"Death is better for me." -- Lily
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Arion nodded, offering a small, playful smile as he confirmed her suspicions. "Yes, indeed. Alpha Xander has a fascination with them, although I can't quite understand why. Nonetheless, it's not a place you want to venture into."
Lily's eyes remained locked onto Arion's, her initial fear and tension giving way to curiosity. She still trembled with uncertainty, but there was a glimmer of hope in her expression as she contemplated her next steps to escape.
"Really! I'm not joking!" Arion added with a hint of playful teasing. "Honestly, my father keeps alligators and even built a sanctuary for them on our land, right beside the wall you just climbed. If you slip, they'll have you for dinner!" His eyes twinkled mischievously as he wove the tale, lightening the mood of their encounter.
But Lily's focus had shifted. Upon hearing the words "my father" from Arion's speech, she jolted and instinctively looked back at the handsome young man before her. "Your father?" She trembled in sudden fear. "I'm more afraid of your father than those alligators!"
"Huh? What do you mean? My father is Alpha Xander, the owner of this mansion. Who's your father?" Arion inquired, genuine concern in his voice.
"You should go back to the party. It's a bit dangerous wandering around here alone," he continued, his voice laced with genuine concern.
Arion gently tugged at Lily's hand, intending to lead her back into the mansion where it was safer. However, Lily resisted, her grip firm as she pulled her hand away.
"I... I don't want to go back," Lily murmured, her gaze flickering toward the wall she had just climbed. Her eyes held a mix of determination and uncertainty as she contemplated her choices.
She couldn't help but wonder which fate was worse: being devoured by alligators or remaining as a pet. "Let the alligators eat me," she mumbled in a distant, almost trance-like manner, her voice filled with despair.
Seeing Lily's strong desire to climb the wall, Arion felt somewhat powerless. He made another attempt to gently pull her away from the perilous spot, intending to lead her to safety.
However, his eyes widened in surprise as he noticed something on Lily's neck, a distinctive mark that seemed to glow faintly.
"It's remarkably similar to my father's pet collar. But how could this be?! You look even younger than me. Why would my father suddenly have such a young pet?! He usually chooses those who are mature enough," Arion muttered as he examined the collar on Lily's neck.
The collar was a delicate silver chain adorned with a small sapphire pendant, and it had a subtle, magical glow to it.
"Oh, darn it, you really are my father's pet!" Arion exclaimed, realizing the truth. Despite his surprise, Arion had never truly understood the purpose of his father's pets.
At that moment, Arion didn't dwell on it too much. While his father's indifference towards him had always been a sore point, their family life was generally happy and harmonious. The presence of a pet was an inconsequential addition.
Arion's gaze shifted from the collar back to Lily, his expression a mix of disbelief and curiosity.
"Why were you so insistent on climbing that wall? There truly is nothing there but an alligator sanctuary," Arion said gently, his fingers entwined with Lily's as he guided her away from the forbidden area. Their steps were unhurried, matching the soothing cadence of his voice.
"My father believes alligators are the best at covering up tracks, and that's why he keeps them. Even my mother likes them; their skins usually end up as her favorite handbags," Arion continued, his tone filled with a hint of amusement. "Next time, I'll take you to see her collection of alligator-skin bags, not as aligator's snack!"
Arion's life had been nothing short of charmed. As the son of the pack's leader, he had been shielded from the harsher realities of the world.
His mother's care and protection had nurtured him into a young man who not only possessed striking looks but also radiated kindness and amiability to those around him.
Lily, on the other hand, had experienced a vastly different life. Once, their worlds might not have been so dissimilar, but now, they stood at opposite ends of the spectrum.
"Death is better for me. Being an alpha's pet isn't a good life," Lily confessed in a hushed voice, her gaze still ensnared by Arion's radiant presence.
Yet, in the luminous aura he cast, she couldn't help but become acutely aware of the grime and horrors that defined her own station.
Arion was deeply moved by the sadness and helplessness that marked Lily's exquisite features. Before he could offer a comforting response, a sharp and commanding voice abruptly shattered the fragile moment.
"Lily! How dare you leave your designated area!" Isa, the head servant responsible for overseeing the management of the alpha's pets, fumed with indignation.
Arion could sense Lily's body tensing as Isa drew closer, a natural reaction to the approaching authority figure.
Unconsciously, he tightened his grip on her hand, silently conveying reassurance that everything would be alright.
"Young Alpha Arion, is Lily causing any disruption for you? I will handle her discipline more effectively after this," Isa stated, bowing respectfully.
"No," Arion promptly refuted, ensuring that Lily wouldn't face any additional trouble from Isa later. "It was a misunderstanding. I thought she was a guest of my father, so I invited her for a walk to have a conversation with me." He offered this explanation to shield Lily from any potential consequences.
Isa glanced at Illiya, the assistant who stood calmly behind Arion. However, Illiya displayed no discernible reaction, remaining composed and inscrutable.
For Illiya, her allegiance was to Arion. She had been preoccupied with overseeing preparations for Arion's presence at the banquet and only realized Arion was missing when she knocked on his door.