Chapter 943

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16, I WILL NOT GIVE UP

LYRA

1 felt like a piece of meat standing there, right in the middle of that

rustic square, with all those lustful eyes checking me out from

head to toe.

They were my "suitors," and honestly, I never imagined there'd be

so many.

"Whoever tames the most powerful beast gets to claim this female!

With that roar, the Alpha kicked off this madness.

'My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for him.

He wasn't in the cave, and he hadn't shown up in the square either.

I watched the men walk away, my chest tightening around my

heart.

Verak's dangerous eyes stared at me from a distance, standing by a

small hut.

T knew he was plotting something, that he wouldn't just sit back

and do nothing. I was starting to regret suggesting this

competition.

What was the point if the male I wanted wasn't going to take part?

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"Give him the benefit of the doubt, I think our little savage is

going to surprise us," Aztoria told me, though I could feel her

worry too.

"He better... because if Drakkar rejects me like this again, things

will change between us."

'My expression was full of danger when I said it.

I don't care who wins-f it's not Drakkar, I won't accept anyone

else.

eke

NARRATOR

The absolute ruler, the one at the very top of the food chain, was

the Dracotélion.

Standing five meters tall, with a robust, muscular body, skin

tougher than any of the other predators' armor, and powerful,

bone-crushing jaws-he had no rival.

Which is also why he was overly confident.

After all, who would dare to challenge him?

Still, dark eyes watched the nest hidden among the grass, smeared

with mud and the juice of Cassiépela toxic plants:

Someone crazy and desperate enough to plot against the deadliest

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predator in the jungle.

After fighting one of the toughest battles of his life, Drakkar

decided that no matter the consequences, he wasn't giving up Lyra.

The female's tricks had awakened his primal mind, and now he was

thinking up traps of his own.

'The Dracotélion's most vulnerable time was during the breeding

season.

The female guarded the nest while the male went hunting.

Drakkar waited for hours, unmoving, patient. Not even a bug got

near him because of the toxic stench on his skin.

He'd chewed the antidote just like Lyra had shown him, and now

the Cassi6pelas were his best ally.

When the sun was high in the sky, he finally saw his chance.

The female came out of the cave, her steps shaking the forest floor

and leaving deep tracks behind.

She let out a warning roar, and Drakkar could practically see her

massive throat.

He swallowed hard, pumping himself up with courage, and once he

was sure the creature had headed toward the river, he sprang from

his hiding spot.

Moving fast, he dashed into the cave.