As Rex laid on the bed, he thought of many things. How. while he had not lived too long of a live so far, he had found plenty of things that could and would feel good while doing. Pulling back into his mindscape and comprehending the concepts that were at the core of the worlds he inhabited, grinding the dungeons to grow stronger, earning more time to live, appreciate and enjoy the world he was in. Going out on adventures and encountering the unknown, or perhaps even taking out the human trashe he encounters, letting his inner monster out of the cage to deal with such filth. Every sapient creature had their own beast of such nature, some were just in denial of its existence.

Yet, there was something oddly calming and warm, waking up in the embrace of a beautiful woman, a slight smile on her lips as she slept calmly, her chest lightly moving with each breath. As he calmly gazed at the disheveled blonde hair, the slightly droopy wolf ears and the overall content expression on Danica's face, he realised yet another, extremely important truth about himself. 'Not only am I greedy, but apparently possessive as well.' He concluded, as thought after thought streamed through his mind- different plans on how to earn Danica's affection, ensuring she would become a proper woman of his. And, as if responding to his selfish decision, the world itself seemed to answer, as Danica stirred awake.

Her eyes slowly opened, still sleepy, yet her face bloomed into a smile as she realized that Rex was still there, in her embrace, the same as when she drifted to sleep. 'Old, lying crones', she cursed in her mind, last night still vividly in her mind, though her inner thoughts, did not make their presence known on her face, as a smile bloomed on her face.

"Morning husband." she almost purred like a kitten, stretching upwards and planting a small peck on Rex's lips, causing a slight shortcut in his mind.

"Husband?" Rex lightly asked. "Mind telling me more?" he added, his voice relatively calm, though there was plenty of interest in his tone.

"AH!" as if understanding her own mistake, she exclaimed, trying to quickly apologize. Sometimes the different cultures was such a bitch. "I... I am sorry. It totally slipped my mind. Dont mind whatever I said." And before she could even try and escape in her embarrassment, Rex's strong arms caught her in an embrace, pulling her back, their bodies pressed together.

"Now that you said it, I don't plan on letting you go that easily. I would like to understand this tradition of yours though." Rex said, his voice rather quiet, yet confident and possessive at the same time and Danica could feel his intention.

"Y-you dont mind?" she asked, her tone of voice rather quiet.

"Mind? I am ecstatic truth be told. I was just thinking of ways to ensure you would be mine and mine alone. Turns out I am indeed a lecherous and greedy man. And it seems that what once becomes mine, is something I can't simply let go of. So please, do explain."

"Mhm." Danica just nodded, internally pleased by his decisiveness. The more she learned about him, the better she felt about her choice. "Our society does revolve around alphas, in a way. The stronger the male, the more desirable he becomes in the eyes of women of the tribe. And yet, while the man can choose to show his interest in any woman, even multiple ones, it is, at the end of the day, a choice of the women, who would they want to be a mate off for life."

"So when you offered yourself to rescue your teenagers, it was a sort of a declaration that you are willing to be my mate, as it is?"

"Mhm." she nodded again, her hands wrapping around Rex as she too embraced him back. "Strength, character, convictions. Those are the main three things we, as tribes women, are taught to discern. And as we grow, we also develop our own understanding of said parameters. You proved you have strength beyond reason. Then showed you have your own way of doing things, following your own road. And when I saw your anger against the bastards who broke Wirsha and those other girls, easily inflicting suffering to return balance, I was more and more impressed with you. And while it mattered not by then, since I had already given myself to you, it pleased me a great deal." then a mischievous smile appeared on her face as she added "Not to mention everything else you are capable of." she then lightly bit on his shoulder, the gesture clear.

"Don't you worry, oo wife of mine. There is plenty more where that came from. Thought not right now. lets get you properly cleaned and some breakfast. We both know we need it."

"Nnng. You are right indeed." Danica agreed, her head lying on Rex's muscular chest. "I do need to get used to this. Will you carry me towards the baths? I will guide the way."

"As miss desires." Rex replied, his hand roaming playfully over her back, until moments later, he was out of the bed and with Danica, wrapped in the sheet, in a princess carry in his hands. "Show me the way." Rex asked, carefully walking towards the doors, following Danica's directions.

"Ahh. Morning brother!" she exclaimed, a triumphant smile on her face as the duo ran into Igdan just as the man was leaving precisely the rooms they were going for. "Lets catch up at the breakfast table. I am in need of a bath." she glanced at Rex, teh same mischievous smile on her face "Husband dear, shall we?"

"Alright." she smiled back helplessly. He had picked up quite the mischievous woman it seemed. Not that he minded. This promised quite the fun adventures. He then looked towards Igdan, whose jaw was hanging slack. "The lady calls. See you later." with those words spoken, he dissapeared in the bathroom, following Danica's instructions to draw one that would be the perfect temperature for her. After a quick wash up, they slinked into the bath, with Rex lying with his back pressed against the bath itself and Danica leaning against Rex.

"You know." she spoke, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the warmth she was enveloped by. "Back at the tribe, I would joke with Igdan that I might have to settle for him, were I unable to find an appropriate man for myself. The quality of our own warriors was just so so. Or perhaps I was too competitive and grew too strong too fast. And while I will be the first to admit my offer back then was made in part desperation, due to our inability to save our young ones from fate possibly worse than death, part desire, hoping someone as strong as you would find my offer tantalizing enough to help us, and part hope, seeing a man who seemed worthy, as far as I could understand in my clouded state of mind, I can wholeheartedly say I am content now. May our hunts be successful, our harvests bountiful and our family, united and strong."

"I think you forgot an extremely important part there." Rex added, a slight smile on his face.

"And what would that be?"

"Our adventures fun and exciting. I doubt you wish to settle down and pretend to be some random peasant, do you?"

"HA! Indeed, you are correct, though I am afraid we do not have much time to enjoy them. With how wild we were last night, I doubt I will be able to continue for long."

"He he he." Rex snickered. "You saw me operate all those blood constructs and chains, did you not? Do you think I cannot decide when our family grows?" at this sentence, her head suddenly shot towards Rex, a spark of excitement in her eyes.

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"So we can have as much fun as we want, while exploring the world and experiencing plentifull of different things and places?"

"Yep." Rex replied and his response was followed by something of a semi insane giggle, if Rex had to classify what said laughter sounded like, followed by a quick flip of Danica's body, her now stradling Rex. She then looked in his eyes and seeing no falsehood, kissed him deeply.

"Lest leave it for much later then. We wolfkind live long lives after all."

"Sure thing. I am in no rush myself either. Adventuring and fun sounds perfect to me too."

They spent another thirty minutes or so in the bath, talking about the near future. What to do, where to go and so on and so forth. Rex had no problems mentioning his current conundrum- the need for a fast, flying creature that would serve as their personal traveling mount, reducing the travel time needed to reach any of the people he had left a mark of his with. He was rather strict with that part of his needs. Danica did tease him regarding the amount of women he had 'marked', though he just shrugged and reminded that he had already said he was quite the greedy and lecherous man, and while he was totally fine and satisfied with her alone, one can never know the things future hold.

"Well. I suppose and Alpha like you would indeed have multiple mates." Danica eventually just shrugged "They better not try and steal my spot." Danica was a woman of conviction and principles. Once determined on a path, she would stubbornly stick to it, even to the detriment of herself.

Once they left the bath, in the kitchen area Igdan was already present, just like Swei and a couple other wolfkin girls, working on preparing breakfast.

"Did you have to be so loud?" Reika, Danica's niece grumbled "You know my room is the closest to that mansion of yours" she spoke, referring to the overseers building Rex and Danica had spent their night in. "i could not sleep for half the night."

"You are almost grown up now. It is time you learn about those things. Has your mother told you the essentials?" then a thoughtful expression appeared on Danica's face "Don't believe all the things those old crones will tell you. It feels incredible."

Understanding what she was talking about, Rex added in a calm manner. "Well, your case was rather unique. I am quite the unique specimen with skills beyond most other people. Blood magic is surprisingly adaptive and useful in many different ways."

"Don't care! I felt great and that is that." Danica just shrugged, a pleased smile on her face as she saw the almost desperate Igdan and annoyed Reika.

"Sister please!" cried out Igdan. "Let you brother eat in peace. Don't traumatize me any further." he shrugged, unpleasant expression on his face. No doubt Danica's expressive words and gestures had conjured some images in Igdans mind, and the poor man wanted to delete said images from his mind and memories both, having tainted his eyes. Their upbringing was even more strict and conservative as he might have thought. Not that Rex could blame him. Incest was only wincest as long as it was not your own family after all.

Rex was the gentlemen, steering the conversation in a different direction, asking Swei how the girls, and more importantly, the women, were doing, receiving the same report. And while it would be hard, most likely even impossible, for the poor women to return to their past selves, with time, they might be able to recover somewhat. Rex had done a good job to set up the foundation, both Swei and the other woman retelling the other victims the karma their abusers experienced. Swei noted that there was some reaction, the slightest smiles showing on some faces.

And as discussed with Danica in the bath, Rex expressed his desire to travel with them until they reach their home, ensuring their safe return as well as stating his interest in these giant swallows Danica mentioned. From her words, these humongous birds might be just the thing to solve his current issue. Igdan of course agreed, more than welcoming Rex's presence, internally happy he could bring Danica's man back home to present to his parents. 'Another bullet dodged' he sighed, instantly getting teased for exactly the same reason. Danica was indeed observant, especially so when it came to her own brother,thus, the teasing and constant jokes ensued, as it should be among two siblings.

Day after day was spent quite relaxedly, with all three adventurers keeping their ear out for any information on the fate of the slavers, who had been taken away by Evelysandra, and their backers. And, the princess was actually doing as promised, just days later news of the slavers being tried and publicly executed spreading like wildfire. As well as some rumors about the unfortunate demise of some of said slavers during interrogation, sadly before they managed to spill any real information on the one, or many, behind the entire operation.

"Well, well, well." sighed Rex as he heard that particular piece of information. "Seems our royal friend has some loyalty problems in her retinue."

"Sigh. Did you expect anything else? The shady and greedy nobles will always exploit those with good hearts and pure intentions. It is a tale as old as civilization. One of the oldest tales that is shared among cultures is of the Veziran the mighty and the betrayal of Venko the schemer." commented Igdan, and noticing Rex questioning look, sighed again "I will ask one of the storytellers back at the tribe to recount it for you. They will do it much more justice than I ever could."

"Not really. Was expecting the leak to be slower though. Means the informants are high enough. That should keep her quite busy for the foreseeable future." Rex replied, a light smile on his face.

"And pray tell me, brother in law, why are you smiling."

"Is it not obvious? If Evelysandra is busy with her own issues, she will have no time to come and bother us, now will she? And by the time she could do so, we will already be on the way back to your tribe. Returning to the previous topic. Think the ladies will want to witness the executions? Or should I just go and witness myself, making sure rapists are all executed at the very least?"

"I will send Rin with you. She is much better, and I heard her whisper she would like to see their ends. And she would feel safe by your side. That is something she had been retelling to the others. How you were taking revenge on them for their suffering and pain. You have quite the admirer, even if she barely shows it." Swei replied a moment of careful thought later.

"So long as she gets better and does not develop an overly unhealthy obsession, I don't mind."

While waiting for the executions date, Rex spent quite a bit of time together with Danica. They either explored the city, leaving Igdan holding down the fort, trained, sharpening Danica's skills and combat style or just had fun, either just the two of them, late at night or some family friendly games, involving the teenagers who were somewhat bored, though fearful enough not to wander or sneak outside on their own. One kidnapping and traumatic experience was enough for them to know better. Luckily enough for them, in just a few more days they could leave this cursed place behind, at least as far as they were concerned.

Another particularly important thing Rex did, being the paranoid and overly protective person, so long it concerned his family, he cast a blank brand on Danica, marking her soul, ensuring she could never be enslaved using similar methods, if those existed on this plane. Then she could feel Rex at all times, the general direction he was in and his overall health condition, should she concentrate on their connection. And when in such deep state, she could also feel his possessiveness and overprotectiveness he now felt towards her. There was nothing she could classify as love or anything, but she was well aware that she too was the same.

The execution itself was a rather morbid, if quite the boring event in and of itself. A proper, black hooded fellow took his sweet time to behead each and every of the accused. The people cheered with each descent of the axe, one less criminal who could threaten their own families, or those of friends and acquaintances, walking the streets of their cities, constantly looking for a new victim to their vile schemes and plots. That was one of the few avenues Rex had to tip his hat towards the royal family. The sentiment that slavery would devalue the life of every citizen of the country, damaging its foundations in the process was deeply ingrained in the common folk, though it had little effect on the nobility, even if outwardly they had to show a similar stance as that of the royal family. Yet, the power balance, while delicate and somewhat even, was skewed in the favour of the royals, maintaining the status quo.

At the very least Rin was smiling now, the deaths of her tormentors releasing some amount of her pain. And while not curing her entirely, something Rex doubted could truly be done, she came out of the ordeal in a much better state. And with such a victory, once the execution was done, Rex led Rin towards the docks once again, their ship having already arrived early in the morning and getting restocked and prepared for a return trip. Numerous sailors on the ship exclaimed in relief, seeing the teenagers returned safe and sound. There was the slightest pause once Rex and Rin appeared, quite a few glares directed in his direction. Said glares rose in quantity once Rex, in no uncertain terms, warned the sailors to stay away from Danica. She was his after all.