Free Web NovelChapter 304: Don’t lie again
Idir lowered his head, unable to quite meet Nina’s eyes.
"Yes... but not entirely," he admitted quietly. "I really did lose control yesterday. I just... didn’t lose control completely. The moment you came back, I— I suddenly became clear-headed again." freēwēbηovel.c૦m
If he had truly gone fully berserk, that female likely would not have survived.
He had genuinely been teetering on the edge of losing himself. But the instant he heard Nina’s voice, clarity had returned almost immediately. And when he realized she had come back for him, a dangerous thought had suddenly crossed his mind—this was an opportunity.
So he gave in to the selfish desire he had been suppressing for so long.
Nina recalled everything that had happened yesterday: Idir’s expressions, his reactions, the desperation in his eyes.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Panic and guilt slowly filled Idir’s gaze. "Nina... I’m sorry. This was my fault. I shouldn’t have deceived you like this."
There was pleading in his voice now. "You can punish me however you want. I only beg you not to dissolve our bond... and not to drive me away."
His fingers tightened unconsciously. "I just liked you too much, so I..."
He knew what he had done was wrong. But he had wanted Nina so desperately that, in the end, he had allowed himself to indulge those darker impulses.
More than anything, he feared Nina would sever their contract in anger.
Even though he had already prepared himself for the worst the moment he made this decision, it was still the one outcome he could never accept.
He would rather die than lose his bond with her.
He knew Nina was kind. Maybe she would not truly dissolve the bond. But he was still terrified that she would stop wanting him... that she would send him away.
Nina looked at him quietly.
This was the first time, while fully conscious and rational, that Idir had confessed his feelings so openly. Still... the way he had gone about things truly had been wrong.
"Why did you use this method?" she asked softly.
Nina genuinely did not understand. If he liked her, why not pursue her openly and honestly? Why resort to something like this?
"Because..." He lowered his eyes. "Because I’d already made so many mistakes before. I was afraid that if I chased after you openly, you’d hate me... or force me to leave."
His voice turned rough with self-mockery. "So I didn’t dare pursue you directly. I just... used this kind of method instead."
Originally, he really had planned to take things slowly. To let Nina gradually accept him.
But when the opportunity finally appeared... He realized he did not want to wait at all.
He wanted her too much.
Even without that female interfering, perhaps he would have created another opportunity himself eventually.
Otherwise... why would he have secretly investigated the shaman’s residence ahead of time?
Deep down, Idir knew exactly what kind of person he truly was: obsessive, extreme, dangerously possessive.
He simply spent most of his life restraining those instincts.
Nina looked genuinely surprised. She had never imagined that was what he had been thinking.
Yes, she had been angry at first about what happened with Momo, but after punishing him, she had already let it go.
Sometimes she honestly felt these males were unbearably awkward.
Yanai had been like this. Idir was the same.
Instead of asking her directly, they bottled everything up and tortured themselves with their own thoughts.
Idir carefully tugged at the fur blanket loosely wrapped around her body.
"Nina... forgive me this once, okay?"
His voice was low and cautious. "I promise I’ll never dare do something like this again."
Nina thought for a moment before finally replying. "Your punishment is kneeling on durian shells for a full day after we go back."
Although what he did had been wrong, she had still willingly agreed to become his mate.
The process might have been somewhat improper... But the ending would have been the same regardless.
Still, punishment was punishment.
Idir stared at her blankly. "T-That’s all?"
He almost sounded confused. "Nina... you’re punishing me that lightly?"
"What?" Nina laughed softly. "You want to kneel for a few more days instead?"
Idir immediately shook his head. "No. Whatever Nina says, I’ll do."
Relief and happiness quietly bloomed in his chest.
So... Nina still cared about him after all. She had forgiven him far more easily than he had expected. Before this, he had fully prepared himself to lose a layer of skin from whatever punishment she chose.
As long as Nina could forgive him, he would willingly endure any punishment. frёeωebɳovel.com
He cautiously moved closer to her. "Nina... once I finish kneeling, does that mean you’ve forgiven me?" His voice turned careful and hopeful. "And... I’m truly your beast husband now?"
Nina nodded. "Yes."
Idir nearly lost control from joy. "Really?"
He leaned closer, bringing his handsome face right before her.
"Nina, hit me hard. I’m afraid I’m still dreaming and haven’t woken up yet."
Nina burst into laughter at his expression and pinched his face hard.
"Well? Does it still feel like a dream?"
Idir caught her hand and gently rubbed his cheek against her palm, his eyes overflowing with happiness.
"...It doesn’t."
This wasn’t a dream. Nina had truly accepted him.
She pinched his cheek again, this time more lightly. "You’re not allowed to lie to me again in the future. Otherwise, I definitely won’t forgive you."
Idir immediately nodded, "I won’t. Never again."
He truly did not dare. He had finally managed to earn Nina’s acceptance. How could he possibly allow himself to make another mistake?
This time, it was only because Nina was kind and generous. But he could not abuse that kindness.
"Come help me get dressed," Nina said.
She had gradually become used to letting her beast husbands dress her.
Idir immediately brightened and hurriedly took out clothing he had made from his own shed snakeskin.
"Nina, can you wear the clothes I made for you today?"
Nina touched the cool, smooth fabric, surprise flickering in her eyes. "Alright."
The snakeskin felt unexpectedly soft and comfortable.
Idir happily helped her into the outfit.
Watching Nina wear something crafted from his own shed skin sent a deep sweetness flooding through his heart.
At last... His snakeskin belonged to Nina.
After they finished getting ready, Idir scooped her into his arms and carried her home.
The moment they arrived, they saw the beast husbands already waiting outside.
Even though Nina had told them she was safe, they still could not stop worrying. They had been waiting outside since early morning, anxiously hoping for her return.
The instant they saw her, relief flashed across their faces.
"Nina, you’re finally back."
Only after confirming she was completely unharmed did the tight knot in their chests finally loosen.
Then they turned toward Idir, ready to interrogate him, only for their expressions to freeze.
Their eyes landed on the fresh mating mark on Idir’s forehead.
A surge of fury instantly exploded through the group.
That damned snake had actually taken advantage of the situation to become Nina’s mate.
