It was very dark outside, and the cold, relentless snow fell from the sky. In the midst of it stood a beautiful lady whose eyes shone brightly, casting a radiant glow on the night. Her hair danced in the frigid wind, enhancing her charm even further. Though snow surrounded her, there was no trace of it on her exquisite figure, it's as if an invisible barrier shielded her from the cold.
Her mouth slowly parted, and her gaze remained fixed on a single direction for what seemed like an eternity. "I know you are around," her voice flowed softly. "Playing hide and seek isn't fun anymore, you know," she remarked, a small smile that could hardly be classified as a true smile gracing her lips.
Suddenly, a shadow loomed behind her, its form indistinguishable, as if it itself were part of the night—difficult to define and easy to believe that nothing was there.
"Who are you?" the voice reverberated, filled with authority and power, though a hint of surprise lingered, soon masked by a deadly demeanor.
A smile emerged on Star's face as she turned around. "Baby boy, is it really necessary to know who I am?" The icy smile on her lips didn't fade.
"Don't think that because you are female I won't dare to kill you. I'm warning you; I don't appreciate clever people," the voice warned.
Star chuckled. "Is an introduction truly necessary?" She lifted her finger and traced her nails. "Aren't you after Lily?" she added.
"What Lily?" the voice inquired.
Star's mouth twitched slightly. "I'm talking about Angel. Aren't you interested in her?" Her smile cleverly concealed her true intentions.
The shadow remained silent for a lengthy moment. "What exactly are you up to?" he finally questioned.
"Nothing," Star replied, feigning innocence. "In fact, I would like you to be one of her mates," she purred charmingly. "But let me disclose this secret information to you: if you keep hiding in the shadows instead of approaching her properly, if you lose her, don't hold anyone accountable. She's about to relocate, so you might as well take the chance," she explained.
The voice fell silent even longer than before. "Why should I trust you? You must have ill intentions toward her. Don't even think about using me; I am the only one who uses others," he retorted.
Star's smile brightened. "Do you really believe I need to use someone if I intend to bring harm? Chill, boy. In fact, I'm helping you with the best intentions, so no worries; I'm not using you," she clarified.
"I do things on my own; I don't need people's guardians, after tonight, don't cross my path again or else...." the voice shot back, only to vanish into the shadows immediately after.
Star's mouth twitched with irritation. "See this Man? My good intentions were very clear, but he's just too foolish. Just wait until she rejects you without sparing your pride," she muttered in frustration. "But it would be best if Lily didn't reject him. This guy is more powerful than I imagined, and his temper is a problem. I need to smooth things over, or else this world will truly be in deep trouble. Lily, oh Lily, I asked you to accept powerful beastmen; I didn't tell you to attract trouble for me," she murmured before vanishing into thin air.
....
The next day...
Lily slowly opened her eyes and tried to stand but realized that she was wrapped in several embraces. Recognizing it was her husbands, she sighed. "You guys have to free me first, or else you're going to suffocate me to death," she murmured.
Immediately, everyone scattered, allowing her to finally breathe.
"Beauty, how was your night?" Liam inquired.
Lily nodded in response.
"Angel, I will cook for you," Art announced before heading out immediately.
Lily was about to speak when her gaze fell on Grant, who was alone in a corner. He looked like he was struggling to open his eyes, and his peerless handsome face showed signs of freezing.
Stunned, she observed his sudden change within just one night, and like a frightened little chick, she approached him and reached out to hold him, but as soon as she made contact, she pulled back immediately due to his frigid temperature.
"Grant... Grant, why are you... you're freezing! What... what happened?" she exclaimed, panic evident in her voice as her heart started to ache. "What... what on earth is happening to you?" she questioned.
Grant forced his eyes open and looked at Lily. "Stay... stay away," he struggled to say, but after uttering those simple words, he began to freeze up even further.
"What on earth is happening!" Lily exclaimed again. "You were fine just yesterday; why are you suddenly like this?" She looked at the others, seeking answers, but they all shook their heads, indicating they didn't know.
Lily wanted to move closer to him again, but she was suddenly pulled back by someone. When she turned, she found Star.
"Star... Star... help... help me check him; he's suddenly freezing up. What's going on? Check him for me!" she urged.
Star furrowed her brows as her gaze fell on Grant. "The problem is that he shouldn't have left his snow home for that long. The cold wind of the winter season is turning him into snow," she explained.
"Why? He was still good and fine yesterday; there's nothing wrong with him, he's perfect!"
Star remained silent for a long moment. "He's a snow hawk, the snow prince. Of course, he shouldn't have left his territory. The winter is revealing the real him. How better can I explain this, Lily? Grasp it quickly," she responded with a hint of annoyance in her voice.
Lily's body froze. "Do you mean he has to go back?" she murmured.
"That's the best option if you want him to be fine," Star replied.
"But... but I can't touch him. He's too cold, and it seems like if I touch him again, he will be in a worse situation," Lily whispered.
"Thankfully, you understand that. But don't worry; I will send him back," Star reassured her.
"Ang... Angel, I'm fine! I don't want to leave you. Don't send me away!" Grant struggled, but the more he spoke and tried to move, the worse his situation became; he was turning into an ice statue.
Seeing the situation deteriorate, Lily immediately hushed Grant to stop talking. "I'm not sending you away. Look at the situation you're in now; I can't bear to see you like this. Once you go back home, you will feel better, and I will definitely come to look for you," she promised.
Grant wanted to say more and voice his unwillingness, but he didn't get the chance as his eyes grew heavy, and he lost consciousness.
"Hibernating," Star murmured. "This guy is really something. It's cold; did he forget that it's time for him to enter hibernation? He worsened his situation because of this," she thought.
"He's asleep. Help me take him back immediately," Lily urged Star, her eyes wide with concern.
Star nodded and moved closer to Grant, her palm hovering just above his head. After a brief moment, both of them vanished in a swirl of frost.
Liam and the others, who had been watching the scene absentmindedly, suddenly came back to their senses and glanced at the spot where Grant had been, only to find it empty.
"Where's Grant?" everyone questioned in unison.
Lily took a deep breath. "He went back home; he should be fine," she responded.
They exchanged glances, trying to comprehend how Grant, who was freezing, could suddenly vanish, but after struggling to make sense of it for too long, they decided to let it go.
"You don't look so good, Beauty. Are you cold?" Liam approached her, a worried expression on his face.
Lily smiled softly. "I'm fine," she assured him.
"It's getting colder and colder; you don't want to catch a cold."
Lily stood up and walked outside. As she opened the door, a cold breeze swept through, sending her beautiful hair dancing behind her, but her current sad mood made her unable to appreciate the cold wind.
"Angel, why do you look so sad?" Malik moved closer to Lily, looking at her with concern.
Lily turned to him and flashed him a sweet smile. "It's nothing, really nothing," she replied, just about to say more when suddenly, Art burst into the room and dragged Lily inside, slamming the door closed behind them.
"What's the matter?" Lily asked, but before anyone could respond, a loud boom echoed, and the house trembled as if an earthquake had struck.
"What... what's going on?" Lily exclaimed, utterly bewildered and shaken.
"It's the snowstrike!" Liam and the others shouted in unison.
Lily wore a confused expression and cast everyone a questioning glance. "What snowstrike?" she asked.
"The snowstrike always rains when it's cold. I thought it wouldn't arrive this time since it didn't come at the usual time. But unexpectedly it rains. when it snows like this, no one should dare step outside; it can kill anyone instantly if it hits people." Malik explained, urgency in his tone.
Lily's jaw dropped. "Has this world offended the heavens in any way? Why did something like this happen?" she pondered, and suddenly another boom resonated, causing the entire house to shake again. "Don't tell me this house is going to be destroyed!" she exclaimed.