Chapter 167 - 165

Chapter 167: Chapter 165

After I finally calmed down and stopped trying to bite my newly discovered brother, Gawain crouched in front of me and pulled out a small zip-lock bag.

Inside were the shattered remains of my energy stone.

I stared at the broken fragments in silence.

"It’s thanks to this that you managed to survive," Gawain said quietly. "It absorbed enough of the impact to keep the bullet from becoming fatal."

My ears drooped.

’Then how am I supposed to turn human now?’

That was the only energy stone that had ever been compatible with my body.

Seeing my expression, Gawain reached into his pocket again.

"If you’re looking for another one..."

He pulled out another familiar energy stone.

"I managed to sneak this from the Markhelov Estate the last time we were there."

The moment I saw it, my fur stood on end.

Hissss!

I took three offended steps backward while continuing to hiss at the innocent-looking crystal.

It was that energy stone.

The same traitorous rock that had rejected me over a thousand times before finally deciding I wasn’t worth acknowledging.

"Nya..."

Translation: You...

I pointed an accusing paw at it.

"...Nya nya nyang nya nya."

Translation: I haven’t forgotten what you did.

"...Why is she hissing at a rock?" Remington whispered to Colt.

"I think the rock offended her," Colt whispered back.

Gawain looked between me and the crystal. "Don’t you like it?"

I looked away dramatically.

’I hate it.’

You know what? I don’t need to become human immediately.

I could always look for another compatible energy stone later.

For now, being an adorable little leopard would suffice.

I pulled out my OmniSync and started typing.

[Can you keep it for now? I’ll look for another one. That one’s broken anyway.]

Gawain read the message before looking down at the crystal in confusion.

"...Broken?" He held it up to the light. "What do you mean broken? It’s in perfect condition. There isn’t even a crack."

I sighed.

I take back what I said. I want to talk rather than typing what I want to say.

There’s only one way to explain and that is to demonstrate.

I padded over to Gawain and gently reached one paw towards the crystal.

I’m only touching you.

I am NOT carving you.

Don’t be dramatic this time, you damn broken stone.

I cautiously placed my paw against it.

...

Nothing happened.

’Huh? Why don’t I feel anything?’

I slowly opened one eye and stared at the energy stone.

’Did it finally accept me as its own—

Flash!

A blinding burst of light exploded from the crystal.

"...Nya?!"

The next thing I knew, I was flying through the air.

Again.

"Ohhh, so that’s why!" Remington pointed excitedly.

"I didn’t know an energy stone could do that," Colt nodded.

’I TOLD YOU IT WAS BROKEN!’ I mentally screamed while spinning through the air.

Fortunately, before I could crash into the wall, a pair of familiar arms caught me effortlessly.

I looked up to see Kayden staring down at me with an expression somewhere between concern and barely suppressed amusement.

Before he could say anything, Gawain stepped forward.

"I can carry her. Thank you very much."

He reached for me, but I immediately turned my head away and snuggled deeper into Kayden’s arms.

Gawain froze.

"..."

I could practically see his soul leave his body.

"Little sis...?"

He looked genuinely betrayed.

’I swear this man has severe mood swings.’

A moment ago, he was like a kid fighting with his cat. Now he looked like a kicked puppy because I chose someone else’s arms.

I calmly pulled out my OmniSync and typed.

[I’m still mad at you, so let’s get back to business, shall we?]

I held the screen up to his face.

Gawain stared at it for a moment. "You’re really holding a grudge."

I gave him a flat stare.

’Of course I was.’

He had hidden the fact that he was my brother from me for who knows how long!

Before he could say anything else, the man I had just discovered was, apparently, my father finally cleared his throat.

"Let’s talk about family business first."

Gawain’s expression immediately brightened as he faced Kayden with the most satisfied smile I’d ever seen. "You heard that?"

Kayden raised an eyebrow.

"Family business. So give Blanca to me, and the three of you can leave."

Kayden stared at him. "What do you mean?"

Gawain’s smile widened. "Exactly what I said."

Kayden looked genuinely confused. "We’re going to be family soo—"

"OKAY, SHUT IT!"

Gawain moved so fast I barely had time to process what happened.

He snatched me straight out of Kayden’s arms and immediately kicked him backward.

"OW!"

"Out!"

He kicked Remington next.

"HEY!"

"And you!"

Colt barely had time to react before Gawain shoved him toward the door.

"Wait, we’re not finished talking!"

"You heard my dad! Family business!"

"We’re family too!"

"NO, YOU’RE NOT!"

"We’re going to be!"

"GET OUT!"

Kayden caught himself against the wall and glared at Gawain. "Are you forgetting that I’m still the leader of this district?"

"And are you forgetting that I’m Blanca’s brother?" Gawain leaned closer, lowering his voice so only Kayden could hear. "So if you want to learn what she likes and dislikes, you’d better listen to what I say."

For a few seconds, the two simply stared at each other.

It was the kind of stare that made me wonder whether I should prepare for another fight or just pretend I wasn’t involved.

Eventually, Kayden clicked his tongue and allowed himself to be pushed toward the door. "You won’t always be there to stop me."

Gawain smiled sweetly. "That’s what I’m counting on."

The door finally slammed shut as Gawain turned around, carefully setting me down and adjusting the pillow behind my back.

I stared at him.

’This man really has no shame.’

A moment later, he returned with two cups as he placed the tea in front of the green-haired man sitting across from us, then gently put the milk in front of me.

’At least he knew his priorities.’

The man sitting across from me smiled warmly. "I’m your father, Gavin Delacroix."

I frowned.

’To a man claiming to be my father, we sure don’t look alike.’

I immediately opened my OmniSync and typed.

[Did you get hit in the head?]

Gavin’s smile twitched.

He opened his mouth, probably preparing some grand explanation, but Gawain calmly cut in before he could say anything.

"That’s because he’s not your father."

I stared at him.

’What...?’

Gawain took a sip of his tea. "He’s my father."

I quickly typed another message.

[Then why is he calling himself my father?]

Gavin immediately leaned forward. "Because I really am your father!"

"..."

I slowly looked back and forth between them.

[Are you two messing with me?]

Gawain sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "See? This is exactly why family gatherings are exhausting."

"How is this my fault?" Gavin protested.

"You introduced yourself as her father without explaining anything."

"Because I am her father!"

"Then explain which kind!"

"You’re making it sound more complicated than it is," Gavin complained.

"You’re literally confusing her."

"I am not!"

My brain was already struggling to process the fact that Gawain was my brother.

Now apparently there were multiple fathers involved.

Gawain finally pointed at Gavin.

"Our mother has two—"

He paused.

"...Actually, three husbands."

"..."

’Right... How did I forget about that?’

In this world, beastkin women could have multiple husbands.

I slowly looked at Gavin again.

’So this man could technically be my father...

...while also being Gawain’s father.’

My brain hurt as I slowly typed another message.

[So he’s my father, but he’s also your father?]

Gavin’s face immediately lit up. "See? You’re getting it."

"Not exactly," Gawain said, completely ruining his moment. "You two don’t share the same blood."

Gavin’s smile disappeared.

"...Why do you have to ruin everything?"

"I’m explaining it to her."

"Technically, she’s still my daughter," Gavin argued. "I was married to your mother."

[So you’re saying you’re my father because you were married to my mother?]

Gavin nodded proudly. "Exactly."

Gawain sighed. "That’s not how I would explain it, but sure."

I stared at them for several seconds before quietly taking another sip of my milk.

’I think I need something stronger than milk for this family conversation.’