The Primal Hunter - Chapter 23: Progression

A thousand years ago, the world shattered.Mana surged into existence, rewriting reality itself. Dungeons tore through the land, birthing monstrous horrors, while beasts mutated under the influence of Primordial Ki, evolving into unstoppable apex predators. Humanity was on the brink of annihilation—until the Awakened emerged, wielding supernatural power to defy extinction.Yet, in this brutal new world, strength reigns supreme, and weakness is a death sentence.Amidst it all, Azvoid Larkson—a nameless figure among the countless struggling to survive—awakens a power beyond reason. A power tied to ancient, forgotten dragons—beasts feared even by the strongest Awakened.With each battle, he ascends. With every dragon he tames, his legend grows.In a world where only the strong thrive, how far can one man rise?

She is the daughter of an Alpha whose family had conquered the last demon wolf in Illyria.Esmeray is born into the prestigious Alpha family, known as the Montague. But after her father's untimely death, her life becomes a nightmare of abuse at the hands of her cruel stepmother and stepbrother, who torment her for lacking a wolf.Desperate for salvation, she dreams of a mate who would come and rescue her from the cruelty of her pack. When he finally arrived, her hopes were shattered, for he had only come to reject her.Her only connection to her family's proud heritage is her striking blue hair, a sacred legacy from her ancestors. But in a desperate bid for freedom, Esmeray cuts her hair to escape being sold to a rogue.Her daring action pushes her to the precipice of death, unwittingly awakening a powerful demon wolf, imprisoned for 15 long years. This Alpha demon, who has yearned revenge and bloodthirst, is instantly drawn to Esmeray the moment he senses her, and he is determined to keep her at his side at all cost.In the world of wolves, the hunt is everything — and he has found a prey worth chasing.

In the Heart’s Kingdom, a kingdom where vampires reign and humans were nothing but livestock, Lilou, a peasant, found herself being preyed upon by the worst maniacal vampire of his kind. However, as terrifying as what he addressed her as his ‘reserved meal’, this vampire also called her his bride!

Except:

My eyes brood with fear, gazing at the still-beating heart in his hand. “My Lord, pardon me but… is this the bloody proof you promised to show me?” I asked, my voice shook as I gulped down whilst struggling my trembling knees from giving away.

“Mhm… do you now believe I’m good at capturing hearts?” The silver-haired man, bearing those menacing pair of deep crimson eyes stared proudly at me after a nod. I gasped when he clenched his hand and squeezed the fresh heart to smithereen.

“Yes, milord. You’re good at it, literally.” I’m mortified, watching the pieces of the heart fall as he approached. His every step made me take a step back until my back reached a solid pillar.

“Huh,” Samael chuckled briefly, stopping in front of me. His long, pointy nails that were covered with blood traced my elbow down to my hand. Gently, he clipped my forefinger in between his, guiding it before his lips. “Did I pass your test, though?” He asked, the sharp tip of his nail played over the tip of my finger.

I stared at his penetrating gaze as I reluctantly answered, “Barely.”

He smirked, nodding in satisfaction before he pressed his nail on the tip of my forefinger that was quick to produce a drop of blood. “Such sweet aroma.” He whispered, placing my bleeding finger in his mouth and licked it with passion.

His menacing gaze never left mine as he consumed a bit of my blood. “Does that mean you’re accepting my invitation?” Keeping my finger in between his fangs, Samael inquired.

I bit my lower lip unconsciously, my heart within my chest drummed as my back broke into sweats. “But… I’m just…” I paused, hoping my answer would put an end to this. “… I’m just a human.”

Samael clicked his tongue, displeased at my response as he let my finger go. “No,” He whispered.

My entire body stiffened when he bent over, caressing my shoulder up to my neck by the apex of his nose, as his hot breaths prickled my skin.

“You're not just a mere human... you are my human.” He stressed before I sensed his lips part and the tip of his fangs against my skin.

It all started with a glass of Tequila that Aira thought was orange juice, making her drunk and unknowingly spending a hot night with a handsome young man named Renji Ishikawa. As a result of that night, Aira's life changed drastically, especially when she had to marry Renji Ishikawa, who turned out to be a teenager in his teens. But if she refuses to marry him, Aira is threatened with a lawsuit on charges of sexual harassment against a high school student.…………How sad it was, how heartbreaking, and feeling like the biggest fool for being in the middle of the wedding of her ex-lover and her best friend.“Your drink, Miss,” offered a polite waiter, approaching with a tray full of various colours and flavours.She picked a glass of orange drink with a fresh cherry on the rim. Her moon-like eyes stayed fixed on the groom while she drank the beverage until it was empty.Nothing strange happened to the sweet girl for a minute, but suddenly, dizziness struck, and she stumbled as her body swayed.Her delicate hand searched the wall for support, afraid of falling, feeling like she was experiencing an earthquake, and seeing everything around her shake.Feeling too weak to walk, she chose to squat near a large pot close to the ballroom's entrance. People around her watched silently, unwilling to help; some even gossiped about her.She was distressed and needed help, not performing for an audience, yet many still criticized her.Wild imaginings suddenly crossed her mind, wishing for a handsome prince on a white horse to rescue her, like scenes from her childhood anime favourites.But things like that only happened in fairy tales, where the prince would permanently save the princess from the villain's hands. That was how the stories were written. For her, there would never be a prince in her life story. But who would have thought that God would grant such an extraordinary miracle?Among the hundreds of high-class guests, one person approached and tried to offer help after observing her in silence.A handsome young man in a black suit stood right behind her. “Miss, are you alright?” he asked, concerned.“Who are you?” she asked, her voice still shaky from crying.The man stood frozen for a moment as though startled by the sight of this stranger but then smiled and extended his hand. “Don't cry here. Let me help you up.”She shook her head, her cheeks red, not from embarrassment but from the effects of the drink. “My head is spinning, and I can't walk.”The young man raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Alright then.”He slipped his arms between her legs and under her body, lifting her, and she was heavy, just as he expected.From afar, the girls began to watch with shocked faces, filled with envy, anger, and jealousy, seeing the young man from the Ishikawa family carrying a girl, rumoured to be Aira Hoshino, the ex-girlfriend of Kairo Kenzaki and the best friend of Mika Kurogane, who were the couple getting married tonight.She rested her head on his shoulder comfortably, inhaling the refreshing scent of mint.Only this handsome young man, like a Greek god, came to her aid, asking about her condition, and now, carrying her out of the party without saying a word.“Where is your home?” he asked as he laid Aira, the girl he just met, into the car and fastened her seatbelt.“I don't want to go home,” she whimpered.“Why?” he asked as he sat in the driver's seat.“Do you want to comfort me while my heart is broken?” she said, draping her arms around his neck.A grin spread across his handsome face. “How?” he asked, pretending not to know.“Stay with me until morning,” Aira teased with a playful smile. In the next moment, Aira's lips were captured in his.Slowly, Aira's eyes closed tightly, leading her into a peaceful dream, soaring high into the sky, feeling as if it were real, not just a dream.…