Chapter 4

Seeing my absolute determination, the agent smiled and turned to Scarlett. "What got into your little sister?"

Scarlett merely smiled and handed over her black card. "Just swipe it."

Once the payment cleared, Scarlett asked, "The delicate one I brought in last time... has he been prepped?"

"Let my sister try that one today."

The agent's smile widened. "Of course, Scarlett. The one you brought in hasn't been put on the market yet. We were waiting for you."

I was taken aback. Since when did Scarlett have business dealings with an exotic beast sanctuary?

Before I could ask, the agent grabbed my hand and led me down the corridor.

"Is Scarlett a business partner here?" I couldn't help but ask.

"You'll have to ask her that yourself, miss."

I felt like Scarlett was harboring a massive web of secrets. But I decided I would get my answers after I got my beauty treatment.

Suddenly, the agent stopped in front of a heavy door. "This is the one Scarlett handpicked for you. Go on in."

Standing outside the door, the gruesome memory of my first visit flashed in my mind. My hand hovered over the brass doorknob, trembling.

Just then, Scarlett walked up beside me. She assured me that this beast was handpicked for me and that I had nothing to fear.

Every woman has to go through this transition sooner or later.

It was only a matter of time.

I was thoroughly confused. "Really? But back at campus, plenty of girls have never been to a place like this."

Scarlett giggled at my innocence. She leaned in and whispered something in my ear.

My face instantly flushed a burning crimson.

Now I remembered the muffled, rhythmic groans I had heard outside Scarlett's room that night. I hadn't thought much of it then.

But now... it all made sense.

No wonder Scarlett said every woman goes through this eventually. But I was still a virgin. Was I really going to do this?

Scarlett noticed my hesitation. "I told you, if you aren't truly ready, don't ask me to bring you here."

"You look perfectly fine the way you are now."

I closed my eyes, taking a deep, shuddering breath. "No, Scarlett. I've made up my mind."

"I want everyone who hurt me to look at me with envy!"

I gripped the doorknob and turned it.

As the door cracked open, a low, guttural roar echoed from within. I cast one last look at Scarlett.

She offered a reassuring smile. "Don't be scared, Hazel. I'll be right out here waiting for you."

I nodded, stepped into the room, and shut the door behind me.

My heart was hammering against my ribs. My first visit was just a fleeting glance, but being inside this enclosed space was entirely different.

I took deep breaths. To get Scarlett's flawless skin and jaw-dropping curves, I forced myself to be brave. I took bold steps forward.

But as the figure came into view, my instincts screamed at me to run.

He was so massive. Could I really handle this?

The beast growled the moment he saw me, lunging forward with terrifying speed.

I braced for impact, expecting to be brutally pinned to the ground. But he stopped abruptly, exactly three feet away from me.

He gently swept his tail against my leg, as if inviting me to step closer.

At that moment, the beast didn't seem so terrifying after all.

*As expected of the one Scarlett picked for me,* I thought.

Recalling the instructions Scarlett had given me at home, I began to slip off my clothes, preparing to climb onto the beast's back.

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