𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃

A Worthy Male Lead

As tempting as it is to lounge around Walker's extravagant house, basking in the luxury of full meals and soft cushions, I have a mission to accomplish.

For Wilde, a voice whispers faintly in the depths of my mind, only to be snuffed out immediately—again. It’s so humiliating how persistent this subconscious betrayal is.

When morning comes, I wake to find myself still curled in Walker's arms, warm and perfectly content. But after indulging in some of his undoubtedly gourmet food—he did try offering me cat food first, which I naturally refused—I’m back on the streets. The sun bathes the world in a soft golden glow, and there’s a spring in my step. I hope Walker doesn’t take my sudden abandonment too personally. I have bigger things to deal with. Like, you know, saving the world.

In the original timeline, it’s been just a day since Ulso killed Ferrari—aka me. According to the records, Ulso was appointed Chieftain three months later. Three months may sound like a decent amount of time to plot, but let’s be real—no amount of time is enough when you’re a kitten trying to take down a spirit with actual powers.

Which means I’ll need help. And I already know who I’ll turn to: Layza.

The plan this time is simple. No over-the-top theatrics. No intricate webs of lies and deceit. Just straightforward honesty. I’ll approach Layza, reveal my identity as Ferrari (and current kitten form), and politely ask for his assistance. That’s it. I’ll even write it down if I have to since speaking is obviously out of the question.

Layza is the most logical choice for an ally. He’s the male lead in the original timeline, the one who defeats Ulso and ushers in peace and harmony. If anyone can stop Ulso before his plans spiral into chaos, it’s him. The only issue is finding him.

Layza is notoriously reclusive, rarely interacting with either humans or spirits. My only hope is that he’ll make an exception for a cute, irresistibly charming animal. Aka me.

If I could still flip my hair, I’d do it right about now.

The rumor is absurd, but desperation has me clinging to it: every vending machine hides a portal, and if you punch in the right code, you’ll find Layza. Ridiculous? Absolutely. Do I have better options? Absolutely not.

The sun blazes overhead as I finally find a vending machine that fits my criteria—secluded enough that no one will witness my impending humiliation. The last thing I need is to go viral as the crazy cat punching a vending machine. Worse, some nosy human might scoop me up, thinking I’m a stray. My pride wouldn’t survive it.

The machine towers above me like some cruel monument to my helplessness. I stare up at the buttons, my tail flicking irritably. How am I supposed to reach them? My ears flatten as I contemplate the sheer stupidity of this plan. If curses were tangible, I’d already be crushed under the weight of mine.

But whining won’t solve anything. I take a deep breath, crouch low, and leap. My claws sink into the metal edge, barely holding me steady as I swing precariously. With one paw gripping for dear life, I stretch the other toward the keypad and start punching buttons.

One digit.
Two digits.
Three.

I fall. Repeatedly. But each time, I claw my way back up, determination outweighing my bruised ego.

Four digits.

The sun dips lower, shadows stretching long across the ground. My stomach growls loud enough to echo. Tears prick my eyes, but I blink them away. Giving up isn’t an option.

Five digits.

My paws work mindlessly now, punching random combinations as my vision blurs. Just when I’m about to collapse from sheer exhaustion, the ridge I’m clinging to vanishes. I’m falling.

Plop.

I land on all fours—thank you, cat instincts—and shake myself off. Blinking blearily, I take in my surroundings and freeze.

The world has transformed.

I’m no longer in the city. Instead, I stand in a field of glowing flowers, their petals emitting soft, colorful light like a sea of tiny lanterns. The air hums with an energy that makes my fur stand on end. Above, the sky is a breathtaking swirl of pink and gold, dotted with faint stars. It’s beautiful, alien, and entirely otherworldly.

In the distance, a cottage rises from the flower field, its mossy roof blending into the landscape. Light spills from the windows, casting a warm glow over the twisting vines that creep along its stone walls. The cottage hums softly, alive with magic. I don’t know where I am, but I know I’ve found the right place.

Renewed energy surges through me, and I trot toward the cottage, determination burning brighter than ever. But just as I approach, something—or someone—lifts me off the ground.

I let out a yowl, paws flailing in the air. Seriously? How many times am I going to get picked up like this? It’s degrading. My claws swipe uselessly at the air as I twist around to confront my captor—and freeze.

He’s stunning.

The man holding me is tall—taller than anyone I’ve seen—and effortlessly graceful. His orange-blonde curls frame his face, falling just past his shoulders in soft waves. His golden eyes glow faintly, sharp and all-knowing, yet warm. His skin has an otherworldly sheen, as though he’s been carved from sunlight. Draped in flowing, opalescent robes, he looks every bit the ethereal being I was hoping to find.

Layza.

The male lead.

He’s exactly as the mission info described him. Calm, commanding, impossibly perfect. Unlike certain other male leads I could name—cough Caden cough—Layza radiates power and dignity. He’s everything I need him to be.

“You worked hard to find me,” he says, his voice a low, smooth baritone. His lips curl into an amused smirk, and I feel the hairs on my tail bristle.

He knew? He knew what I went through to get here, and he just watched? The falls, the hunger, the humiliation? My admiration shatters into a million pieces. This isn’t a male lead. This is a sadist.

“Mrrrow,” I growl, claws sinking into his arm in protest. The thick fabric of his robes absorbs most of the damage, unfortunately.

“I couldn’t have helped you,” he says with an infuriating shrug, completely unbothered. “Only the worthy deserve to meet me.”

I flatten my ears, my tail lashing angrily. This man has the audacity to call himself worthy of anything? My claws itch to shred his robe to ribbons, but before I can act, he starts walking toward the cottage, still holding me by the scruff of my neck like some prize he’s won.

Worthy or not, this is the man I’ve been searching for. I’ll have to make him see reason—even if I have to claw it into him.

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A/N: soooooo what are our thoughts on smexy Layza? Y'all better reply mfs, I NEED MOTIVATION IN THE FORM OF COMMENTS RAWRRR!