Free Web NovelChapter 13: Chapter 13 Rivals Prepare
Elara’s POV
So what if everyone else struggled to cultivate anything? That wasn’t my concern.
My ability allowed me to cleanse soil—no matter how polluted the earth was, I could make plants flourish.
Honestly, most meals here consisted of meat or fungi. After several consecutive servings, I’d grown tired of the monotony.
Even the fruit remained the same dull melon, meal after meal.
For me, this was simple to resolve. I just needed those men in the wards to have another breakdown, and I’d gain far more power than mere growth acceleration. I rubbed my palms together eagerly.
A tiny angel on my shoulder pushed the little demon away. "Absolutely not. Episodes mean they suffer."
The demon argued back, "But they boost your abilities!"
Something like a light exploded in my mind. I shook my head, mentally berating myself. That was twisted, even by my standards.
The small angel posed triumphantly, hands on her waist. This battle? Complete victory.
——
In the wards, everyone absorbed in their private contemplations had cleaned themselves as thoroughly as possible. Even in beast form, they remained determined to appear their best.
Kaelen had donned a neckerchief—the sole accessory available to him currently. His other belongings were designed for human form, which he couldn’t achieve.
Julian, however, had focused entirely on his face. He’d covered it with pearls until he resembled some sort of spiky pufferfish. If only he hadn’t lost control before... The shape he was trapped in now hardly qualified as his true beast form. Similar to when Kaelen had his episode that day—except that dragon had managed to regain composure.
So frustrating.
Dorian had groomed himself as well. Though his wounds had mended after his rampage, his form had shifted to something more primitive, making his current beast appearance somewhat unsettling. He gazed at his reflection with concern, praying he wouldn’t frighten her away.
Barrett had discovered the news first, so he’d begun preening earlier than the rest. The jewels around his throat sparkled, matched with a bow tie that lent him an air of refinement and elegance. The large wolf made final adjustments to his coat in the mirror, feeling confident about his appearance.
Elara would arrive momentarily, and he was resolved to present his finest self.
Alistair hadn’t made any preparations. Since discovering Elara was his destined mate, he’d withdrawn even further. He’d not only extinguished the lights but also closed the drapes—terrified that if Elara glimpsed him, she’d despise him even more.
Finnian maintained his usual routine. Since Elara appeared to favor his beast form, he decided to embrace it. So the fox had retrieved some fur conditioner and secluded himself in his quarters, applying an entire container of the product.
Silas?
Well, he’d transformed back to human appearance, though a slender vine still coiled around his wrist. His mouth curved into a faint smile. Despite his earlier loss of control, he recalled everything clearly—it was Elara who had rescued him.
Considering this, he glanced sideways at the medical robot on the wall. It had been fixed earlier. Predictably, it now lay shattered across the floor again.
After kicking the debris aside, Silas adjusted his appearance and selected a pair of understated yet sophisticated cufflinks.
Behind his silver-framed spectacles, his eyes held a resolute shine. Barrett? Merely a savage.
Possessive selfishness and hidden satisfaction had corrupted every single one of them beyond recognition. Who could have imagined the entire ward was like this? Foolishly, each believed their sole rival was Barrett.
"Ding!!!"
The instant the meal cart chimed, everyone became alert.
Kaelen stood erect, shoulders back, waiting courteously beside the food aperture with a pale yellow neckerchief secured around his neck.
Julian, gleaming like a mirror ball, retreated near the pool. His beast form was hideous now, and even dressed up, he didn’t dare reveal himself carelessly. But when he spotted Kaelen across the room, he couldn’t stop grumbling internally. That greedy dragon... If not for him, would he even be receiving quality food now?
After all, Elara had come seeking him and Barrett.
——
Kaelen’s POV
Observing Julian concealing himself in the water, I grinned inwardly. Excellent. That fish understood to maintain distance. And rightfully so—Elara was my female. Julian staying hidden was precisely as it should be.
——
Elara’s POV
I’d pulled my hair into a high ponytail today, earbuds still in place. The meal cart was loaded with food. First destination: Kaelen in Chamber One. I spotted him instantly.
Had the little dragon worn a bib today?
"You knew I prepared grilled salmon, didn’t you? You never wore a bib before."
As I spoke, I paused and examined Kaelen with a grin. Truthfully, I had to acknowledge—this beast form of my mate was utterly endearing.
If only I could stroke him...
Lost in the thought, I extended my hand.
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Kaelen’s POV frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
I had been feeling dejected earlier, assuming my efforts to impress her had been unsuccessful. But now... was she about to...?
Did she want to touch me?
——
"Ms. Sterling..."
Julian couldn’t bear it any longer and cried out frantically.
What was occurring? His destined female was gazing, captivated, at another male?
This was entirely his fault. Julian had never wept when attacked by insectoids. Never wept when resources were depleted. Never wept even when his spiritual energy crumbled.
But now, his eyes burned with tears. Because not only did his destined female dislike him—she actually seemed disgusted by his beast form. And worse still, she was openly favoring someone else directly before him.
So even though she’d come searching, she hadn’t revealed to him that he was her mate. Was it... because he was repulsive?
