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He wanted to brand Zai as his in front of all.
Mine!Zai could hear the single thought booming in Sin’s mind.
Mine! Mine! Mine!
Thankfully, Goya’s quiet observation worked like a charm. Unable to resist the Beast King’s commanding tone, Sin had no choice but to stop and listen, shaking his tufted mane to clear his head.
You won the Challenge. The Hunter is free to go.
The question is whatyouwill do, Goya said, steadily holding Sin’s intense gaze.
Will you and the human stay with us?
“Excuse me, but can someone translate for me?” Ben interjected from the side.
“I feel like whatever you’re talking about involves me too. And if so, I’d like to have a say.”
“The Beast King is inviting you and Sin to stay with the enclave,” Zai conveyed, meeting the boy’s eyes.
“You should take the offer. You will be protected here.”
“What about you?”
Ben looked at Zai with wide eyes, and Sin looked up at him expectantly as well.
He purposely didn’t look down at the liger, addressing only Ben.
“What I do and where I go are not your concern,” Zai said brusquely, though he gentled his tone.
“We are but strangers whose paths briefly crossed.”
“Bullshit,” Ben said matter-of-factly without inflection.
And Sin growled sonorously at Zai, baring all of his sharp teeth.
Zai ignored them both.
“Make your choice,” he redirected them to the Tiger King’s question.
“You would be stupid not to take the offer.”
And you’re stupider for what you just said, Sin barked in his head, yellow eyes glaring up at him.
“What he said,” Ben reinforced, fuming at Zai with arms crossed. He clearly understood the emotion behind Sin’s snarl just now, if not the actual thought.
The day grows long, Goya said.
We must make progress on our relocation before sundown when the Dark Ones awaken to give further chase.
Make your choice, he echoed Zai’s words.
Which Zai repeated again to Ben.
“Well, as much as I appreciate the offer of hospitality and protection,” Ben said, addressing Goya directly, “I must respectfully decline.”
“I am here on a mission, you see. I still need to find the Eagle King, Sol, and I was hoping you might help me with that.”
The Beast King inclined his head in answer; Ben needed no translation.
