Chapter 24: Framework 2

Elania’s brow furrowed in thought. “We need to find a way to make him comfortable. Maybe some raw meat will help.”

She called out to one of the cultists, requesting a plate of cat food. The darkwalker’s ears perked up.

Elania and Yolani settled onto the plush couch, watching as the darkwalker explored his new surroundings. He sniffed at the furniture and then pawed it, his claws leaving no scratches on the polished wood.

“Looks like the reinforcement worked,” Elania mumbled.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway, and the darkwalker’s head snapped up, his nostrils flaring. A low growl rumbled in his throat as the cultist entered the room, a plate of raw meat in their hands.

Elania stood up, taking the plate from the cultist with a grateful smile. She placed it in the middle of the room, the scent of fresh blood filling the air.

The darkwalker’s eyes fixed on the meat, his muscles coiled and ready to spring… but then his eyes flicked to her and Yolani, and he stopped.

Elania watched as he started to prowl around the room, agitation palpable.

He finally paused and moved to sniff the plate again, eyes gleaming with hunger. He didn’t eat, though. Instead, his eyes unmistakably flicked toward Yolani, and a hostile hiss escaped his throat.

Instinctively, Elania hissed back, the sound sharp and guttural.

Yolani raised an eyebrow. “I don’t think that’s going to help, love.”

Elania felt a blush creep up her cheeks, her skin warming with embarrassment. “I couldn’t help it,” she mumbled, ducking her head.

Yolani’s expression turned thoughtful, her green eyes studying the darkwalker. “What about your transformation ability?” she asked curiously. “Maybe you could transform into a darkwalker yourself, make him feel more at ease?”

Elania blinked, surprise flashing across her face. “I’ve been afraid to use it at all,” she admitted. “I’m not sure how it would interact with my demi-divine status.”

Yolani nodded. “I think your demi-divine status would be permanent, regardless of any transformations.”

Elania considered. “Maybe we could ask Eziel.”

She reached behind her, pulling the sword from her back. With a shake, she roused the weapon from its slumber.

[Your transformation ability won’t affect your demi-divine status as long as the concept seed is within you.]

Elania opened her mouth to ask about the “concept seed,” but before she could speak, the glow around the sword disappeared. She shook it again, but Eziel remained stubbornly silent. Well, the interaction proved he was paying attention and listening to them, at least.

“He’s a troublesome Magic 8-Ball now,” Elania grumbled, a wry smile tugging at her lips.

Yolani blinked, confusion etched on her face. “What’s that?”

Elania laughed, the sound bright and carefree. “A toy that gives meaningless advice.”

She stood up, stretching her arms above her head, then moved to lock the door to the room.

The latch clicked into place with a soft finality.

She glanced over her shoulder, her gaze meeting Yolani’s. A silent understanding passed between them, and Yolani nodded, her fingers arriving to work at the clasps of Elania’s gear.

The darkwalker watched from the other side of the room, his yellow eyes tracking their every move. He prowled back and forth, sharp claws clicking against the polished floor.

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Elania shrugged out of her jacket, the heavy fabric pooling at her feet. Yolani’s hands were gentle as she helped her disrobe, her touch lingering on Elania’s skin. Elania closed her eyes, focusing on the warmth of Yolani’s presence.

Then she reached inward, seeking the core of her being and calling on [Soul Management].

Her [Darkwalker Essence] was there, nestled deep within her. It had been neglected, overshadowed by the surge of [Human Essence] and [Divine Essence] that had flooded her system in recent weeks.

The [Darkwalker Essence] was low, less than twenty percent. She had never tried to transform on purpose into something with low essence, and for a moment, nothing happened.

Yolani’s voice broke through her concentration. “Are you alright, love?”

Elania mumbled a response, her eyes still closed. “I’m fine. Just... if I lose myself, remind me why I should transform back, okay?”

Yolani’s hand squeezed hers, a silent promise. Elania took a deep breath, centering herself. She reached for the [Darkwalker Essence], willing it to respond to her call.

Something clicked into place.

A rush of energy surged through her, and Elania felt her body begin to change. Her skin rippled, fur sprouting from every pore; bones shifted, realigning themselves into a new configuration.

Thankfully, it didn’t hurt.

A cloud of essence swirled around her, obscuring her form. Elania could feel the power of the transformation, the raw energy coursing through her veins. It was intoxicating, a heady rush that threatened to overwhelm her.

Her senses sharpened, the world around her shifting into a kaleidoscope of scents and sounds. Darkwalker instincts surged through her, primal and powerful.

A low growl rumbled in her throat, and she shook her head, trying to clear the fog clouding her mind.

Yolani’s hand brushed against her fur, gentle and familiar. Elania leaned into it, nuzzling against her lifemate’s palm, the contact grounding her in the moment.

She turned her attention to the young male darkwalker, his scent thick with fear.

He was small, barely half her size, and she could see the tension coiled in his muscles as he watched her warily.

A memory flickered in the back of her mind: a flash of blood and bone. She had devoured his parents, a fact that struck her as odd.

She prowled back and forth. The male hissed, backing away from her, his yellow eyes wide with terror. She sat down, her tail curling around her paws, and waited, watching him with a predator’s patience.

He growled at her, the sound high-pitched and uncertain. Her gaze flicked to the plate of raw meat, the scent of blood making her mouth water.

She padded over to it, tearing into the flesh with her sharp teeth. It was tasty, but not as satisfying as the fresh ralfot she remembered hunting in the depths of Neftasu.

The male watched her eat, tracking every movement. Elania could sense his hunger, the way his body tensed as she devoured the meat. She pushed the plate towards him with her nose, a silent invitation.

He hesitated, his gaze darting between her and the food. She moved away, halfway between the plate and Yolani.

Then she waited, still and relaxed, her eyes fixed on his. Slowly, cautiously, he crept forward, his nose twitching as he sniffed at the meat.

She watched as he tore into the flesh, his movements quick and furtive, as if he expected her to snatch the food away at any moment. She remained still, letting him eat his fill, a strange sense of protectiveness welling up inside her.

When he was done eating, and there was nothing left, the young male darkwalker growled, his yellow eyes flashing at her.

She let out a growl of her own, the sound rumbling deep in her chest. She turned away from him, her tail flicking dismissively as she decided to ignore his posturing.

The air shifted behind her, and Elania’s instincts screamed a warning. She whirled around, her body moving with a speed and grace that belied her size. The male pounced, his claws outstretched and teeth bared in a snarl.

She met him head-on, her paw lashing out to bat him aside. The blow connected with a solid thud, sending him tumbling to the floor. He hissed, his body twisting as he tried to regain his footing.

But she was faster. She pounced, her weight pinning him to the ground. He struggled beneath her, his claws scrambling against the polished wood, jaws snapping at empty air.

She leaned in, her muzzle brushing against his cheek. The male froze, his eyes wide with surprise. She rubbed her scent on him, marking him as hers. Then, with a quick motion, she bit down on the scruff of his neck, her teeth sinking into his fur.

The male went still, his body going limp beneath her. Elania held him there for a moment, her growl vibrating through his skin. When she was satisfied that he had submitted, she released him, stepping back to give him space.

She turned her attention to Yolani, who had been watching the exchange from her seat on the couch. Elania padded over to her lifemate, her body moving with a fluid grace.

She jumped up onto the couch, settling her head and paws on Yolani’s lap.

Yolani’s fingers sank into fur, scratching behind her ears in just the way she liked. Elania closed her eyes, a contented rumble building in her chest. She could feel the warmth of Yolani’s body beneath her, the steady beat of her heart.

From the corner of her eye, Elania watched as the young male darkwalker picked himself up off the floor. He shook himself, his fur standing on end. But he made no move to challenge her again, his gaze wary as he watched her from a distance.

Elania let out a soft huff, her tail thumping against the couch cushions. She knew that there was still a long way to go before the male would truly accept them. It was not normal for more than a mated pair to work in a pack.

But it wasn’t impossible, either.