Pampered by 7 Interstellar Beastman

12

Chapter 12: Charm

Lowei's first direct and stunning display of influence.

Even though she had seen plenty of handsome men in magazines and on screens, she was still captivated by the merman boy's striking beauty and couldn't take her eyes off him.

Those purple eyes, brimming with tears, were like whirlpools seemingly trying to pull away all her reason.

"Huh? Buy you... What—can such beauty be bought?" Her voice carried a dazed, bewildered confusion she didn't notice herself. She even found herself thinking she was rich now, and if she could buy him, it would be worth it.

"Young Miss!" Wolf's deep warning rumbled like thunder in her ears. He reacted instantly—his large hand clamping around her slender, scale-covered wrist with iron-like precision, almost crushing her bones.

Wolf's emerald eyes gleamed with cold rage and vigilance. "Let go! Touch her again, and I'll break your hand."

The boy groaned in pain. Crystalline tears welled in his eyes and rolled down his cheeks as pearls onto the muddy ground. He bit his lower lip until it faded, looking even more fragile, but his grip on Lowei's wrist tightened stubbornly.

"No... please don't hurt me," he pleaded, voice trembling with sobs as his eyes fixed on Lowei. "Please buy me. They'll beat me to death or sell me to terrible people. I'll be obedient—I only want you as my master."

His words had a strange rhythm, each one stirring pity and stirring memories of her own difficult past and rescue by her adoptive parents. She forgot Wolf's warning entirely.

"Wolf, you're scaring him! Let go!" she blurted out, urgency surprising even herself. She reached to pry his hand off the boy.

Wolf looked at her genuine concern, then at the pitiful boy who seemed ready to faint. Alarm bells rang in his mind—something was very wrong. The perfect, pleading expression felt rehearsed, and a boy who could break a reinforced tank shouldn't be so fragile from a single touch.

"Young Miss, wake up," he lowered his voice. "This kid is faking it—you..."

"I don't care." Captivated by the small, beautiful boy, Lowei glared at him. "I want to buy him! Now!"

She used Willow's usual commanding tone, though it lacked confidence and sounded blustering. Vaguely aware something was off, she still trusted Wolf—but couldn't ignore the sympathy rising in her chest at the thought of this beauty being ruined in the slums.

Wolf ground his teeth in frustration as realization hit him: Charm. Some advanced sea creatures possessed this talent, and the boy was using it to influence her.

"Enough!" Lowei interrupted him. "Wolf, you work for me! Release him, then negotiate the price!"

She shared her optical computer's payment access and pointed to the slave traders, who had caught up but dared not approach. Wolf knew he couldn't stop her now. As he looked back at the boy, he saw him flash a provocative, smug smile when Lowei wasn't looking—fury surged through him.

Still, mercenary code demanded obedience. He suppressed his anger, glared at the boy with a cold warning, then let go. The merman collapsed to the ground as if drained of strength, letting out a soft groan.

"Thank you—you're so kind to me," he said, looking at Lowei with adoration like a cub finding a protector.

Wolf fought the urge to push him away, then strode toward the traders with a menacing aura. They recognized him as dangerous and didn't dare overcharge, fearing his wrath.

"The price is two standard small starships—ridiculously high," Wolf returned, face dark as pitch. He tossed a metal ring engraved with a slave mark and number onto the ground. "This kid's name is Lan—he's yours."

Lowei didn't care about the cost, only relieved the deal was done. She bent to help Lan up, ignoring the ring—she didn't see him as a slave.

Lan leaned weakly against her arm, then smiled gratefully. "I'll never forget your kindness."

Wolf watched, eyelids twitching. He picked up the ring and stuffed it into her hand, voice hard. "Take it—it controls his collar. Don't be fooled by sweet words."

Lan flinched and shrank behind Lowei, revealing only half his pale face and wet purple eyes. "Master... he's so fierce. Did I do something wrong?"

Lowei softened her voice to comfort him. "It's okay, Lan. Wolf just looks fierce—he's not a bad man."

Her trust held firm, and the provocation failed. After a pause, Lan spoke more calmly: "Master... could you ask where my tribe members were sold? Those who shared my fate?"