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Li De accidentally gets transported into a virtual game that won’t be released for another year. He becomes the vampire's progenitor, an ancient being hiding among humans to learn magic, and gains control of an ancient castle along with 200 bloodline descendants. Though he can still return to Earth temporarily, Li De faces a major challenge: in one year, the game’s public beta will begin, and players will enter the world. As a vampire, he must find a way to grow stronger and prepare his race to survive the impending arrival of these players, who could become a massive threat. This is the story of how a vampire progenitor and his descendants team up with humans to cultivate resources, master magic, and build a thriving community in order to withstand the coming storm. --- Tags: Aristocracy, Brainwashing, Elves, Fantasy Creatures, Fantasy World, Game Elements, God Protagonist, Goddesses, Gods, Handsome Male Lead, Interdimensional Travel, Kingdom Building, Loyal Subordinates, Magic, Male Protagonist, Mind Control, Modern Day, Race Change, Shameless Protagonist, Slaves, Vampires, Mages. [TL: Galactic Novels]

Er hat noch einmal von vorne angefangen und ist erneut in dieses "lebende Spiel" eingestiegen, um sein eigenes Schicksal in die Hand zu nehmen. Diesmal wird er nicht von anderen kontrolliert werden. Als ehemaliger Schwertkönig der Stufe 200 wird er in diesem Leben zu einem höheren Gipfel aufsteigen. Methoden zum Geldverdienen! Strategien zur Eroberung von Dungeons! Legendäre Quests! Fundorte von Ausrüstung! Unentdeckte Kampftechniken! Selbst die Geheimnisse, von denen die Beta-Tester nichts wussten, kennt er alle. Massive Kriege, Fortschritte im Leben, der Eintritt in die Gottheit, ein Schwert, das den Gipfel erreicht - die Legende eines Mannes, der zum Schwertgott wird, hat begonnen.

Omegaverse## Kaelith thought his life was over when his machine blinked its last light, his step-sister’s novel still in his hands. Dying while reading a love story: wasn’t that just cruel irony? He never even had the chance to experience love himself. But death wasn’t the end—it was a reset. When Kael opened his eyes, he wasn’t in a hospital or some afterlife. He was inside the world of very book he had just finished, a world ruled by Alphas, where Omegas were expected to submit, and vampires lurked in the shadows of power. And him? He was a nobody. A character that wasn’t meant to exist. But worse than that, he was an Omega, born into a prestigious Alpha family that saw his existence as a stain. Hidden from the world by a father who refused to acknowledge him, protected only by a mother’s desperate pleas. Yet, unlike the character in the novel who lived in quiet submission, Kael refused to let this new life be another cage. He wanted to live. To experience everything he never could. So he went to college. He went to parties. He kissed a stranger at a club. That was his first mistake. Because that stranger? Leonhardt. A ruthless Alpha who never cared for Omegas until Kael’s scent shattered his world. Then came Veyron. The Chaos Bringer. And lastly, Cauis. The sanctuary. A Beta who saw Kael for who he was, but loved him with conditions, and refused to let him go. Kael only wanted to have fun. To finally live. Instead, he found himself at the center of a dangerous game where love, obsession, and power blurred into one. And the scariest part? He didn’t know if he wanted to escape or to fall even deeper. — An Alpha. A Vampire. A Beta. Who would he choose? Would it be Leonhardt, the possessive Alpha who refuses to let him go? Veyron, the enigmatic vampire who tempts him with both danger and pleasure? Or Cauis, the only one who offers him a love with conditions? One heart. Three paths. Which one will he follow? ##Note that it's just the world of the book he entered, so the plot won't follow especially when they are two different characters. He's now a main character in this world, more like writing his own storyline.

Recomeçando mais uma vez, ele entrou novamente neste "jogo vivo" para controlar seu próprio destino. Desta vez, ele não será controlado por outros. Anteriormente o Rei da Espada de Nível 200, ele chegará a um pico mais alto nesta vida. Métodos para ganhar dinheiro! Estratégias para conquistar masmorras! Missões Lendárias! Locais de queda de equipamento! Técnicas de batalha desconhecidas! Até os segredos que os Testadores Beta desconheciam, ele sabe de todos eles. Guerras massivas, avanço da vida, ingressando na divindade, espada alcançando o pico; uma lenda de um homem se tornando um Deus da Espada começou.

The Year is 2152 and Life isn't bad for David Foster. His parents have been seeing his interest in this new game being released this month. With colleagues from work talking about investing in this game, Apparently this game is going to have its own internal markets tied to the real world 1:1. You can now get paid for what you do in the game, David's parents invested in Progenitor INC and got David a Beta Test spot in this New World. The Beta Testers have a one month period to set up their stories in this new world..Each and everyone of the beta testers are going to have a very important part to play in this battle for supremacy

Chen Lun transmigrated to the year before the game's public beta, becoming an NPC in the game world. Thus, a new version was born... Steam punk, Mysterious Objects, Church, Shelter, the pathways of the Sequences of the Seven True Gods... He placed his black top hat on his head, standing atop the ruins. Behind him stood the villain bosses from former game versions, the silent Nun Floey, Bloody Painter Noah, Swordsman Antonio, the delusional clown Alec... Chen Lun said, "Players grind monsters, I grind players, it makes perfect sense..." ... Also known as "How to Rationally Use Players as a Sustainable Resource," "These Bosses Are Really Strong But They Are All My Underlings," "No Way! So I Can Be A Deity, Too?!"

【The latest update for 'Age of Ice' has been completed, heralding the era of open beta testing for all. In one minute, every human on Blue Star will be thrown into this game.】 Starting with a small bonfire, this is your range of activity. You must continually gather materials and upgrade the level of your bonfire. Bonfire → Large Bonfire → Furnace → Energy Tower → Super Energy Station By unlocking more buildings and recruiting various troops, build your power in this extremely harsh world. Having just crossed over, Cao Xing accidentally activates the sole hidden SSS-grade talent: Eternal Power. At that moment, he discovers a beautiful Saozi (sister-in-law) accompanying him... With their hidden talent, they cooperate and gradually expand and strengthen their territory! As they explore the vast world beyond, more secrets of this expansive world come to light...

A veteran player of "Starry Abyss" and a Meteor Fall Master known as Ace Bro, Li Zi came to the game world with his system template, arriving at the era of the game's beta version. This was the worst of times. Cosmic forces and financial magnates colluded, causing The Gate to the cosmos to be shut, planets' resources exhausted, even sunlight monopolized. It was also the best of times. All the Extraordinary Systems had just started, and in this era, only he possessed the final version patch as a Meteor Fall Master. While people reveled in the smoke of plasma cannons, Li Zi had already torn apart warships with Gravity. As Special Ability users proudly indulged in their awakened abilities, Moonlight had already become a servant to Li Zi. When the Interstellar Fleet crossed the Galaxy, Li Zi had just ignited the forty-second Stellar, illuminating the entire cosmos. "People have been trapped on the ground for too long and have forgotten that this Starry Sky should belong to us all," he said gently, holding a black hole in his hand while facing an indescribable native Evil God.

Ever wondered what happens when a Beta stops playing nice? Krishna Debonair didn’t ask to be born into Country X’s richest, most scandal-averse Alpha family. Illegitimate, unclaimed, and treated like a family PR disaster, she’s spent years minding her own business… mostly. But now? She’s bored. She’s pissed. And she’s done pretending to care about their fragile egos. Her new hobby? Breaking arrogant Alphas. Ripping their pride apart, flipping their power games upside down, and reminding them that no title, scent, or social status can protect them from her mood swings. First it was a loudmouth Alpha at the train station. Then came Aaron Triton, rich, cocky, always in heat, and now? He’s happily kneeling at her feet like the overgrown lapdog he swore he’d never become. And when Lucius Vale, a cold, untouchable Alpha board member with too much pride and too little sense, decides to pick a fight? Krishna gives him exactly what he asked for. Public humiliation. Corporate warfare. Sleepless nights wondering how a Beta with bad sleep habits and a worse attitude is outplaying him at every turn. They want her gone. They want her silenced. But Krishna? She’s too busy making a mess, and turning every Alpha that crosses her path into her next regret. One slap at a time.

Alexander turned 20, and on his 20th birthday, he found out that his now-father's beta was his mate. He was beyond happy because he had always had a tiny little crush on the beta and hoped that the beta was his mate; he didn't mind the age gap. Michael is 30 years old and has been the beta of the head alpha of the black moon pack since he was 18. he was going to continue to be the beta for the head alpha's son, but the tables turned when the head alpha's son was his fated mate. What will happen when Alexander comes to know that his mate was mated to someone before, but now is a widow?

A literal ‘red flag’ in a world that sees her as a threat. Excerpt: “You shouldn’t be here,” Zenon growled, his voice low, eyes dark with conflict as he leaned away. Elira looked up at him, lips parted and swollen. “Then why did you kiss me?” “I couldn’t resist you.” His arms tightened around her waist instead of letting go. “Then don’t,” she said, without breaking the gaze. “Remember, you asked for it.” Zenon’s eyes darkened with desire as his lips found the perfect spot on her neck. --- Elira Shaw was never meant to shine. Born an omega to a once-respected Beta bloodline, she’s lived as a ghost in her uncle's home, the acting Beta of the Ashfang Pack. After her parents' mysterious deaths when she was thirteen, Elira became little more than a servant to her aunt and cousin, Regina, the flawless Luna-to-be, groomed to marry one of the Alpha's sons. With no rank, no power, and no name worth remembering, Elira has long accepted her fate. But her fate transforms on her 18th birthday — the night of the grand mating ceremony. Not one, but the wolves of all three of Alpha Cyprus Ashford’s sons recognize her as their mate. The pack erupts into chaos. Regina's engagement plans crumble in fury. And Elira, the despised orphan, is suddenly the most important wolf alive.

Synopsis Liana, a humble omega raised in silence, awakens on her 18th birthday with the scent of her fated mate — the son of the Alpha. But the bond isn't simple. The Alpha has triplet sons, and all three begin to feel the pull toward her. Thrust into the center of political tension and pack rivalry, Liana must confront betrayal, ancient magic, and a forgotten prophecy. As she finds herself entangled with Kael, the stoic firstborn, Jace, the charming troublemaker, and Rowan, the cursed empath, Liana discovers she is more than she was told. Her wolf is the reincarnation of a Luna lost to betrayal. Her bloodline is royal, hidden in shadow. And her destiny is not to choose a mate but to unite a broken world. With Celeste, the Beta's daughter, unraveling in jealousy and Darius, a rogue Alpha with vengeance in his heart, threatening war, Liana must rise. Not as an omega. Not as a mate. But as the Luna fated to reshape the future.

【Pembaruan terbaru untuk 'Age of Ice' telah selesai, mengumumkan era pengujian beta terbuka untuk semua. Dalam satu menit, setiap manusia di Blue Star akan dilemparkan ke dalam permainan ini.】 Dimulai dengan Api Unggun kecil, inilah jangkauan aktivitas Anda. Anda harus terus mengumpulkan bahan dan meningkatkan level Api Unggun Anda. Api Unggun → Api Unggun Besar → Tungku → Menara Energi → Stasiun Energi Super Dengan membuka lebih banyak bangunan dan merekrut berbagai pasukan, bangun kekuatan Anda di dunia yang sangat keras ini. Baru saja menyeberang, Cao Xing secara tidak sengaja mengaktifkan satu-satunya bakat tersembunyi tingkat SSS: Kekuatan Abadi. Pada saat itu, dia menemukan seorang Saozi (kakak ipar) cantik yang menemaninya... Dengan bakat tersembunyi mereka, mereka bekerja sama dan secara bertahap memperluas dan memperkuat wilayah mereka! Saat mereka menjelajahi dunia luas di luar sana, lebih banyak rahasia dunia yang luas ini terungkap...

Takahiro Inu, is a popular cold teacher in an all-boys highschool and despite of being a mediocre Beta, there's something in him that even Alpha boys couldn't handle, the same exact thing that drives a Wild Alpha to be tamed

Content Warning Recommended for mature audiences (18+) Beta Elias gave everything to his pack—his loyalty, his strength, and his heart. But when his fated mate, Alpha Kael, rejects him and falsely accuses him of murdering the former Alpha, Elias becomes an instant traitor. Hunted by the very pack he once protected, he flees into unclaimed lands, bleeding and betrayed. On the brink of death, a mysterious stranger appears and offers him a once-in-a-lifetime deal: protection in exchange for loyalty to the crippled prince Rowan of the Forgotten court. Elias agrees Stepping into a world he never imagined, a fragile alliance sealed through marriage. But on their wedding night, Elias is poisoned; death was inevitable. But then another chance he got. Reborn on the morning of his wedding, he knows not all can be saved. He would not become a dead consort on the night of his wedding, but never had he expected the prince to stand on two feet behind closed doors. “I… I thought you couldn’t walk.” He stammered. Rowan’s slender hand raised, meeting his face. His eyes devoured the little space between them, their bodies inches away. He leaned in, his breath wrapping around him like a warning echo. “Well… you thought wrong.”

He mocked the omegaverse. Now he’s living it—with a baby on the way. Souta Tachibana was just your average, overworked office drone—until his BL-obsessed coworker introduced him to a trashy omegaverse romance novel. Curious (and a little horrified), Souta read it for laughs. But then he died in an accident. Now, he wakes up in the body of Lucien d’Armoire, a minor noble in the empire of Aetheria. No plot relevance. No destined lovers. Just a quiet, boring life as a background beta. Until one morning, he throws up into a chamber pot… and his doctor says something unthinkable: “Baron d’Armoire, you’re pregnant.” Which is impossible. Because he's male. And straight! And because Betas can’t get pregnant. …Right? Except Lucien is no Beta. He’s a rare male Omega. Apparently, during one reckless, drunken night, Lucien slept with an Alpha. Now he's pregnant, confused, and definitely not ready to be a father. To make matters worse—he doesn’t even know who the father is.

The Augmented Virtual Personal Computer (AVPC) is a cutting-edge virtual reality headset powered by the world's most powerful and smartest artificial intelligence. Jing Hoo was among the fortunate few to grab his hands on one after winning a beta-tester lottery. In other words, he became an official pioneer. Testing the tech before anyone else. But the device Jing received wasn't ordinary. This one didn't just simulate another world, it actually transported him there. A mind-blowing, reality-defying, breathtaking, and amazing gift. He used it to enter the world of A famous novel that had several animation shows and movies. The book was known for its extensive world-building and diverse array of characters. In short, he wanted to be a part of its story via the . If only Jing Hoo was aware that it was also another reality, not just a simulation.

[BL] To pay off his debt, Lim Garam decided to debut as an idol under the entertainment company that belongs to the loan shark he owes. But the contract he signed wasn't a business contract. It was a marriage contract with Song Sihyuk--- the Alpha among the Alphas, and a third-generation chaebol at that. Lim Garam is a Beta, so he never understood Song Sihyuk's obsession with him. But maybe he should have known the moment his contract husband asked him THAT question: “Do you want me to turn you into an Omega, Lim Garam?” *** #omegaverse #betaxalpha #omegaxalpha #sassybeta #suddenlyomega #redflagalpha #toxicrelationship #secretmarriage #showbiz #idol #chaebol #ceo

Cecilia, Beta of the Bluemoon Pack, gave herself to her Alpha, Leon. A man who claimed not to believe in fated mates. But the very next day, he met his destined one. Shattered, Cecilia runs. As a rogue, she wanders through dangerous lands until a one-night stand with a stranger offers her fleeting comfort. She disappears at dawn, unaware the man was Ryder, the ruthless Alpha known as the Mad Dog. Then, in the heart of a dark forest, Cecilia saves a dying man, nursing him back to life before vanishing once more. But the man she saved is no ordinary soul—he’s a Fallen Angel, powerful and cursed, now relentlessly searching for the woman who brought him back from the edge. Hoping to find peace, Cecilia settles in a quiet human town, far from wolves, far from fate. But peace never lasts. Because someone else is watching. A vampire, ancient and hidden among humans, feels the shift the moment Cecilia enters the town. Her presence awakens something long dormant within him, and he wants her. Not as prey. As his queen. Now, four powerful beings are chasing her. Leon, the Alpha who let her go too easily. Ryder, the Mad Dog who refuses to forget her. The Fallen Angel, bound by a mysterious pull to the woman who saved him. And the Vampire, who believes she was made for him. But Cecilia never asked for power, war, or prophecy. All she ever wanted was a simple life, to be loved by someone she loves in return, and to build a small family of her own.

The world is diverse and flourishing. Humanity has changed, and with it, brought in a new era of prosperity. Males and females still exist, but the spectrum from which humanity is cast has broadened. With the introduction of alpha, omega, and beta, humanity has evolved even further. In such a word, Dr. Andrew Knox, known environmental researcher, is happy being a beta male. It has made his life easier by being middle ground, and as much as some wish he was one way or the other, he’s happy being who he is. Thriving even. He works in a world renowned research facility. He makes friends easily, and his projects are always funded. He even found someone who he thinks he could end up marrying if things continue in the right direction. That, and the vacant house next to his apartment building gets bought by a new neighbour. A cute, but cautious omega who relies on Andrew as a beta for help. Andrew couldn’t be happier. He loves being a helper, and loves when people rely on him. All in all, Andrew really thinks he has everything made. That is, until a research project with shoddy data is thrown back into his face that he has no recollection of working on, and all of his reputation disintegrates in between one heartbeat and the next. Heartbroken, it isn’t until Andrew wakes up, chained to a wall that everything becomes clear. He becomes a test subject to one of the scientists that he trusted. That he expected would never harm him. The life he had known, where he was a respected researcher was ripped out from underneath him. His identity and everything he’s ever known is stolen from him from a crazed researcher who he had trusted, maybe even loved. He has to relearn who he is, what he is, from scratch. Thankfully, he has one person in his corner. He just never expected to have to rely on someone whose shoulders were so small. This is an a/b/o story, and will have those tropes associated with it. I hope you enjoy :)

"I reincarnated into some trashy omegaverse novel... and I'm the side-side character?!" Rin liked three things in life: his phone, his privacy, and not being railed in public by hormonal Alphas. So when he wakes up in a reverse harem book world written by his sister, as an 'omega pretending to be a beta' side character with no plot armour, no dignity, and no fucking clue what to do next, things go downhill fast. His scent? Irresistible. His attitude? Foul. His new life? A magnet for yandere freaks with dicks the size of trauma. His new mission is to survive, avoid the female lead and return back to his world and to do that, he had to keep a low profile. Pretending to be a beta was supposed to keep him safe and send the male characters far away from him. Too bad his pheromones have other plans... and certain possessive Alphas weren't buying his 'Beta' lies. Now powerful Alphas are circling, each more dangerous than the last... and one already thinks Rin belongs to him. Too bad Rin has zero intention of being anyone's obedient little omega because he's straight and not gay! "I swear, I'm not into men... It just got hard on its own," You've got to explain harder than that, Rin.

In this high stakes world there’s is no time for romance

The seasoned player of "Abyss of Stars," the [Starfall Master] Li Zi, brings a system template and travels to the game's world, arriving in the era of the game's beta version. This is the worst of times. The cosmic forces and conglomerates collude, causing the doors to the universe to be closed, the planet's resources to be exhausted, and even sunlight to be monopolized. This is also the best of times. All the extraordinary systems are just beginning. In this era, he is the only [Starfall Master] with the final version patch. While people are enthralled by the smoke of plasma guns and cannons, Li Zi has already torn apart battleships with gravity. While superhumans are smug about their awakened abilities, moonlight has already become Li Zi's servant. While the interstellar fleet crosses the Milky Way, Li Zi has just ignited the forty-second star, illuminating the entire universe. "People have been trapped on the ground for too long; they've forgotten that this starry sky should belong to all of us." —Facing the unspeakable aboriginal evil gods, Li Zi, holding a black hole, gently said.

[Earthlings! You have been summoned to participate in the Universe's Armageddon...] The voice thundered in billions of minds simultaneously, making Arthur drop his last piece of bread on the dirty slum floor. [Beta Testing Phase: Initiated] [10 Million Chosen Participants] [You have been selected!] "What the F***?" Arthur clutched his head, the system messages burning behind his eyes. This wasn't some phone notification or TV broadcast - this was inside his skull. [Talent Awakening in Progress...] [System...Error!] [SSS Talent Detected: Primordial Summoner] By the time the game had merged with reality, Arthur already had dozens of legendary summons to aid him against the incoming chaos. [You have summoned the SSS-Level "Primordial Dragon"!] [You have extracted the SSS-Level Skill "Berserk"!]

Hii this is tanisha the author of 'meant to be...' we all have our celibrity crushes some are youtubers ,some are tiktokers and some are actors. my story is about a girl who`s crush is a youtuber and it`s not just a crush it`s love.the story will revolve around how they both will meet and turn into lovers. ps: this story is based in india so it will have term like 'beta'- meaning son or daughter , and also the use of indian cities and countries. hope you`ll like it.

What if the dungeon boss... farmed you? Adrian Voss account was supposed to be deleted—a forgotten beta tester erased by a lazy intern and a greedy game company. But one mistake let him slip through the cracks. Now still inside Primordial Abyss with a forbidden class—one the AI accidentally created by studying Adrian’s own test patterns—he doesn’t grind monsters for loot. He makes the monsters grind for him. Every boss he enslaves becomes a passive income machine. Every player who enters his domain drops loot when they die. And every arrogant guild that steps into the wrong dungeon? They’ll never even see him coming. But if Titan Corp ever finds him, they’ll wipe his class for “balance issues” and sue him into digital oblivion. So he hides. He ganks. He builds a kingdom in silence—like a virus buried in their own code. No level grind. No livestreams. Just kill logs—and no names. This isn’t a raid. It’s a quiet war over who commands the system. And Adrian doesn’t ask for control—he takes it.

“You want to know about the mate bond we share?” His words stopped me midway as I turned around to face him. I didn’t say a word as I felt my heart palpitate in anticipation. “Beta Perez, I…” Before I could speak, he continued. “I have decided to never let a woman into my life, Miss. James. I have learned long back that they only serve as a distraction. Why would I need a mate if I could have any women I want? Am I right, Miss. James?” He asked me as I felt my eyes burn, but I held back my tears. “A mate is your better half, Beta Perez.” I choked out the words when he let out a humorless laugh. “According to me, you need a mate to satisfy your needs and maybe an heir in the long run. I think I can buy that with some money, Miss. James.” “Don’t you feel the mate bond, Beta Perez?” I asked him, but he didn’t answer. “I would have at least considered mating with you if you held a rank, Miss. James. But I don’t think I want a woman who is a nobody with a lonely mother and a runaway father.” I felt my chest rise and fall in anger while something broke within me. A tense silence engulfed us as we stared at one another. Join us in this journey where Aurora and Zander find love again as sparks ignite between them and desire crackles in the air, the tension builds, pushing them closer together. Will Zander’s feelings toward the mate bond transform as he grapples with the chemistry between them, or will fear of another heartbreak drive him to reject her? The future is uncertain, but one thing is clear: their destinies are intertwined in ways they never anticipated.

At just eighteen years old, Txälina is sold by her brother to the ruthless, cruel Beta Mätxin. In a pack where women are seen as nothing more than slaves, she learns to survive. But her life changes when Alpha Mätrang, the King's legitimate son, saves her and claims her as his mate. She soon discovers that the werewolves in the Säli Pack might not be the only monsters. One of them is Alpha Mätruvax, the King's infamous bastard son. He is her second mate. A cursed Werewolf. Death is his second name, and the moment he lays eyes on her, he wants her. And whatever Mätruvax wants, he takes no matter the cost. Please note: This book is an adult Werewolf fantasy book that includes dark elements that might be triggering for some.

Soske Tama es el mejor detective de Astaria, la cuidad donde la tecnología y las magias arcanas conviven. Parte autómata, con un alma invocada del pasado para darle vida a este gran detective sobrenatural pero todo se termina abruptamente cuando su segunda al mando lo traiciona y lo deja apagarse por ultima vez... o al menos eso seria de no ser que se despertó tiempo después por la incesante voz de un hombre joven, de suaves rasgos que lo miraban con preocupación mientras decía ser su esposo. ¡¿Disculpe que?! Pronto descubre que el cuerpo en el que esta es el de un autor de novelas policiacas y fantasía con problemas de alcoholismo, una bendi y un esposo desatendidos. ¿Podrá Soske resolver su matrimonio con este extraño y asumir la identidad de Amis o tratara de volver a su realidad? Adelante, pero debo advertir que esto solo es una publicación beta por que realmente me servirían sus opiniones constructivas, ademas como estudio tardare en subir episodios, una disculpa y gracias. Postata: Eaten Away by Nature esta en hiatus indefinido.

Alrick and almost everyone he knew received a once-in-a-lifetime invitation to board the luxurious Beta cruise ship for what promised to be the best weekend of their lives. Though the others embraced the vacation eagerly, Alrick remained suspicious. Everything seemed perfect—until the welcome banquet. That was when things changed. And later, as they accepted the smiling offer of ice cream, they finally understood what Alrick had feared all along...