Isla POV
I wake up warm for the first time since arriving in this nightmare world.
Too warm.
Something heavy pins me down. Something breathing against my neck. Something that smells like pine trees and danger.
My eyes snap open.
The wolf man has me wrapped in his arms like I'm a teddy bear. We're in a different cave—smaller, filled with furs and the glow of a real fire. His chest presses against my back, one muscular arm locked around my waist, his face buried in my hair.
He's inhaling. Deeply. Like he's smelling me.
"Oh, hell no," I whisper, and try to wiggle free.
His arm tightens like a steel trap. A low rumble vibrates through his chest—not quite a growl, more like a purr. His lips brush my ear.
"Awake, little mate?"
I freeze. "Don't call me that."
"But you are." He sounds confused, like I've said something ridiculous. "The bond already started. I can feel your fear. Your heartbeat. You're mine now."
"I'm NOBODY'S!" I shove at his arm with strength I don't actually have. "Let me go or I'll—"
"You'll what?" He releases me, but only so he can flip me around to face him. Those amber eyes pin me in place. Up close, he's even more intimidating—sharp jaw, white scars cutting through his eyebrows, shoulders so broad they block the firelight. "You can barely stand. You haven't eaten in days. Without me, you'll die before sunrise."
He's right. I hate that he's right.
"I didn't ask for this," I say through my teeth. "I didn't ask to be here, in this body, in this world—"
DING!
The system screen explodes between us, bright blue and obnoxiously cheerful.
The wolf man jerks back, eyes going wide. "What sorcery—"
"It's not sorcery, it's a nightmare," I snap, reading the message.
[BONDING INTERRUPTED!]
Status: 1% Complete (Physical Contact Initiated)
Warning: Host rejected bond advancement. This is NOT RECOMMENDED.
Reminder: You have 30 DAYS to complete 7 bonds or SYSTEM SHUTDOWN will occur.
Would you like to view the TUTORIAL?
"Yes!" I practically shout. "Explain what's happening before I lose my mind!"
The screen shifts, and suddenly I'm watching a cartoon video. A cute little girl character appears, waving cheerfully.
[WELCOME TO THE BEASTWORLD HAREM SYSTEM!]
You've been selected as a Host because you died performing a selfless act. Congratulations! You've earned a second chance at life.
"A second chance?" I laugh bitterly. "I'm trapped in a dying teenager's body in a world full of monsters!"
The wolf man growls at the word 'monsters,' but I ignore him.
The cartoon continues.
[BEASTWORLD FACTS:]
This world is populated by Beastmen—males who can shift between human and animal forms Females are RARE (1 female for every 20 males) Most females bond with 3-7 males to ensure survival and protection Bonds are PERMANENT and grant special abilities based on the male's species
The cartoon girl gets surrounded by five different animal-men, all glowing with hearts. She giggles.
I feel sick.
[YOUR MISSION:]
Bond with 7 Alpha-class Beastmen within 30 DAYS
Each bond will unlock species-specific survival abilities
Example: Wolf Bond = Enhanced Senses, Night Vision, Mental Link
Collect all 7 bonds to achieve FULL SYSTEM INTEGRATION and unlock GODDESS TIER abilities!
"Wait." I lean closer. "Goddess tier? What does that—"
[TIME REMAINING: 29 DAYS, 18 HOURS, 34 MINUTES]
[CURRENT BONDS: 0/7]
[BONDING POINTS: 0]
[WARNING: Your body is at 8% SURVIVAL CAPACITY. Bond with a male within 48 hours or face PERMANENT DEATH.]
The screen shows my health bar again—a tiny sliver of red that's draining like water through a crack.
"No pressure," I mutter.
Another screen pops up—this one showing the SYSTEM SHOP.
[SHOP AVAILABLE!]
Purchase items using BONDING POINTS
Basic First Aid Kit: 200 Points Fire Starter Set: 100 Points Water Purification Tablets: 150 Points Modern Clothing: 50 Points LOCKED: Advanced Items require higher bond levels
"How do I earn points?" I ask desperately.
The cartoon girl winks.
[EARN BONDING POINTS THROUGH:]
Physical Contact: 10-50 points Kissing: 100 points Intimate Relations: 500-1000 points Emotional Connection: 50-200 points Completing Bond Quests: VARIES
My face burns hot. "You want me to... with SEVEN strangers..."
"What is this magic?" The wolf man is staring at the screen with mixture of awe and suspicion. "Why can I see your spirit guide?"
"It's not—" I press my hands against my face. "It's complicated."
He catches my wrist gently, pulling my hands down. For someone so dangerous-looking, his touch is surprisingly careful. "Explain, little female. Why do you speak to floating lights? Why do you smell like you're from another world? Why—" His eyes narrow. "Why does my wolf claim you're my fated mate when I've never seen you before today?"
There's genuine confusion in his voice. Almost... vulnerability.
I take a shaky breath. "My name is Isla. I'm from a different world—Earth. I died there, and I woke up here in someone else's body. That 'floating light' is telling me I have to bond—mate—with seven males in thirty days, or I'll die. Again."
He stares at me for a long moment. Then: "Seven males."
"Yes."
"Including me."
"Apparently, you're number one on the list."
His jaw clenches. "And if I refuse?"
"Then I find six other guys and you're off the hook."
Something dangerous flashes in his eyes. "No."
"No?"
"No other males touch you." His voice drops to a growl. "My wolf has claimed you. That means you're MINE. Only mine. Forever."
"But I need seven—"
"Then I'll kill any male who tries." He says it simply, like he's commenting on the weather.
The system screen flashes red.
[WARNING! ALPHA POSSESSIVENESS DETECTED!]
[Wolf males are EXTREMELY territorial with fated mates]
[Suggestion: Convince him to share OR find mates strong enough to fight him]
[Neither option is recommended for Host survival]
"Perfect," I mutter. "Just perfect."
The wolf man cups my face, forcing me to look at him. "I saved you. I brought you to my den. I've kept you warm and safe. Why would you want other males?"
"Because I'll DIE without them!" Tears burn my eyes—frustration, fear, exhaustion all crashing down. "I don't want this. I don't want to be here. I just want to go home, but I can't, so I have to survive the only way this stupid system will let me!"
His expression softens slightly. His thumb brushes my cheek, catching a tear. "You're truly from another world?"
"Yes."
"And you have no family here? No pack?"
"Nobody. I'm completely alone."
He's quiet for a moment. Then he pulls me against his chest, one hand cradling the back of my head. "Not anymore. You have me now. My name is Caius. I'm Alpha of the Ashenmaw Pack. And I swear on my blood—I will keep you alive."
Despite everything, I feel myself relaxing into his warmth. When was the last time someone held me like this? Like I mattered?
DING!
[EMOTIONAL BOND STRENGTHENING!]
[+100 BONDING POINTS EARNED]
[WARNING: New threat detected nearby...]
I pull back. "What threat?"
Caius's head snaps toward the cave entrance, his body going rigid. His nostrils flare.
"Rival pack," he snarls. "They've found my scent. They know I have a female."
"How many?"
"Five. Maybe six." He stands, his body already shifting—bones cracking, fur sprouting. "Stay here. Don't make a sound."
"Wait—"
But he's already gone, a massive silver wolf charging out into the darkness.
I hear snarling. Screaming. The wet sound of teeth tearing flesh.
The system screen flashes urgently.
[EMERGENCY QUEST ACTIVATED!]
[Survive the Attack: 0/6 Enemies Eliminated]
[WARNING: Enemy Alpha detected]
[Threat Level: DEADLY]
[He's not after your mate. He's after YOU.]
Footsteps crunch outside the cave. Heavy. Slow. Wrong.
A shadow fills the entrance—bigger than Caius, darker, smelling like rot and violence.
Yellow eyes lock onto mine.
"Hello, little female," the creature rumbles. "You're coming with me."