Chapter 52: giant snake

"Liliana, do you really think that by pretending to suffer like that, Cassian will like you?" Vera sneered.

"Cassian even chose to kill his Moon Goddess–given Luna mate. Do you think that with your ugly face, you can seduce him and make him allow you into his bed?" she added.

Slap!

A slap landed hard on Vera’s face, making the pale girl’s face turn red in an instant.

Liliana immediately stood up. "Vera... not everyone has a mind as dirty as yours. Cassian and I are siblings. He is my older brother."

Vera immediately stood up and faced Liliana.

"You dare slap me, Liliana? Do you know that I am the daughter of a Pack Draven elder?" she asked angrily.

The Striped Tiger growled low, staring sharply at Vera, ready to attack her if the girl did anything to Liliana.

Liliana looked at her with a mocking gaze.

"Then, do you know that I am your Alpha’s adopted daughter, Vera? Shouldn’t you show me some respect?"

"You!" Vera shouted.

"Liliana, do you think you are truly acknowledged as a daughter by the Alpha family? Liliana, you are only a weapon that Pack Draven will sacrifice in the future. Don’t think too highly of yourself and assume that you are truly worthy of being the adopted daughter of the Draven family."

Liliana crossed her arms over her chest.

"Vera... this is my matter with my family. You have no right to decide whether I am worthy or not. Besides, do you think Cassian would care about you even if I weren’t here?" she asked.

"After his Luna mate died, did he even look at you?" Liliana added. "You clearly know this in your heart. Stop imagining things about our relationship."

Vera stared sharply at Liliana before giving her a cold smile.

She stepped closer without caring that the Striped Tiger was still growling lowly at her.

"Liliana... stay away from Cassian. If you don’t want me to do something beyond your expectations."

Vera stepped away after saying that and returned to her position.

Liliana did not answer anything. She only stared at Vera’s retreating figure with a mocking gaze. She sat back down in her place, staring at the darkness of the night before her even though she could not see anything.

Time passed quickly. Liliana’s watch ended peacefully without a single problem. Liliana returned to her position and slept not far from Cassian, who still had his eyes closed, seemingly sleeping without being disturbed.

Liliana snorted before lying back down in the Striped Tiger’s embrace.

At six in the morning, the morning light finally appeared as Cassian had predicted.

Liliana opened her eyes when she heard the voices of the other pack members.

Cassian had already woken up earlier and was standing, looking at Liliana, who had just opened her eyes.

"Get up immediately. We have to continue our journey after breakfast," Cassian said.

Liliana immediately got up and stood straight. She took off the additional robe Cassian had given her and returned it.

"Brother’s robe... thank you," she said without looking at him.

Cassian looked at her for a moment before accepting the robe.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked.

"As you predicted, I was only a little cold, to the point that my teeth kept chattering, even when I curled up against Belang’s body."

Cassian smiled lightly. "You have to get used to it and endure it for the next seven days. Don’t disappoint me, Liliana."

Liliana finally looked up at Cassian’s dark eyes before clenching her fingers tightly.

"Of course. I would never dare disappoint you, Brother."

Cassian nodded in satisfaction. He gently patted Liliana’s shoulder.

"Come hunting with Brother. You also need to train your physical strength," Cassian said.

Liliana pursed her lips before nodding and following Cassian without asking anything.

Liliana did not notice that behind her, Vera was watching her and Cassian with a dark expression.

"We will divide up the other tasks for today," Cassian said once they arrived among his pack members.

Cassian called his pack members one by one before quickly dividing them into three groups.

"My group will go hunting into the forest with me, looking for food for us to eat together later. For the second group, Mano, you will lead them. Immediately gather as much tree sap as possible. Make sure everyone gets one for lighting tonight. I have a feeling tonight will be much more dangerous than today," Cassian said.

"Yes, Young Alpha," Mano answered confidently.

"Group three, Gio, you will be responsible. You are tasked with finding these," Cassian said as he handed the list to Gio.

Gio stepped forward and accepted it.

There were three things on the paper now in Gio’s hands, complete with pictures and characteristics.

"Mega, the former Alpha’s replacement, told me that these things will be useful if we want to survive in this secret realm. Find all three materials properly. It should not be difficult for you because I have seen all of them briefly around here before it got dark."

Gio lowered his head. "Yes, Young Alpha. I will search for them with all my strength."

Cassian waved his hand, allowing them to disperse and carry out their respective tasks.

Cassian brought more than twenty people, along with Liliana, in another direction to hunt.

They shifted into wolves and immediately moved away.

Liliana followed the group while riding the Striped Tiger.

Ten minutes later, Cassian stopped. His gaze was fixed on a giant snake—as long and as heavy as dozens of adult wolves combined—that was sleeping under a tree.

"We will eat snake meat this morning," Cassian said.

All the pack members who had come along nodded with happy expressions.

"Liliana," Cassian called in the wolf language. "Your task is to attack both of its eyes while we attack the snake. Use your dagger well."

Liliana nodded and immediately climbed down from the Striped Tiger’s back.

"Brother, I will do it."

Cassian looked at his pack members for a moment. "Are you ready?" he asked.

"Yes, Young Alpha."

Cassian let out a low howl before charging at the snake in front of him and taking the lead.

The pack members immediately charged forward, following Cassian and attacking the snake.

The snake opened its eyes wide, staring sharply at Cassian and the others who were now trying to attack it with their sharp claws and fangs.

"Sss..." it hissed threateningly.

It whipped its tail when Cassian’s claws scratched its scales.

Its movements became increasingly brutal. The creature was clearly panicking as its body was surrounded by the pack members. It continued whipping its tail rapidly, causing several pack members to be thrown several meters away.

"Now, Liliana!"