Chapter 7 Rubbing Against Her Face

Alexander and Jacob were both touched by Tessa's insistence, but they still tried to follow tradition. Yet, with her persistent urging, they eventually gave in and began eating, albeit a bit reservedly. The interstellar ingredients used in the meal came from specialized resource planets—worlds with no industrial pollution, where naturally grown food was not only healthier than anything Tessa had eaten on Earth but also more flavorful. The potatoes were soft and savory, the tomatoes tangy and juicy, and the asparagus crisp and fragrant. The pork ribs, tender enough to fall off the bone, were coated in rich potato gravy, their flavor more robust than simple roasted meat. The beef brisket melted in their mouths, having fully absorbed the essence of the tomatoes, leaving a lingering, savory taste. Alexander and Jacob were utterly stunned by what Tessa casually referred to as "simple home-cooked dishes." They had expected the food to taste good, judging by the aroma, but they never imagined it would be this good. Having grown up on nutrient solutions, with the occasional indulgence in natural foods at high-end restaurants, they had assumed those so-called gourmet dishes represented the pinnacle of culinary excellence. But after tasting Tessa's dishes, they realized those restaurants had been wasting perfectly good ingredients. In Tessa's presence, both males tried their best to maintain a dignified appearance as they ate, but they still found themselves eating with intense focus, savoring every bite. Having company at the table noticeably improved Tessa's appetite, though her portion was still modest. She finished first and rose from the table. The moment she stepped out, the atmosphere at the table shifted dramatically. Alexander swiftly snatched three of the last four pork ribs, adding a potato to his plate. Jacob, moving just as fast, scooped up the beef stew, leaving only a thin layer of broth, two lonely pieces of beef, and a few scattered bits of tomato. It wasn't that the sauteed asparagus wasn't delicious—it was simply that both males, as carnivorous therians, naturally preferred meat, even in human form. Still, neither of them ignored the vegetables. They split the asparagus evenly between them, ensuring none went to waste. Once the spoils were divided, Alexander carefully arranged his share of food on his plate and took several quick photos using his HoloCore. With a smirk of satisfaction, he sent three images to his uncle and a text, saying 'Tessa made this. It's delicious.' Felix was surprised to receive a message from his nephew. Given Alexander's rebellious nature growing up, it was rare for him to reach out voluntarily. Especially that day—first, Alexander had rudely declined his call, then abruptly hung up during their video chat. Now, out of nowhere, he was messaging him. Of course, it had to be about that young female named Tessa. Felix first scrolled to the most recent text and was left flabbergasted. A female cooking?! Alexander must be mad! Forget about allowing a female to perform such a dangerous task, is it even edible? What if he gets food poisoning?! Then, he scrolled up to view the attached images. Thanks to advanced HoloCore technology, photos captured not only visual appearances of the food but also the scent data, allowing recipients to experience the aroma as if the dish were right in front of them. In other words, interstellar technology made it possible to "smell" pictures. The moment Felix opened the first image, he was hit with both a visual and olfactory assault—the rich, savory aroma practically leaped out of the screen, overwhelming his senses. Without warning, his stomach let out an embarrassingly loud growl. Mortified, the Marshal of the Empire hesitated only briefly before sending another video call request to his nephew. Alexander answered the call without hesitation this time. His expression was one of contentment as he lounged lazily in his room—more like a lion who had just finished a satisfying meal than the upright, imposing figure he usually was. Seeing his nephew's relaxed demeanor, Felix couldn't help but chuckle. "Are you trying to get yourself thrown in prison, Alexander, letting a female cook for you!" "Tess only gave instructions—I did the cooking. No risk of prison," Alexander replied casually, looking like a schoolboy showing off a prize to his uncle. "We're planning to do this for our meals from now on. She said she'll teach me to cook other dishes, too." "From now on?" Felix's smile faded as he locked eyes with Alexander through the screen. After a long pause, he said, "There is no 'from now on' for the two of you. "Tessa is a wonderful female—the kind every male dreams of having as a mate. I understand your infatuation. You're a young man, after all, easily swept up in emotions, ready to drown yourself in love. But Alexander… your Ferality Index is 74. Not 4, not 14, not even 24. If it were 64, I might allow you to be with her—on the condition that you transfer to logistics permanently, never return to the battlefield, and strive to keep your emotions stable. "But 74 is simply too high. You won't be able to maintain control for more than a few years. Is this really how you want to live? Just scraping by, day after day? "She might like you now—because you're the Empire's youngest major general. I'd be happy to support your career—you have a brilliant future ahead of you. But she won't like you when you become a mindless lion who can never return to human form. A lion that doesn't even recognize her… that might attack her the same way it would a stranger." Alexander's expression darkened as Felix's words sank in. Desperately, he tried to argue. "Tessa will undergo a second awakening. She will have mental power." Felix sighed. "But you are an S-Rank male. Mental power below A-Rank will have almost no calming effect on you. Less than 2% of females awaken with A-Rank mental power. Do you really believe she'll be one of them?" Alexander fell silent. "A-Rank females never lack suitors. The number of males they can provide comfort to is limited, so demand always outweighs supply. You need to act quickly. Alexander…" For once, Felix's usually commanding tone was tinged with weariness. "We are the last of our bloodline. I have no one else but you." The Lyon family had always been small as if cursed with short lives. Some died on the battlefield, others from illness or accidents—but more than any other cause, it was feralization that claimed their lives. And now, Alexander stood on the brink of that same fate. "This is the one thing you cannot be reckless about." Felix's voice turned steely once more. "I've compiled a list of A-Rank females who still have available mate slots. Look through it, choose one that suits your taste, and pursue her—immediately." As always, the conversation ended with the two parting on bad terms. Alexander closed his eyes, his mind a tangled mess of thoughts. He couldn't forget the sight of his fellow soldiers on the battlefield—those who had suddenly lost control and shifted into their beast forms. Their eyes devoid of reason, they attacked friend and foe alike, unable to recognize anyone. It was impossible not to fear becoming one of them. He needed mental comfort. But the chances of Tessa awakening as an A-Rank female were too slim. He couldn't pin his hopes on something so unlikely. Felix was right. But Alexander couldn't do it. Frustration and anxiety gnawed at him, and his breathing grew heavier as his mind spiraled out of control. Bloodshot veins appeared in his eyes as his Ferality Index surged higher and higher. When it hit 80, his HoloCore emitted rapid beeping sounds, signaling a critical emergency. The device automatically sent an alert to Felix, his designated emergency contact. Within seconds, Alexander's body shifted—bones cracking and muscles expanding as he transformed into a massive lion. The remains of his clothing shredded and fell to the floor as he shook his mane. Without hesitation, he leaped through the window, glass shattering around him as he bounded out into the night, landing gracefully from the second floor and vanishing into the darkness. Jacob, his sharp senses instantly catching the sound of the alarm, rushed over. But he was a step too late. He picked up Alexander's discarded HoloCore and answered Felix's incoming call, "Marshal, this is Jacob. Major General Lyon has shifted into his beast form and escaped through the window. Judging from the tracks, he's heading southeast. There's no sign of blood, and the damage to the room is minimal." A feralized therian was completely different from a therian who shifted voluntarily. The latter retained their human consciousness, while the former's mind became more like that of a wild beast—instinct-driven and devoid of reason. For a predator as powerful as a lion, losing control meant devastating consequences. Law enforcement dispatched numerous search teams, and alerts were sent to various departments. Jacob joined the search himself. But before leaving, he quietly checked on Tessa, who was fast asleep, undisturbed by the commotion. With a soft sigh of relief, Jacob stepped out and closed the door behind him, leaving her to rest. … Around midnight, Tessa stirred groggily, feeling something soft and furry rubbing gently against her cheek.