Luke held a deep personal grudge against Nala, and from the way she reacted just now, it was clear she remembered it too.

The grudge wasn’t exactly his, but the previous Luke’s.

A few years ago, when Luke was sixteen, he and Nala had been close friends. They often made garlands together from the flowers he grew in his small garden. Nala needed those garlands to decorate the chief’s house, yet the old Luke began to see her behavior in a different light. He misunderstood her kindness.

It didn’t help that Nala had given him plenty of mixed signals. She would often say that if she ever took a mate, he would have to be just like Luke: gentle, caring, and soft-spoken.

Those words gave him the courage to believe she truly wanted him. On a bright sunny afternoon, he presented her with a large, beautifully woven garland and asked if she would become his mate.

Nala rejected him instantly.

If she had simply turned him down, things might have stayed respectful between them. Instead, she tore into him. She called him wimpy, admitted she had been lying the whole time, and mocked him for ever thinking she could want someone like him.

Luke remembered those events clearly the moment he saw the black-haired woman.

He recalled only the strongest emotions from his previous self, and hatred for Nala was one of them.

He felt nothing for the woman herself, but getting revenge always tasted sweet.

Especially now that Nala had finally found her mate, a warrior who served under the chief.

Making her drown in guilt would be far more satisfying.

And since she had promised to work at his home, she would also ease the burden on Monica and Ginna.

Especially Monica, who desperately needed rest to recover.

It was a win-win.

Actually, a win-win-win. How could he forget about his eager little midget bitch, who would help grant him an insane physique?

Luke crouched low and touched the ground with his fingertips.

He sharpened his senses and scanned the surroundings.

Instantly, everything became vivid. The rustled of leaves, the chatter of people in the village, everything grew more closer.

He knew Thea had orchestrated this whole setup, so she wouldn’t have ventured too deep into the forest and risked her life.

Just as he expected, not far from where he stood, he picked up the sound of rapid, frantic breathing.

Luke grinned. Here I come~

....

Thea hid behind a thick tree, panting softly.

Nala had succeeded in sending Luke after her.

She had taken a big risk by slipping out of the village alone. If the other guards caught her, she would have to answer to her Lord. And if a wild animal picked up her scent, the situation would turn far more dangerous.

That was why she muttered under her breath, "Come and find me soon, boy," while glancing over her shoulder. She peeked from behind the tree and saw Luke advancing toward her.

Her lips curved into a sharp grin, her canine flashing in the dim light.

Good. Walk straight into my trap.

The only reason she was closing the distance between them was because of Roxanne.

That woman got on her nerves every single time. By taking away her favorite toy, Thea knew she could deal a heavy blow to her.

There was something special about the bond between Roxanne and Luke. Nothing rattled that bitch quite like hearing his name.

Thea wanted to steal that bond from her. She wanted to corner Roxanne and leave her completely alone.

With a grin, she peeked out from her hiding spot again. "Huh?"

To her shock, Luke had vanished in just a few moments.

She turned fully to look more clearly. Just then...

*Tap* *Tap*

"Eiik!"

A finger tapped her shoulder. She shrieked.

Before she could react, a large, warm hand clamped over her mouth. Her back pressed firmly against the rough bark of the tree.

Her breathing turned rough and ragged, her chest rising and falling rapidly against his solid frame. Her eyes widened in the dim forest light as she stared into his dark green eyes, glowing with raw predatory hunger.

His lips curved into a dangerous smirk. "Searching for me?" he asked, his deep voice low and teasing. His powerful body pressed closer, trapping her firmly against the rough tree bark. The heat radiating from his chest seeped into her skin, overwhelming and dangerous.

Thea stiffened instantly. Her arms rose halfway in a weak attempt at protest, yet she made no real effort to push him away. She knew his strength all too well. She had felt it that night in the oath house, when he had cornered and overpowered her so easily.

Not wanting to appear passive again, she widened her eyes in warning, trying to look fierce.

He smirked wider, clearly amused. "You really think you can threaten me?"

Luke slowly removed his hand from her mouth, letting his fingers brush deliberately against her soft lips.

"You don’t understand who you’re toying with, boy," she growled, her voice husky and breathless. "If I wasn’t lost in this forest and didn’t need your help to return, I would have punished you for this behavior right now."

Luke let out a low, rich chuckle that vibrated through his chest into hers. "You underestimate me, woman. You really think I was fooled by your little servant? That you actually got lost out here?"

Thea froze, startled. Her heart hammered wildly in her chest. "What do you mean, fooled? I am lost. I cannot find the village."

Luke pinned her wrists together and raised them high above her head, pressing them firmly against the rough tree bark. The position left Thea completely exposed and vulnerable, her body stretched and arched toward him.

"If that’s truly the case," he said, his voice dark and velvety, "then let’s play along. Let’s say you really are lost in this dangerous forest." His breath brushed hot against her ear as he leaned in closer. "You know how uncertain these woods can be, don’t you? People wander in and never come back. Wild beasts, sudden traps, or far worse things... anything could happen out here."

Thea felt a shiver race down her spine. It wasn’t just his words that unsettled her; it was the unmistakable shift in his temperament, the raw intensity now rolling off him in waves. Her pulse quickened, a mix of nerves and unwanted heat pooling low in her belly.

"W-what exactly do you mean...?" she asked, her voice shaky and breathless.

Just then, a notification flashed before Luke’s eyes.

[Quest generated.]

[Task: Break the woman’s pride.]

[Reward: ???]

A wicked grin spread across his face. Perfect. This was exactly what he needed.

He would thoroughly enjoy shattering the arrogant pride this woman wrapped around herself like armor.

He suddenly bought something from the store and brought it before her eyes.

"W-What is this?" She asked looking at the rope like thing with an ornament attached to it.

Luke smilingly said, "A gift for you. Now, don’t move around too much, okay?"

••••••••

A/N:- Thank you for reading. I hope you have joined the discord by now.

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