Page 106 of My Wild Pet

Subtotal: 32 / 35

---------------------------------------------

Combined with Prior Rounds: 66 / 70

---------------------------------------------

RANK: #1

The arena erupts in cheers. A wave of relief crashes over me, tears stinging my eyes—Briar and I truly won. But then the screen flashes again, revealing a new line in vivid neon letters:

“BOND BREAKER CHALLENGE: COMMENCES IN 30 MINUTES”

The announcement is accompanied by the overhead announcement, “Master Aefre has entered his winning pets in the Bond Breaker Challenge. If you wish to make a wager, do so now.”

My stomach drops.

Beside me, Briar’s triumphant smile falters.

We both knew the Bond Breaker was a possibility, but last year it took place the day after the final challenge. I thought if wewere going to have to do it, it would at least be tomorrow. We’re too tired to do this.

Aefre appears. A faint tension tightens his jaw. “This is a special request from the sponsors. They want a show of unity, a final display of human loyalty from the Grand Champions. It pays handsomely—much more than usual.”

“But we won,” Briar says.

“Champions or not,” Aefre says quietly, “the sponsors want a Bond Breaker and the audience wants a Bond Breaker. I pushed hard for it to be moved to tomorrow, but no one could be swayed. Trust your instincts and you’ll be safe.”

I’m overcome with resentment, fear, and exhaustion.

Briar and I exchange a glance.We survived everything else. We’ll survive this, too.

Aefre steps aside, checking his console. “Thirty minutes,” he reminds us, then gestures for us to follow. The roar of the crowd returns, louder than ever, as we steel ourselves for one final challenge neither of us wanted—but that fate, and greed, insists we face.

CHAPTER 68

Aefre

Ember’s performance in The Eternal Convergence against the holographic illusions of Ash was nothing short of remarkable. Not a shred of confusion. He knew, instantly it wasn’t her. And that certainty can only come from one thing, love.

“He recognized the illusions for what they were,” Kaelin says. “They posed no real threat.”

“Yes.” My gaze is still fixed on Ember pacing the far end of the arena floor, waiting for Ash to emerge from the female pet toilets. “It’s… concerning.”

“Concerning? It’s downright dangerous. He’s supposed to adore her, but not be so bonded with her that he sees through every trick we throw at him.”

I nod slowly. “I expected them to care for each other—Icultivated that, after all. But this level of devotion... Especially now that Gael is still rumored to be lurking around.” The incompetent security forces caught a decoy, as Kaelin had summarized. “If this is love, and I believe it is, it makes my pets unpredictable. Gael would only have to whisper promises offreedom, and they might stupidly give him all their UCs to chase it.”

“So what do we do?”

“After they finish the Bond Breaker, I want them placed under maximum security. Gael cannot be allowed near them. Their success in the arena has already netted them an obscene amount of credits, they can’t be permitted to use that fortune to flee. Not on my watch.”

I watch as Ember catches sight of Ash stepping out from behind a sealed gate, and his face lights up. “Make the arrangements. We’ve come too far to lose them to some idealistic half-Imperial rebel.”

Kaelin nods and disappears. I remain, my gaze trained on Ash and Ember from above, contemplating the fragile line between loyalty and rebellion.

CHAPTER 69

Gabriel

---