[Beast Nation.]
The air in the throne hall crackled with confusion as the top families, pillars of the beasts' nation stood bewildered, their gazes fixed on the empty throne.
"Where is the queen?" Zagreb's voice cut through the silence, his eyes darting to Xanor.
Xanor remained unperturbed. "I don't know... All I know is, she is on the way."
His calm tone did little to soothe Zagreb's growing impatience, and before Zagreb could unleash another annoying question, a distant, unmistakable sound pierced the air – a ship. A collective gasp rippled through the hall as they exchanged bewildered glances...
...In sync, everyone walked out of the castle, rushing towards the source of the sound.
___
Outside, a sight that defied belief unfolded before them. Xanor, Zagreb, Zinmo, Milan, and every single family head present were rooted to the spot, their eyes wide with utter shock.
A starship, a vessel of unimaginable power, wealth and technology, was descending slowly, majestically, towards them.
Throughout the city, beastmen and women alike craned their necks, their eyes riveted on the colossal craft. Those inside their homes peered through windows, while others, drawn by an irresistible curiosity, spilled out into the streets to get a clearer view.
"Am I dreaming?" Milan murmured, her voice barely a whisper, the disbelief evident in her tone.
"That... That is a starship!" Zinmo exclaimed, a tremor of horror lacing his words.
WHOOSH!
A brilliant beam of light lanced down from the starship, and Josephine materialized on the ground below.
"The Queen!"
"She is finally back!"
"Thank goodness!"
Murmurs of relief and joy rippled through the other families. These were the leaders of the various clans that comprised the Beast Nation, and most held a deep affection for Josephine. Her safe return was a cause for genuine happiness.
Josephine strode towards them, her presence radiating an undeniable aura of authority. She stopped before the four figures, who wasted no time in unleashing a volley of questions.
"How did you acquire a starship?!" Zagreb's voice boomed, a mixture of awe and disbelief.
"Yes! With our current situation, we can't even afford a battleship, or even a Warship! Then how?" Milan added, her voice laced with incredulity.
"Are you okay?" Xanor interjected, his voice tinged with genuine worry.
He frowned, a flicker of concern crossing his face as Josephine barely spared him a two-second glance before turning her gaze away.
"I told you, we are expecting someone important, this person bought the starship," she explained, her voice even and composed.
"Oh..."
The beastmen and women in the city looked up at the starship again, then lowered their gazes back to Josephine, a myriad of questions unasked in their eyes.
"Okay... But can we see this person?" Milan ventured, her curiosity piqued.
Josephine crossed her arms over her chest, a subtle shake of her head was her only answer.
"....?!"
The group was stunned into silence. Her refusal was unexpected, almost insulting.
"Why? You said this person is an important figure, so why can't we see them?" Xanor's confusion was evident in his tone.
"This person is here to help us, and for that, I gave him the rule."
Milan's jaw dropped.
"Him?" Xanor was dumbfounded, his mind struggling to process her words.
Zagreb was taken aback, a storm brewing in his eyes.
Zinmo was speechless, his usual composure shattered.
The entire group around them was flabbergasted, their eyes fixed on Josephine as if she had suddenly grown two heads.
"Why the look?" Josephine asked, a single eyebrow raised in challenge.
"Him?! You gave our nation away without asking for our opinion!?!" Zagreb's fury erupted.
"Your opinion? I admit, you have done a lot for our nation, but you don't have any right to question my decision!" Josephine retorted, her voice cutting and cold.
"This?"
Zagreb was utterly stunned, his fury momentarily doused by her unexpected sharpness.
"Josephine! Remember we are your elders!! Taking such a big decision... Don't you think we ought to know?!" Milan's voice was frigid, her serpentine eyes fixed on Josephine, unblinking.
"We refuse! There's no way we will let some unknown man take over our nation! We won't sit back and watch it happen!!" Zagreb declared, his voice regaining its force, as the other heads nodded in agreement, their faces grim.
"Love. What are you doing? What did he say to you?"
Xanor stepped forward, his hand reaching out to take hers, a gesture of familiarity and concern. But to everyone's surprise, Josephine recoiled, taking a swift step back.
"What are you doing?" she asked, a chilling edge of killing intent in her voice.
"...??!"
Xanor was lost, genuinely bewildered by her reaction. He had attributed Josephine's distance over the past two days to their separation, but now it was clear something far more significant was at play.
"Why are you keeping your distance from your mate?" Milan's question.
"My mate?"
Josephine scoffed.
Everyone watched, mesmerized, as she reached up, grasped her silver hair, and swept it back, exposing the delicate curve of her neck.
"....??"
"What?!"
Gasps of shock and disbelief escaped everyone's lips as they saw it – a distinct, deep bite mark on Josephine's neck.
"I already have a mate," she stated, her voice calm and resolute.
With confusion etched across his face, Zagreb turned to Xanor.
"I thought you said, you already bit her?" he questioned, his voice low.
"Bit me? He wished," Josephine answered instead, a hint of defiance in her tone.
"Okay! Forget all that!" Zinmo's shout cut through the stunned silence. He turned to Josephine, his gaze sharp and direct.
"The man you gave the rule, is he your mate? And is he the one who bought this starship?" he asked, his voice demanding answers.
"Yes," Josephine answered, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips.
"He is more better than some people," she added, her eyes briefly flicking to Xanor before looking away.
Xanor was utterly lost, a maelstrom of conflicting thoughts swirling in his mind. 'What is going on? The moon goddess chose us, then... How can my mate be taken over? Josephine is truly my mate! No one can take her from me!! No one!!' He hissed inwardly, his jaw clenching, and took a determined step forward.
"I don't accept this!!" he declared, his voice raw with disbelief.
"You are my mate! And a bite mark can't change that!!" he added, his stride purposeful as he advanced towards Josephine.
"You! What are you doing?!" Josephine's voice was sharp, a frown marring her features.
"You think a bite mark can take you away from me?! I won't let that happen! If I bite you. You will be mine again," he stated, his eyes fixed on her.
"It doesn't work that way," Josephine pointed out, a hint of exasperation in her voice.
"I don't care."
Before Xanor could take another step, Josephine's hand flashed out, summoning her sword. In a fluid motion, she pointed its gleaming tip directly at his chest.
".....??"
Everyone stared at the weapon in shock, their minds racing.
"That... That is a high grand weapon! How did she afford it?!" someone whispered, the question hanging in the air.
"Did her new man also get this for her?" another voice murmured.
"I don't know, maybe."
"Love," Xanor's voice was soft, an attempt to placate her.
"You are just a Grand Master, stage one warrior... There's no way you can stop me," he said, slowly raising his hand towards the sword, his confidence unwavering.
BAM!!
The moment Xanor's finger brushed the blade, a blinding surge of white energy erupted from its tip, smashing into him with unexpected force, throwing him backward.
BAM!!
He landed on his feet, skidding slightly, and looked down at his chest. His clothes were singed and burnt, but miraculously, he was uninjured.
"You... attacked me?" he asked, disbelief coloring his voice, as he slowly looked up at Josephine.
"Next time, I will kill you," Josephine hissed, lowering her sword, the threat clear.
Now, the other family heads were truly speechless. They stood frozen, unsure of what to say or do, their gazes shifting between Josephine and Xanor.
"My decision is final, no one will say otherwise!" she declared, her voice ringing with absolute authority.
"Oh?! Don't be so arrogant child because you are the queen... That position was given to you, and can also be taken away."
All heads whipped towards the castle gate. A figure, cloaked in a black mage robe, was walking towards them, their presence exuding a quiet power.
"Who are you?!" Josephine asked, her confusion palpable.