Chapter 4

I applied to the Federation for a new bodyguard.

"Are you sure?"

The Commander chuckled.

"Ryder is the one you risked half your life to save, Miss Aurora. It took half your blood, you know."

"And where you knelt and begged before the Elders, green grass has sprouted. I bet that beast-hybrid doesn’t know that, does he?"

"That failed genetic experiment, he wasn't worth risking your life for."

"Oh, I forgot. He looks just like your childhood sweetheart, Julian. No wonder..."

I was determined. I would replace Ryder and never be entangled with him again.

The next day.

My new bodyguard from the Federation arrived. It was a tiger beast-hybrid, even taller and more imposing than Ryder. His long, snow-white tail curled around my luggage.

"Greetings, Miss Aurora."

I cleared out the room I’d prepared for Ryder and let the tiger beast-hybrid move in.

I was explaining his duties when the doorbell rang.

I didn't open it.

Ryder waited for a while, assuming no one was home, and tried the passkey himself.

"Password incorrect."

He thought he'd misheard.

He tried again.

"Password incorrect."

He began to pound on the door.

I was tired of it. I told the tiger beast-hybrid to get rid of him.

A thunderous crash shook the entire house.

I rushed out to find Ryder and the tiger beast-hybrid locked in a furious brawl, tearing down the very front door in their struggle.

"Stop it!"

Ryder looked up, his jealousy so thick it felt like it could drip from his eyes.

His scorpion tail plunged forcefully into the tiger beast-hybrid’s side.

I heard a strangled gasp, and the tiger beast-hybrid crumpled, his skin visibly turning purplish-blue.

"Are you insane?!"

I slapped Ryder across the face.

His head snapped to the side, a few drops of blood flying. Only then did I notice the bloody gouge on the back of his head where the tiger beast-hybrid had clawed him.

"Who is he?"

Ryder glared, his eyes fixed on the other man.

"My new bodyguard."

I helped the tiger beast-hybrid up, swiftly cut my arm, and pressed it to his lips, letting him drink.

Ryder’s eyes went crimson.

"I'm your bodyguard."

His defiance deflated. He stood there, utterly lost, especially when I offered no response. Even his scorpion tail drooped.

"I'm your bodyguard..."

"You can't protect me," I said coldly. "Get out."

He stood rooted to the spot.

Perhaps realizing how terrible he’d been before, his lips trembled, unable to form a single word of protest.

"I can..."

"I promise I’ll protect you properly from now on, I’ll protect you with my life..."

The glass reflected Ryder’s face, his jaw tight, his gaze locked onto me.

He didn’t even blink, despite the blood streaming into his eyes.

"Give me another chance."

The tiger beast-hybrid stirred. He pushed past me and bolted for the door, terrified of another sting.

"Aurora, no one's better suited for this job than me," Ryder took a step forward. "I *can* protect you."

I was silent for a long moment.

I looked at him.

"You said you’d protect me with your life."

Ryder nodded frantically, like a bobblehead.

"I promise."

I could feel my life force slipping away.

I was inexplicably exhausted, sleeping longer and longer hours. Even the plants in the lab weren't responding to my touch as they used to.

"I'm tired. I'm going home."