The next morning, Zavrion sat in his classroom, trying to focus, when a few girls leaned closer and teased him.
"Oh ho! Boyfriend? That's so sweet. But then… what about us?" one girl said with a playful pout.
Zavrion frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"
The girls giggled. "We're still single. We thought maybe we'd get a chance to date you someday…"
Zavrion suddenly burst out laughing, clutching his stomach. "What? All of you together?"
The girls blushed red. "We were just… teasing. Don't take it seriously."
Zavrion shook his head, still grinning. "Listen, I'm very serious about my boyfriend. Don't joke like that."
The girls sighed dramatically, "Oh ho, fine! Lucky Kenny then…" And as they whispered among themselves, the teacher entered. Everyone rushed back to their seats, faces burning with embarrassment.
The teacher announced the upcoming exams, and Zavrion straightened in his chair. I have to study hard… I need a good job in the future. Only then can I give Kenny the life he deserves.
Even as he thought that, a shy smile crept onto his lips. He couldn't stop remembering Kenny.
Meanwhile, Kenny, far away, was lost in last night's memories. His cheeks warmed, and a small laugh escaped him.
Kin walked in, catching Kenny's expression. "Hmm… what's this? You look just like my son when he's in love. Should I arrange your engagement quickly? I don't trust him alone with you…"
Kenny's face turned crimson. He fumbled for words, but Kin only chuckled, clearly enjoying the tease.
At home, Vixen was still weak from his recent fever. Kin personally stayed beside him, helping with food and medicine. Hours slipped away, and by evening, Zavrion finally returned home.
Both Kin and Kenny asked why he was late. Zavrion hesitated. "Oh… exams are near. I went to the library to study."
But the truth was different.
That afternoon, when he was cycling home through the forest, he had seen a strange black smoke drifting ahead. At first, he ignored it. But suddenly, a shadow leapt onto his shoulder, throwing him off balance. He almost fell, but managed to steady himself and release his Enigma pheromones. Instantly, the shadow vanished.
Breathing hard, Zavrion saw something move deeper in the forest. Creeping closer, he noticed figures carrying what looked like lifeless human bodies. His heart pounded. What are they doing?
He followed, careful but curious. For a long time, he observed them. But then, the sound of his foot snapping a twig gave him away. The figures turned, rushing toward him.
Zavrion reacted fast, unleashing his enigma pheromones again. The attackers collapsed unconscious. Quickly, he looked around the place. Skulls, painted bones, animal remains, strange voodoo dolls hung from branches—an entire shrine of horrors. He snapped photos before leaving, but told no one at home.
Back at evening time, Kin noticed Zavrion's tired face. "Go wash up. Eat first, then study with Kenny."
Kenny and Zavrion exchanged small secret smiles, which didn't escape Kin's sharp eyes. He smirked too.
Later that night, the two sat together. But Zavrion's attention kept drifting. He kept staring at Kenny.
"Focus," Kenny scolded softly. "You'll see me at night anyway. Right now, study. You need to do well—because I'm the one teaching you. Don't embarrass me."
Zavrion grinned. "Yes, Master." With that, he finally concentrated.
When dinner ended, Vixen came out of his room, looking a little stronger.
"Are you alright now, Father?" Zavrion asked gently.
"I'm getting better," Vixen said with a faint smile. "And now that I'm retired from work, I can finally stay with you all."
The family ate together, laughter mixing with warmth, before heading to bed.
That night, Zavrion lay beside Kenny. "If I score well this time… what will you give me?"
Kenny raised a brow. "What do you want?"
"I want you… for life."
Kenny chuckled nervously. "That's too much. Ask for something else."
"No," Zavrion said firmly. "Don't you want us to be together forever? You can't choose anyone else. Only me."
Kenny looked away, flustered. "Fine… I'll think about it."
Zavrion's voice grew low, almost hurt. "Why do you always take me for granted? Don't you see how serious I am? You don't know how much it hurts when you push me away."
Kenny's heart clenched. He cupped Zavrion's face. "I want you too. I love you."
Joy burst across Zavrion's face. But then Kenny whispered, "Still… look at the difference in our ages…"
Zavrion groaned, irritated. "Not this again. Enough! I'll sleep on the floor."
"No!" Kenny caught his wrist. "If you sleep on the floor, then I'll sleep with you there."
Zavrion didn't argue further, lying quietly on the bed. Kenny thought he had fallen asleep. So softly, almost like a confession, Kenny whispered, "I don't want to lose you. I love you so much, Zav. I want to marry you."
Zavrion, eyes shut, listened with his heart thundering. Kenny leaned closer, wrapped his arms around him, and placed a tender kiss on his back.
Suddenly Zavrion opened his eyes. "So you admit it? You weren't asleep either?"
Kenny blushed furiously.
Zavrion smiled. "Let me finish my studies. Then I'll marry you."
Kenny only nodded shyly. That night, their lips found each other again, passion rising as the room filled with quiet whispers and warmth.
But not everyone was at peace.
At midnight, Vixen awoke, thirsty. Half-asleep, he reached for the water jug near the night lamp—but his fingers met only air. Irritated, he sat up… and froze.
By the lamp's dim glow, a tall shadow stood right beside Kin's bed.
Vixen's chest tightened with fear. He released his Alpha pheromones, but nothing happened. His skin prickled. "Kin…" he whispered, shaking him.
Kin didn't move.
"Kin!" Vixen shook him harder. Slowly, Kin turned—his face twisted in a grotesque smile, eyes pitch black, gleaming in the weak light.
Vixen's breath caught. His pheromones did nothing. His hands trembled as he tried to run toward the door. But suddenly, the door creaked open on its own.
Stumbling into the hallway, he found not one but seven shadowy figures waiting. They began chanting in a demonic tongue. Vixen opened his mouth to scream—but no sound came. His throat locked, his body frozen.
One of the shadows raised a hand, pressing it over his head. Dark energy poured into him, a cursed spell burning through his veins.
And then—Vixen jolted awake.
He sat up, drenched in sweat, gasping. Kin, Zavrion, and Kenny were all beside him, their faces etched with worry.
"Are you okay?" Kin asked softly.
Vixen's voice shook. "I… I thought it was real. I thought you were possessed."
Zavrion touched his shoulder. "You slept for fourteen hours. And in that time, you almost strangled Daddy Kin in your sleep. If he hadn't shouted, I would've never realized."
Kin's expression hardened. "We can't wait any longer. We're going to the monastery. Now. Everyone, get ready."
By late afternoon, the family was on their way toward the Zemura monastery, dread and determination heavy in the air.
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