?"