"Hm… Eldest, I think you've had enough," Ethan said softly as he cradled baby Leo. "You've already finished four bottles, and you're still hungry?"
Worried about upsetting the baby's stomach, he moved to pull the bottle away, but Leo's forehead scrunched up immediately.
Tears welled in his eyes, expressing his total disagreement with his father's decision.
"Alright, alright," Ethan sighed helplessly. "Stop looking at Daddy like I'm bullying you. I'm only doing this for your own good."
Satisfied, baby Leo resumed drinking with clear triumph. His big blue eyes remained locked on his father's face, as if he were memorizing every feature.
Three weeks had passed since Ethan defeated the mutated rat. During that time, countless matters demanded his attention.
Mutated beasts were appearing more frequently, and tensions among the surviving orders were steadily reaching a breaking point.
