### Chapter 7: A Risky Plan
The dim light of the underground hideout cast flickering shadows on the stone walls as Riven leaned over the table. The map of the noble district was spread out before him, its intricate lines marked with hastily drawn annotations. His allies surrounded him—Alira, with her sharp mind for strategy, and Jorik, whose knowledge of the city's hidden passages had been invaluable thus far. But tension crackled in the room, thick and unspoken, as Nyx sat coiled in the corner, her golden eyes narrowing at the beast lying silently near her.
The stolen creature, a massive feline with fur the color of storm clouds, rested on the floor, watching the room with wary intelligence. It had been weeks since Riven had taken it from the chaos of the city's illegal arena, yet he had kept his interactions with it to a minimum.
"This plan is risky, Riven," Alira said, breaking the silence. Her eyes darted toward the feline. "And if you're going to rely on that thing—whatever it is—you need to be certain it's under control. Right now, it looks like it's just waiting to tear us all apart."
Riven stiffened. He couldn't deny her words. The beast, which he had impulsively stolen in a bid to weaken the traffickers, had been a source of internal conflict ever since. Unlike Nyx, it didn't seem to trust him. Or perhaps it was the other way around.
"I didn't bring it into this fight lightly," Riven said finally, his tone defensive. "I thought…" He hesitated, the weight of his own uncertainty bearing down on him. "I thought I could tame it the way I did Nyx. But this one is… different."
Nyx let out a low growl, her tail flicking against the floor.
Jorik raised an eyebrow. "Different how?"
Riven sighed, rubbing his temples. "It's not just its strength—it's something else. I can feel it. This beast has a will of its own, a defiance I've never encountered before. It's almost as if…" He trailed off, unsure if he was ready to voice the thought.
"As if what?" Alira pressed.
"As if it doesn't want to be tamed," Riven finished, the admission leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.
### The Beast's Nature
Riven's gaze flicked to the feline, which returned his stare with a calm intensity that bordered on unnerving. In the weeks since he had taken it, the beast had shown moments of cooperation, but those moments were fleeting. It had refused commands, resisted bonding attempts, and even lashed out once when Riven had pushed too hard.
"It's dangerous," Alira said bluntly. "And if you can't control it, it's a liability."
"I know," Riven snapped, more at himself than at her.
The room fell silent again, the weight of their plan pressing down on all of them. The goal was clear: to infiltrate the estate of Lord Darvian, a noble known for his role in the black market. Exposing his involvement would send shockwaves through the capital, but the mission required precision—and trust between Riven and his allies.
### A Fractured Bond
Riven turned to Nyx, who had been uncharacteristically quiet throughout the discussion. Her eyes met his, and for a brief moment, he felt the familiar warmth of their bond. But it was fleeting, replaced by a cold distance that had been growing since their last confrontation.
"Nyx," he began, but she turned her head away, her tail curling tighter around her body.
"She's still angry with you," Jorik muttered.
"I know that," Riven said, his voice low. "But we don't have time to fix everything right now."
Alira crossed her arms. "If you can't even get Nyx back on your side, how do you expect to handle that thing?" She gestured toward the feline.
"I'll figure it out," Riven said, though the words felt hollow.
### A Glimpse of Power
Later that night, after the others had left to prepare, Riven sat alone in the dimly lit room. The feline lay a few feet away, its steady breathing the only sound.
"I didn't steal you just to let you rot," Riven said quietly, more to himself than to the beast.
The feline's ears twitched, and its eyes opened, fixing him with a penetrating stare.
"You're powerful," Riven continued. "Stronger than anything I've seen. But I can't use that power if you keep fighting me."
The beast didn't respond, of course, but something about its gaze shifted. Riven couldn't tell if it was curiosity or disdain.
He sighed, leaning back against the wall. "Maybe I was wrong to take you. Maybe I thought I could handle more than I was ready for. But I'm not giving up. Not on you, and not on this fight."
The beast stood abruptly, its muscles rippling under its sleek fur. It took a step toward Riven, then another, until it was standing directly in front of him. Riven tensed, unsure of what to expect.
Then, without warning, the feline lowered its massive head and pressed its forehead against Riven's chest.
The bond was faint, barely a whisper compared to the vibrant connection he shared with Nyx. But it was there—a fragile thread of understanding.
"You're willing to try?" Riven asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The beast pulled back, its amber eyes meeting his. It didn't nod, didn't roar, but something in its posture had changed.
### The Plan Takes Shape
The next morning, Riven shared his revelation with Alira and Jorik.
"So, you think you've got it under control now?" Alira asked skeptically.
"Not fully," Riven admitted. "But it's a start. I think it understands that we're on the same side—or at least, that we need each other."
Jorik smirked. "Well, that's more than we had yesterday."
The group finalized their plan, mapping out entry points and contingencies. The attack on Lord Darvian's estate would require precision, but with the newfound cooperation of the stolen beast, Riven felt a renewed sense of hope.
### A Test of Trust
As they prepared to leave, Riven approached Nyx.
"I need you," he said simply.
Nyx regarded him for a long moment before rising to her feet. She didn't approach him, didn't offer the warmth of their usual bond, but she followed him as he turned to leave.
It wasn't forgiveness, but it was a step forward.
As Riven stepped into the shadows of the city, flanked by Nyx on one side and the stolen beast on the other, he felt the weight of the upcoming battle. The risks were high, and the path ahead was fraught with danger.
But for the first time in weeks, he felt a spark of confidence. Together—with his allies, his beasts, and his own determination—they might just stand a chance.