Tasting 347

347–A Deadly Cage Fight

Nora

Rollo kept looking at my face as if he was trying to comprehend if I was lying or just making up that story so that people would stop asking me

about the baby daddy

“How do you know he’s passed away?” he asked, puzzled, though his body language told me he was eager to learn more.

“I just know.” I shrugged. “Now, when can I see my babies?”

“You only talk about your children. Do you realize how young you are yourself?” His smile was innocent, but that didn’t change the fact that he

was part of the problems I faced during my pregnancy.

“Beenuse they’re all I live for now.” I said firmly, and he nodded as if he understood, “us for me being young, that doesn’t mean I will abandon

my children.”

I tried living for others, it cost me humiliation and pain. But i can tolerate as much torture as i can when living for my children.

“After the celebrations, we’ll bring your children to you,” he added, then hesitated. “And, um–Brody wants us to capture another mutant and

prepare you for a cage fight.”

His words shocked me. What did he mean by a cage fight?

“I’m sure you’re confused. He wants to put you in a cage with a mutant,” he explained. My heart skipped a beat, and my eyes widened at the

sheer madness of it. In a cage with the mutant where I have to delay his killing

347–A Deadly Cage Fight

means so many injuries for myself.

268 Vouchers

“I know you’re wondering what kind of monster he is, but he’s under a lot of pressure from the council and the wealthy elite. They want to see an

epic battle where you narrowly escape death,” Rollo said, avoiding eye

contact.

“And Brody agrees to this?” I wasn’t hoping for any relationship with Brody, but I was stunned by how much he had changed.

“The money they’re offering is substantial,” Rollo sighed, his gaze dropping to the floor.

“Then I want some things for my babies in return,” I hissed, determined to use this opportunity to secure comfort for my children.

“Done. You deserve it. You’re the reason our pack is celebrating today. The way the council looked at Alpha Brody gave him so much hope,” he

said, then abruptly stopped and cleared his throat, as though he’d said too much.

“I hope you recover soon,” he added before standing up and marching toward the door. He paused, turning back to face me. “You’re a very strong

girl, Nora.”

I stayed silent for a moment before correcting him, “I’m a woman now, Rollo.”

After he left, I drifted off to sleep, the medication lulling me into unconsciousness. When I woke, my hands were unshackled. Brody was leaning

over me, removing the cuffs. He glanced at me briefly, then rested his hand on the headboard, lowering his body as he stared down at me.

“Thank you for being so helpful and such a treasure to my pack,” he said softly, smiling at me.

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347–A Deadly Cage Fight

“Where are my babies?” I knew I was sounding like a broken record, but he was in too good of a mood to complain.

“They’re bringing them,” he assured me, stepping back as I sat up.

Verify

“The way you fought in the arena yesterday, Nora, it was incredible. It was like watching the greatest battle ever. By the end, everyone believed

you could single–handedly wipe out the entire mutant species,” he praised me, showering me with compliments he once refused to acknowledge.

He had taken all the credit for my victory and basked in the crowd’s cheers.

Mrs. Fisher and the other maids walked in with my babies, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I smiled widely.

Brody sat down on the chair while I gently placed my babies on the bed, carefully inspecting them. I needed to make sure they were being well

taken care of.

“Don’t worry, they have the best nannies in the pack,” he reassured me, as if he knew anything about motherhood. Was it really enough for me

that they had nannies?

“I wish I could take care of them myself,” I groaned, then quickly smiled at Sven, who was gazing up at me with his beautiful eyes.

“But even working moms hire nannies. If it bothers you that much, I can leave them with you and only take them away when you’re on a

mission,” his offer was tempting, and I instantly shot him a hopeful look.

“What about Roman?” I asked, watching his expression harden.

“Well, one of them has to stay behind, so you don’t plan anything against the pack or me,” he said coldly. I was stunned by his rotten judgment.

I’d never plot against them–though planning an escape did cross my mind.