Chapter 16 Fated Mate
Everyone fell silent.
Finished
Higher than S Rank… Could it be Double–S Rank? No wonder she could even subdue an out–of–control male!
Throughout the Empire’s history, there had never been a recorded case of a Double–S Rank female. Males, on the other hand, appeared in every generation–individuals whose strength surpassed the S Rank and reached Double–S Rank. The current crown prince and the renowned Lionheart Marshal, Felix, were both Double–S Rank males.
However, without a female capable of providing mental comfort, they faced an insurmountable problem: once they lost control, there was no cure. This predicament had begun to shake the crown prince’s position, with some considering supporting other princes to ascend the throne. Meanwhile, the marshal hadn’t set foot on the battlefield in a long time.
If Tessa awakened as a Double–S Rank, she would become their only savior–their fated mate.
Jacob gazed at Tessa, who stood at the center of everyone’s admiration, his heart heavy with mixed emotions.
Awakening a high–ranking mental power was a good thing. He was genuinely happy for her. But with this, not only Alexander would become his rival. All the Empire’s powerful figures would be competing for her favor in the future.
Jacob had always looked down on those males who resorted to countless tricks to vie for a female’s attention. Yet now, he found himself willingly becoming one of them.
His
gaze darkened.
He had clawed his way out of the waste planet to get where he was today, accomplishing both the possible and the impossible. Competing against stronger opponents had never frightened him.
Composing himself, Jacob spoke in a gentle voice. “Your last physical examination was just yesterday, and your mental fluctuations were still faint at the time. For it to rise this quickly means you’re about to awaken soon.”
He explained that when a female awakened, her mental power would surge uncontrollably, and the males nearby would feel it. The higher the female’s mental power, the wider the range of her influence.
An E Rank female’s awakening affected only those within a meter of her.
An A Rank female’s awakening could influence an entire building.
An S Rank female’s awakening was enough to affect every male in a city.
As for a Double–S Rank female… no one knew how far her influence might reach. But one thing was certain–it would be earth–shattering.
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Chapter 16 Fated Mate:
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the blessing of the Divine Tree. Only when the surge subsided would their mental power fully awaken.
The Holy Land was said to be the cradle of therian civilization, and the Divine Tree was an ancient tree that had stood since prehistoric times. Though atheism prevailed in the interstellar age, and most no longer believed in the Divine Tree’s blessings, the tradition had been preserved. as a ceremonial custom.
A tree that has lived for almost a billion years… Tessa couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe.
When she returned to her senses, she found herself surrounded by eager gazes.
“You don’t seem to have a mate yet. If you’re not satisfied with the males around you, we can recommend some outstanding ones to serve you. All kinds of males–whatever type you prefer…”
After all, this was a future Double–S Rank female. Everyone wanted to form a connection with her.
To serve someone like her was already a great honor. Not to mention, she was sweet, gentle, and approachable, without the temper or arrogance typical of other females.
No male could remain indifferent.
Tessa quickly shook her head, firmly declining the offer. “I’m very pleased with the males around me,” she emphasized. “The problem is with me–I don’t want to get married.”
What could possibly be wrong with Jacob? Handsome, thoughtful, and capable of handling both social settings and household chores–on Earth, she would have never had the chance to meet such an exceptional man in her lifetime.
The problem lay within herself. The trauma from her original family had left her with no expectations for marriage.
Moreover, therians lived for up to 500 years, while she was just a human with a lifespan of a few decades. Until she figured out how long she could live in this universe, she couldn’t risk bonding with anyone.
Despite Tessa taking the blame upon herself, Jacob still found himself the target of accusatory gazes, as if everyone blamed him for not trying hard enough.
Tessa felt guilty about that.
On the way home, the more she thought about it, the more conflicted she became. She suddenly realized that keeping Jacob and Alexander by her side as guardians–without any intention of becoming their mate–while also delaying their chances of finding a partner was selfish.
“What are you thinking about?” Jacob’s gray–blue eyes reflected her figure as he asked softly, “Can I help ease your worries?”
His gentle tone only deepened Tessa’s guilt. Lowering her head, she mumbled, “Being my
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Jacob’s heart jolted in panic, though he quickly forced a smile. “No, I don’t need any benefits. You said we’re family–that’s all I want. You’ve already given me more than enough. After all… you know, I’m an orphan. I lost my family when I was young.
Jacob’s pitiful tone sent a wave of guilt down Tessa’s spine.
The way
he said it made her feel like someone who had picked up a stray dog, cared for it for two days, and then suddenly decided to abandon it out of some misguided sense of freedom. She felt like the worst kind of person.
Before she could say anything, Jacob crouched down beside her–and transformed into a massive arctic wolf with snow–white fur.
Your beast form is a wolf?! And a massive one?! With white fur?!
Thankfully, the interior of the flyer was spacious enough to accommodate such a large creature.
Despite his massive size, the arctic wolf looked pitiful, gazing up at her with pleading eyes.
Fluffy creatures wielded ten times the persuasive power of their human forms. Tessa’s heart melted instantly as she blurted out, “I’ll be your family! I won’t break our bond!”
The moment the words left her mouth, the wolf’s fluffy tail began wagging happily, even swishing close enough to brush against her leg.
Tessa couldn’t handle this level of cuteness–her hands itched with the urge to pet him.
Jacob’s beast form was the most majestic wolf she had ever seen. His snowy fur was pure and flawless, his body sleek and powerful, blending wildness with grace. His gray–blue eyes watched. her intently.
Despite trying to resist, Tessa couldn’t help but reach out and stroke his soft fur–and then did it again.
What she didn’t notice was the brief gleam of satisfaction that flashed in Jacob’s wolf
eyes.
By the time the flyer landed near the villa, Tessa belatedly realized that she had spent the entire ride shamelessly playing with the wolf.
If he had been an actual wolf, it might have been excusable. But this was Jacob’s beast form….
Retracting her sinful” hand, she awkwardly cleared her throat. “Sorry about that.”
She felt like she had accidentally crossed a line.
Jacob shook out his fur and lowered his body. “It’s fine. Want to ride on my back?”
This was the first time Tessa had seen a therian in beast form actually speak. Compared to the lion and black mamba she had encountered before, he seemed far less like a wild animal.
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that “it’s fine since we’re family” and climbed onto the wolf’s sturdy back, holding on as he leaped smoothly from the flyer.
Suddenly, a memory surfaced–she had once ridden a lion, back when she had no idea it was actually a therian.
“You said you know that lion. Who is he?” she asked.
The arctic wolf beneath her instantly stiffened.
