CHAPTER 4~YOUVE PASSED THE FIRST TEST

Raya watched him carefully, her mind racing with all the possibilities swirling around her. Zaire was nothing like anyone she had ever met, and though every instinct screamed at her to be cautious, another part of her, the part that had led her here in the first place, urged her to keep going.

"So," she said after a beat, trying to lighten the mood. "Tell me about this mansion then. How many rooms does it have? You must get lost in here all the time."

Zaire chuckled, the sound rich and deep, filling the air between them. "It's large, yes. But not as confusing as you might think. I know every inch of it."

Raya raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh, really? Maybe you can give me a tour later."

Zaire's smile widened slightly, but there was something in his eyes—a glimmer of something far more intense—that made her wonder if she was really ready to see all the hidden corners of his world.

"Perhaps," he said softly. "But some rooms are best left unexplored."

"Roarrr!" The sound echoed through the mansion, coming from the entrance door.

"Ahhh!" Raya shrieked, her heart racing in fear. "We're being attacked! Oh no, are we going to die? Someone help us, please!"

Her panicked cries echoed through the grand halls, causing a wave of alarm to sweep through the mansion. Within moments, everyone rushed out, startled and eager to assess the situation.

Beside her, Zaire remained eerily calm, his expression unwavering. Though he didn't flinch, the tension in his jaw and the slight narrowing of his eyes spoke volumes—his usually composed demeanor masking the storm brewing beneath the surface.

Amidst the chaos, a deep, strong laugh echoed from behind. Raya froze, her eyes snapping toward the source of the sound, only to find William doubled over in amusement.

"That's just Master's pet, Nyx," William managed to say between fits of laughter.

Raya's eyes widened in disbelief. "That's a black panther for crying out loud! Who keeps a black panther as a pet?"

"Master does," one of the maids answered calmly, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

Raya's confusion deepened, but before she could react further, Zaire's cold voice cut through the air. "You all can get back to work."

The atmosphere shifted instantly, the laughter dying down as everyone quickly returned to their duties, while Raya stood there, still trying to process the bizarre turn of events.

Before Raya could gather her thoughts to say anything else, Nyx suddenly sprang toward her, his massive form moving with terrifying speed, as though preparing to strike. Her heart skipped a beat. Panic surged through her, and without thinking, she leapt onto Zaire, wailing for help in a mix of fear and confusion.

To her surprise, Nyx halted abruptly just before reaching her, his fierce eyes fixed on her for a long moment. Then, in a swift, fluid movement, he lowered his muscular body to the ground, curling up at Zaire's feet like an innocent, well-behaved kitten. The contrast was stark—the panther, once poised for an attack, now appeared docile and calm, almost affectionate.

Zaire's piercing gaze flicked down to the soft weight of Raya clinging to his chest. He raised an eyebrow, the faintest hint of amusement touching his lips, before his attention turned to Nyx, who was now sprawled out on the floor, eyes closed in a relaxed manner.

The sight was almost comical—his deadly, intimidating pet lying peacefully at his feet while Raya clung to him like a frightened child. Zaire's gaze lingered on her for a moment, his expression unreadable, before he finally spoke.

"Nyx doesn't bite unless I tell him to," he said in a low, smooth voice, his tone unbothered and calm as ever. "He's more of a… protector than a threat."

Raya, still perched on him like a nervous child, stared at the panther in disbelief. "I—I'm sorry," she stammered, realizing she had just jumped onto him without warning.

Zaire's lips curled ever so slightly, a hint of a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "You're safe," he reassured her, though his voice held a subtle edge—one that made it clear he didn't tolerate unnecessary panic, even if it was at his own expense.

Zaire gently lifted Raya into his arms, the sudden shift in position causing her heart to race again. But before she could protest or regain her composure, he set her down just as carefully. As her feet touched the ground, Nyx, the massive panther, immediately rose from his resting spot and padded toward her with quiet, deliberate steps.

Raya tensed once more, instinctively stepping back, her breath quickening. But Zaire's voice was steady and calming as he held her hands, grounding her with a firm yet gentle touch. "Do not be afraid," he murmured, his words an unspoken promise of safety.

Surprisingly, the tension in her chest eased. While the fear hadn't entirely dissipated, there was something about Zaire's presence, his reassurance, that made her feel less threatened—almost as though she were shielded by an invisible force.

Nyx circled her slowly, his eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. Then, to her astonishment, the panther gave a low, rumbling growl—a sound that, though deep and powerful, seemed more like an acknowledgment than a warning. After a moment, he turned and gracefully padded to a corner of the room, curling up on the plush rug like a contented feline.

Raya couldn't help but watch in awe as the beast settled down, his piercing gaze still directed her way but no longer filled with menace. It was as though the panther had given his silent approval, and she felt an odd sense of calm seep through her, even with the lingering fear.

"You've passed the first test. Well done." Zaire's voice was calm, his fingers still lightly brushing against hers as he gave her a knowing look.

"What test?" Raya asked, her voice tinged with curiosity, though a hint of confusion lingered in her expression.

Zaire's gaze remained steady, his tone as cold and commanding as ever. "Nyx approved of you," he explained, his voice carrying a quiet finality. "So you passed." He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he continued, "But this is only the beginning. There are many more tests ahead, and they will be far more challenging. Be prepared."

Raya stood there, momentarily speechless, her mind racing to process his words. The intensity of his presence seemed to weigh down on her, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was standing on the edge of something far bigger than she could comprehend. The idea of tests—challenges—loomed over her, and she was uncertain how to respond. All she could do was nod silently, the weight of his words lingering in the air between them.

Before Raya could ask another question, Williams' phone rang, and his expression immediately darkened as he answered. After a brief conversation, he hung up and turned to Zaire.

"We need to go," Williams said, his voice tinged with urgency.

Zaire turned to Raya, his eyes softening ever so slightly, but his tone remained calm and steady. "You stay here and be a good girl, okay?"

Raya's voice trembled slightly as she asked, "What… what happened? Why do you have to leave so suddenly? You haven't even had your breakfast yet." The sweetness of her tone tugged at something deep within Zaire, making his heart momentarily soften.

"I'm really sorry, but it's urgent and needs my immediate attention," Zaire explained, his voice steady but filled with the weight of the situation. "I'll be back soon."

He then turned to Nyx, who was lounging in the corner. "Nyx, take good care of Raya, and don't cause any tantrums while I'm gone."

Nyx's low growl echoed through the room, the sound unmistakably sardonic as if to say, I think you should be telling your wife that, not me.

Zaire's lips twitched into a brief, amused smirk, but he didn't say anything more. He quickly grabbed his jacket and, with one last glance at Raya, left the room, his presence now gone, leaving the air thick with an unspoken tension.