Interstellar Beast World: All My Husbands Are Powerful and Rich!-Chapter 31: Like a mountain

"If this hunt goes smoothly," Rory murmured to herself, eyes bright with quiet determination, "and I take down enough level-five beasts, I should finally have enough star coins saved to buy a Gravicar of my own."

The thought alone filled her with insane motivation.

Just then, the sleek Gravicar that had arrived moments earlier hissed softly as its doors slid open. A tall, silver-haired beauty stepped out with unhurried elegance. Her presence was striking—poised, confident, and unmistakably powerful. She was clearly Rank Five, and the refined way she carried herself suggested she was well accustomed to being admired.

Five males followed close behind her. Three were Rank Six Etherians, another had just stepped into Rank Seven, and the last carried the oppressive aura of someone standing at the peak of that rank. Together, they formed an imposing group of warriors.

As they approached, the woman’s sharp gaze swept across Rory and Dax. When her eyes landed on Dax’s androgynous, striking features, a brief flicker of interest flashed across her face. But the moment she sensed his displayed rank—only Rank Five—that interest curdled into unmistakable disdain. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Her lips pressed into a thin line as she came to a stop in front of Gina. Offering Gina a shallow, perfunctory smile, she lifted one manicured finger and pointed toward Rory with poorly concealed disgust.

"Gina," she said coolly, "don’t tell me those two are joining us for the hunt?"

Her eyes flicked back to Rory, contempt dripping from her tone. "A Rank Four female and a Rank Five male? They’re practically dead weight. What exactly do you expect them to contribute out there? We’ll be doing all the killing—and the babysitting, too."

Gina had known Mindy Lane for years and understood her childish temperament well. Mindy had always spoken bluntly, often without filtering her thoughts. It could have led to constant trouble, had it not been for her striking appearance and family wealth.

With a patient smile, Gina explained calmly, "Mindy, Rory is my closest friend. Even though she’s currently Rank Four, her actual strength is no weaker than a Rank Five Etherian."

Evie scoffed outright. "One suitor, no mate, and still not bonded?" Her eyes sharpened. "How powerful could she really be?"

Her voice hardened as she added, "Let me be clear, Gina. I won’t waste my time protecting weaklings. If they get into trouble, my mate and I won’t intervene."

That was the moment she crossed the line.

Dax stiffened instantly. No one had ever spoken to him like that—not openly, not so dismissively. Fury surged through his veins as he stepped forward, eyes burning as he glared at Mindy.

"Don’t worry," he said coldly. "Female Master and I won’t need your help."

His tone sharpened further. "And if you’re the one in danger, don’t expect us to lift a finger either."

Mindy came from a prestigious lineage—on Old Earth, she would have been considered nobility, even if from a lesser branch. Her status alone placed her above most Etherian females, and she was accustomed to males flattering her, circling her like obedient creatures desperate for approval.

This was the first time a male had dared speak back to her.

Her face twisted in fury as she turned her venomous gaze toward Rory. "You’re his huntress," she snapped. "He just insulted a female right in front of you. Shouldn’t you punish him?"

A suitor who spoke out without his huntress’s consent was committing a grave offense. In most cases, such defiance ended in humiliation—or worse.

Dax’s jaw tightened as he turned to look at Rory, rage and fear colliding inside him.

He had forgotten.

Suitors weren’t supposed to act on their own. They weren’t supposed to challenge a female, especially one of status. Rory might be his matched huntress, but she clearly felt nothing for him. His fists clenched as dark thoughts raced through his mind.

How would she punish him?

Would she dissolve their match on the spot?

Or would she strike at his mental power, forcing him to kneel and beg like his friend once had—stripped of dignity, pride shattered beyond repair?

Even as the unseen force behind Starlight Prime Tech, even as the heir to the Blood Moon Fox lineage, he was still lesser before his huntress.

He still had to bow his head.

Even when she treated him as though he were nothing.

To many, males were worth less than beasts.

Rory noticed the tension in Dax’s rigid posture—the way his shoulders drew tight, the fury he struggled to suppress, and beneath it all, the fear he couldn’t quite hide. She didn’t know his thoughts, only that he was bracing himself for punishment.

Her expression cooled.

She stepped forward decisively, placing herself in front of him and pulling Dax behind her without hesitation. When she looked at Mindy, her gaze was steady and unyielding.

"My suitor spoke on my behalf," Rory said evenly. "I won’t punish him."

Dax’s head snapped up in shock.

Rory’s voice remained calm, but there was iron beneath it. "Dax is right. Since you won’t help us if we’re in danger, we won’t help you either."

She was the smallest among them. The lowest-ranked. Yet to Dax, the figure standing in front of him felt immovable—like a mountain shielding him from the storm.

Mindy let out a derisive snort. "A useless female who won’t even discipline her own suitor. You’re lucky if you can protect yourself."

And she claims she’d save me?

What a joke.

"Enough," Gina cut in sharply, stepping between them. "We’re teammates. Stop arguing."

She shot Mindy a warning look, then turned to Rory and gently sent a wave of mental comfort her way. "Rory, it’s fine. I’ll protect you."

Gina understood better than most how much Rory endured, how hard she worked just to stand where she was. Protecting her wasn’t a burden—it was something she was willing to do.

"Thanks," Rory replied quietly.

She brushed the encounter aside as if it were nothing.

She’d faced scenes like this too many times already.

She was used to it.