Aquasteine bent to my level, his icy blue hair falling over his face. "Ravine, what you did was wrong. It's going to take at least a week for the prince to regrow his calf. The entire palace is furious with us. The king demanded we bring you to him, but we refused."
"Why are you suddenly trying to be reasonable?" I shot back, still sniffling.
"When you were spanking my ass earlier, you weren't so—"
"Hey, language," Ramses interrupted with a wicked grin. "Or we can resume that spanking right now. Besides, your cursing is making us all really hard."
My face burned.
I tried to explain, but fresh tears spilled down my cheeks. I didn't even know why I was crying — everything was too overwhelming. How was I supposed to tell these four ridiculously hot beastmen that I wasn't their wild mate Ravine? That I was Diane, a barista from Cincinnati who had transmigrated into her body?
I kept bawling. The men watched me with surprisingly tender expressions, these same "cavemen" who had threatened to punish me minutes ago.
Aquasteine stepped closer and gently patted my head, whispering soft, soothing words I barely registered. His silky blue hair brushed against my cheek like a cool blanket. No one had ever held me with this kind of tenderness — not in twenty-two years with my own family. The realization only made me cry harder. I was affection-starved, and it showed.
A soft knock sounded on the door.
The brown-haired man (Zayne?) opened it. A short, shrewd-looking woman in a stained apron stood outside, her cropped bob reminding me of those awkward middle-school haircuts.
"The king has summoned us," Zayne reported after speaking with her. "His heir isn't happy we handled the situation our own way."
"Let's go," Aquasteine said firmly. "We protect our princess no matter what that bull-headed king says."
Princess. The word sent warmth pooling low in my belly. No man had ever called me that.
Get it together, Diane. Don't lose your mind over one silly endearment.
Before I could protest, someone pulled a cloth over my head. Gentle hands lifted my legs. They slipped a silky gown over my body and the softest panties I'd ever worn. The golden-haired man knelt and buckled luxurious sandals onto my feet, his touch sending shivers up my spine.
I had never considered myself particularly sexual, but today my new body was betraying me at every turn.
"She's ready," Ramses announced. "Let's move."
Aquasteine took my hand and led me out. The others formed a protective convoy behind us. The mansion's interior was breathtaking — gold door handles gleaming, dark blue carpets contrasting with gilded walls and massive chandeliers. Outside, a fleet of luxury cars waited under a shaded pavilion. One royal-blue Lamborghini in particular caught my eye.
I was still staring, stunned, when Ramses called, "Ravine, what are you looking at? Let's go."
All four men turned to stare at me. I ducked my head in embarrassment and hurried after them.
The chauffeur — dressed in a crisp black-and-white uniform with white gloves — opened the scissor door. Ramses slid in first, then me, Aquasteine, the golden-haired man, and Zayne. The driver started the engine with a deep, cinematic growl. Soft piano music filled the cabin.
"Play some metallic rock," Ramses ordered. "I can't deal with Alexis's depression bullshit today."
"What the fuck do you mean by 'depression bullshit'?" Alexis snapped, his usual calm cracking. "I want to listen to the piano, not your loud, brain-rotting noise."
"Can you two shut it?" Ramses growled, voice vibrating through the car. "Act like adults in front of our mate."
The arguing stopped instantly. Somber piano music resumed as the car pulled away smoothly. I stared at the tinted windows, anxiety twisting in my chest. My hands wouldn't stop shaking.
I might have a reasonable explanation for biting off a prince's calf (sort of), but that didn't calm the fear. I was in a beast world surrounded by powerful, unpredictable men, heading to face an angry king.
And I had no idea what they would do to me when they realized I wasn't their real mate.