r. Clarke's Wood magic sw

e froze. The color drained

ared at Cora's abdomen as if a monster was about to burst out of

d, grabbing Dr. Clarke by the collar of her tunic and lifting her off her feet.

nds clawing at Dax's iron grip. "

ng finger at Cora's stomach. Her voice cracked hysterically. "She's pregnant! An

th, a muffled scream escaping her lip

chest. His female was carrying another male's cubs. And yet he would protect them as his own. His fist

th both hands, burning with humiliation. She screa

determine the cubs' growth rate," she stammered. She closed her eyes again, her hands trembling as

ying suppression of a Tier-9 apex predator violently lashed out from the mark, slamming into her senses. She

ke muttered, her eyes wide with absolute des

shoulders, shaking her violent

he gasped, the revelation shattering the fragile peace of the room. Her eyes darted back to Cora in horror, completely misunderstanding the situation as she sensed the resonance.

d, suffocating silence. Ev

gy had to match her cubs. If a low-tier female carried high-tier cub

found grief. "Cora... your genetic defect is too severe. Your bod

r life force completely. The energy backlash will cause you to... explode. You

ve, hearing the words explode and die sent a violen

the deat

ain sn

wing red. The sheer, unadulterated fury of a Tier-9 apex predator exploded from h

aining clay pots exploded into dust. The crushing pressure forced Dr. Clark

ce shaking the foundation of the cabin. "She

e arms around her. He held her so tight her ribs ached, burying his face in her neck. His massive body was

wrapped them around his broad back. "Dax, stop. Calm down. I'm not

his core, his eyes still burning red as he glared down at Dr. Clarke. "How do

way... is to forcefully raise Cora's energy tier before the cubs form. She needs to reach at least Tie

mpossible. Her defect makes absorbing core

manic determination

oden box Arthur had given them. He flipped the lid

ce hard as steel. "Then we upgrade you right now. I will force it in