Their arrival did not go unnoticed.
It couldn't.
A grand carriage pulled by two massive shadow beasts—Grimsteeds—rolling through the gates of Velrathis was not something that blended in.
Children ran alongside.
Adults followed.
Whispers spread faster than footsteps.
"The Vixens…"
"Is that him?"
"Jax Darquebane…"
By the time the carriage reached the inn, half the street had gathered.
Jax exited first.
Dressed in a tailored merchant suit, sharp and refined, he carried himself with a quiet confidence that turned heads even in a city of beauty.
In Velrathis, where men often leaned toward elegance and soft allure—
Jax stood apart.
Broad.
Defined.
Undeniably masculine.
And in a place like this…
That mattered.
The Vixens followed.
Each dressed in elegant attire—refined, composed, yet unmistakably themselves.
Eyes followed them.
Judged them.
Measured them.
And then—
The air shifted.
"I truly hope… you aren't planning to stay here."
The voice cut through the room.
Smooth.
Commanding.
Dangerous.
Heads turned.
And she entered.
Velmora Nightveil.
Nyxian's mother.
A presence that demanded attention.
Her dark gown clung like shadow itself, revealing more than it concealed, her confidence radiating with every step.
She didn't walk into the room.
She claimed it.
"Mother…"
Nyxian's voice was softer than anyone had ever heard it.
Velmora approached her slowly.
Looked her up.
Down.
Then deeper.
Far deeper.
"As expected…"
Her voice was calm.
Observant.
"You've grown stronger."
A pause.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Unnaturally so."
She stepped closer.
"You've imprinted."
The room froze.
The Vixens exchanged glances.
Jax didn't move.
Velmora's expression shifted—just slightly.
"We've heard stories," she continued. "Children play in the streets pretending to be you."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Nyxian of the Vixens… has become something of a legend."
Nyxian stepped forward.
And embraced her.
It was brief.
Tense.
But real.
When they separated, Velmora turned.
Her gaze swept across the room.
"This must be the Vixens."
The girls straightened instinctively.
Meeting her presence head-on.
Then—
Her eyes landed on Jax.
And lingered.
She stepped toward him slowly.
Predatory.
Curious.
"…And this," she said softly, "must be Jax Darquebane."
Jax stepped forward.
Offered his hand.
She took it.
Held it.
Longer than necessary.
Her fingers pressed slightly.
Testing.
Measuring.
"…Soft hands," she noted. "For someone with such a reputation."
Jax didn't pull away.
"Efficient hands," he replied calmly.
That earned a flicker of interest.
Velmora released him.
Barely.
"Come," she said. "You will stay with us."
The innkeeper didn't argue.
No one did.
The Nightveil estate sat at the far edge of the city.
Large.
Elegant.
Isolated.
A place of status.
And control.
Inside, the atmosphere shifted again.
Drinks were offered.
Wine poured.
Conversation began.
But one thing stood out immediately.
Nyxian didn't drink.
Not even a sip.
Pixelle noticed.
"…That's new."
The conversation remained polite.
Measured.
Controlled.
Until—
Nyxian walked past Jax.
And he didn't react.
She stopped.
Slowly turned.
Eyes locked onto him.
Dangerous.
Deadly.
"You will touch me when I walk past you."
The room froze.
"…Excuse me?" Pixelle whispered.
Nyxian didn't break eye contact.
"That is not optional."
She stepped back.
Deliberately.
Positioning herself again.
Waiting.
Jax stared at her.
Then—
Reached out.
Pinched her butt.
Just enough.
Nyxian smirked.
Satisfied.
And walked away—
With exaggerated sway.
Just to make sure the message was clear.
Velmora watched all of it.
Silently.
Taking notes.
"So," she said finally, returning her focus to Jax. "You wish to marry my daughter."
Jax sat comfortably.
"In my mind, we already are married. But yes… I'd like to make it official."
A pause.
"And she would like you to be part of that."
Velmora's expression shifted.
Briefly.
Something unreadable passing behind her eyes.
Then gone.
"We are proud of her," she said.
Then added—
"But more importantly… we are pleased she has found a man."
The emphasis was clear.
Deliberate.
Jax didn't flinch.
"She's found many who love her," he replied evenly. "I'm just the one fortunate enough to marry her."
A beat.
"And if you asked… you'd find others who might want the same."
That landed.
But didn't break her composure.
Seralya, Nyxian's sister, stepped forward.
"Has she told you about the ritual?"
Nyxian froze.
Jax glanced at her.
She wasn't meeting his eyes.
Not at all.
"I've heard there are traditions," Jax said. "Romantic ones, from what I understand."
A pause.
"But given that Nyxian has already imprinted…"
He leaned slightly forward.
"I was hoping we could discuss… alternatives."
Mother and daughter exchanged a look.
Curious.
Calculating.
"Why," Seralya asked, "would we abandon tradition for her?"
Jax didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He studied them.
Carefully.
Measured.
Then spoke.
"Because it changes your future."
That got their attention.
Velmora's eyes narrowed.
"…Explain."
Jax leaned forward.
Calm.
Certain.
"I can tell neither of you have imprinted."
Silence.
Sharp.
Immediate.
Their eyes met.
Just for a second.
That was all Jax needed.
"If you proceed with the ritual…" he continued, "there's a strong chance you will."
A pause.
"On me."
Velmora scoffed lightly.
"Confident. For a human."
"He will."
Everyone turned.
Nyxian.
Her voice wasn't loud.
But it cut through everything.
"He will satisfy everything you are."
Her gaze didn't waver.
"Emotionally. Physically. Completely."
She stepped forward.
"If I had imprinted already… I would still choose him."
Silence.
Heavy.
"But that's the problem."
Her voice softened.
Just slightly.
"You won't be able to go back."
She looked at them both.
"For you, this is curiosity."
"For him… it's just another night."
That stung.
"You'll want him."
"Need him."
"And you won't get enough."
She stepped closer.
Eyes sharp now.
Protective.
Possessive.
"And when you go back to your husbands…"
Her voice dropped.
"…they won't be enough."
The room went still.
"You will remember what you had."
"What you can't have again."
"And it will break something in you."
Velmora and Seralya didn't respond.
But for the first time—
They weren't in control of the conversation.
Nyxian finished quietly.
"I don't want that for you."
Silence lingered.
Long.
Uncomfortable.
Unavoidable.
For the first time since they arrived—
The Nightveil women hesitated.
And that…
Was something no one in that room expected.