3. Claim

After saying those words, Darius finally released her arm and rose to his feet.

His crimson eyes lingered on Vael for a moment, but he said nothing.

With only a quiet snort, he turned and walked away.

Fiora watched his retreating figure before shifting her gaze back to Vael.

The silver-haired man stepped closer and extended a hand to help her up.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly, his eyes briefly falling to Fiora's thin dress, now soaked through and clinging to every curve of her body.

Without hesitation, Vael removed the black overshirt he wore over his white T-shirt.

He gently draped it over Fiora's shoulders, carefully buttoning it for her without taking advantage of the moment or allowing his hands to linger.

So...

Despite his unusual hair and extraordinary eyes, Vael himself was surprisingly... normal.

In fact, he was such a gentleman that Fiora couldn't help feeling touched.

To be honest, women chosen as Seed Carriers were rarely treated with that much respect.

"Thank you," she said sincerely.

Once again, her eyes met Vael's mismatched gaze.

Emerald green. Sapphire blue.

The strange sensation returned immediately.

Her skin tingled without warning, while an unfamiliar warmth spread through her chest.

"Have we... met before?" she asked at last.

For several seconds, Vael remained silent. Then a faint, bittersweet smile appeared on his lips.

"This isn't the first time you've looked at me like a stranger," he murmured.

His answer caught Fiora completely off guard.

Not the first time? So they really had met before?

Before she could ask another question, Vael gently took her hand.

"Come on," he said. "I'll introduce you to the others. You've already met Darius. There are still three more."

Fiora swallowed nervously.

She silently prayed the remaining three weren't like Darius.

Someone gentle like Vael would be much easier to deal with.

Besides...

There was no point resisting anymore. She had already arrived on the island.

Whether she liked it or not, she had to fulfill her duty as a Seed Carrier.

And who knew?

Perhaps not all five men would even agree to become her Seed Donors.

Hopefully, she would only need to work with one of them.

Still holding hands, Vael led her across the sandy shore. The warmth of his palm seemed to seep through her skin.

Fiora glanced sideways at the tall man walking beside her and unconsciously bit her lower lip.

Goodness... Vael was unbelievably handsome.

She certainly wouldn't mind if he were willing to become her Seed Donor...

The thought alone made a rosy blush spread from her cheeks to the tips of her ears.

Soon, they arrived at an enormous mansion standing a short distance from the beach.

Fiora stared at it in amazement. "Do you live here with other people?" she asked.

Vael shook his head. "Only the five of us."

His answer made Fiora blink. Such a massive mansion...

Occupied by only five people?

She had spent almost her entire life inside government shelters.

They were clean and comfortable enough, but nowhere near this large.

Even the room she shared with Rea was only about five by six meters.

Together, they stepped inside the mansion. Vael led her into a spacious lounge.

Three men were already there. One of them was Darius.

The moment he saw Fiora, he immediately stood up, his glowing crimson eyes locking onto her without blinking.

Fiora couldn't help feeling as though he wanted to devour her alive.

"So... the Seed Carrier has finally arrived."

The speaker was another incredibly handsome man with golden-blond hair.

He had been lounging lazily across a thick fur rug before quickly getting to his feet.

A playful smile curved across his lips as he looked Fiora up and down, noticing the oversized black shirt she wore over her dress.

"Hi. I'm Riven. You must be Fiora, right?" He held out his hand.

Fiora smiled politely and shook it. "Hello, Riven. It's nice to meet you."

Another normal person. That alone made Fiora feel relieved.

Although... Riven definitely seemed a little flirtatious.

"Elyon. Come here."

Vael called toward a man with dark brown curls, who was quietly reading a thick book at a nearby desk.

Without complaint, the man closed his book and walked over.

"This is Elyon," Vael introduced. "He doesn't talk much, but he's not a bad person."

Elyon shot Vael a flat look but remained silent. Instead, he merely gave Fiora a brief nod. Not even the slightest smile.

"H-Hello, Elyon..."

His sharp gaze made Fiora instinctively nervous.

Alright... so Vael and Riven seem approachable. Darius is far too aggressive... and Elyon is impossible to read, she noted silently.

Vael glanced around the lounge. "Where's Zephyr?"

"Probably out on patrol like always," Riven answered casually.

Then he turned back to Fiora with obvious curiosity. "Your clothes are soaked."

He flashed another dazzling smile. "I've got something much nicer than Vael's shirt."

Before Fiora could react, Riven gently pulled her hand away from Vael. "My room's upstairs, so--"

"Hey!" A furious shout interrupted him.

It was Darius. In an instant, he grabbed Fiora's free hand.

"Don't cut in line, Riven!" His crimson eyes burned fiercely. "I saw her first. So from now on..."

A possessive grin spread across his face.

"Fiora belongs in my room first."

***