Chapter 28: A foul smell

“What…?”

The beastkin’s words stunned me.

Had I misheard? It was so absurd.

‘Look who’s talking.’

She was the one clinging to Linne.

I’d never paid attention to the beastkin’s behavior before. I barely tolerated her presence, let alone cared about what she did. But I did remember her constantly clinging to Linne.

And she accused me of flirting?
The audacity of this beastkin. I was furious. I wanted to make her kneel and apologize.

“Hoo…”

I took a deep breath, calming myself.
An emotional outburst didn’t suit my cool demeanor. As a composed noble lady, I wouldn’t stoop to her level.

I narrowed my eyes and stared at her. She flinched, then glared back defiantly.

Her bravado was pathetic. Her eyes trembled, betraying her fear, her true feelings exposed.

‘How insignificant.’

I admired her courage, but she was no match for me. I would magnanimously forgive her, but not before a few choice words.

I smiled sweetly and patted her head. Then, with feigned affection, I said,

“Hee hee, you little mutt…”

I suppressed my disgust. The fluffy fur felt…surprisingly nice.

“…why don’t you just live as a beastkin s*ave like your parents?”

My “affectionate” words made her look down. I leaned closer and whispered in her ear,

“…pathetically groveling…”

She trembled, her fists clenched.
My threat had hit its mark.

A swordswoman who instilled fear in her enemies.
I was one step closer to that title.

I continued petting her, enjoying the soft fur, until she reacted strangely.

She started glowing.

“You’re dead!”

“Huh?”

Wham!—

It happened so fast.
She lunged, slamming into me.

I was still sore from Sister’s treatment. I couldn’t withstand her brute force.

“Ugh…!”

She pushed me down and straddled me, pinning me with her weight.

“Get…off…”

She had me in a perfect mount. I instinctively raised my hands to protect my face.

But she was a beastkin, driven by base instincts. Her filthy hands reached for my exposed body, her fingers moving in…obscene ways.

“Eek?!”

Her rough hands kneaded my waist. I tried to push her away, but she was too strong. She was completely out of control.

“St…stop! Not there! Not now…!”

I shouldn’t have provoked her! Regret filled me, but it was too late.

But it wasn’t fair.
I was just stating facts. Her parents’ generation were slaves. She’d insulted me for no reason.

But logic wouldn’t work on a beastkin. Drool dripped from her mouth; she didn’t even notice. She was too focused on…molesting my sides.

Her bloodshot eyes were terrifying. I trembled, fearing what she might do.

The beastkin’s rage was merciless. I endured her disgusting touch, my weakened body subjected to her violent assault.

I hated my past self for ever thinking beastkin were harmless. This perverted assault taught me a valuable lesson.

Perversion transcended race, species, and culture.

After a long struggle, I finally escaped. But the rage burned deep within me. I swore revenge.

I will make you pay.

I would remember this day, savoring wolf meat with every bite. The eradication of beastkin was my only salvation.

“You…filthy mutt… I’m sorry…for calling you…a s*ave…Woof…woof…”

But reality was harsh.
I had to grovel and beg for mercy from the perverted beastkin…Nina.

Humiliated, tears welled up. I glared at her.

“…Woof.”

Nina’s face turned red under my intense gaze. She turned and fled.

“Haha…”

I couldn’t believe she was so scared of me after what she just did. Talk about shameless.

At least it was over, though my pride was shattered.

“Ugh…”

I stood up, my body aching, and headed towards the classroom. My sides still throbbed. Sleeping on my side was out of the question for a while.

****

“Huff…huff…”

Nina, the wolf beastkin, ran until she was out of breath, far away from Elena. She finally stopped, leaning against a tree to catch her breath.

“…Impossible.”

She’d run away as soon as she regained her senses. As she rested, the events replayed in her mind.

Elena’s tearful, humiliated expression.
Her cute, dog-like barking.
Her trembling voice as she begged for mercy.

The image of Elena’s heartbroken face haunted her.

And…

The beastkin power had taken over. She’d lost control, as expected.

She’d used her enhanced strength and senses to overpower Elena.
But then…why?

“Why was I…molesting her sides?!”

Frustrated, Nina slammed her head against the tree repeatedly. Nearby students, startled, hurried away.

The tree shook, leaves falling, but Nina’s forehead was unharmed.
She finally stopped and sat down, covering her face with her hands.

“It’s all because of that…scent…”

That intoxicating aroma…

That vixen…

Using pheromones to seduce Linea…

Linea must have smelled it too.
But she’d only mentioned cherries. The faintest trace of the true scent, masked by the arousing aroma… Was her sense of smell that dull?

‘No, even Linea couldn’t be that oblivious.’

It couldn’t be…could it?

Nina wasn’t sure.

She recalled waking Linea every morning. Linea’s casual touch as she bathed Nina…

“Ugh…”

Nina blushed.
Linne’s strong hands, holding her captive, touching her so casually…

The Black Wolf tribe revered strength.
That was why Nina was so drawn to Linea.

Then why did she feel this way about that insignificant girl?
Her rival, no less.

“No! I’m not that fickle…!”

Thwack!—

Nina slammed her head against the tree again. The innocent tree shuddered, shedding its leaves mournfully.

It’s all because of that scent…

She wasn’t swayed. It was the intoxicating aroma that clung to Elena since their encounter this morning.

The scent had clouded her judgment. And the power surge had amplified her instincts, making her…

…molest her.

She’d lost control and touched Elena’s sides. Perhaps she’d been influenced by the memory of…

Linne, teasing Elena mercilessly until she broke…
The image was seared into her mind.

But…

…today was worse…

The thought made her blush.

Elena, trapped beneath her, moaning and pleading… The soft, yielding flesh, the healthy pulse beneath her touch… The intoxicating scent… It was all so addictive.

It was strange. She should be disgusted, but the memories kept resurfacing. This was a new feeling.

She wanted to tease Elena more, touch her, pin her down…

…make her cry…

Nina shook her head violently. Her black hair swirled around her.

What a perverse thought. She wasn’t a cruel beastkin who enjoyed tormenting others.

Elena was pretty, though. Her whimpers were more alluring than any beastkin female back home.

“…Ugh.”

A strange desire surged within her. She’d only imagined Elena on all fours, barking cutely.

‘But it’s not even mating season yet…’

Nina, her body flushed, slowly turned back.
As she entered the building, she seemed to make up her mind and quickened her pace. She didn’t want to be late for class.

But she wasn’t heading to the classroom.

She arrived long after class had started.