dammit

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Mona’s sharp, feline eyes gleamed as she descended from her throne, her movements graceful and deliberate. Her high goblin features—sharp ears, emerald skin, and slender but toned physique—exuded an air of royalty and danger. Behind her, a number of her goblin warriors stood watch, eyes gleaming with curiosity and wariness as they glanced at me.

I nodded, stepping forward into the grand hall, still catching my breath from the journey. “It’s not just *my* war, Mona. The Bloodpack is preparing to strike back, and they won’t be coming alone. I need your help.”

Mona’s smirk widened, and she circled around me, her hand lightly grazing my arm as she examined me. “You need *my* help, do you? Interesting. The great Shadow Assassin, Alpha's Mate, and Silent Killer, coming to me for aid.”

Her teasing tone did nothing to soften the tension in the air. I could feel the weight of her words pressing on my chest. There was a history between us, a bond from our past encounters, but Mona was not like Amber. Her loyalty came with a price.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important,” I said, meeting her gaze evenly. “The Bloodpack is rallying allies. Amber’s pack can’t face them alone. You know what will happen if they win—they’ll spread like a plague, devouring territory after territory.”

Mona’s smirk faded slightly, her sharp eyes narrowing as she considered my words. For a moment, the playful facade dropped, and I saw the cunning leader beneath. She knew what was at stake.

“And what do I get in return for throwing my goblins into this bloody affair?” she asked, her voice a dangerous whisper. “You know me, Ryu. I don’t do anything for free.”

I had expected this. Mona wasn’t like Amber, who fought for her pack, her people, and her pride. Mona dealt in power, in leverage. She would want something substantial in return for her help.

I straightened, knowing I had to approach this carefully. “I’ll give you access to the **Mistical Land**,” I said firmly. “Full access. Your goblins will be able to train there, harvest its resources, and use it as a strategic point.”

Mona’s eyes flickered with interest. The Mistical Land was one of my prized territories, rich with rare resources and perfect for cultivating power. For goblins, it could mean an evolution in their skills, strength, and magic. It was a tempting offer, but Mona was not one to be easily swayed.

“And what guarantee do I have that your *other* wives won’t lay claim to it?” Mona asked, her tone skeptical. “You forget that your Spider Queen, Mia, has her own interests. How do I know this offer won’t come with strings?”

I took a deep breath, meeting her gaze without flinching. “Because I’ll give you exclusive rights to it. Mia and Amber won’t interfere. The Mistical Land will be yours to manage, your territory within mine.”

Mona’s smile returned, slow and predatory. “Exclusive rights, you say? Interesting…” She stepped closer, her hand resting lightly on my chest. “I suppose I could consider that arrangement. But there’s one more thing.”

“Of course there is,” I muttered, though I already knew what was coming.

Mona’s eyes gleamed with mischief as she leaned in, her voice a purr. “I want *you*, Ryu. Not just as an ally. Not just as a husband on paper. I want to see that same fire you show Amber. I want to see that side of you... the one that takes what he wants.”

Her words hung in the air, charged with meaning. There was no denying that Mona had always been drawn to power, and the connection we shared was intense—dangerous, even. But I knew better than to lose myself in that, especially now.

I stepped back slightly, creating some distance between us. “You’ll have my loyalty, Mona,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “But we both know this isn’t the time for games. There’s a war coming. The Bloodpack won’t wait for us to finish negotiating.”

Mona let out a soft laugh, but there was a glint of approval in her eyes. “Very well, Ryu. I’ll send my goblins to aid Amber’s pack. But remember—you owe me more than just the Mistical Land. You owe me a part of *you*.”

I didn’t respond, knowing she would hold that over me, as always. Mona thrived on control, and the game we played was one of dominance and submission, a delicate balance of power. But for now, we had what we needed—a powerful ally in the coming war.

---

Leaving Mona’s fortress behind, I made my way toward Mia’s domain. The Spider Queen resided in a dense, dark forest far from any civilization, her territory covered in webs and shadows. The journey took longer than I’d hoped, but my **God’s Eye** skill guided me through the dangerous terrain.

As I approached the heart of Mia’s territory, I could feel her presence before I saw her. The forest seemed to pulse with her power, the air thick with the scent of magic and decay. Towering webs stretched between the trees, and the distant scurrying of her spider soldiers echoed through the darkness.

Mia appeared before me, descending from the trees in her full, terrifying glory. Half-woman, half-arachnid, her lower body was that of a massive black spider, while her upper body was pale, graceful, and dangerously beautiful. Her long, dark hair fell over her shoulders, and her glowing red eyes locked onto me with a mixture of curiosity and hunger.

“Ryu,” she said, her voice like silk. “You’ve come to see your Spider Queen. What brings you to my web?”

I met her gaze, feeling the weight of her presence. “I need your help, Mia. The Bloodpack is on the move, and Amber’s pack can’t hold them off alone. Mona has agreed to join us, but we need your spiders. Without them, we won’t survive the next attack.”

Mia tilted her head, her red eyes studying me intently. “And what will my spiders gain from this war, hmm? We do not fight without reason.”

I stepped closer, keeping my voice steady. “You’ll gain access to new territories, resources, and the chance to expand your influence. The Bloodpack will fall, and when they do, you’ll have free reign to take their lands.”

Mia smiled slowly, her fangs glinting in the low light. “And what of you, my beloved? Will you be at my side during this war? Or will you be spending all your time with that wolf of yours?”

Her question carried an undercurrent of possessiveness, but I could sense the genuine concern behind it. Mia was different from Mona—her loyalty was fierce, but it was tied to the bond we shared.

“I’ll be with you when you need me, Mia,” I promised. “But right now, we need to focus on winning this war.”

Mia’s smile widened, and she reached out, her long fingers brushing against my cheek. “Very well, Ryu. I’ll send my spiders. But know this—you belong to *me* as much as you belong to the others. Don’t forget that.”

“I won’t,” I said softly, feeling the weight of her words.

With her agreement secured, I knew we had a fighting chance. Amber’s wolves, Mona’s goblins, and Mia’s spiders—together, we would face the Bloodpack and their allies. But even as I prepared for war, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there were larger forces at play, shadows lurking in the distance.

And as I stood there, surrounded by webs and darkness, I knew that the real battle was yet to come.

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