Chapter 64
When Sal saw Mino and Yanai burst into the room, displeasure flickered across his face.
“My name is Sal,” he said coolly. “I am Nina’s future mate—and the biological father of the babies p>
Mino stiffened at once. A trace of jealousy flashed through his eyes as he turned to Nina.
“Nina… is what he said true p>
Nina was completely stunned.
What? He’s the babies’ father? Really?
How was she supposed to answer that? She didn’t even know who the babies’ father was!
Could it really be the man standing below her bed?
After a long, conflicted pause, she said honestly, “I don’t know who the babies’ father is. I was drugged that night. I wasn’t conscious p>
The three males stared at her in shock. A moment later, rage flared in Mino’s gaze. He pointed at Sal. “Was it him? Did he drug you p>
“No. It was a female,” Nina replied quietly.
She did not mention her sister. From the moment that happened, that family had ceased to exist for her.
“And that same female forced you to end up here alone?” Mino asked, his voice tight with concern.
Nina nodded. “Yes p>
“That’s vicious,” Yanai muttered darkly.
Mino’s jaw clenched.
Sal lowered his eyes.
So that night… she had been drugged.
He had once assumed she had deliberately seduced him with some hidden scheme. But now he understood—she had been the true victim. Betrayed. Abandoned. Left to wander alone in this savage land.
A dull ache spread through his chest.
Then his gaze sharpened.
As for the poisonous female who had harmed Nina—he would make sure she paid dearly.
Nina glanced at Sal, then quickly looked away.
“Um… could you put some clothes on first p>
Only then did Mino and Yanai realize Sal was completely naked.
Yanai pulled a beast-hide skirt from his storage space and tossed it over. “You exhibitionist. Walking around like that in front of Nina p>
Sal flicked it aside in disdain. “I have my own p>
With a body like his, why would he hide it? If not for these two nuisances, he and Nina would already be having an honest, intimate conversation through the night.
He retrieved his own hide skirt and tied it around his waist.
“I’m dressed now, Nina p>
Nina forced herself to meet his eyes. “Are you really the babies’ father? Do you have any proof p>
“I don’t have definitive proof. Our tribe doesn’t have bloodline resonance,” Sal replied. “But I remember you p>
He didn’t mention where. That place, if revealed, might put Nina at risk. He did not trust Mino or Yanai—not yet—and he would not allow Nina to be harmed again.
Nina frowned slightly. “Then I can’t believe you for now. We’ll know after the babies hatch. By the way… what’s your beast form p>
Even if he was telling the truth, she couldn’t be sure. That night had been hazy—and it hadn’t felt like there was only one p>
But once the babies hatched, it should become clearer.
Sal transformed.
A small leopard stood where the man had been.
Nina froze.
That familiar little face. Those familiar markings.
Th-that was Little Flower.
Her vision swam.
She turned instinctively toward the cat nest.
Empty.
She scanned the room.
No Little Flower anywhere.
Which meant… The man in front of her really was her sweet, adorable little cat.
Her mind went blank.
She had bathed him. Kissed him. Hugged him to sleep.
No. No no no.
This couldn’t be real.
Her voice trembled. “You’re… Little Flower p>
Sal shifted back into human form and crouched beside the bed, tilting his head up at her with a roguish smile.
“Yes, my little master p>
The confirmation hit like a thunderbolt.
Nina wanted to cry.
Her sweet little kitty was gone.
“I… I need you all to leave,” she said faintly. “I want to be alone p>
Seeing her distressed expression, Sal panicked.
“Nina, I didn’t mean to hide it from you! I was injured—I couldn’t return to human form. At first, I had no choice but to conceal it. Later… I thought I would tell you properly once I recovered p>
He looked at her carefully. “Please don’t be angry p>
“Got it. Just… leave for now p>
Especially him.
Mino, still simmering with anger, grabbed Sal’s arm. “Come on. Don’t disturb Nina p>
He had never imagined that “that filthy little cat” had been a male—and had deceived him all along.
Sal cast one last glance at Nina before lowering his head and walking out.
That night, Nina slept poorly.
The next morning, she found Sal standing outside her door.
“Nina, you’re awake p>
She nodded but didn’t answer, heading straight for the washroom.
Sal’s heart tightened. She really was angry.
He hurried after her. “Nina, I was wrong. I should’ve told you sooner. Punish me however you want—just don’t ignore me p>
After a restless night, Nina’s anger had dulled, but it hadn’t disappeared.
“I don’t want to talk to you right now p>
Beast forms could speak. He had been lying to her all along.
She washed in silence while Sal hovered nearby, filled with regret and unease.
She ignored him the entire day.
The next morning, Nina stepped outside and froze.
At the doorway lay a bed of small stones layered thick with thorny brambles. A barbed vine whip rested beside it. So did a wooden staff as thick as a forearm.
Sal knelt on the thorns. “Nina. Punish me. Just don’t ignore me p>
She said nothing and went to wash.
He remained there all day.
The second morning, he was still kneeling—face paler, eyes slightly hollow.
Nina still said nothing, only asked Mino to give him some food.
On the third day, she finally spoke. “Get up. Stop kneeling p>
“Nina… have you forgiven me p>
“No p>
“Then I’ll keep kneeling until you do p>
She frowned. “You’re blocking the doorway p>
“I’ll move.” He shuffled slightly aside.
Nina sighed helplessly. “Just get up. I’m not that angry anymore p>
“Then hit me. Vent your anger. Being angry isn’t good for you p>
He offered her the vine whip. Nina took it… but didn’t swing.
After a long pause, she threw it aside. “Come eat p>
Sal pushed himself up slowly, leaning on the wooden staff as he limped to the table.
Mino and Yanai watched silently.
Serves him right.
Meanwhile, news had reached Chief Tali.
After hearing the report, his expression darkened. So the celestial anomaly that night likely had been caused by Nina.
He had to test her again.
Two peaceful days passed.
One evening, while they were eating dinner inside the stone house, a sharp sound suddenly rang out from the bed.
Crack.
They turned in unison.
One of the eggs had developed a visible fracture across its shell.