The grand hall of the Hissandale estate shimmered under the glow of countless lanterns, their golden light casting long shadows against the extravagant crimson and gold silk draperies. Nobles and elite merchants gathered in anticipation, their murmurs a mixture of excitement and envy. Today was the day Sierra Hissandale would finally claim her long-awaited prize—Xyphor Hissandale, the once-forgotten son of the family, now a powerful merchant leader.
Xyphor stood at the center of it all, his expression impassive, golden eyes scanning the crowd while ignoring the woman gripping his arm possessively. Sierra wore a silk dress embroidered with golden serpents, symbolizing her family's dominance. Her lips curled in satisfaction as the officiant prepared to declare their engagement official.
But before the words could be spoken, a loud commotion erupted outside the estate gates. The heavy doors suddenly slammed open, and two towering figures strode in with an imposing aura. Gasps of shock echoed throughout the hall as the guests turned to see two beastmen radiating untamed power—Nyxpanther Draeven and Havvaris Snowfang. Their piercing eyes locked onto Xyphor.
"We're here for Melinoe," Nyxpanther's deep voice boomed, his golden-blue eyes filled with rage and desperation.
The guards of the Hissandale estate surged forward, attempting to restrain the intruders, but Havvaris moved like a flash of winter's chill, knocking them aside effortlessly. Chaos erupted as terrified guests scrambled to the sides, their previous curiosity now replaced with fear.
Xyphor's lips barely moved, but his sharp golden gaze met Nyxpanther's for a split second—a silent message passing between them. She's here. Hurry and find her.
Only one person noticed that exchange—Sierra.
Her entire body tensed. Her grip on Xyphor's arm tightened, nails digging into his skin as her mind raced. They came for her. That disgusting wench! She's ruining everything!
A sharp pain twisted her heart—not from love, but from obsession. Xyphor belongs to me.
Flashback: The Birth of Sierra's Obsession
Sierra was only six years old when she first saw the truth.
The grand halls of the Hissandale estate had always been beautiful—adorned with gold, rare jewels, and the finest silks from all over Eden. But there was one place untouched by luxury: the cold, dark wing where Xyphor was kept.
She had wandered there by accident, drawn by the faint sound of choked sobs. Peeking through the slightly open door, she saw a young Xyphor, barely twelve, curled on the floor like a beaten animal. His fine robes were tattered, his long black hair disheveled, and his golden eyes dim with suffering.
"Useless bastard," his eldest brother spat, kicking him. "You think you're special just because you were born from Mother's first mate? Hah! You're nothing but a waste."
Their mother stood nearby, sipping tea, not sparing Xyphor a single glance. The other brothers laughed, enjoying his pain. The maids, the guards, everyone ignored it—this was normal.
That day, Sierra learned something—Xyphor was unloved.
A sinister thrill curled in her chest. If no one loves him, then all I need to do is give him love, and he'll be mine.
She approached him later that day, offering him a tiny, pathetic piece of affection—an apple. Just one, nothing extravagant, just enough to make him hesitate before taking it.
And then she watched.
Every time she showed him a sliver of kindness, Xyphor's eyes flickered with something raw, something desperate.
He needed love. And she would be the only one to give it to him.
Over the years, her grip on him tightened. The more he suffered, the more he would rely on me. The more he needed me.
The idea of Xyphor looking at someone else the way she wanted him to look at her, of him whispering his secrets to someone else, shattered something inside her.
And now, because of that filthy wench, everything was falling apart.
Present: The Breaking Point
Sierra's breathing became erratic as she watched the scene before her unfold. This was Xyphor's fault. He had orchestrated this. He had led these intruders straight here.
Her fingers trembled, but her eyes burned with fury. A terrifying realization dawned upon her—Xyphor was willing to throw everything away for that woman.
Rage overtook her reason.
Her lips curled into a snarl as she screamed, "FIND MELINOE AND KILL THAT B*TCH!"
The entire hall fell into stunned silence.
Even Xyphor flinched. His golden eyes widened slightly before narrowing into slits of lethal fury.
Sierra's guards hesitated for only a moment before obeying her command, storming deeper into the estate to find Melinoe.
Nyxpanther's ears twitched—he heard it. A deep growl rumbled in his throat as he bared his fangs. Havvaris was already moving before anyone else, his entire being a blur of icy rage.
Xyphor exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening. He had known Sierra's obsession with him was unhealthy, but this… this was madness.
Sierra turned back to Xyphor, her eyes desperate, her entire body trembling. "I won't let her take you away! You're mine, Xyphor! You need me!"
Xyphor didn't even blink. His golden eyes bore into her, colder than death itself. "You never had me."
Sierra's breath hitched, her heart twisting. But before she could react, Nyxpanther and Havvaris had already disappeared into the estate, their deadly auras leaving a suffocating silence in their wake.
The battle for Melinoe had begun.