Free Web NovelChapter 2: Reserve Her For Last
"Humans," Rhydian Drakhar muttered, his nose flaring as a thin trail of smoke curled from it. "They never learn, do they?"
His gaze remained fixed on the screen, the Concordia Selection ceremony playing out before him.
One would think that after the last failed program, they would have learned their lesson. Instead, their persistence was as pathetic as their fragile lives.
"What do we do, Rhydian?" Tamara asked, looking up at him, her eyes gleaming with the same ferocious hunger to wipe the humans from their territory.
Tamara was his subordinate and closest companion. They had been together since birth, and even now, within the draconic court, most assumed she would become the future lady of the Drakhar Family. But to Rhydian, Tamara was a trusted ally, nothing more.
For a moment, Rhydian remained silent, his attention fixed on the video feed. It had shifted to behind-the-scenes footage of the selected contestants. Reporters had gone to the homes of the chosen girls, capturing their reactions for public entertainment.
So far, it had been nothing but the shrill excitement of girls screaming, tearing up and gushing tears of gratitude.
Pathetic. Rhydian rolled his eyes.
Humans were predictable and boring. All of them didn’t know what it truly meant to be chosen. He was just about to turn off the TV when the newest interview caught his attention.
The girl was striking with clear blue eyes, her brunette hair knotted into a messy bun. Initially, she looked stunned, but just as Rhydian was about to look away, the shock in her eyes twisted into anger.
Then her voice rang through his speakers.
"This isn’t an opportunity! It’s a death sentence!"
His brows lifted. So some humans weren’t completely brainless after all?
He watched as she shoved the reporters aside and bolted. In the background, someone shouted,
"Aria!"
That was her name.
Right at that moment, she slipped and fell hard, knocking herself out on the concrete. The interviewer panicked as she quickly ordered the cameraman to cut the feed, but not before the camera zoomed in on her unconscious, bleeding head.
A laugh escaped him before he could stop it.
"Rhydian? What is it?" Tamara asked, surprised.
"It’s nothing," he said, though the faint amusement in his eyes betrayed him. "Aria..." he repeated quietly, testing the way her name sounded in his mouth.
Maybe she was pretending for the cameras, but Rhydian found himself entertained by her.
The humans had finally chosen someone interesting to enter the academy, instead of the half-wits that were intent on seducing his fellow beastmen. One thing was certain, this girl was either very stupid that she signed herself up for what she knew was a death trap, or very brave to use the limited opportunity she had to let everyone else know the truth about the Concordia Selection.
Suddenly, Rhydian was curious to know how long she could last.
If she ran at the mere thought of attending Bestiaris, how fast would she run at the sight of him? At his dragon? Would she curse him before knocking herself out again?
The thought lingered, dark and quietly appealing. His dragon stirred inside of him, awake and ready for the taste of fresh meat. Rhydian straightened, the air around him rippling with authority.
"Send a message to that worm, Caelis," he said coldly. "Tell him I’m willing to stay my hand, for now. We need to talk."
Tamara inclined her head. "As you wish, my lord."
Then she was gone.
+++
Caelis was the leader of the snakes—Or worms, as Rhydian preferred to call them. Normally, he would never lower himself to allying with them, but if the humans were returning to Bestiaris Academy, then he would need his help.
It wasn’t difficult to admit the basilisk was effective. Cold-blooded and ruthless, the creature had no heart.
Rhydian stepped into the shower, turning the knob until the water blasted against his back. Heat spread instantly through his muscles. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to relax. This felt like heaven.
Humans were annoying, but their inventions were useful. Back beyond the barrier, their kind had relied on natural sources, rivers, lakes for baths. Primitive, yes, unlike here where water obeyed at the turn of a dial, convenient and efficient.
When the dragon shifter was done, he stepped out and moved into his closet, dressing with ease. Rhydian wore the Bestiaris uniform like it had been made for him.
A fitted blazer of deep crimson—almost black at the seams—lined with gold stitching and fastened with dark metallic buttons. Beneath it, a crisp white shirt sat neatly against his throat, paired with a narrow black tie pulled tight. His black trousers fit close to his frame, tucked into polished leather boots.
While most beasts wore their uniforms loosely, resenting the constraint of clothing, Rhydian wore his with pride.
He was the leader of dragons and he would not look anything less.
He fastened the winged gold insignia onto his jacket, completing the look. Every beast bore an insignia to identify their house.
The three ruling houses of Bestiaris were:
Aetheris—house of dragons and all winged creatures. It was led by Rhydian.
Ophidian—house of serpents and all that crept. It was ruled by his nemesis, Caelis.
Therion—house of the land beasts, with wolves reigning at the top. It was currently under the command of the outsider, Maverick Nightshade, the wolf prince.
There was no place for humans. There never had been, and there never would be.
But humans refused to accept it, knowing that Bestiaris was created to help beastmen interact with human society.
The school was a mandatory four-year institution designed for beasts—a place where they were forced to study and learn how to exist within human society. Only those who graduated and earned certification were permitted entry into human cities - yet no self-respecting beastmen would have willingly entered human cities, if humans had not forced them out of hiding and invaded their territories.
But of course, these conniving humans weren’t content with that. Now they dared enter a school meant for beastmen alone in the name of "assimilation."
Rhydian scowled. Humans were greedy detestable creatures who dared to reach beyond their status. That was why he was even allying with Caelis in the first place.
By the time Rhydian entered the breakfast hall, Caelis was already seated, waiting and glaring.
This was neutral ground. No fights were permitted in the dining hall, which made it the only place they could form a temporary alliance. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
The bastard Caelis was in his uniform as well. House Ophidian wore green, marked by their coiled serpent insignia.
"You would think," Caelis drawled, his forked tongue flicking briefly as he spoke, "since you called for a meeting, you’ll actually arrive on time."
While they looked human, moments like this reminded everyone what they truly were.
"Sorry," Rhydian said, making a show of yawning. "Dragons tend to take their time."
Caelis’s expression darkened, and Rhydian took absolute satisfaction in it except it vanished just as quickly.
"Forgive me," Caelis’s voice was laced with mockery. "I forgot dragons were such lazy creatures."
A low growl rumbled in Rhydian’s throat, a clear warning, but Caelis’s eyes slightly glowed ominously, serving as a reminder of exactly what he was capable of. The air between them tightened, thick with threat and resentment.
If not for the ceasefire, both of them would be bleeding. Caelis was dangerously annoying, and annoyingly dangerous.
When the barrier first fell and beasts fought for territory, the snake clan was at the bottom of the hierarchy. Dragons ruled as apex predators until Caelis was born.
An heir who could turn flesh to stone with a single look was too powerful. The dragons tried to eliminate him, but the snakes hid and protected Caelis until he was of age to wreck destruction.
Now, the balance had shifted. With Caelis as their clan head, the Serpent clan’s standing was equal to the Dragons, which Rhydian took as a great insult.
Sadly, he had to set aside that feud for now.
"The humans have restarted the Concordia program," Rhydian said, getting down to business. "
"I saw," Caelis replied curtly. "We didn’t kill enough to send a clear enough message the previous time. They’re trying to turn this place into Lunaris Academy."
Rhydian stared the serpent in the eye, reminding him, "You know we cannot let that happen."
Before the beasts came out of the barrier, the werewolves were the only creatures known to humans. They established Lunaris Academy, a matchmaking place masquerading as a school. Alphas took human mates, tainting and diluting their lineage.
"I know that," Caelis replied, his voice edged with irritation. "However, the rules have changed. We overdid it that year. Now, Maverick Nightshade is here to play protector."
Maverick Nightshade was the powerful prince of the wolves. His mother, half Fae and half werewolf, was the one who tore down the barrier and caused this mess. Now the bastard was here, trying to teach beasts how to co-exist with humans.
As if that was ever going to happen.
"Maverick will be too busy and distracted when they arrive. Or are you not up for the challenge?" Rhydian taunted deliberately. "Are humans too much for you now?"
"I can handle pesky humans," Caelis hissed at the insult.
"Good. I say we have a deal, then." Rhydian stood, stretching out his hand for a handshake.
Caelis stared at his hand as if it were a trap, half expecting Rhydian to burn him with his dragon fire the moment they made contact.
But he was no coward. He stood and clasped it.
Rhydian smiled. Mission accomplished.
But Caelis’s grip suddenly tightened as he said through gritted teeth, "Don’t go thinking this means we’re friends. Once the humans are eliminated, you are my enemy."
He had not forgotten or forgiven the number of attempts the dragons made on his life. Among the countless grudges and blood-soaked conflicts, one truth remained undeniable: the dragon clan and the snake clan would never coexist. The only way the blood feud between them would end was with one party’s death.
"Of course," Rhydian answered with that knowing light in his eyes. "I would never dream of it."
Caelis turned to leave, as if he couldn’t bear to remain in his presence any longer.
But Rhydian spoke again, "One more request."
Caelis halted and glanced at him over his shoulder. "What is it?"
Rhydian said, "Among the humans, I want you to reserve one for last. Exclusively for me."
Caelis’s brows lifted in immediate suspicion. That was new.
"Who?" he asked.
Rhydian’s lips curved to the side.
"Aria."
