My Life as a Beast Keeper

I, Layla Manfred, was drunk. I was now sitting outside the bar, smoking to sober up.A street vendor approached me timidly and murmured, "You look stressed, miss. Do you need to blow off some steam? I've got a venting beastkin who can help you unwind."I waved a hand to dispel the smoke. "What?"The vendor glanced warily left and right, confirming no one was watching, before gesturing for the beastkin to approach.This was a wolfhound beastkin. He was tall and slender, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist.When he stood, he blocked out the bar lights, which cast a shadow over me.Before I could react, the vendor yanked the crude collar around his neck, forcing him to his knees before removing the rusty muzzle.The vendor yanked his hair, forcing him to look up as his face was revealed. The beastkin had pale skin, a high nose, and his thin lips were pursed tightly together. Bruises marred his brow and the corners of his mouth. His narrowed eyes were locked onto me like those o

"I don't need it." Clayton clasped my hand tightly. "I can eat anything. There's no need to spend money on me. I won't die."This amount of money was nothing more than Salem's monthly snack budget."It's fine." I ruffled Clayton's head and held out the newly selected collar and muzzle. "Do you like them?"It was a slender black metal collar paired with a custom-made black muzzle.I'd initially decided not to have Clayton wear such things anymore, but the doctor insisted on it."Don't be fooled by the wild beastkin's appearance. He could bite your neck off in one bite," he had said.I could only try my best to choose something comfortable.While removing his old muzzle, the doctor asked Clayton, "Were you a venting beastkin or a gladiator?"Clayton lowered his head further, his voice muffled. "I was both.""I see." The doctor handed me the old muzzle to examine. "Look at these teeth marks. He must have bitten down when the pain became unbearable."Clayton paused. "That's from

My gaze went past Salem's shoulder and landed on Clayton, who'd just stepped through the doorway. He was half a head taller than Salem, his broad shoulders nearly filling the entire doorframe.His gaze on Salem was indifferent, but it made me tense up inexplicably. "That's my scent," Clayton said.Salem turned around, his body instantly tensing into a defensive stance. A low, threatening growl escaped his throat.Clayton didn't budge, silently standing his ground."Layla, who's that?" asked Salem."That's Clayton, my new beastkin.""What?" Salem looked at me in disbelief. "You've taken in a new beastkin? What about me?""Wow!" Lisa exclaimed loudly. "Mom and Dad, come quick! Layla's got a new beastkin!"Hearing the commotion, Mom and Dad came out to look at Clayton.I took Clayton's hand and introduced him. "Mom and Dad, this is our newest family member. His name is Clayton Yarrow."Clayton bowed his head slightly. "Mr. and Mrs. Manfred.""Wow, this one's even prettier. Mu

When the video finished playing, Mom looked the most upset. "Is this how I raised you, Lisa? To get back at your sister, you'd go as far as to seduce a beastkin?"Salem stared at me, his face ashen. "Layla, I was just drunk that night. I thought it was you who came in—""Did I say you could speak?" Dad was furious, too. "Did I pay for you to come into my house and bed my daughter? I'm calling the retailer today to ask how on earth they trained you!"Lisa's tears streamed down her face. "Mom, why aren't you reprimanding her? Don't you think she's really scheming, recording that to show you? I admit I was foolish, but since Layla came home, you've loved me less!"Are you going to let her lead you by the nose? Will you stand by and watch her push me out of the house?"Mom shook her head and sighed. "Lisa, you brought this upon yourself. If you hadn't done anything, Layla wouldn't have had the chance to record it. You're both to hand over this month's allowance to Layla. I want you to

Salem was still glaring at Clayton. "Layla, make him leave. I can explain the video, but I don't want to share a room with a lowly beastkin!""I didn't ask you to share a room with him." I shrugged. "Don't you always sleep with Lisa? Then continue rooming with her."Beastkin had a relatively keen sense of smell and hearing. As such, Salem was the only one who knew I smoked. Although I never smoked in my bedroom, he always complained about the smell of smoke and used that as an excuse to sleep in Lisa's room."It's fine, Salem. You always thought she smelled bad anyway. Doesn't that make me the perfect match?" Lisa hooked her fingers through his.Salem hesitated for a moment before resolutely interlocking their fingers."Layla, I hope you don't regret this."I smiled. "Then I'll leave Salem in your care, Lisa."An eerie silence settled over the villa.For a while, Salem went out of his way to be extra nice to Lisa. Both of them, each with their own agenda, put on a show of being