Looking into Kevin's eyes, Genia said softly, "Not now. But I think I need some more time to find the answer."
Kevin held her hand. His grip was strong, but there was a strange yearning in it. He said, "I'm running out of patience, Genia. Remember, I won't let you be anyone else's."
Smiling, Genia gently released his hand and said, "Be patient, Kevin. What you get after waiting is even more precious."
Kevin stared at her while Genia headed for her room.
All that resonated in her mind was the map of Alex's territory and the warning of those four beast-birds. Reaching her room, she looked out the window. Far away, behind the hills, lay Alex's territory—mysterious, quiet, and dangerous.
"Gia's message," she repeated. "Come what may, I must find that message."
Just then, she heard a faint chirp at her window. A blue bird landed, dropped a small blue feather, and then vanished into the darkness. It was a sign.
Genia squeezed the feather in her palm. The moonlight from the window of the room fell on Genia's face, but there was no sign of sleep in her eyes. She lay on the bed, but her body was restlessly aching. Her long, white rabbit ears fluttered repeatedly, a testimony to the turmoil raging inside her mind.
On one side was the warning from those four mysterious birds. On the other was Gia's message—the key that could end the hatred of this entire clan. That message was in Alex's territory. But the boundaries of that territory were as strong as the walls of a fortress.
"What if I sneak out and get caught?" Genia whispered to herself. "Alex will think I'm a spy. And if Kevin gets wind of it... he'll take the whole jungle by storm."
She turned over. Her memory flashed to Kevin's burning golden eyes, filled with a mad passion for her. Then she remembered Alex—that silence, that pause, and those deep eyes that spoke volumes without saying a word.
Genia heaved a long sigh. She felt as if she were tied to something she couldn't understand. Was it just the magic of this world, or was something truly brewing in her heart for these two?
"I can't make them fight anymore," she said firmly, sitting up abruptly. "If I'm to get into Alex's territory, and if I'm to keep Kevin's trust, I have to do something that will change all of this."
The next morning, as the first rays of the sun touched the palaces of the Black Tiger Clan, Genia made a bold move. She had her servants call both Alex and Kevin to her room together.
When Kevin entered the room, his gait was still predatory. She looked at Alex, who stood calmly just behind him. There was an invisible tension in the air between them, like the silence before two storms collide.
"You called us together, Genia?" Kevin asked, stepping towards her. There was authority in his voice, but the same yearning in his eyes. "I hope your decision will be in my favour."
Alex said nothing. He watched Genia with his deep, steady gaze, as if trying to read her mind from every movement on her face.
Genia took a deep breath and placed her hands on her waist. She looked them both in the eye.
"I know what you both want," Genia's voice echoed. "And I also know that you two can't stand each other. But I don't want to be a part of this hatred.
Kevin's eyebrows shot up. He said, "Hate? It's not hate, Genia. It's possessiveness. You're my mate, and I'm in no mood to share you."
Alex broke his silence for the first time. His voice was cool and velvety. "Possessiveness comes from understanding, not passion, Kevin. Genia needs a partner who understands her, not one who imprisons her."
"Imprisoned?" Kevin roared. "You're going to teach me what love is, Alex?"
"Stop it, both of you!" Genia's voice silenced the room. She stepped closer to them. Her small frame was insignificant compared to those massive Tiger-Men, but her confidence was astonishing.
"I thought a lot," Genia said slowly, her voice softer now. "I thought that if I chose one, the other would break. Or a war would break out between you two that this clan would never forget. And the truth is... I don't want to lose either of you."
Kevin and Alex both froze. They looked at each other and then at Genia.
"What do you mean?" Kevin asked, confused.
Genia didn't look away. She replied simply, "I decide that I will make both of you my mates. Yes, both of you."
The room fell silent, so quiet that even the ticking of the clock sounded like hammering. Kevin's mouth fell open, while Alex's steady eyes widened in surprise for the first time.
"Is… is that true?" Kevin asked, stammering. "You… are you going to divide yourself between us? Me and Alex?"
"I'm not dividing myself between you two, Kevin," Genia said, looking into his eyes. "I'm accepting you both together. If fate has brought you together, there's probably a greater purpose. Alex's calmness soothes me, and Kevin, your playfulness and passion make me feel alive. I can't choose between you two because you both have become a part of my life."
Alex bowed his head, a strange conflict on his face. He said, "Genia, this is not possible. How can we share the same female? It is against our pride."
He knew that in the Beast world, a female had the right to choose from a wide range of males, but he still couldn't share the girl he liked with anyone. Even if it was his own brother.
"Pride?" Genia gave a sarcastic smile. "What pride are you talking about? The pride that makes you enemies instead of brothers? If you really love me, is my happiness less important than your ego?"
Kevin, who had been stunned until now, suddenly became angry. He said, "No! This is impossible! I can't accept this! I love you, Genia, but I can't share you with Alex. Even though we're brothers, I still can't share you with Alex!"
Alex hardened his voice and said, "I agree. The very idea is strange. I consider Kevin my brother, but when it comes to you, Genia, my instincts don't allow me to compromise with anyone."
In an instant, the calmness turned to tension again. Kevin took a step toward Alex, his fingers curling into claws.
"Then it's settled," Kevin growled. "You give up, Alex. Genia is mine."
"It's not in my nature to give up," Alex said, his voice colder.
A deadly glint flashed in his eyes. The two of them began their usual confrontation again. They shouted, hurled accusations at each other, and the energy radiating from their bodies shook the walls of the room.
Genia stood watching. She raised one eyebrow. There was no emotion on her face now, but only a deep irritation.
"You two have crossed all limits," Genia said coldly. But they were so engrossed in their fight that they didn't hear.
"This is really too much!" Genia yelled, louder this time.
Seeing Genia yell, both brothers suddenly stopped and looked at her. There was a hardness on Genia's face that they had never seen before.
"I made this difficult decision to stop this nasty fight between you two," Genia said, crossing her arms. "I talked about putting my rules aside and accepting you both, so you could be brothers and live just like before. And you two? You're doing it again! You're fighting again!"
Kevin tried to say something, "Genia, you understand…"
"No, you understand now!" Genia interrupted him and continued, "If you two are so arrogant that you can't stand each other, then I don't need you either. Therefore, I'm changing my decision!"
These words were like a bolt of lightning. Kevin and Alex's faces turned pale. Only one thought crossed their minds—if Genia changed her mind, she might not choose anyone. Or worse, she would leave them. Then, seeing her beauty, any Beast would want to be her mate. Or maybe James and Rexon would want to be Aditi's mate after seeing her. So, it's better to accept Genia's decision silently.
Before Genia could leave the room, a scene unfolded that no one had imagined. Kevin and Alex, ready to drink each other's blood, suddenly lunged at each other. But this time, not to attack. They embraced each other so tightly that their bodies collided. However, anyone looking at them could easily tell whether they were truly embracing or just pretending.
"Oh no! Genia, stop!" Kevin shouted, tightening his grip on Alex's back. "Don't change your decision! Please!"
Alex, who always maintained his dignity, also held Kevin tightly and said, "Genia, we... we agree with your decision! We absolutely agree! We will never fight again. We will be the best brothers in the world!"
Genia stood there, watching them. She noticed a fake smile on Kevin's face and a strange helplessness in Alex's eyes.
Kevin whispered in Alex's ear, "As soon as she becomes my mate, I will break your bones."
Alex replied in the same low voice, "Try it, little brother. I've already dug your grave."
But as soon as they looked at Genia, their faces transformed back into masks of 'love and brotherhood.'
"Look, Genia!" Kevin said enthusiastically. "How happy we are! We really want you to be our mate."
Genia narrowed her eyes. She wasn't a naive girl. She knew it was all just an act. She could clearly see the greed and competition behind their faces.
"Wow," Genia said, clapping her hands. "What a beautiful sight. I can't believe two Tiger-Beast Princes, who were enemies until recently, have changed so quickly."
She took a step forward and stood between them. "Okay," Genia said with a mysterious smile. "I won't change my decision. I accept both of you as my mates."
A flush of triumph lit up Kevin and Alex's faces. They thought they had won the game. "But!"
Genia quickly added.
Kevin and Alex's smiles froze. They asked simultaneously, "But what?"