CHAPTER 225: CHAPTER-225

He paused, chest heaving, his fever making his stance waver. Still, his glare hardened, sharp enough to make even his kin hesitate.

"I’ll lessen the number of family members in this world."

The words dropped like a curse, heavy and absolute.

A stunned silence followed. Even the younger men stiffened, their smirks fading. Veer’s brother’s lips parted as if to protest, but no words came.

Veer’s father, however, didn’t flinch. His expression darkened further, fury etched into every line of his face. But for the first time, he hesitated—not because of Kaya, but because of his son, standing sick and trembling, yet ready to turn his back on blood for the sake of the woman before them.

And Kaya... she stared at Veer, a strange weight pressing against her chest. He was burning up, barely able to stand—yet here he was, drawing a line of fire between her and the world.

Veer’s father stared at him for a long moment, his expression twisting between fury and disbelief. Then his voice cracked like thunder, shaking the cave walls.

"Look at yourself! So weak you can barely stand. And now this—" He jabbed a finger toward Kaya, venom dripping from every word. "All because of her. This single woman has turned my son into nothing!"

Veer’s breathing was shallow, his chest rising and falling too fast, but his glare never wavered. His voice, hoarse but unyielding, cut through his father’s tirade.

"Enough. She’s not just her."

His hands trembled as he pointed at Kaya, but his eyes—burning with a feverish fire—stayed locked on his father.

"She is my wife. My life. If any of you lay a finger on her..." His lips curved into something closer to a snarl. "...you already know I don’t joke."

For a heartbeat, silence reigned.

Then his father’s face contorted with unrestrained rage. The murderous pressure rolling off him grew so heavy that Kaya instinctively tightened her grip on the gun. But before his fury could erupt, Veer’s uncle stepped back with a sharp hiss.

"This is madness," the man spat, but his gaze faltered under Veer’s burning eyes. With a flick of his wings, he shifted and flew off into the night.

One by one, others followed—hesitant, glancing between father and son, but unwilling to risk the storm building in Veer’s glare. Even those who had entered with arrogance now retreated in silence.

At last, only three remained—Veer’s father, his elder brother, and his cousin.

The brother glanced at their father, then stepped closer, his movements slow and deliberate. Kaya stiffened, finger tightening on the trigger, but he raised his hands slightly in surrender. His voice was calm, steady.

"Veer... you know I will never go against your will."

He stopped just a step away, eyes searching his brother’s face. Then, gently, he patted Veer’s shoulder, as though anchoring him.

"I understand."

Veer’s fierce glare softened for a fraction, his tone lowering.

"Bro... she’s my life."

The words came out raw, unguarded.

His brother exhaled, the faintest flicker of something—acceptance? respect?—passing through his eyes. He turned toward Kaya briefly, studying her in silence, then gave a single small nod.

Behind him, the cousin moved without a word, carefully lifting Veer up from where his strength was failing. Veer grimaced but kept his gaze on his father, daring him to make another move.

And then—before Kaya could react—Veer’s elder brother reached for her arm. His grip was firm but not harsh, steady enough to make her pulse spike.

Kaya’s eyes followed helplessly as Veer was carried away, his body slumped in his cousin’s arms, but before she could move, Veer’s elder brother’s voice cut through the heavy silence.

"Don’t worry," he said evenly, his tone far calmer than the rest of his family. "No one will hurt you while I’m here."

Before Kaya could even reply, his other hand reached swiftly, scooping up her belongings. In the next breath, black wings unfurled from his back with a thunderous snap. He tightened his grip on her arm—and then they were airborne.

The ground dropped away so fast that Kaya’s stomach lurched. Wind slammed against her face, sharp and cold, stealing her breath. She tried to keep her eyes open, but the sheer speed made them sting and water. It wasn’t like flying with Veer.

When Veer carried her, his every movement was careful, measured, as though he was constantly aware of her weight, her fear, her comfort. With him, even in the sky, she never felt unsafe.

But this—this was different. The vultures weren’t gliding; they were tearing through the air with ruthless efficiency. Their wings beat like blades, carrying them at their fastest pace. Kaya squeezed her eyes shut, clutching tightly, afraid that if she loosened her grip even slightly, she’d be ripped away by the wind.

Hours blurred together in endless gusts of air and the shriek of wind in her ears. By the time they finally descended, her body was numb and trembling.

After a day and a half, the flock slowed, spiraling downward. Below them stretched a jagged wasteland of stone—the vulture’s dry mountain. Harsh, barren, unwelcoming. No greenery, no softness, only rock that looked as though it had been scorched by the sun for centuries.

One by one, the vultures touched down, talons scraping against stone before shifting back into human form.

Veer’s brother descended last, cradling Kaya firmly until his boots hit the ground. The moment her feet touched stone, Kaya stumbled, legs weak and unsteady from being carried through the skies so long.

The taste of dust filled her mouth as she steadied herself, her hand instinctively going to where her gun should be. Around her, dark eyes watched—measuring, calculating.

"Call the doctor, now!"

Veer’s father’s voice cracked like thunder in the cavern, commanding immediate obedience. The authority in his tone left no room for hesitation.

An older man rushed forward, his steps surprisingly quick despite his age.

Kaya’s eyes lingered on him—his face looked younger than the snowy white of his beard suggested