Victor Logan's life over the years was not much different from when he was a child, he became the new gardener of the estate, while still doing some of the work in the stables.

Mr. Howlett had offered to give him something to do, or even to put it outside to stand alone, but Victor refused. He just said that he hoped to be able to accompany James, and Mr. Howlett did not force it, and the old man probably thought that Victor would naturally be used when his grandson took charge of the family.

As James's half-brother, Victor awakens earlier, but relatively peacefully, slowly, and gradually. Abnormal nails began to grow at an early age, and gradually improved physical fitness and self-healing ability.

At first, Victor only felt less and less painful when he was whipped by his father Thomas Rogan, and never even found a single scar on his body, but slowly, he knew that something was different, and at the same time, a strange feeling and desire affected him.

James knew clearly from the moment he returned to the manor to look at Victor after awakening that this cheap brother was no longer an ordinary person, and the brothers really had a strange bond at that moment. It is like the tacit understanding that the beasts of a race are familiar with each other's scents, and it is like the desire to conquer each other and become the beast king.

Stemming from a higher level of awakening and the sharpness of a fist master, James could feel the faint aura of blood that swirled around Victor's body, and this brother was not as peaceful as he seemed.

James didn't find him in Victor's cabin, and many people hadn't even gotten up early in the morning. His new olfactory ability allowed him to "see" a yellowish scent trail, and he followed the line.

There was still some fog in the early morning in the rag forest, and a few desperate roars could be heard in the hazy haze, it was an adult brown bear, and its erect height of more than two meters made it one of the largest in the forest and the top of the food chain.

But now it fell to the ground, swaying from side to side trying to support itself from falling. Large swaths of flesh and skin on his body were turned outward, and blood mixed with mud tangled up the fur all over his body.

From the wounds, it was clear that the brown bear had been caused by a fight with a beast of its size, with scars from its claws all over its chest and back, and in the worst case, half of its face was completely scratched, and a broken eyeball was still hanging out. And this "beast" that was fighting with him was panting and hunched over at the moment.

"Whew! Whew! Victor Logan's agitated chest was like a huge bellows, and the bare upper body was slowly healing with a few deep claw marks visible to the bone.

His arms were extremely thick, as long as James's, almost reaching the knees, but even thicker, with tangled muscles wrapped around them like strands of twine. The nails became thicker and longer, with a sharp metallic sheen, and blood trickled down the tips of the fingers.

Victor's bloodshot eyes widened slightly, and he suddenly swooped forward, his hands bounced off the ground, and he jumped five or six meters away in an instant, his fingers together, and he inserted them deep into the sides of the brown bear's neck, until his forearms were not in the flesh.

The brown bear howled weakly, and the only remaining eyeballs turned gray and lost its breath.

Victor slowly withdrew his hands, his tense muscles loosening slightly. He twitched his nose suddenly, stretched out his arms, and the claws that had just been withdrawn popped out again, and his eyes stared at the misty bushes in front of him for a moment, and a slightly shorter, emaciated figure was faintly reflected.

"Come to breakfast, Victor." James Howlett walked out with ease, without the slightest hint of concealment. He looked at Victor, who was a little surprised and facing a great enemy, and smiled slightly.

"James...... You ......" Victor was a little speechless, at that moment he should have realized that the smell was James's, but he didn't react at all in a hurry, and subconsciously didn't think that this manor young master would run into the forest early in the morning.

Victor didn't know what to do for a while, he even had a bit of a murderous intention in his heart when he was knocked into such a situation, and the claws of his hands did not retract.

"Don't be nervous, I've always known that." James comforted Victor in a soft tone.

"Always known?" Victor obviously couldn't believe James's words, but unconsciously lowered his arm slightly.

"What do you know?"

"Forget that I've always liked to read, a book I once read mentioned the atavistic phenomenon of human beings, it's not a curse, it's not demonic possession or anything like that, it's just that you are born with atavistic animal characteristics."

Victor was obviously a little stunned, in fact, he had also suspected all kinds of abnormalities that happened to him for a long time, due to the limited level of knowledge and knowledge of the times, he even thought that he had a demon attached to his body, a monster that could not be integrated into the world, and carefully concealed his difference for this.

Seeing Victor, who was obviously more relaxed, James continued: "I've noticed your nails since I was a child, which is a typical overt atavism, some people even have tails, some people have long fangs, and in legends they will be exaggerated and described as orcs, or werewolves and other monsters, but this is only basic biological knowledge. ”

He continued to deceive Victor without blushing, and in this way he could convince this reckless man who was in the midst of ignorance and couldn't read a few big words in his head.

"So it's normal for you to feel like you're getting stronger, and even smell a lot like a beast." James took a few more steps forward, very close to Victor, and curiously looked at the dead brown bear behind him.

"Tell me anything else, and tell me everything." Victor calmed down and said slowly, the claws of his fingertips finally retracted.

"I don't know much, if you meet a professor who studies biology and anthropology, maybe I can tell you more carefully, but, Victor, have you ever killed someone?" James looked up slightly at Victor's blood-red eyes and asked softly.

Victor shook his head and said, "No, a strange feeling has affected me since a few years ago. I want to eat a more raw steak and want to taste the taste of blood. So I started slowly coming to the forest to hunt animals, mostly rabbits, elk. ”

He was stunned, glanced back at the brown bear's carcass, and continued: "I didn't intend to violate its territory this time, otherwise it wouldn't have been like this. ”

"That's good, remember Victor, don't let that lust consume you." James said to him with extra seriousness. Victor pondered for a moment, but did not respond, found his coat and strode in the direction of the manor.

……………

Kerosene chandeliers wrapped in delicate crystal lampshades lit the banquet hall of the Doge's Palace, and Mr. Howlett sat at one end of the table with Steward Venn behind him. The Governor warmly raised his glass and toasted Mr. Howlett: "This is a wine from the vineyard under my name, and you must taste it." This is the first cup of reparation for your sins! ”

"You're so kind, Your Excellency the Governor, I'm here to apologize to you." Mr. Howlett replied, as if frightened, and drained the wine.

"Mr. Howlett, your people are all intact and can be taken with you today. As you know, the Empire's policy towards Canada is a bit harsh, and this time your herd has crossed the line, and I really have no other way at that time! Governor Smith said apologetically, earnestly and movingly.

"I understand, understand, His Excellency the Governor did what he should, and for my negligence, he has brought some gifts this time to apologize." Steward Vane duly handed the envelope to the Governor's servant and placed it on an empty gilded plate on the table.

"And." Mr. Howlett continued: "The new tax policy announced by Your Excellency, the Howlett family fully supports, whether it is in the future or the amount of tax that needs to be paid, it will definitely be in place!" ”

"Hahaha! Mr. Howlett is such a wonderful man, you are so considerate of my work! When I first came, some people said bad things about you, and I think they were all jealousy of your wealth and character! Smith slapped the table and feigned annoyance. He froze down, leaned over slightly, and asked enthusiastically:

"I heard that your youngest grandson is your only heir?"