Beastbourne

Inside Lord Fairmont's private estate, the air was thick with tension. The grand study, lined with ancient tomes and relics of a forgotten era, was silent except for the rhythmic ticking of an ornate clock. Kieran stood across from Lord Edwin Fairmont, his piercing gaze unreadable, while Lady Evelyn sat poised yet determined at her father's side.

Evelyn turned toward her father, her hands delicately placed in her lap. "I want Kieran as my personal bodyguard."

Lord Fairmont arched a brow, his sharp, calculating eyes flicking toward Kieran before settling back on his daughter. "Evelyn, you have an entire force of elite guards. Why him?"

She didn't hesitate. "Because I trust him. He saved my life. And I believe he will again."

Kieran remained silent, his arms crossed as he listened. He wasn't sure what surprised him more—her unwavering certainty in him or the way she spoke as if she had already decided his answer.

Lord Fairmont leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "Interesting request. But before we discuss your protection, Kieran, let's discuss something that may interest you."

Lord Fairmont's voice lowered, taking on a more serious tone. "You've spent your time wandering, seeking purpose, but also seeking answers, haven't you? Specifically, about the ones responsible for your parents' deaths."

Kieran's posture stiffened, his muscles tensing at the mere mention. "You know who did it?"

A knowing smirk played on the nobleman's lips. "Yes. And I will tell you—on one condition."

Kieran's jaw tightened. "What do you want?"

Lord Fairmont stood, walking toward the window overlooking the estate's vast gardens. "Your enemy and mine are the same. The ones who orchestrated the attack that killed your parents… were the Wild Dominion."

The words hit like a thunderclap. Kieran's breathing slowed, his hands curling into fists. The Wild Dominion—the same faction of evolved beasts that had first confronted him when he awoke. The ones who saw humanity as nothing more than prey to be reclaimed by nature.

Lord Fairmont's gaze sharpened as he took a slow step forward. "Did you know… twenty-three years ago, in a zoo in Brazil, there was a lion who loved his caretaker more than anything? She raised him, cared for him, and in time, she evolved—gaining the traits of a lion herself. But the locals feared what she had become. In their ignorance, they killed her.

Kieran remained silent, his chest tightening as he listened.

"The lion, Simbha, was no ordinary beast. He evolved alongside her. He gained intelligence, understanding—and with it, an unshakable hatred for humanity. He vanished into the wild, only to return years later, gathering others like him—those who had suffered at the hands of men. Now, he is the leader of the Wild Dominion. And he despises humans more than anything."

Kieran's breath slowed, realization settling in like a heavy weight. This wasn't just a war. It was a vendetta—one fueled by loss, pain, and betrayal.

Lord Fairmont turned, his expression unreadable. "I have no reason to lie to you. The Wild Dominion has long been a growing threat in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike. The attack that took your parents was not random—they were targeted. Why? I can only speculate, but what I do know is this: if you want revenge, you'll find it at my side."

Kieran was silent, his mind racing. He had spent so long aimless, running from one fight to the next, trying to understand his place in this world. But now, he had a name. A purpose.

His wings twitched slightly as he exhaled. "What do you need me to do?"

Lord Fairmont smiled, the look of a man who had just placed the final piece in a grander game. "Fight beside me. The Wild Dominion is no longer hiding in the shadows. They're preparing for war. And I need warriors who can stand against them."

Kieran let the words settle, his gaze shifting briefly to Evelyn, who sat quietly, waiting for his decision. Her presence was like a steadying force, but the fire in her eyes told him that she had already believed he would accept.

And she was right.

Kieran nodded. "I'm in."