6
Back at the Sterling manor, I casually tossed a small pill to Caleb.
“One pill every three days. If you don’t take it on time, your body will rot from the inside
out.
“This is the price of betraying me. Understand?”
In my previous life, I had never placed any restrictions on Julian.
I treated him as an equal, allowing him free access to the Sterling manor.
That only gave him the opportunity to scheme within my home, eventually ruining me and leaving me bankrupt.
<
This time, I wouldn’t repeat the mistakes of the past.
Caleb caught the pill but didn’t swallow it.
His wolf ears twitched. He knelt on one knee before me, gently taking my hand.
“No need for this.”
I was momentarily stunned.
Then I saw a golden light flare, complex runes swirling across the back of my
It was a life-death bond.
hand.
Usually, beast-men and humans form master-servant contracts, which prevent the
beast-man from harming the human.
Few beast-men are willing to sign a life-death bond.
Because it means placing their life entirely under the master’s control.
With just a flick of a finger, the beast-man could be turned to ash.
The bond formed.
Caleb pressed my palm to his chest, looking up at me.
He said, “Master, I am yours.””
His fierce beast eyes seemed to soften into a hint of docility when he looked up, and the
warm, strong beat in my palm inexplicably made my ears flush.
I pursed my lips, feigning composure.
My finger slid up his throat, then gently scratched his chin.
“Is that so? Then…
“Be a good, obedient dog.”
<
Caleb obediently lifted his face, tilting his head to nuzzle my palm.
“Woof.”
