Chapter 221: Stubborn son
Chapter 221: Stubborn son
Nina lowered her head and cleared her throat softly. "He... he’s Momo’s father."
A faint trace of embarrassment crossed her face as she reached into her pocket, pulled Idir out, and placed him on the table.
Honestly, he had been so quiet that she had completely forgotten he was there.
Idir leapt lightly aside and transformed into human form.
He was breathtaking.
His long black hair fell like ink, his skin smooth and slightly tanned, his features exquisitely sculpted. Those dark green eyes resembled precious gems glinting under the stars, dangerously beautiful and mesmerizing. His nose was straight and refined, his lips soft and full, every detail as perfect as if carved by a master.
Tall and elegant, clad in luxurious black beast-hide, he exuded a cold, distant nobility.
"Hello. I’m Idir," he said.
At the same time, he discreetly observed Odian and the others.
So these were her mates. All striking in appearance.
If she herself was this powerful, then surely they were no weaklings either.
Odian and the others nodded slightly, though a trace of hostility flickered in their eyes.
"Hello."
This male was far too good-looking...and he was Momo’s father.
A strong rival.
Idir turned to Nina. "Dear female, my strength will fully recover soon. I’m at peak level eleven. Take me with you when the time comes. I can protect you."
A faint blush crept across his face. "You...you can just carry me in your clothes like before."
He knew she possessed some kind of special item that rendered her invisible. That was how they had escaped so smoothly.
"Nina, take me instead. I can shrink too," Aviel said immediately.
If that snake could do it, so could he. There was no way he would let that guy stay so close to her.
"Besides, I’m stronger than him."
"But I’m more familiar with the City Lord’s residence," Idir countered, looking at her expectantly.
Take me.
"Nina, take me," Aviel insisted.
"I can shrink as well," Odian added, glancing at her pocket.
"I can fit in there too."
"Nina, we can all go."
Sal and the others all volunteered at once.
Nina couldn’t help but laugh. "My pocket isn’t that big. I can take at most two. Sal, your beast forms aren’t convenient to carry, so you’ll stay behind as cover."
They looked disappointed.
"Nina, take me. My defense is strong. I can protect you better," Aviel protested.
Odian clearly wanted to go as well.
After a moment’s thought, Nina decided, "I’ll take Aviel and Idir. Odian, you stay and coordinate everything."
"...Alright."
Though reluctant, Odian could only agree.
Aviel and Idir, on the other hand, were secretly pleased.
"Odian, the city is sealed right now. Do you have a way to break it?" Nina asked.
"I can try to break the barrier, but it will take time," he replied.
"Good. Focus on that first."
He nodded. "Understood."
After discussing precautions against Yosan, everyone dispersed to make preparations.
That night, Nina sat in the room with her mates.
"Nina, don’t you think what Zena said about Sin Beast City is strangely similar to your experience?" Sal frowned. "Even the location matches."
"I noticed that too," Nina said thoughtfully. "If she never experienced it herself, how did she know?"
"And she didn’t even know that female was you," Kith added. "She only knew fragments."
"Could it be related to her ability?" Mino suggested.
"That’s very likely," Odian said. "There are rare abilities that can perceive certain things. But usually, they still require some kind of target or reference."
"If she didn’t get it from Nina, then could it have come from one of us?" Finch said.
"Or through dreams," Dian added. "In the merfolk race, there have been individuals with abilities that can guide and enter dreams. I don’t know the exact details, though."
"Enter dreams?" Nina blinked. "That’s incredible. Wouldn’t that make it easy to uncover others’ secrets?"
"That’s true, but there are usually certain conditions that must be met. Not just anyone can do it, and the requirements may differ for each individual," Dian explained.
"Given how incomplete her knowledge is, I think it’s more likely she accessed it through dreams. The question is—whose dreams?"
Nina looked at the males. "Have any of you met her before? She couldn’t have targeted someone she’s never even seen."
They all shook their heads.
"Then have any of you lost something closely connected to yourselves?" Nina asked.
Again, they shook their heads.
"Then how did she find out?" Nina murmured, puzzled.
Should she ask Zena directly? But that might be her secret. Would it be inappropriate?
Kith thought for a moment before carefully saying, "Could it be the father of Shushu and Sunny?"
Nina paused, slightly embarrassed. "That...is possible."
Sal and Aviel immediately thought of Yanai’s strange behavior earlier. Their pupils contracted as they glanced at Shushu.
No way...
They quickly shook their heads. Probably overthinking.
Still, Sal couldn’t help himself. He picked up Shushu and asked, "Shushu, do you feel any kind of closeness to Uncle Yanai?"
Wolves didn’t have bloodline resonance, but perhaps there was still some natural affinity between parent and child.
Nina looked from Sal to Shushu, her thoughts racing.
Why would he ask that?
Her mind flashed to Zena’s words and Yanai’s reaction. Her eyes widened slightly.
No way...
Odian and the others also looked at Sal, confused.
Shushu. Yanai. Zena’s ability.
A flicker of realization crossed their eyes.
Could it be...
Shushu shook his head vigorously. No. Not at all. I really hate that bad wolf.
Nina lowered her gaze, looking at him.
Did he dislike him that much?
At this point, it was all speculation. Maybe they were overthinking everything.
Seeing Shushu’s reaction, Odian and the others felt relieved.
No way he was Yanai’s child.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t react like this.
Good.
That wolf was already a blatant rival.
Sal nodded in agreement. "He really is annoying."
Back then, he had claimed he wasn’t interested in females and would never have feelings for Nina.
And now?
The more Sal thought about it, the more irritated he became.
Hmph. Definitely not.
Though he thought so, doubt still lingered in his heart.
With no clear answer, they moved on to other discussions.
Meanwhile, Yanai was speaking with Aron.
"Yanai, even though Zena isn’t that female, she knows about that night. Do you think she might know who that female is?" Aron asked.
"What does that have to do with me?" Yanai replied coldly.
"You...don’t want to know who she is?" Aron’s irritation surged. "Zena might be able to tell you."
"No. I don’t want to know. Whoever she is, it has nothing to do with me," Yanai blurted out.
He didn’t want to find that female.
He only wanted to stay by Nina’s side.
Aron sighed. "Alright. Suit yourself."
He had thought his stubborn son would at least be curious.
But perhaps it was better this way.
Even if he knew, it wouldn’t change anything.
With a quiet sigh, he returned to his room.
Yanai remained where he was, his expression distant, lost in thought.
Soon, night fell.
Nina coaxed the children to sleep one by one.
"Nina, who do you want to stay with you tonight?" Odian asked softly.
It should have been Aviel’s turn, but Nina had barely rested while worrying about Momo. She had just escaped the dungeon today.
He only wanted her to have a proper night’s rest.
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