How was Emma supposed to split herself? No matter who she chose, someone would end up sulking. The whole situation felt like juggling live grenades. Great. A hot potato with extra heat, she told herself. So she smiled and played it safe. "I'll go back to my room first and check out all your rooms later, one by one. No rush, okay? Seriously, no rush." Lucien caught the flicker of discomfort on her face and stepped in before anyone else could. "I'll walk you back, Emma." She nodded right away. "Okay." Silas wasn't even surprised. He'd seen this coming from a mile away. Lucien was predictable. What threw him was Marcus suddenly joining the competition like it was some unspoken game. He mused, When did that guy start fighting for attention? Then his eyes slid to the small rabbit in Emma's arms. A mischievous grin spread across his face. "Then I'll take care of the little one for you, Emma. It's cute, but it's got no style. Let me fix that." Emma looked down at Cotton Candy—her fluffy pink companion blinking innocently up at her. Alright, fine, she thought. The little furball's ridiculously cute. A touch of glam couldn't hurt. She handed him over, though her voice carried a warning. "Keep it normal. No weird stuff." She still had to take the little guy out in public. "Relax," Silas promised, flashing that disarming grin. "I'll watch a few pet-styling videos, make him look fantastic." That grin should've been harmless. Yet for Malrik—currently trapped in bunny form—it was nothing short of a death sentence. "Squeak!" His fur bristled as Silas' hand reached closer. Every instinct screamed danger. Marcus is already a walking red flag… and this guy? He's worse. Anyone who watches those "tutorial videos" and "books" for fun can't be trusted. He's definitely a pervert in a lab coat. "Squeak..."Ms. Tibarn, please... don't do this. Please don't hand me over or leave me with this freak! "Behave." Silas tucked the wriggling bunny against his chest, calm and unbothered. He watched Emma and Lucien head upstairs without breaking stride. He wasn't the type to coo over animals. The moment Emma disappeared, the little thing would learn who was boss. Once the pair vanished around the third-floor landing, Silas turned toward Marcus, who still stood rooted in place. "Marcus, did you suddenly lose your fear of dying?" Marcus glanced back silently, then he turned to walk away. Silas didn't stop. "You told Emma that once you bonded, she could cut your beast mark, and you'd die, remember?" His tone dropped, cool and cutting. "Now you're backing out. When she finds out, what do you think she'll believe? You know she hates liars." He paused, voice sharpening. "You met Damian, right? He lied to her. That's why she dissolved their bond."Marcus froze mid-step. Even the rabbit in Silas' arms went stiff. She hates lies. Malrik's mind spun into chaos. So, me hiding who I am—pretending to be her pet—means I've been walking a tightrope this whole time? How the hell do I fix this when the truth might kill me anyway? Nobody noticed the panic behind his tiny glassy eyes. Marcus turned back and stepped closer. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a glimmering Rank 11 insect core. "I'm not fighting you. Help me." Silas didn't take it right away. "We're friends. I'm not letting you die like an idiot." He crossed his arms. "You had Corvin ask me last night how to get Emma to warm up to you, right? Do what I told him. Make her comfortable first. Let her accept you, trust you, and want to keep you close. Once she does, tell her the truth when she's ready to hear it. Then bond." Marcus nodded once. "Understood. Thanks."Then, a flicker of realization crossed his mind. So he figured it out—it really was about me after all. Without hesitating, Marcus pressed the insect core into Silas' hand. "Take it. It's yours." Silas blinked. He hadn't even wanted the d*mn thing. He'd just been fishing for a bit of leverage. Now, refusing it would look awkward. Great. Now I look like the greedy one, he mused. ... Upstairs. Lucien shut the bedroom door behind them, the soft click resonating in the silence. Before she could move, he gently held her by the waist and pressed her softly against the door. His kiss was gentle—warm and brief, yet loaded with unspoken words. His hand on her waist was firm yet trembling, as if he longed to pull her near and hold on forever. Emma's breath quickened. The faint red glow around his eyes made her chest tighten. She had never seen him like this—calm on the outside but falling apart inside.Her fingers curled into his shirt before she even realized it, the heat of his body seeping through the fabric. His muscles felt coiled beneath her palms—taut, trembling, like an arrow straining against its string, ready to snap free. "Lucien... you... You need to breathe." Emma finally managed a shaky inhale and found her voice as he slightly leaned back, though his tone stayed incredibly gentle like velvet smoothing over raw nerves. He emitted a soft chuckle, the sound husky and subdued, as his forehead pressed against hers. The intensity in his eyes remained, growing fiercer and more sincere. He whispered softly, "Emma, I'm scared." His voice was rough, filled with raw emotion, as he held Emma tightly. "I'm constantly working. I lack charm. I'm not Edric, who offers your extra warmth. I'm not Silas, who knows how to make you laugh. And I'm not Corvin, who stays by your side every single day."