Chapter 3I Bought The Twins Now They Own Me

My assistant, Chloe, had been pacing anxiously. The moment she heard my key in the lock, she pounced.

“Ava, my God! If your father finds out you were in a place like that, he’ll have my hide. He’ll have your hide.”

My father had always been strict with me. Other heiresses had cycled through a dozen Beastkin by the time they were my age, but I was expected to remain pristine, untouched.

When Chloe saw the two fox Beastkin trailing behind me, she froze.

“Who—what are—?”

“I found them at the bar,” I said with a dismissive wave of my hand. “They looked pathetic. It was an impulse buy.”

Chloe’s jaw dropped. The world had changed, and human-Beastkin relations were governed by strict protocols. The only legal way to acquire a companion was through an official, sanctioned Registry.

The only exception was the mysterious Hale family. The Fox Kin.

They ran the largest casinos in the country, their power absolute and untouchable. The only reason Chloe had even agreed to let me go to that bar was because it was Hale territory—a neutral ground where the Beastkin attendants were famously off-limits, their contracts strictly for serving drinks and providing conversation. On-site service, let alone a permanent sale, was unheard of.

And yet, here I was, with two of the most stunning Fox Kin I had ever seen.

I misinterpreted Chloe’s gaping shock, assuming she was just terrified of my father’s wrath. I patted her shoulder reassuringly.

“Don’t worry, I was discreet. No one saw me.”

One of the fox’s tails, a magnificent brush of silver fur, swayed near my hand. I gave it a playful squeeze and found the texture addictive.

“Besides,” I added, my voice light, “it’s just a bit of fun. It’s not like I’d ever choose them as my official companions.”

Behind me, where I couldn’t see them, two pairs of identical eyes narrowed, and a dangerous current passed between them.