Beastworld Bride: My Seven SSS-Rank Alpha Mates

Kaelen’s POV

That poor little creature.

Julian huffed and shot a glance toward me sitting opposite him. He’d been ready to snap that I had no business apologizing on Elara’s behalf, but then he noticed the flower resting on the meal tray.

"Do I get one as well?"

Julian spun twice through the water, practically bouncing with excitement. He planted kiss after kiss on the fresh vine bracelet Elara had wrapped around him.

"I’m officially the most blessed fish in existence."

"My partner has rejected me before, yet she just promised to bring me home!"

"She gave me that awful pet name, but at least she’s being truthful with me!"

"She called me hideous, yet she traveled all the way to the Voidferal Feral Territory just for me. She’s endured so much—and here I was getting angry over a bit of playful teasing?"

"Julian, you’re absolutely terrible," he whispered to himself.

Then he delivered a sharp slap to his own face.

I watched him, utterly bewildered. "General Julian, have you lost your mind?"

What’s gotten into him?

So my mate doesn’t pamper him—no reason to behave like this.

The two operated on entirely different frequencies.

Dorian was feeling fantastic that day. He rushed over the moment he spotted Elara approaching.

"Elara, you made it," he said.

No question, no grievance—just absolute delight.

——

Elara’s POV

"Sure did, Your Highness. You must be starving," I answered.

I kept my eyes down, busy portioning out the meals. Dorian watched my concentrated expression, and heat crept up his cheeks beneath his fur.

"Elara addresses me so differently than Barrett. She always uses ’Your Highness.’"

The leopard unconsciously brought a paw to his mouth. I caught the gesture and suddenly recalled those adorable pet clips I’d binge-watched just before the apocalypse hit.

There was this trainer who had incredible success teaching dogs commands.

So...

"Lie down," I ordered.

Dorian paused for barely a heartbeat—then dropped to the ground immediately.

Before he could even process what felt off about this, I issued another command. "Spin."

Dorian’s body responded automatically, turning in a full circle. I couldn’t help but laugh. Pressing my luck, I continued. "Sit."

"Stop it, legs! I’m supposed to be in charge here!" Dorian screamed internally.

But he sat anyway.

Dorian sported tiny horns on his head, small wings sprouting from his back, and two lengthy tails that wagged frantically. He cocked his head, let his pink tongue loll out, and beamed at me like an eager pup.

He offered zero resistance—practically pleading for approval.

I flashed him a thumbs-up and grinned widely. "Good boy."

Dorian felt mortified. He whimpered, collapsed onto a cushion, and used both tails to shield his eyes.

I laughed even more. Younger guys really were the best entertainment. His entire performance was precious.

I arranged his meal while the robot positioned it near the opening. I’d brought chocolate as always—this time the liquor-filled variety.

I had a weakness for boozy chocolates, so I’d stocked up at Glimmeraven Port yesterday. I handed two pieces to my "good boy."

After entertaining myself with Dorian, I turned and discovered Barrett glaring at me with obvious irritation.

Barrett clamped down hard on the metal bars, his eyes brimming with resentment, like a spurned spouse.

"Hungry?" I asked.

Silence.

I shook my head and picked up the pace with the food service. His biting grew even louder.

Barrett felt miserable.

"I’m her legitimate husband, and she’s over there playing with that leopard? Aren’t I fluffy? Aren’t I big and powerful?"

Barrett’s irritation reached a breaking point. He’d stopped caring that Dorian held royal status; he just wanted to unleash his claws on something.

Then a loud, crisp slap echoed through the space. Barrett went completely still. I had struck him.

The entire area fell into stunned quiet. Everyone looked shocked.

"Have you completely lost it?" I snapped, shaking my throbbing palm. If that barrier wasn’t there, I would have stormed in and hit him again.

"Are your teeth made of metal?" I continued. "Scraping those bars constantly—you’re giving me a splitting headache!"

Barrett’s jaw dropped. He felt no anger whatsoever. Something unfamiliar had sparked to life inside him, and it felt incredible.

"My partner struck me. Her hand has such a wonderful scent."

Then he bit down on the opposite side of the barrier, gazing at me with anticipation. To me, though, it just seemed like more defiance.

That piercing scraping noise made me see red—I’d heard that identical sound countless times during the apocalypse. Barrett wasn’t my husband in this moment—he was a zombie.

Before the robot could intervene and Dorian could cry out in warning, I hauled myself up onto the food delivery opening.

I’m going to rip his teeth right out.