Chapter 04
“Make sure the baby doesn’t run away. The moment she transforms into a human, report to me immediately.”
If she’s connected to the hyenas, then all the more reason not to let her go.
Anyone could see she didn’t get along with hyenas. No matter how ruthless he might be, even he wouldn’t send a child to her death.
And if he could mess with those hyena bastards in the process, even better.
Sirka poked the kitten’s round belly.
“Kyareung.”
Even in her sleep, the kitten seemed annoyed, thumping the bed with her tail.
What a temper. Are all kittens this nasty?
I wonder what she’ll grow up to be like.
“Understood. But if she’s being chased by hyenas, wouldn’t it be safer for her to stay here? Do you really think she’ll try to escape?”
“Definitely.”
Her eyes say she’ll run the moment she gets the chance.
Besides, Kalif is stronger than the hyenas.
Even if he promises not to kill her, she’ll only grow more suspicious instead of feeling relieved.
“…”
Quietly watching the sleeping kitten, Sirka poked her tiny paw.
Soft.
Even softer than a tiger’s paw pad, the sensation made his face relax without him realizing it.
How had it felt when this tiny paw had gently touched his cheek, as if apologizing?
‘I wanted to bury my face in it forever.’
To think that he, the heir of Kalif, would be so weak to a kitten’s paw.
And that wasn’t all.
‘Her pheromones are quite unusual.’
Every beastkin possessed their own unique pheromones.
They reflected one’s nature and symbolized their strength and abilities.
But Bariya’s pheromones were faint—far from strong—yet strangely addictive and stimulating to other beastkin.
Of course, only someone as sensitive as Sirka could notice it, but that didn’t make it any less dangerous.
Maybe that’s why the hyenas were after her.
“Don’t give her a chance to escape, but leave her enough time to secretly transform into a human.”
Sometimes it was more convenient for beastkin to remain in animal form, but their default form was human. Given enough time, they would be forced to revert.
It had already been five hours since they rescued the kitten from the hyenas.
At the latest, she would turn human by tonight.
“She’s extremely wary, so be careful.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Sirka smiled pleasantly as he looked at the kitten.
‘Since my parents don’t plan on giving me a sibling, maybe I should just make one myself.’
If this ill-tempered kitten became his little sister, life would surely get a lot more interesting.
The moment sunlight poured through the window and filled the room, Bariya’s eyes snapped open.
The sun had already risen.
‘Ah… sunrise.’
It was her first time watching one so peacefully.
In the hyena clan, she had been trapped in dark places where even light barely reached. After escaping, she’d been too busy running to ever notice something like this.
But unfortunately, this wasn’t the time to admire it.
‘The sun’s up—time to escape!’
Tigers were nocturnal.
With eyesight as sharp as a lynx’s, escaping at night would be a bad idea.
Now, when the warm sunlight made everyone drowsy, was the perfect chance.
Silently slipping off the bed, Bariya perked up her ears.
She could sense Tyirin’s presence beyond the door.
It seemed Tyirin hadn’t realized she was awake yet, but the moment the window opened, she’d definitely rush in.
Bariya tiptoed toward the door, suppressing her footsteps as much as possible.
Then she released the energy she had been carefully hiding.
“Huh? Why am I suddenly so sleepy…?”
With Tyirin’s confused voice came the sound of her collapsing to the floor.
Good.
Only the sound of steady breathing remained—no one else was nearby.
Certain the area was clear, Bariya immediately opened the window and stepped onto the balcony.
Luckily, the bedroom was on the second floor. That height was nothing for a lynx.
After a quick glance around and confirming no one was there, she jumped.
“Oof.”
It was a bit high for a second floor, so her legs tingled slightly, but nothing was sprained or broken.
Taking a deep breath, Bariya began running, keeping her footsteps silent.
Good thing I memorized the route yesterday while being dragged here!
Fortunately, Kalif’s estate was filled with trees, grass, and flowers, making it easy for her small body to stay hidden.
At least, that’s what she thought.
It didn’t take long to realize how wrong she was.
‘This is weird.’
Cold sweat began to trickle down her back.
‘Why does it never end…?’
She had expected the estate grounds to be large—after all, this was the ruling tiger clan.
But even so!
It had been three hours since she left the mansion, and she still hadn’t escaped this cursed garden!
‘Why is it so huge?!’
No matter how short her legs were, this was ridiculous!
Even the hyena clan wasn’t this big.
Just as anxiety started creeping in—worried the tigers might notice and come after her—
‘A carriage!’
A massive carriage was approaching from the opposite direction of the mansion.
Thinking the head of the Kalif family might be inside, Bariya flattened herself against the ground.
Please just pass by… please…
Screech.
The carriage stopped.
Right next to where she was hiding.
“That’s strange.”
The moment she heard the languid voice, every hair on her body stood on end.
She could tell instantly.
Not the head of the family. A woman.
But far more dangerous.
“There’s a strange scent in my estate.”
Bariya nearly burst out of hiding.
Sirka said the same thing, and now this unknown beastkin too—why did they keep saying she smelled?
She even bathed yesterday!
Tap.
“White.”
Something heavy landed on the ground with a soft thud.
“Find it.”
Grrr.
Bariya saw it.
A massive white tiger charging straight toward her.
She quickly leapt out of the bushes to avoid it.
“Eek!”
But in her haste, her foot caught on a root, and she tumbled head over heels.
Still, she landed neatly on all fours as if nothing had happened.
“…”
“…”
Then she shamelessly stared back at the woman and the white tiger, who both looked dumbfounded.
“…A cat?”
The woman standing before the carriage wore a dazzling red dress.
Silky silver hair, breathtaking beauty, and an overwhelming aura.
And those vivid blue eyes… strangely familiar.
Grrr.
Snapping out of her daze at the sight of the white tiger baring its teeth, Bariya glared.
A mere animal dares show its teeth to me?
“Hiss!”
She lashed her tail against the ground, hissing fiercely.
Whimper.
Completely cowed by her presence, the tiger immediately backed down.
Hmph. Know your place.
“So that little kitten just threatened my White?”
But even Bariya couldn’t handle this woman.
Maybe when she was older—but not now.
Quickly assessing the situation, Bariya turned and ran.
Judging by the scent on the carriage—
The outside isn’t far now!
“White, bring her back. If you lose her, you’re in trouble.”
Grr!
The tiger, apparently more afraid of the woman, charged after Bariya without hesitation.
Panic set in as the white tiger rapidly closed the distance.
‘I may be great, but my short legs are not!’
Before she could even take twenty steps, the tiger caught her by the scruff.
“Myaong! Myaoong! (Let me go! I won’t forgive you if you don’t!)”
Whimper.
Despite her struggling, the tiger didn’t let go.
And so, Bariya was dragged back to the woman.
‘I really won’t let this go!’
“How fascinating. My White fears no one but me, yet it’s completely intimidated by a kitten.”
The woman observed both Bariya and the cowering tiger with interest.
“We’ll hear the details after we return.”
And just like that, Bariya was forcibly loaded into the carriage.
After running for three exhausting hours, she was brought back in an instant.
Tears streamed down her face.
You tigers… I’ll get you for this!
Twice.
She had been dragged back to this cursed mansion twice.
With a swollen, pouty face, Bariya stepped inside.
“My lady, Sabrina!”
The head of the Kalif family, Bayden, came running over in shock.
“What brings you back so early this time?”
Sabrina Kalif.
The noble daughter of the White Tiger clan and mistress of the Kalif household.
She spent more time traveling than staying at the estate.
She simply couldn’t stand staying in one place.
Everyone knew how much her husband, Bayden, longed for her.
“Not that I’m complaining—I’m just so happy to see you. Welcome back, Sabrina.”
Once she left, she usually wouldn’t return for at least three months.
Yet this time, she came back a whole month early.
Unable to hide his joy, Bayden smiled shyly.
Seeing such a large, intimidating man smile so bashfully made Bariya feel oddly uncomfortable.
“Something came up. More importantly, explain why something like this is roaming around my garden.”
“Hm?”
At her words, Bayden turned his head in confusion.
And met eyes with Bariya, who was dangling from the white tiger’s jaws.
“Little one, why are you there?”
That was exactly what Bariya wanted to ask.
