Those were the marks he left on her neck last night.
A faint bruise, snaking across her fair neck.
Her neck must be in a lot of pain.
But Seraphina Caldwell did not go crazy and lash out like before, nor did she pick up a whip and whip people at random.
Instead... she even rewarded Wyatt Yardley?
What exactly is she trying to do?
Is it a test? Is it a bribe?
Or... does she have ulterior motives?
Isaac Vaughn's heart started to race uncontrollably.
Could this be a new form of torment?
First, act like the good guy, then strike hard when they're off guard?
In the past, she would often resort to beating and scolding, the whip leaving their skin torn and flesh exposed, but they got used to it instead.
Now, this gentle demeanor makes everyone even more uneasy.
Gentleness is often more frightening than brutality.
Because you can't see what's really behind that smile.
Isaac couldn't understand and could only stare at her back intently.
But Seraphina doesn't know what they are thinking at all.
She just wants to finish eating and hit the road as soon as possible.
The hunger in her belly attacks her in waves.
But she resisted the urge to touch the cold jerky.
She knows these people seem compliant but secretly wish she would drop dead immediately.
But now is not the time to settle scores.
"You all go eat too. Once you're done, we'll leave, don't waste time."
She has to find her father quickly.
These guys look quite obedient now, but who knows how many times they've killed her in their minds.
Keeping them around will eventually lead to trouble.
However, she can't drive them away, nor can she kill them right now.
She still needs them as guides to pass through the forbidden land known as "Nihilvale."
Before that, she has to feign cooperation with these people for a while longer.
No matter how much she detests it, she must act as if she trusts them.
As she turned and walked deeper into the cave, the Beast Husband members all watched her back.
The entire cave fell into a strange silence.
Until the figure with long purple hair sat in the corner, turning her back on them.
Only then did they gradually leave the cave and head towards the nearby stream.
Their footsteps shuffled on the gravel, making a subtle sound.
A few fallen leaves floated on the water's surface, spinning around with the current.
They originally didn't know each other, all forcibly captured by Seraphina's deceased father.
Different identities, clans, and temperaments.
The only common link was that damn Beast Seal on their bodies.
The mark etched onto the side of their necks, a dark red hue.
If anyone breaks the contract, the mark will sting as if on fire, possibly leading to eruptions of their bloodlines and death.
This mark is what tightly binds them to Seraphina's side.
Seraphina's father is already dead.
They personally witnessed that charred corpse fall in the center of the altar with half a broken spear stabbed into its chest.
Yet Seraphina insists that her father is just missing and determined to cross Nihilvale to find him.
Everyone knows she's lying, but no one dares to expose her.
Between Evan Orwell and Isaac Vaughn, there remains some camaraderie.
They once fought side by side in a hunt and together slain an adult Rendclaw Bear.
After that hunt, Evan gifted Isaac a Heart Protection Scale.
And Isaac, while Evan was poisoned, risked his life to gather an antidote herb.
Though not life-and-death friends.
At the very least, they can speak a bit more frankly.
It was Evan who broke the silence first.
He looked at Isaac, the silver-white hair gently lifted by the morning breeze.
"I know you hate her. But don't do something like last night again."
Isaac's shoulder slightly trembled, his eyes still fixed on the blurry reflection in the creek.
The water mirrored his twisted face, the old scar on his temple even more grotesque.
He bit his lip, his Adam's apple moved once, then he whispered, "I understand."
A moment of impulse last night almost made him forget.
If a female dies at the hands of a contracted male, all who are bonded must accompany them in death.
The death is extremely painful, the soul ripped apart by the Beast Seal, the body decaying to ash in three days.
Not only would he have nearly gotten himself involved, but also endangered everyone else.
Thinking of this, he clenched his hands unconsciously.
"She... really seems to want to break the contract."
Evan slowly spoke, his tone much softer than before.
"Maybe... this time, she isn't lying to us."
He paused, his Adam's apple moved slightly, his gaze involuntarily drifting towards Seraphina at a distance.
"Do you think... she truly wants to change?"
Hearing these words, Isaac lifted his gaze to look over.
His eyes lingered on Seraphina's back, a momentary hesitation flickered in his pupils.
In fact, he had noticed it too.
From the moment she proactively suggested breaking the contract, everything seemed different.
No mockery, no sneers, no more of that condescending disdain.
Instead, when performing the blood sign bonding with Evan, her actions were straightforward.
Compared to the Seraphina who once delighted in trampling on their dignity.
It seemed like a different person entirely.
Perhaps... there's truly a turning point.
Kaelan Hawthorne had been listening all along, but remained silent.
He sat at the edge of a half-collapsed stone step, fiddling with small stones by his feet with a dry twig.
No matter what Seraphina's true intentions are, as long as it truly results in lifting this damned master-servant contract and restoring their freedom...
Even if he had to cook five meals a day, ten meals, he would be willing!
Gideon Larkin's thoughts were the simplest and most straightforward.
He rubbed his empty belly, which grumbled in response.
Then he scratched his head and bellowed roughly, "Let's eat first! No one has the energy to hit the road on an empty stomach. Anyway, it's still early, why not fill up first and see what game she's playing."
Once he spoke, silence briefly fell around them.
Indeed, whether Seraphina's intentions are sincere or deceitful.
At least, for now, they've reached a temporary consensus.
Full stomachs mean they have the energy to face the unknown road ahead.
The cave was quiet, the occasional crackle from the embers the only sound remaining.
After a while, Seraphina emerged from the cave.
She held in her hand a few wrinkled wild fruits, their peels already nibbled to bits.
The Beast Husband members should have finished eating as well.
The morning mist hadn't entirely lifted, a layer of white mist floating amidst the mountains.
The breeze was cool, lifting strands of her hair at her temples.
Seraphina tilted her head, looking skyward.
The eastern horizon just began to lighten, a red sun peeking over the ridge.
She pursed her lips and asked, "Do you plan to use beast forms for the journey? If we fly, perhaps it will be faster."
Evan took a step forward, his silver-white hair lightly fluttered in the morning light.
He looked up, regarded the gradually brightening sky.
"If we fly with all our strength, without stopping midway, we can reach the Eagle Clan Village in seven days."
After pausing for a moment, he added another sentence.
"However, if you are not in a hurry, we can also stay in human form and walk slowly, a safer route."
"Urgent!"
Seraphina's eyes suddenly turned anxious.
"How could she not be urgent?"
Her father is the only family she can rely on in the world.
So, there can't be delay, not for a moment.
"Then let's travel in beast form."
"The faster, the better."
Her words had just fallen when the surrounding Beast Husband members suddenly grew silent.
Each of their eyes turned complex.
Seraphina blinked, puzzled: "What? Isn't it okay?"
She tilted her head slightly, a bit of incomprehension in her eyes.