At the prestigious BioGen Research Institute, there were plenty of Training Beasts.

But only the top researchers earned the right to a "Partner Beast."

A "Partner Beast" meant ultimate trust from a human.

Once the bond was sealed, you trained together, fought together, could even build a life together—through adoption, or marriage.

For the Beastkin, it meant the highest level of freedom imaginable.

I'd already won the Qualifiers last year.

But Vivian Brown's accusation tore it all down.

Our research topics were similar, and inevitably, some overlapping data appeared in our final reports, becoming her "irrefutable proof" I'd plagiarized.

The scandal was massive.

I got suspended for a year, pending investigation.

Although the truth eventually came out, proving my innocence, Vivian Brown refused to accept it.

She was convinced she was the real victim.

And I, the Head Researcher's daughter, had gotten special protection.

—Caleb Shaw was my Training Beast.

I'd been working for a Partner Beast slot behind his back, wanting to surprise him.

Caleb desperately wanted to go home. I thought this news would surely make him happy, right?

Even though last year's delay was a setback, but not the end of the world.

I'd just have to win again this year.

I'd imagined a hundred times the expression he'd have when receiving this gift.

But I never knew Caleb didn't trust me.

That he actually hated me.

Hated me so much he'd planned this cruel revenge for my birthday, ready to shatter every good thing I'd dreamed of.