Chapter 5

Julian did indeed have a beautiful face.

The auction price climbed higher and higher.

I boredomly set down my drink.

The wolf-beast I’d bought earlier, his wounds bandaged, was brought to my side.

Only then did I notice that his human form was just as striking as Julian's.

His deep-set features held a primal intensity, and a few shallow scars still marked his face.

His glowing emerald eyes had been fixed on me for a while, yet his grey wolf ears were softly drooped.

Both docile and wild.

For some reason, I felt like I'd seen those untamed eyes before.

I took a sip of tea and asked,

"What's your name?"

"Caleb."

"Have... have we met before?"

His vertical pupils brightened. Caleb was about to speak when suddenly, gasps rippled through the entire arena.

Julian, who knows where he found the strength, had broken free from the guards.

Under the collective gaze of the crowd, he lunged towards Valerie.

Before Valerie could react, he dropped to his knees without hesitation.

He took her hand, kissing it with a trembling, controlled tenderness, his voice full of sorrow.

"Valerie, I promise I'll become the strongest beast-man.

"I'm willing to be the sharpest blade in your hand. Please, keep me, okay?"

*Slap!*

A crisp, resounding slap echoed through the entire arena.

Julian's proudly beautiful face was whipped to the side, rapidly swelling red.

Valerie disgustedly wiped the back of her hand, as if she'd touched something foul.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Such pathetic groveling is truly disgusting."