Emma could hear her from all the way inside the rest pod. So, she left, and there Aria was, grinning as she hugged a bunch of bright red fruit to her chest. "What is that?" Emma asked. They were round and red, but were the size of an apple. They also looked delicious. Still, Emma noticed something off with Aria as soon as she asked that question. "Aria, you leveled up?" Aria bobbed her head with a bright smile. "I ran into a horde of beasts last night and fought them through the night. That's how I leveled up." Then, she gave Emma the fruits. "I found them on my way here. I had one earlier and it was really sweet." Aria had never seen fruits like those either. So, she ran several tests on it. She only tried one when the tests came back negative for toxins. "Emma, you should really try one. I picked a bunch after I had one."If she were being honest, there weren't any left on that side of the forest. Emma grabbed a few and said, "Wait here. I'll use this to whip up some breakfast, and we'll enjoy our breakfast together." Then, she promptly used the fruits to make them some salad and juice. She also heated some of the bread she'd baked earlier. Finally, she reached for the homemade peanut butter and jam that she'd made. Emma was done in a matter of minutes and wasted no time serving the breakfast on the table. However, she'd only made breakfast for herself and Aria. She figured Corvin and Aria's mate could handle cooking breakfast for themselves. After all, the ingredients were right there, and they'd be fine under Corvin's instructions. "Emma, these are amazing!" Aria was especially in love with the peanut butter sandwich. Honestly, Emma really wanted to make herself some chocolate spread. Alas, she'd been here for years and had never gotten her hands on any cacao seeds. "And this jam… I'm in heaven." Emma and Aria happily gobbled up their breakfast. … In the meantime, Corvin had two purplish bruises under his eyes. He had stayed up all night trying to memorize the books' contents. He was so preoccupied that he was still thinking about it while he taught Aria's mate how to make breakfast. Marcus, who was inside his crystal coffin, was also suffering from the same affliction. He hadn't slept at all that night. He'd finished reading those books on his lightcore, but there were some areas that he didn't quite understand. His eyes flashed with confusion as his brows furrowed with thought. Can people really bend that way? They wouldn't snap in two, would they? Just then, Malrik abruptly bounced out of the rest pod, hopped to Emma's feet, and nuzzled against her calf."Cotton Candy, you're up!" Emma happily scooped him up when she saw him and showed him off to Aria. "Aria, look what I found! I found this adorable little bunny yesterday. I named him Cotton Candy, and I've decided to keep him." Aria nearly burst into a squeal as soon as she saw the bunny in Emma's arms. "Oh, my gosh! What breed is it? It's so cute! Where did you find it, Emma? I want one too!" Just one look, and she was dying to grab this little fluffball from Emma's arms to give him a good snuggle. Malrik knew right then that he'd accidentally enthralled this female. He immediately became afraid that she'd try to take liberties with him, so he wasted no time leaping out of Emma's embrace and darting straight to Marcus' crystal coffin to hide. Marcus was a Rank 11 therian, which meant he was the safest place to be right now. Marcus was still busy parsing over what he'd read when the rabbit suddenly barged in. So, he instinctively reached out and grabbed it. This rabbit came just in the nick of time.There were a few positions that he hadn't tried just yet. This little thing would make a fine test subject. Malrik stiffened as Marcus lifted him up. As if things couldn't get any worse, he immediately got goosebumps when he noticed Marcus' scrutinizing gaze. What was this guy up to? Why did his stare feel so… creepy? Marcus held the rabbit by its ears as his mind replayed the books' contents. Then, he gently pinched the rabbit's leg with his free hand. He couldn't squeeze too hard. After all, this rabbit was Emma's pet. Emma would get upset if he accidentally broke its legs. Plus, the book also said not to be too rough. He could use a little strength, but it had to be applied with finesse… whatever that meant. That was where he was stuck. Just what was "finesse" supposed to mean? How much force was "just right"?Squeak! Malrik's body turned to stone as his round eyes went wide with disbelief. What the hell is wrong with this guy? I'm a male, and so is he! Does Marcus not have legs of his own? Why is he pinching mine, then? Can't you pinch your own d*mned legs?! What a f*cking psycho! Malrik was fuming as he cursed inwardly. Oh, he would kill for a chance to talk right now. If he could, he was going to give Marcus such a talking to! On the other hand, Marcus was utterly oblivious to the rabbit's thoughts. He only stopped when he heard it squeak, a frown appearing on his face. "Did that hurt?" In that case, the amount of pressure he applied might be too much. He might've hurt Emma if he'd done it to her. "Gentler, then. Let's try again." His hand returned to the rabbit's leg once more. The book said he shouldn't just pinch it. He should stroke it too, so he began massaging the rabbit's leg lightly, his hand slowly inching upward bit by bit. Marcus, you pervert! You sick f*cker! You freak! Malrik immediately started thrashing violently in Marcus' grip. Where the f*ck did this psycho think he was touching? "Stop moving," Marcus barked sternly.