CHAPTER 184: CHAPTER-184

He looked at her, his eyes holding a strange calm, then slowly shrugged. With a soft grunt, he leaned back, propping himself up on the edge of the bed.

"You know," he began, voice low and almost casual, "sometimes when you help someone too much, they start expecting more... and more."

His gaze shifted toward the wall—the one that separated them from the other beastmen’s house. He raised a lazy finger and pointed.

"Those people," he said with a faint smirk, "they’re like abandoned puppies. Toss them a little care, a little affection, and they’ll cling to you like you’re their whole damn world. They’ll protect you, adore you, maybe even worship you."

Then his voice dropped, sharp and soft.

"But they won’t let you go."

Kaya blinked.

He went on, a shadow flickering behind his tone.

"Even if you try to stay after winter, it’s going to be hell. Do you even know how many females went missing just like that? Had intentions of leaving... then one year passes, two... suddenly, they’re still here. ’Cause somewhere along the way, they got tangled. Fell in love. Had a kid. Built a home they didn’t plan on."

He turned to her, dead-serious now.

"But you," he paused, "you’re not the type, are you?"

Kaya’s expression didn’t change, but inside, something twisted.

He was right. She wasn’t. She wasn’t going to melt into some soft little wife with flower baskets and wooden shoes. She wasn’t here to play family with strangers.

He leaned closer slightly, voice just above a whisper.

"That’s why I’m telling you now—before they get under your skin. You gotta choose. Either you stay and belong, or you leave while you still can."

Kaya looked at him, her voice low but firm—a question that had been haunting her for a while.

"Aren’t you also one of them? Don’t you also want me to stay here?"

Veer laughed softly. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he looked at her—not mockery, not pity, just something in between.

Then, lifting his hand, he cupped his face with a dramatic sigh, shaking his head.

"Sweetheart," he began, "do you really think I’m some dog who follows his owner around just for a scrap of affection? Just because I want to be loved?"

Kaya looked at him—silent—but her eyes gave her away.

That look. That quietly accusing look.

As if to say: Isn’t that exactly what you’re doing?

Veer saw it. Saw right through it.

He chuckled again and leaned in closer, eyes locked on hers.

"Darling..." his voice dipped, not playful, but certain.

"I want to be your life partner. I want to capture you. Own you. But I won’t be your dog."

His smile grew sharper now—something primal in it.

"We vultures... we eat the dead. But that doesn’t mean Veer can’t hunt."

Kaya tilted her head slightly, still waiting, her eyes never leaving him as he finished his words.

"You see," she began, calmly, almost mockingly—

But before she could go on, Veer raised his palm, silencing her, then clenched it into a fist.

"If I want you," he said, voice low but deliberate, "I will hunt you down. I will trap you."

He leaned slightly closer, his golden eyes glinting like embers. "But don’t ever think I’ll turn you into one of those loyal little darlings who follow every rule... or those arrogant ones who break them just to prove a point. I like you—exactly as you are. Wild. Sharp. Impossible to tame."

A pause. His gaze darkened just a little.

"And still... I don’t think you can ever escape me. No matter where you go."

Kaya’s lips curled slightly as she gave him a long, slow glance—up and down, taking her time.

"Hmm. You really do have guts," she said, voice flat, but her smirk betrayed a flicker of amusement.

Veer only smiled, unbothered, and picked up a piece of charcoal again. With casual confidence, he pointed at ground and said .

"See this? This place—perfect for living. But if you want to wander, you can. Just come back in winter. Nothing changes here. They have nowhere else to go, so they’ll stay... waiting for you."

His fingers traced imaginary paths across the wooden plank.

"You can search—here, here, and here. Seven, maybe eight, nine months until winter returns. That’s enough time to find many answers."

He looked up, a faint grin playing on his lips. "And of course... with me beside you, it’ll be easier."

But before he could go on, Kaya suddenly raised her hand and interrupted, "Wait—wait. Who told you I’m going with you?"

Veer paused, and then—slowly—his gaze swept over her again. The teasing smile returned, curling at the corner of his mouth like a secret.

"Sweetheart," he said, voice thick with amusement, "you’re a good fighter, I’ll give you that. But don’t you think... you might be overestimating yourself just a little?"

And with that, he laughed. Low. Mocking. As if the very idea of her leaving him behind was the best joke he’d heard all day.

Of course, Kaya wanted to retort. Her pride prickled, her lips parted, ready to shoot something back.

But deep down—she knew.

He wasn’t wrong.

She was just... a normal human.

Forget the fast flyers in this group—even if one of the smaller, cuter ones decided to chase after her, she honestly wasn’t sure she’d get far. She had seen it with her own eyes—how fast these beastmen could run, how easily they moved through this forest like it was an extension of their bodies.

And this place? This thick, unpredictable wilderness?

It was their domain. Not hers.

So yes... she needed Veer’s help.

As much as she hated the thought.

If she left now, while they were still in hibernation, there was a chance—a very slim one—that she could slip away. Maybe even completely vanish before they even opened their eyes ten days later. Maybe they wouldn’t even bother chasing her then.

But if she tried to run during the winter?

She didn’t even know what would get her first—

the pneumonia... or the frostbite.

Maybe she’d just be found, frozen mid-step, a life-shaped sculpture in ice.

No.

She was strong—but not foolish.