The Serpent King's Unwilling Human Mate

Fallon's stomach chose that exact moment to let out a roar that could rival the beast from the forest. It was loud, obnoxious, and completely undeniable.

The sound echoed in the quiet cave. Fallon's face burned hot. She wanted the ground to swallow her up.

Justice's head whipped around. His gaze dropped to her midsection, his brow furrowing deeply. "You are hungry."

It wasn't a question. He stood up and walked over to the fire, picking up that same piece of charred, bloody meat from earlier.

Fallon's survival instinct kicked in, overriding her fear. "Wait!" she shouted, holding up a hand. "I don't want that!"

Justice froze, the meat suspended in the air. He looked at the meat, then at her. His jaw tightened. He looked... hurt. Rejected.

Fallon swallowed her pride. She pointed a shaking finger toward the back of the cave. "I'm thirsty. Is there water?"

Justice stared at her for a second, then set the meat down. He walked to a large stone vat in the shadows. He picked up a crude wooden dipper-literally a chunk of wood hollowed out, bark still hanging off the edges-and scooped up some water.

He walked back and handed it to her.

Fallon took it with both hands. The water was cloudy, and the dipper smelled like tree sap. She looked at it, her modern sensibilities screaming in protest.

Just drink it, she told herself. You're not in Beverly Hills anymore.

She closed her eyes and chugged a big mouthful. The water was cold and slightly earthy, but it was wet. It soothed her parched throat.

Justice watched her drink, his eyes fixed on her. "Your body is weak," he said suddenly. "You have no energy fluctuations. Not even a first-tier."

Fallon lowered the dipper, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Her heart skipped a beat. He can see my stats?

The system knowledge chimed in: High-level shifters can sense the energy levels of those around them.

Fallon decided to own it. She met his gaze head-on, her chin lifted. "Yeah, I'm weak. So what? Are you going to eat me?"

Justice's vertical pupils contracted. A flicker of something-disgust? anger? -crossed his face. "I never eat females. That is a grave sin."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over her pale, thin arms. "But out there," he continued, his voice dropping low, "a weak, unmated female like you would not survive one night."

Fallon's chest tightened. She knew he wasn't lying. The system had shown her the brutal reality of this world.

She took a deep breath. It was now or never.

"Since this is your territory," she said, her voice steady despite the trembling in her hands, "will you protect me?"

Justice went still. He stared at her, his mismatched eyes wide with shock. He hadn't expected that. He was a cold-blooded. Females ran from him. They didn't ask him for things.

He looked into her brown eyes, seeing the desperate hope there. His throat bobbed as he swallowed.

"Protecting you requires much food and energy," he said, his voice gruff, trying to sound indifferent.

Fallon jumped on the opening. "I can help! I can clean this cave! It's a mess! And I can teach you how to cook meat properly! Not like... that." She pointed at the blackened lump by the fire.

Justice looked at the meat, then at her eager face. The corner of his mouth twitched. It was the tiniest movement, almost invisible.

He turned his back to her, hiding his face. But his voice was firm and resolute.

"Fine. You stay here. I will feed you."

Fallon let out a long, shaky breath. Her shoulders sagged with relief. She had a roof over her head and a bodyguard. Her first long-term meal ticket in this crazy world was secured.