My Life as a Beast Keeper

---- Chapter 10 Salem said, "Before I shapeshifted, Lisa and I lived on the streets. A gang nearly took me. She rushed over and hugged me tight, crying out loud to draw attention. That's why they reluctantly left me be and ran. She's my savior. "Yes, you're my owner, but she saved my life. I didn't dare accept your kindness because Lisa dislikes you. That time in the tent, I truly thought it was you. I hoped it was you. But when I opened my eyes and saw her, I felt lost. "That's when I realized I liked you all along. But since she saved my life, I couldn't just refuse her." I chuckled dryly.

"Keep repaying her then. I never stopped you. Salem hugged me tighter, even wrapping his tail around my waist. "Layla, please. Don't be like that. I beg you." I sighed and turned around to face him. "Salem, do you know why I smoke? It's because I grew up tagging along with a group of street girls. When I was caught stealing and beaten up for it, they took those blows with me. "When I was almost molested, they rushed in and scratched that guy's face.

When I was delirious with a high fever, they scraped money together to take me to the ---- clinic for an injection." I paused, then continued, "Look. I've received more favors than you have. Yet you've never seen me warm someone's bed or accept every demand without question, right? Someone might save your life, another might be loyal to you... There are many reasons to be close to someone. "Salem, it's in your nature. You'll go along with anyone who amuses you. They say show- quality beastkin possess the most humanlike traits, and that's true.

But you seem to have evolved past even a hound's most basic sense of loyalty." "T didn't know." Salem's eyes were red-rimmed as he buried his face in my chest and bawled harder. "I'm sorry, Layla! You never spoke of your past, so I had no idea what you went through. All I heard was Lisa telling me how wronged she felt. "I assumed you were always taking her things. I myself included, since I assumed I was supposed to be hers. If I'd known the truth, I wouldn't have minded the cigarette smoke on you.

I wouldn't have teamed up with Lisa to piss you off either." Salem pressed his tear-stained face against the hollow of my neck, and the view previously blocked by his shoulder ---- was now visible. I spotted two figures in the darkness, one close and another far. The closer one was Clayton's tall figure. As for the one in the distance, I narrowed my eyes, meeting Mom's gaze. I paused, cigarette still in hand, but I didn't bother hiding it. If she sawit, so be it. I'd glossed over the turmoil of the first decade or so before I came home.

Lisa was their adopted daughter, but she was raised with such care. She was skilled in piano and ballet, and even flower arranging was no problem for her. But what about me? Iwas skilled at smoking, stealing, and lockpicking. I didn't think my parents could love me anymore if they immediately found another daughter to replace me after only one year of losing me. If I revealed how bad my past was, they probably wouldn't feel sorry for me. They would've kept an eye out for my allegedly sticky fingers, probably. And that ---- would've given Lisa another reason to pick on me.

So I could only show off my impressive resume, my excellent grades, and wear a sweet, obedient expression. It was as if I were competing for the position of their " daughter". "You should sleep early." Mom simply reminded me of one thing before she went back to her room. Only Clayton's silhouette remained in the pitch-black corridor. He watched silently as Salem buried his head in my arms and squirmed restlessly. "It's chilly at night," murmured Clayton. Only then did Salem notice him behind me. He shielded me from Clayton, giving him a low, warning growl once more.