Chapter 45
“Nina—Nina, where are you?” Mino shouted anxiously, panic written all over his face as he scanned the area.
Following Nina’s scent, he soon found Aji bound to a tree.
Mino rushed over and demanded, “Where’s Nina? Where did Nina go p>
“She was taken by Sano,” Aji said in guilt. “It’s my fault—I didn’t protect her p>
Mino had no time to blame Aji. He shattered the restraints with his ability. “Which way did they go p>
Aji pointed in a direction. “That way. They haven’t been gone long. If we hurry, we might still catch them p>
Mino immediately transformed into his beast form and sprinted off in that direction. Despite his injuries, Aji followed close behind.
Sal returned to the stone house just one second after Mino left.
Seeing the chaos strewn everywhere, his heart lurched.
He searched frantically through several rooms but found no sign of Nina. His heart sank straight to the bottom.
Black mist seeped from his body, violent fury surging in his chest.
Who was it? Who dared take his little female?
Following the scent, he spotted Mino and Aji ahead and chased after them without a second thought.
Nina had been carried in Sano’s jaws for a long time. The violent jolting from the high-speed run made her feel miserable. She didn’t know where Sano was taking her—only that they’d been running along a great river.
“Stop running… I really can’t take it anymore,” Nina said weakly.
Sano didn’t want to stop. He wanted to put as much distance between them as possible for safety. But seeing that Nina truly looked unable to endure it, he reluctantly set her down on a patch of flat ground.
The moment her feet touched the ground, Nina retched uncontrollably.
Sano frowned. Females were so delicate—she’d only run for a short while and already couldn’t handle it.
Still, everything had gone fairly smoothly. Though Aji and the others had delayed him a bit, Dora’s beast-husbands had helped draw away the tribe’s warriors. He’d left the tribe without resistance, encountered no obstacles along the way, and was now getting closer and closer to his chosen hideout.
Once they reached it, they’d be completely safe. Mino would never find them.
Sano shifted into human form and looked at Nina—and his gaze instantly fixed on her exposed shoulder, smooth and pale. His breath hitched, dark eyes igniting with heat.
Earlier, when he’d set Nina down, part of her clothing had caught on his teeth. Beast teeth were razor-sharp, and when she landed, a patch of fabric at her shoulder tore easily.
The tear revealed a curve of snowy-white skin, making Nina look even more alluring.
His voice went hoarse. “Are you alright p>
Nina patted her chest, trying to steady her breathing. “I feel awful. I need to rest p>
She truly felt terrible—dizzy, nauseous, and weak.
But her real goal was to stall for time. She’d left signals for Mino along the way. She didn’t know if he’d returned yet, or whether he’d noticed them.
She couldn’t rely on Mino alone. She had to find a way to save herself.
Nina quietly asked Little Bun in her mind, “Little Bun, is there anything in the shop that can deal with this beastman p>
[Host, at your current level, for escape there’s only a pair of speed shoes. For attacks, you can only purchase weapons like a handgun or a tranquilizer gun. With my maximum authorization, I can help you buy a higher-tier item—a stealth cloak.] Little Bun replied.
“Then I’ll buy a tranquilizer gun, the speed shoes, and the stealth cloak p>
Nina thought the tranquilizer gun might completely immobilize Sano.
[Alright. The items have been placed in your inventory. Please be careful, Host p>
After receiving the items, Nina silently planned her escape. She didn’t notice the change in Sano’s expression.
Sano moved closer, inhaling deeply the natural fragrance around Nina. A look of intoxication spread across his face as desire surged violently within him.
Sensing his approach, Nina scooted backward.
Sano crouched down, leaning even closer, his voice thick with craving. “Nina—mate with me p>
Nina was startled and scrambled backward.
What the hell? What was wrong with him?
She never imagined Sano would suddenly make such a twisted demand.
“N-no, I can’t. I’m pregnant—I can’t mate,” Nina said, forcing herself to stay calm while panic roared inside her.
“It doesn’t matter,” Sano said casually. “If something happens to the cub, so be it. We can just have another one later p>
Nina inwardly cursed him. What kind of trash-tier male said something like that? It shattered her worldview.
“No. If something happens to the cub, my body could be damaged too. I might never be able to have cubs again,” Nina refused again.
Sano hesitated for a moment. What male didn’t want offspring of his own?
But the surging desire overwhelmed his reason. After a brief pause, he hardened his heart. “Then so be it. If you can’t have cubs, we won’t have any p>
“Sano, is this what you call liking someone? You don’t even care about my body,” Nina snapped angrily.
“Nina, I really want to mate with you right now. I can’t hold back. Just agree. I’ll help you recover afterward—I’m strong. I can hunt green crystals or higher-grade beast crystals to nourish your body p>
He pressed closer.
“No! I won’t agree. Losing a cub is very painful,” Nina said, fear creeping into her voice.
“It’ll be over quickly. I’ll find a shaman healer for you afterward,” Sano said, reaching toward her.
Nina seethed. Damn it—you absolute scumbag.
“No! Don’t come any closer. Males are not allowed to force females,” she said, backing away again.
“Nina, be good. You have to mate with me today.” Sano grabbed her ankle, his attitude turning forceful. “Don’t make me use force—or it’ll hurt even more p>
Seeing that he still wouldn’t stop, Nina felt cornered. She yanked her leg back hard. “Get away from me. I don’t want to mate with you p>
She pulled a small knife from her system inventory and pressed it to her own neck. “If you dare force me, I’ll kill myself p>
Sano was shocked. He had no idea where Nina had gotten such a blade—it was as sharp as the weapons formed by his own ability.
He released her ankle and took a step back. “Nina, put the knife down. That thing is dangerous p>
“Then stay away from me,” Nina said.
Sano stood up and retreated another two steps.
Nina didn’t lower the knife. She slowly got to her feet, carefully backing away.
Sano’s eyes hardened. Without warning, he flicked a small round projectile that struck her wrist precisely.
Pain shot through her arm. Nina lost her grip, and the knife fell to the ground.
Sano seized the moment and lunged to restrain her. Nina pulled out the tranquilizer gun and fired.
The dart hit Sano’s body—but didn’t penetrate at all. His body was like solid iron, the dart bouncing harmlessly away.
Nina froze in disbelief.
It didn’t even go in?
What was she supposed to do now?