NOVEL NEXT Chapter 88: Papa Cromwell
For a moment, Ethan froze. What did Artis just say? Sons? His jaw dropped, confusion crashing over him like a wave. Sons? What the hell?
At that moment, the wolves shifted. The black one rose first. His fur shed as it morphed into a tall, athletic man. He was broad-shouldered and muscular, with midnight dark hair and piercing eyes.
The silver followed, becoming a lean, agile youth with silver streaks in his locks. His body was toned like a hunter's. The gray completed the trio, transforming into a sturdy figure with grayish skin, built like a warrior.
All three nude and dripping, with rather impressive endowments, stepped out of the water and stood before him. The black-haired one spoke first, voice deep and resonant. "Father."
Ethan stared at the three towering figures. Father? His brain short-circuited again, and he turned to Artis. "You're messing with me, right? That night I did come inside you. But it was, what, a week ago?"
He pointed at the three hunks before him. "These guys look like they're in their twenties! Older than me, for fuck's sake."
Artis giggled. Fresh cotton clothes appeared on her. She pressed against him. "I wish it were a joke. But no. I was as shocked as you."
"Male seed is supposed to be absorbed just like food. All these centuries, I thought I was incapable of bearing children. Then you came along. There is something special about your seed, Ethan."
"It took my body by surprise. I swelled overnight, and I birthed a litter of pups under the full moon. They grew magically and matured in days, shifting into a human form like I do. Although they can't take versatile shapes like me."
Ethan's knees wobbled from pure existential whiplash. Father? Him? The guy who had OD'd on whiskey and sleeping pills on Earth now had kids. Three strapping, wolf-man sons who could probably bench-press a dragon.
"Holy shit... What do I even...?"
Before Ethan could spiral further, the trio strode forward. They dropped to one knee in unison with their heads bowed and their fists pressed to the mossy Earth.
The black-haired, who was clearly the leader, spoke first. "Father. I am Lupin, firstborn of your line. I am sworn to your shadow."
The silver youth followed. "I am Sylvan. Your blood runs swift in me."
The gray one rumbled last. "I am named Grimm. We are forged from your fire."
Ethan recoiled internally. Boy, that was cringe. Artis stepped aside. "They kneel as tradition demands, Ethan Cromwell. Either you accept them as family, and they will keep your allegiance till the grave. They'll fight for you, die for you, sire their own under your banner."
"Or you can reject them. They'll live as bastards. Outcasts, roaming the wild like I did before you claimed me that night. It is up to you."
Ethan swallowed hard, glancing between the kneeling giants and Artis's expectant gaze. It was too much too soon for him. Suddenly, the system chimed in his vision.
[New Section Unlocked: Family Tree]
[Description: The section tracks bonds, loyalties, and growth.]
[Partner Slot 1: Artis Lupine - Status: Bonded (Unclaimed)]
[Child Slot 1: Lupin - Status: Heir (Wolfkin)]
[Child Slot 2: Sylvan - Status: Heir (Wolfkin)]
[Child Slot 3: Grimm - Status: Heir (Wolfkin)]
[Open Slots: Partners (7), Children (Unlimited)]
[Confirm Acceptance? Y/N]
'Whoa,' Ethan thought. 'Even the system approves of this random event. I guess I have no choice then.'
He mentally stabbed Y. Something he had missed—the spirals on their shoulders ignited. They were faint tattoos mirroring the one on Artis and everyone in his Dominus list. A close concentric circle appeared around the spirals.
"I accept Artis as my partner, and Lupin, Sylvan, and Grimm as sons. Henceforth, you are Cromwells."
[Acceptance Confirmed. Family Tree Integrated.]
[Reward Unlocked: HOME (Portable Dwelling) x1]
[Added to Inventory] [Number of uses: Unlimited]
[Description: A manifestation of hearth and haven, summonable at stable locations. MP cost: 50]
[Level 1: Single Bedroom, Hall, Kitchen, Current Capacity: 5 occupants.]
[System advice: User may level up HOME through family growth, closer bondage.]
"Whoa," Ethan muttered, pulling up the inventory mentally. There it was, a glowing icon of a cozy cabin with preview images. The system was being too generous today.
The sons erupted in joy and turned into their wolf forms. The three black, silver, and gray behemoths nuzzle him with sloppy enthusiasm. Their wet tongues lolled over his face. "Whoa, easy, boys! Personal space!"
Artis laughed. She snapped her fingers, and abruptly, the wolves went into attention mode on their haunches. "Enough, whelps! Go out and hunt. Your father and I need to talk."
The wolves whined and bounded into the underbrush with playful yips, their tails wagging like metronomes.
Ethan turned to Artis. "This is incredible, really. But I have to go. The Orcs won't stop advancing on Gulchtown. Garkash may attack at any time. I need to protect my mother."
Artis's full lips parted in protest. "Then we can go together. We'll take the boys with us. You already witnessed how strong they are—definitely stronger than me. We'll tear those Orcs apart. Let me fight at your side, love."
Ethan put out an arm and pulled the woman to himself. Her breasts pressed against him. He groaned as his hands roamed her back, squeezing that firm ass he had missed. It was so tempting to make love to her right there.
How was it that Ethan suddenly had something so wholesome that he never could achieve on Earth?
The Cromwell heir sighed. "No, you will have to stay. The boys may be strong, but they can hold against an army only for a limited time. This time, Garkash and his shaman Jibreel may come prepared with some dark magic to counter them. I can't risk it."
"Besides, I need to level up and increase my own strength before I take them hunting. What kind of father would I be if I can't protect them from harm?"
Artis pulled back from him, her golden-green eyes flashing with defiance. "I don't care! You're the only one I care about in the world! All these centuries, I have wandered aimlessly and hopelessly. You think I can't handle a few Orcs for you? Take me with you! It is decided!"
Ethan sighed. Artis was being stubborn. He couldn't possibly strong-arm a Dark Nymph and three wolf monsters into following orders. The thought that came to mind made him hate himself already.
Ethan opened the DOMINUS section.
[DOMINUS] [Level 1]
[Generating the list of spiral-marked targets]
[…..]
[Ivy Cromwell] [Status: Slave]
[Luka Voltha] [Status: Slave]
[Elaine Brackish] [Status: Unclaimed]
[Hilda Trombone] [Status: Unclaimed]
[Artis Lupine] [Status: Unclaimed]
If activated, the system allowed Ethan to issue commands with magical compulsion, overriding their free will. He had celebrated when he first got the section, intending it for lewd acts, but never had the chance after Ivy.
[Artis Lupine] [MP-10]
[Successful!]
[Artis Lupine] [Status: Slave]
[Commands may be remote, delayed, or direct]
[Success of a command depends on its complexity]
[Set trigger word to activate Dominus on Artis Lupine]
[Trigger words must prefix commands, without which Dominus shall not work. They also activate delayed commands]
"Nymph Partner."'
[Updating…] [Artis Lupine] [Status: Slave] [Trigger word: Nymph Partner]
[Issue your first direct command to: Artis Lupine] [Requirement: Slave must be in your presence]
"Hey, Nymph Partner." Artis' body stiffened suddenly, as if grasped by an invisible force.
"What is this? What are you doing?"
"Nymph Partner Artis," he said softly, his voice laced with regret. "As your Dominus, I command you to stay in the Whispering Woods. Protect and raise our sons. You cannot follow me. Wait for my return."
Tears welled in the girl's eyes, spilling down her cheeks as her will buckled. She clawed at his arms in protest. Normally, it should draw blood, but JellySkin canceled it out.
"I hate you. But I love you! Don't worry, I will do as you say."
Ethan pulled her close, crushing his lips against hers. She bit his lip wildly several times. The fourth time, she drew blood.
"I'm sorry. I'll come back. I swear"
She trembled in his arms. "You better, or I'll hunt you to the ends of Promiscua."
Ethan laughed. For good measure, his hands cupped every part of her a few times before letting go. He turned and left.
The woods felt colder already. He turned and gave a last glance at Artis. She was already gone. But he could hear distant howls. She was with the pups. His children. It was so bizarre.
[Dominus: Level up! Level 1~2]
[Apart from marking spirals with seed, User can now mark spirals with oral or hand activities]
"Hmm. That's more like my perverted system. It was getting too suffocating with the cringe stuff."
Ethan headed towards the glade where Beatrix and Athena waited. He was horny already after straddling someone with a perfect body like Artis Lupine.