"Something else?" A flicker of suspicion crossed Maverick Thorne’s green eyes.

Evangeline’s gaze shifted, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

The corners of her narrow eyes lifted as her gaze swept over the handsome men, each with their own unique charm. ’We’re about to go find that medicine. If I don’t get a little treat to satisfy my own selfish desires before we leave, wouldn’t I be wasting this veritable garden of beauties?’

’Honestly, this had absolutely nothing to do with completing the mission.’

Seeing the broad smile on her face, the men suddenly felt a chill on the backs of their necks.

Julian stood silently in the distance, his expression impassive. He knew perfectly well that whatever "satisfaction" Evangeline spoke of had nothing to do with him.

"I need to go get ready," Evangeline said with a light cough, and with a flutter of her sleeves, she hurried away.

Thorne narrowed his eyes and turned to Caden Albright. "Fox, what do you think Eva is really up to?"

A smile played on Caden Albright’s stunning face as he replied languidly, "What’s the rush? We’ll find out tonight, won’t we?"

*

Evangeline returned to the bamboo house and surveyed the space, gently stroking her chin as she fell into thought.

A moment later, with a wave of her hand, she pulled everything she could use out of her dimensional space. She spent some time arranging it all, and only when she was satisfied did she begin to select clothes. A dazzling array of garments, from ancient to modern styles, soon filled an entire rack.

By the time she had everything in order, the sun was setting.

"Eva, dinner’s ready." Lachlan’s gaze on Evangeline was soft, but his voice was as cool and ethereal as always.

But when he saw clearly what Evangeline had spent the day setting up, he stopped in his tracks.

His grayish-brown eyes widened slightly, a rare look of confusion crossing his face. He didn’t seem to understand her intentions.

Evangeline looked back at him, her lips curving into a smile. She was in an excellent mood. Seeing his dazed expression, she couldn’t help but reach out and pinch his cheek. His skin felt cool to the touch. "You’d better perform well later."

Lachlan: "...?"

At dinner that evening, Evangeline’s appetite was surprisingly good. She had two helpings of rice, her eyes crinkling with pleasure as she ate. Even her whole aura seemed to radiate a light, sweet joy.

The males exchanged glances, uncharacteristically quiet. For once, they weren’t taking their usual potshots at one another.

"Everyone full?" Evangeline set down her bowl and chopsticks. She tapped her fingers lightly on the edge of the table and looked at the men with a broad smile.

When they ate with her, it was usually just to sample the flavors. How could such a small amount of food possibly fill a Beastman’s stomach?

On the bed in the bamboo house, Bunny and the cub were fast asleep, curled up in a ball with round, full bellies.

Caden Albright propped his chin on his hand and watched her, his amber eyes shimmering with flecks of gold in the candlelight. His voice was a lazy, alluring drawl. "You’re so happy, Eva. Can you tell us now? What exactly is this ’satisfaction’ you were talking about?"

Evangeline swept her long hair back. The corner of her eye lifted as she broke into a radiant smile. "Of course."

She rested her cheek in one hand, her gaze sweeping over each of their faces. Her red lips parted as she announced with a grin, "I want to do a photoshoot with you guys."

"A photoshoot?"

"A photoshoot?"

"..."

The males spoke in unison, their brows furrowed in confusion.

Evangeline snapped her fingers. With a deft flick of her wrist, a vintage-style camera appeared in her palm.

She narrowed her eyes, made a quick adjustment, and aimed the lens at the still-stunned men. "Look here!"

"—CLICK!"

The moment the shutter clicked, a photograph slowly emerged from the camera.

She pinched a corner of the photo and gave it a little shake. Seeing the men’s rare, synchronized, and stunned expressions captured on it, she couldn’t help but burst out laughing, her eyes sparkling. She then casually handed the picture to them.

Lachlan had understood the moment the photograph emerged from the camera.

He discreetly swept his gaze over the others’ shocked and bewildered expressions. The corner of his mouth curved in an almost imperceptible smile. ’So Eva has only ever taken a photograph of me.’ At this thought, a secret joy welled up inside him.

Caden Albright’s long fingers pinched the edge of the photograph. Staring at the images that seemed to be etched onto the paper, he was, for once, at a loss for words.

A flash of astonishment crossed his amber eyes. He’d long known his female held many secrets and possessed all sorts of strange gadgets, but she always managed to shatter his perceptions and show him something new.

"It’s a photograph. It captures an image. Pretty realistic, isn’t it?" Evangeline said, propping her chin on her hand and enjoying the looks of shock on their faces, her own eyes filled with amusement.

Before they could speak, she had already stood up, slung the camera around her neck, and clapped her hands sharply. "Alright, everybody up! We’re going to change clothes now. I’ve prepared a special outfit for each and every one of you!"

The hem of Evangeline’s crimson skirt spun out in a vibrant swirl of color. The faint light caught in her hair, making her look like a dancing sprite.

She had now transformed into a photographer, enthusiastically leading the way. "Everyone, keep up, keep up!"

This lively and absurd scene instantly drew the attention of Loras, Drake, and Julian.

Loras stood at the entrance to the bamboo house, his long, slightly curly purple hair stirred by the breeze. His purple eyes quietly observed the scene. Though he didn’t understand, he had a timid nature and wasn’t overly curious, so he just watched in silence without daring to ask.

But Evangeline caught sight of him out of the corner of her eye and immediately waved him over. "Loras! You too!"

"Huh? Me?" Loras froze, pointing a finger at himself, his purple eyes wide with confusion.

"That’s right! You!" Evangeline’s smile was radiant as she beckoned to him again.

The tips of Loras’s ears turned red. He nodded shyly and, braving Thorne’s unfriendly glare, pursed his lips and followed.

Julian leaned against the doorway, watching with a cold detachment, curious to see what sort of scheme Evangeline was concocting.

Suddenly, a figure walked past his side.

He froze for a second before reacting, quickly grabbing Drake’s arm. Frowning, he asked, "Brother? Where are you going?"

Drake looked back at Julian. His gold-and-red eyes held a cold, metallic gleam, but his expression was calm. His voice was as rich as aged wine. "Aren’t the ones by her side all her Beast Husbands? So am I."

"..." Julian’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He almost laughed out of sheer anger.

His gilded eyes were dark. "What in the world did Evangeline say to you today? Why do you trust her so much? Brother, your Star Pattern shattered, and it was all her fault! Now you don’t remember anything, yet you still consider yourself her Beast Husband?"

Drake stared directly at Julian, his eyes sharp and piercing. "She will heal me. I trust her."

’And I believe that the ruthless person who broke my Feather Wings was not her.’

Julian’s jaw tightened. Just as he was about to sneer, Drake suddenly grabbed his arm with a force that couldn’t be refused and said flatly, "Together."

Before Julian could refuse, he was dragged into the lively commotion.

Meanwhile, the other males were staring, dumbfounded, at the scene around them.

Before they could snap out of it, Evangeline had already glided to the center of the area. With a flick of her slender finger, a flame leaped onto a pile of firewood. In an instant, a bonfire roared to life, illuminating the entire clearing as if it were day.

Evangeline surveyed the group with a broad smile. She tapped a finger toward the row of clothes hanging neatly behind her, her red lips parting. "Alright. Now, take off all those beast skins you’re wearing."