"Of course, it's almost like a tradition every year at this point," Gale answered as he put Swan on the bedding. He put a blanket over her to make her warmer, and noticed the worry in her eyes, "Why? Are you sad that I have to be chained?"
Swan nodded weakly, "You are not a mindless beast, nor a prisoner of war. Why do you have to be chained? You even need to be weighed by steel balls…"
"I will become a mindless beast during my once-a-year rut, Swan. Those chains are necessary to slow me down, at least to buy you enough time to escape in case I cannot control myself," Gale smiled. He kissed Swan on the cheek and added, "Don't make that face. I will be fine."
Gale walked towards the chains and kneeled on the ground before he got surrounded by the other beastmen soldiers who'd chained him.
