Chosen Mate Of The Beastmen Empire

Everyone froze, glaring at Nyx. Nyx stayed calm and nodded.

597

Zachary chuckled dryly to himself in his head. Fooled once was enough-fall for it again, and he'd be an idiot. His nose was sharp-they smelled the same, not some generic soap scent either-probably living together, and still denying it. Watching Nyx climb into Seafarion's car only cemented his hunch.

After long days out working, the house stayed spotless thanks to Gavin popping by to clean. Nyx dropped her bags, texted Gavin some praise, then knocked next door. 'Dinner together tonight?"

No plans set, but Seafarion was ready-had a chef whip up a full spread at home to welcome Nyx back.

They ate, Nyx tried on the new clothes he'd bought her, twirling around for him, then borrowed his bathroom for a shower and crashed there like old times.

She acted like nothing had happened-mood steady, no talk of romance. Seafarion watched her bright smile, words catching in his throat.

When no one called it out, he could dodge it, not think too hard. But Zachary's offhand question slammed him into reality -Nyx wasn't his wife; they shouldn't be this close. She was young, clueless-he was older, shouldn't have taken advantage of that, tricked her into staying by his side.

"Nyx," he said, lips tight, stopping her as she headed for the guest room, "Your place is next door-sleep there."

Even a guest room wasn't right-unmarried, living under one roof long-term, it didn't add up.

Nyx paused, looked back at him for a moment, then nodded. "Okay."

She wasn't about to push. With a stubborn partner like him, she had plenty of patience-let him cool off and think it over alone.

Nyx didn't hesitate-said she'd go and went. No fuss-she pushed the door open in her pajamas and slippers, leaving everything behind, even the new clothes she'd tried on.

The lock clicked shut, and the big house fell dead quiet. Seafarion stared at the door, lost, feeling a hole in his chest. The withdrawal hit harder than last time.

Nyx's traces were everywhere-big stuff like the bed she'd slept in, small stuff like the lotion she'd left in the bathroom.

He couldn't step into the guest room, but her memory still swallowed him-every glimpse of her things brought a sour ache crashing over him. Pent-up frustration had nowhere to go-he dumped it all on Terry.

By month's end, Breaking Chains dropped a trailer-huge buzz. Nyx picked up fans, and ad deals started rolling in. Marilyn sifted through them carefully, landing her a gig promoting a niche local luxury jewelry brand's fall line.

On the way there, Nyx heard Helly chattering-word was, JoyTV's other execs caught wind and teamed up to shove Terry out to save the company. Betrayed by his own, Terry tanked-seemed like his head wasn't right anymore, paranoid about traps everywhere.

"A few days back, he swore someone was watching him, hunting him-ran up to JoyTV's roof like a nutcase, almost jumped," Helly said, shaking her head, "Someone grabbed him quick, pulled him back, but they say his hands got messed up- dislocates all the time now," said Helly.

"And Joanna," she mumbled, "after wrap-up, Zachary said her scenes sucked,

cut the role entirely, and swore he'd never work with her again.”

Nyx listened, then went quiet, thinking, 'Little mermaid's got a mean streak.

12:35 Tue, 18 Mar

Seafarion was one of her milder partners-guess he'd been in a fool mood lately "Marilyn, Nyx asked, “Has Seafarion checked in about me lately?

59%

She was so blunt. Marilyn's face went awkward. "Uh, yeah, he's got me reporting your schedule and whereabouts daily. I'm not spying on you, I

"I know, it's fine." Nyx soothed her, nodding thoughtfully.

In fact, she could very well be the hunter and Seafarion was the prey. Seafarion peeked at her from the shadows-she was just biding her time, waiting for the catch. As long as the line held, the fish stayed in her pond-couldn't swim away. "And me" Gavin raised a timid hand. "Sorry, boss-I've been telling Seafarion about your meals every day. He didn't want to play spy, but the big guy paid way too well.noveldrama

"What's with you all?" Helly yelped, grabbing Nyx's hand. "Boss! Trust me! I'm the only one who hasn't done it! I'd never stab you in the back!"

Nyx laughed, patting her head. "Alright, alright, you're the best."

It wasn't really betrayal-Seafarion wasn't an outsider, and he'd set up the studio, paid their wages. She didn't mind him knowing these things; there was no need to hide it.

At the shoot, Nyx realized it wasn't solo- A hot new actor was there for the men's line, and they'd do a duo shot together.

"Why didn't you mention this?" Marilyn frowned, "My artist doesn't do close- contact shoots with guys."

The brand was baffled. "It's standard stuff-not that intimate, right?"

The two had no history-the brand wasn't pairing them up, just wanted some flirty vibes for the jewelry theme. Hand- holding, a hug, no big deal. Actors did kiss scenes all the time-there was no need to be so uptight.

Marilyn still wavered. The brand was right-it wasn't over the top. Her old clients would've shot it no problem. But with Nyx, she had Seafarion to answer to.

Nyx checked the plan, got the gist of the moves, and murmured to her agent, "It's okay, Marilyn, I'll do it. Just tell Seafarion the truth."

Nyx had the final say-once she greenlit it, the shoot went smooth as silk. Solo parts flowed, duo parts clicked-the young guy was a gentleman, kept it professional, no extra moves, saving tons of hassle and time.

Last shot: Nyx stood at a mirror, lifting her hair a bit; the guy stood behind, fastening a necklace, his fingers brushing her pale skin like the photographer wanted.

Faintly, Nyx felt a hot stare from nearby. She played it cool, focused on the shoot, locking eyes with the guy in the mirror- her gaze soft and warm.

"Great! That's the vibe!" the photographer cheered, thrilled-brand reps nodded approval.

Shoot wrapped, Nyx and the guy hit it off, swapped contacts. She waved him off, heading to her agent and assistants. "Time to head home-dinner out together?"

A guy who'd been holding back finally snapped, pulling off his hat, "Nyx."

Nyx acted like she'd just noticed him, gasping, "You're here?"

Hat off, Seafarion's signature hair and face popped-everyone else was genuinely

floored. Nyx faked her shock, but they were legit stunned.

The brand rep belatedly got why Marilyn had balked at the close shots-heart pounding. They wondered if they could still use the duo pics.

"Been a while-work keeping you busy? Why'd you drop by?" Nyx said, voice light, "When'd you get here? How'd I do?"

She waved again, introducing the guy to Seafarion. "First ad shoot-Sergio carried me through it."

Sergio stiffened, bowing to Seafarion. Seafarion didn't crack a smile but forced a nod.

Just work-the guy was decent, didn't overstep with Nyx. For that, he offered Sergio a spot at Cosmic Entertainment. Cosmic Entertainment was mid-purge- Terry's cronies got axed if they were dirty, dragging some artists down, too.

Sergio joining now meant steady good gigs-second-tier at least, maybe first-tier with hustle.

Sergio clutched Seafarion's card, dazed. As a fellow guy, he'd felt the jealousy and edge-yet Seafarion held it in, even tossed him an offer for Nyx's sake.

Crowd cleared, Seafarion faced Nyx-met her eyes, then flinched, looking down. "Nyx, there's a banquet tonight. Come with me?"

Big entertainment names would be there-he'd introduce her, so next time he wasn't around, no idiot would dare touch her.

Nyx wouldn't say no to that. "Sure."

Seafarion taking her out in public threw her a bit, though. From how he'd acted,

he hadn't cleared that mental hurdle yet. She couldn't figure it-she shrugged, deciding to wing it.

Hours till the banquet, Nyx hopped in his car-he took her for styling, a gown, then off to the venue. Spotting a license plate stacked with eights, the doorman knew a VIP was coming-flashing a perfect warm smile.

Someone opened the car door with grace, hand shielding the top, welcoming Seafarion-then nearly lost it seeing the woman beside him. 'Who-who is this? Riding with Seafarion!' he thought.

Inside, the hall glowed-glasses clinked, guests mingled, sipping and chatting, laughter weaving through the air. Seafarion stepped in and instantly owned the room-every head turned, jaws dropping. The place hushed, just the tinkle of glasses ringing out.

"Seafarion brought a date? People were shocked. He'd never shown up with a woman-not even for show. First time ever:

Eyes drilled into them-Seafarion frowned, glanced at Nyx, worried she'd feel off at her first gig like this. Surprise-she handled it fine. She tilted her head at him, smiling soft as always.

Back when she first hit Beastmen Empire, Nyx had been timid—but years later, she'd grown used to crowds and stares, no fear left.

Then a burning gaze landed on her-too strong to ignore. She snapped her head up, locking onto familiar green beast eyes. Nyx faltered, her steps stalling for a

second.

"Nyx, this is Mr. Jason Jackman, head of Broskel's Entertainment Association," Seafarion said, missing her glitch, leading her to meet people-she pulled her eyes back and followed. That stare stuck to her like glue, never letting up.

"This is your girlfriend?" someone finally blurted, too curious to hold back. "No-" Seafarion flinched, denying it hard. "Nyx is my sister."

Nyx bit her lip, fighting a laugh. No wonder he'd dared bring her out-he'd cooked

up this story.

Folks around traded subtle looks. Seafarion was an only child-he couldn't have a sister. He'd never paraded any distant

cousins either.

12:35 Tue, 18 Mär

'More like sweethearts, probably, people thought. They thought it but didn't say it-

just flattered them, saying they looked good together, easy to mistake.

Seeing Seafarion's eyes light up despite himself, they knew they'd nailed it-Nyx was his woman.

In a corner, some rich kids tagging along with their parents drank and gabbed- one was sloshed, staring at Nyx, flushed, clearly smitten. His buddies yanked him

back, stopping a mess.

"Cut it out, stop gawking!"

"She's Seafarion's!"

45

Hearing that name, the rich kid shivered, sobering up fast. Grumbling, he looked away, drowning his sorrows. It was rare to find a girl that hot-and she was taken. Anyone else, fine-but Seafarion. No one dared to cross him.

One glass down, reaching for another, he caught a tall figure heading Nyx's way,

his eyes widening slowly.