Page 194 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

The metal gates creaked, footsteps approaching. Then the slash of a blade through chain.

Zaiper fell like dead weight, landing with a jarring thud. Pain shot through every inch of his body as he lay there, breathing hard, every part of his body screaming. The chains on his wrists remained, but his legs were free.

The soldier stepped back into position, silent.

“There’s a saying, who lives by the sword, dies by the sword. And me? I believe in an eye for an eye.Or several,” Daemonikai said. “I’ve spent a great deal of time in madness, Zaiper. And during that time, I’ve realized—we’ve been unfair to the ferals. We kill them on sight without a second thought, not giving them a fair chance, not making an attempt to save them. But not anymore.”

“Where thefuckare you going with this?”

Daemonikai smiled, the kind that didn’t reach the eyes. “If we’re to begin testing a way to treat feral, if we want an antidote someday, we must begin somewhere, don’t you think? For instance, let’s say…” he drew it out as if actually thinking about it, “…satisfying their basic instincts. And you, Zaiper... you are our first and only experiment.”

It took a moment for the meaning to reach Zaiper through the fog of pain.

Then ice rushed through Zaiper’s veins like a torrent. He was so stunned, so utterlyhorrified, he couldn’t even speak.

“Bring in the two ferals.”

“No...” Zaiper managed to croak. “That’s low. You don’t mean that.”

And there goes that laughter again.

“Oh, Zaiper. You spent an entire monologue describing how much you enjoyed listening to my female scream. I just thought—how poetic would it be tosee how much you enjoy your own?”A beat of silence. “Let’s see how well you enjoy being on the receiving end.”

Then—he heard it.

Chains. Clinking, dragging, echoing through the corridor.

Coming closer.

"Your first two are here." Rising, Daemonikai moved to the doorway. "There are eight more, held in chains, just for you… waiting for their turn. You satisfy them, you heal, you get another set. Rinse and repeat until all ten are done."

All semblance of pride and finesse abandoned Zaiper in a single, crumbling breath. "Don't you dare give me to ferals! Youknowwhat they’ll do to me! That’s barbaric! There are some things you just don’t do to an alpha! Some lines you don’t cross as a ruler the people look up to!Daemonikai!"

Daemonikai snorted another laugh. “You are kidding, right?”

“Please don’t do this. Torture me however else you see fit but—”

“Oh, don’t be in such a rush. That will come in time. Just relax and enjoy the show as you always have.” With that, Daemonikai walked through the iron doors.

“Daemonikai!You bastard…!”Zaiper shouted, voice climbing in raw panic.

The ferals were dragged in.

Zaiper scrambled, trying to push up, trying to move. But his weak, shaking,uselessbody betrayed him. He couldn’t lift himself.He couldn’t escape.

The two sedated feral beasts were dropped unceremoniously to the floor, their bodies limp, features slack.

Zaiper watched with shallow breath, eyes wide.

Then the soldiers poured a thick, glistening liquid into their mouths, and quickly hurried out.

“Don’t youdareleave me with them! Come back—COME BACK!” Zaiper screamed.

The cell door slammed shut behind them, the lock engaging.

Silence.

Then growls reached his ears.

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