Chosen Mate Of The Beastmen Empire

* 59%

The reply came fast, like he'd been anxiously waiting (sorry Works crazy may-I'm not home, sis I coulddict hand them over myself)

Nyx glanced at the neighbor's door, not calling out his excuse.

Nyx: [Okay]

Nyx: [Next time, maybe try a different shop?]

This time, it took ages for a reply: (You don't like them?]

Through the screen, Nyx could almost hear his heart crack. She snapped a pic of the bouquet and sent its I love them they're gorgeous. But they might give me the wrong idea.]

Nyx: [Lancet, you're not interested in me, are you?]

The flowers weren't loud-soft, gentle tones-but every type screamed love, practically overflowing with it. Without saying it was just a congrats gift, anyone would think it was a confession.

Seafarion panicked: [No way. I've got a girlfriend.]

He clutched his phone, kicking himself. Lancet had zilch to do with it. He'd wrapped the bouquet himself. He knew he shouldn't have, but he couldn't help it.noveldrama

After a long pause, the screen lit up again.

Nyx: [Oops, my bad! Sorry, Lancet!]

Like she was embarrassed, she switched gears: [Oh, I think I saw Seafarion at the audition today.]

Before the male could perk up, she added: [I didn't even glance at him, but Zachary still asked what we were to each other.]

Nyx: [I swore I don't know him!]

Nyx: [Don't worry, Lancet! I'm sticking to the confidentiality deal!]

Nyx: [Little bunny salute emoji]

Seafarion was speechless. His mood became unstable. He knew it was his fault but couldn't help resenting Lancet a bit.

'Why do I have to push that stupid confidentiality deal? Without it, would Nyx treat me differently?' he wondered.

Too late now-he swallowed his pride and typed stiffly: [Good.]

Feeling it was too cold, he added: [Rest up-you're still growing.]

Seeing that, Nyx nearly snorted out loud.

Nyx: [I'm an adult, Lancet.]

It was barely past nine-not bedtime yet. Wide awake, she wanted to chat with her partner more.

Nyx: [Seafarion bailed me out at the audition today. I'm grateful.]

Nyx: [To return the favor, I know a bit about leg massages. Could I help him out?]

12:34 Tue, 18 Mar

* 1054

To crack his insecurity, she couldn't dodge the lens. They had to face it regether the shisured every strce lately Tour found zip on his leg condition-his privwy game was awright.

That night they'd opened up, though, she'd seen his legs herself-normat, nes fish rail. It was a cave nerve. The chat went silent: Seafarion didn't reply.

Nyx went home, set the bouquet somewhere nice, showered, dipped into pajamas, auf grabbed her phone again to lighten the mood. If he wasn't ready to talk, she wouldn't push. They had time plenty of it

Two words in, a new message popped up. Seafarion sent a long paragraph and some meifical reports.

He was born that way, stumping countless doctors-no cure, not even a clear diagnosis. Walking felt like knives, pain shooting up his legs. As a kid, he couldn't learn to walk. Year after year, he stayed in a wheelchair

Reading reports spanning nearly thirty years, Nyx pictured little Seafarion stumbling up, crashing down in agony, and frowned hard. She loved teasing him as her "little mermaid," but she didn't want him suffering like one.

Mentally cussing out Heavenly Law, she perked up and suggested: [How about I massage him? Might help I

Nyx: [I've got special massage tricks!]

Top docs couldn't fix this weird condition-an amateur had no chance. Seafarion knew that but couldn't resist the bait. He just wanted to be near her so bad.

After wrestling with it, he caved: [Okay.]

They set it for ten. Nyx ditched her pajamas, grabbed some essential oil, and knocked next door on time.

The door opened-Seafarion sat poised on the couch. Lancet, the supposed homeowner, was sweaty and breathless, clearly rushed in as a cover.

Nyx snickered inside, not calling it out. She greeted them both politely, rolled up

her sleeves, and looked at Lancet. "Mind stepping out?"

Lancet's eyes bugged out. He'd just got here-now he's out.

"Massage needs privacy?" he asked, eyeing Nyx doubtfully.

"Yup," Nyx said, straight-faced and cool. "Secret technique-not for outsiders."

That sounded even flimsier. Lancet opened his mouth to argue, but Seafarion cut in. "Go ahead and leave."

Even Seafarion was kicking him out. Lancet shut up, a weird lonely vibe hitting him-like he was a prop in someone's game.

After two dazed seconds, he turned and left without a word, a weary silhouette, vowing to win his girlfriend back tomorrow and beg Seafarion for paid leave.

The door clicked shut. Alone in the big house, Seafarion's nerves doubled.

Nyx walked over, sat beside him, bringing a faint sweet scent. Smelling her, memories sparked. His face burned, and he forgot to breathe.

Nyx didn't seem to notice, focusing on his legs, reaching to lift his pant leg. After a few tries at the hem, her hand shifted to his belt. Caught off guard, Seafarion tensed up, grabbing her slim wrists in a panic.

"Your

pants are snug-can't roll them up," Nyx said, looking up, eyes clear and innocent. "Can I take them of

For a proper massage, fabric couldn't stay. She needed to rub oil on his legs too.

4.59%-

She wiggled her wrists lightly. Seafarion jerked his hands back like he'd been burned. He sat rigid-no help, no fight-letting Nyx do whatever. His condition just stopped him from walking, not controlling his legs.

Years of other workouts kept Seafarion fit-his legs weren't scrawny; they were toned, stronger than most. Nyx touched them, relaxing a bit.

Her "unique massage skills" were half-baked nonsense, but she knew some pressure points and techniques-decent enough, just rusty.

Unsure if his legs felt normal or pain hit him harder, she pressed gently, testing. "Does this hurt?"

"N-no, doesn't hurt." The business titan who ruled boardrooms turned into a stammerer.

Enduring Nyx's massage was tougher than any deal-time crawled like torture. He held still a bit, then hunched, crossing his legs to shift.

"Need a hand?" Nyx glanced up.

Her tone was chill, like it was no big deal, but it rocked Seafarion like a storm.

'Help. How would she help? She couldn't help with that,' he thought.

He didn't dare think deeper, shaking his head hard, face red, fighting every urge. Already screwed up once-he couldn't do it again.

He turned her down. Nyx focused on massaging, her face all business, dropping the matter. Her earlier ask felt like a tease. She flipped between flirty and distant, impossible to pin down.

The poor male got toyed with, brain a mess, eyes full of her. Awake, he barely held it together. Dreaming, he couldn't steer where it went.

Morning came, the sweet dream faded, leaving shame and a gut punch of loss. Seafarion pressed a hand to his chest.

Nyx got a message from her "neighbor" first thing. "Lancet" pulled the same trick. This time, he sent her Seafarion's real account. No need for her to add him-he'd already sent a friend request.

'Oh? Tired of sneaky games? Ready to ditch the disguise?' she thought.

Nyx stared at her screen, mulling it over. She didn't accept-she messaged

"Lancet" instead: [What's up with Seafarion?]

Nyx: [Did my massage mess something up yesterday?]

Her tone seemed cautious, almost freaked out, through the screen.

Seafarion forgot his shyness, rushing to soothe: [No issues. He just wants to talk directly-no more middleman.]

Every time Nyx got chatty and cute but said the name Lancet, Seafarion's sanity teetered. A decade-plus in business, Seafarion never regretted a move-until pretending to be Lancet. Dumbest thing ever.

Nyx: [Is that okay?]

Nyx: [The deal says I can't contact Seafarion privately.]

Nyx: [The penalty's steep-I can't pay it.]

1

In the office, Lancet sneezed hard, nose tingling. Looking up, he met his boss's

blank stare-chills ran down is spine. He thought, 'Did I screw up?”

For Lancet's loyal pot-taking, Seafarion didn't snap-just quietly grabbed that

dumb confidentiality deal and fed it to the

12:34 Tue, 18 Mar 0 0

shredder. Soon, Nyx got a pic from Seafarion. Seeing the deal in pieces, she

stopped teasing and accepted his request.

Unlike "Lancet", this account screamed work-formal pic, name, profile, all

business.

Nyx got serious: [Hello, Mr. Tanis.]

With Lancet's alt, she'd been a chatterbox, bubbly. Now, facing him, she clammed

up. Seafarion felt a sour twinge.

Seafarion: [No need to be so formal-just call me by name.]

Seafarion: [Heard your agent just calls you Nyx-can I too?]

59%

The second he sent it, regret hit. They'd just connected-she barely knew him, hadn't even talked much. It was too forward -plus, it spilled he'd been creeping on

her. Fingers shaking, he yanked it back-just as Nyx replied.

Nyx: [Sure.]

Nyx: [?]

No undoing the recall. Seafarion clenched his fist, cursing his quick trigger. Seafarion: [Sorry, Nyx-slipped and hit the screen.]

Lame excuse-he blushed hard, mortified. Nyx cracked up, rolling on her bed, clutching her stomach. She could picture him clear as day. Pale skin, pink when shy, long lashes drooping, avoiding her eyes.

After calming down, Seafarion messaged: [Yesterday's massage helped a ton- thanks, Nyx.]

Seafarion: [If it's cool, can you keep helping me out?]

Seafarion: [Name your price.]

'Helped a ton?' she thought. Nyx didn't even know she had that kinda skill. She knew her half-assed rubs were iffy, but him biting the hook was expected.

Back when he'd wanted her close, he'd even ripped off scales to get her to rub on ointment-he was nuts. If there were no chances, he'd make them. Now she'd

handed him one, and he'd grabbed it tight.

Nyx: [Anytime I'm free, I'll swing by.]

Nyx: [No payment-you've already helped me plenty.]

She refused cash, citing him saving her from that drugged night. Seafarion got too

flustered to argue, head down. He'd done her dirty too. He was not a saint. There was no reason for her to thank him.

Remembering her casual offer to "help" last night, he scolded: [Nyx, some stuff's only for partners.]