AN: So...Paru Itagaki recently sent out a tweet with a picture of Azuki smiling pleasantly, suggesting she's actually decent in canon. While that's nice and all, it also suggests that Paru is doing that to justify her choice of having Louis and Azuki be together and possibly stay together. If that's the case, I'll be extremely disappointed and I'll mentally reject it in favor of what happens in this story despite some of the bad things that happen. Trigger warnings for abuse. There's also another lemon that I'll mark for those who'd like to skip over it. Don't worry, the abuse and the lemon are in completely separate parts of the chapter. Also, for those who don't like the lemons and think this story will now be full of them, this will be the last one until the final chapter. For those who do like them, be patient. Also, the character of Charles is another OC of mine.

Ch 3: Beginning of the Fall

Marie is sitting at the dinner table with a birthday cake in front of her.

Louis and Azuki are once again sitting at opposite ends of the table.

'Where is Henry?!' Azuki thinks with frustration. 'I invited him here hoping he'd arrive before the party started so he'd greet Marie when she came back! Henry graduates in just a few weeks, which will be when he takes over his father's company and marries our daughter! We are so close to expanding Horns Conglomerate! Where is he?!'

Louis has been watching Marie since they all sat down to dinner. 'What's wrong? I know something's upsetting you. I swear, after your mother goes to bed, I'll talk with you in private. If anything's bothering you, I won't judge you. I'll prove that I love you.' "Make a wish when you blow out the candles, Marie."

Azuki looks at her husband. "You believe that nonsense?"

"I wouldn't say I fully believe in it. It's simply a nice thought."

The older hind rolls her eyes.

Marie stares at the candles. She's had to put all her strength into not breaking down after fully realizing she doesn't want the future her parents have planned out for her. 'I hate it. I hate Horns Conglomerate. I hate Henry. I hate my future!' Suddenly, the smiling face of her hybrid boyfriend fills her mind. 'I love you, Goshen. I wish I could marry you.' In one powerful blow, Marie is able to put out all the candles.

Louis and Azuki clap for their daughter.

Dolph suddenly enters the room. "Henry wishes to see you."

Azuki allows a flicker of a smile to show on her face. 'Better late than never.' "Send the young man in. We've been expecting him."

Louis glares at Azuki. 'You mean you have. I know what you're up to, Azuki. You'd like for Henry to deflower our daughter to stake his claim and cement the upcoming marriage. That is underhanded and despicable.'

Marie feels like she's about to be sick. 'I knew this would happen. Mother invited Henry to take me out and sleep with me, all to keep the arrangement secure. I don't want him touching me that way. This body should only know Goshen's touch.'

All three are surprised when Dolph returns with a clearly angry Henry.

The young stag takes a few breaths to regain his composure. "Our arrangement is hereby terminated."

Louis and Marie both feel slight relief at the thought that the marriage won't happen, but they're also scared of the reason why Henry's calling it off.

Azuki stands, terrified of losing out on Henry's family's company becoming another part of Horns Conglomerate. "You can't be serious!"

"I'm quite serious," says Henry. He then points a shaking finger at Marie. "I refuse to be married that…freak!"

Louis stands up so fast that his chair gets knocked over. He stomps over to Henry. "You little shit! How dare you come into my house and insult my daughter!"

The younger stag backs into a wall, fearing for his life.

"STOP!" Azuki shouts at Louis, making him freeze. Once certain her husband won't be attacking the younger stag, she picks up her glass of wine and takes a sip. "Now, Henry, there is certainly some sort of misunderstanding here."

"You haven't seen the evening edition of the Daily Spew," Henry says as he fixes himself up.

"I don't read that garbage," Louis says to the younger stag with a menacing glare.

"I've been too busy overseeing preparations for this party to read it," says Azuki.

Henry takes out his phone and synchs it to the TV. "This shall be quite informative then." He points to the TV screen once the article comes up.

Marie covers her mouth.

Azuki's hand breaks the wine glass she's holding.

Louis just stares in shock.

On the screen is an article from the Daily Spew titled 'Horns Heir in Hybrid Affair'. This is accompanied by four separate pictures. Marie and Goshen hugging, them entering Hotel Rose, them exiting Hotel Rose, and the couple kissing.

Henry turns back to the family. "After having discovered this, I have no intention of ever marrying your daughter."

Azuki takes a deep breath to keep herself calm. "I see. If your decision is final, then you may leave." Once the young stag is out the door, she turns to Marie. "We shall all discuss this in your father's office." The older hind leads the way to said office as the other two follow.

Marie is very scared. 'What will Mother do? What will Father do?'

Louis has no thoughts. He's still processing the images he saw.

The three enter the office. Louis takes his usual chair, Azuki stands right beside him, and Marie stands on the opposite side of the desk.

"Who is he?" asks Azuki.

"His name is Goshen," says Marie.

Hearing the name, everything clicks in Louis's mind. 'I knew I recognized those features somewhere.' "Legoshi and Haru's son."

Azuki frowns. "Of course he is. The spawn of those inters."

Louis feels anger at that description of his old friends and their child.

"We met on our first day at Cherrystone," says Marie. "A friendship slowly formed. We were dating by the end of first year."

"You've been dating in secret for more than a year?!"

"Yes."

Azuki walks around the desk. "Well, that ends now. You will cease interacting with that hybrid immediately."

Marie feels a part of herself die at that demand. 'No more Goshen. No more of his gentle yet firm arms holding me. No more of his beautiful fanged smile. No more of his eyes looking in mine.' She makes a decision and glares at her parents. "No."

The two older deer stare in shock at this defiance.

Louis feels as if he's truly seeing his daughter for the first time. A hint of pride hits him.

"Excuse me?" Azuki asks in an offended tone.

"You heard me, Mother," Marie says while refusing to look away from the older hind. "I will stay Goshen's girlfriend."

Louis stands up, looking at his daughter with pity. "Marie, you'd never be allowed power in the company while you're in a relationship with Goshen. No child produced from your union would be allowed any access to Horns Conglomerate either."

"Then I renounce any claim to the company."

"Stop this foolishness," says Azuki. "Don't throw away Horns Conglomerate's future on some youthful fling."

"Goshen's not a fling! We are in love!"

"Love? How absurd."

"He treats me like a living creature! To him, I'm more than some tool for the company!"

Louis feels his heart almost break. 'Tool? No. You're not a tool to me, Marie.'

"Now you're just being hysterical," says Azuki. "You are actually willing to abandon an honorable organization like Horns Conglomerate for some mismatched thing?"

"Horns Conglomerate can burn!"

The elder deer stare in horror at their daughter.

Louis feels terrified at the thought of Marie's suggestion coming true. 'Burn? The Horns Conglomerate? We'd be nothing without it.'

Azuki's eyes twitch. She then steps forward and slaps Marie.

"MARIE!" Louis runs over and checks his daughter's face.

"Don't ever repeat those foul words! Horns Conglomerate is our religion! It's our reason for existence! You will respect it!"

Seeing the mark forming on Marie's cheek, Louis charges at Azuki and slams her into the nearest wall. "HOW DARE YOU HIT HER?!" The stag is on the verge of punching the hind.

Despite the threatening posture and glare, Azuki keeps a calm demeanor. "Unhand me at once."

"You're in no position to make demands!"

"Release me or I will divorce you."

"What kind of threat is that?! I think I'd welcome it after what you've done!"

Azuki puts on a sad face. "Oh, Judge, my life with Louis has been just terrible. He never consummated the marriage with me, he only keeps me around to look good for society, and he is so cold to me and out daughter. Louis has been mentally and emotionally abusive to us all these years."

The stag grits his teeth in anger. 'Making me look like the bad guy by sprinkling in truth.' "You're the one who hit Marie. She'll vouch that I'm nowhere near as bad as you're making me out to be."

Azuki gives a quiet and cold laugh. "I'll simply tell the judge that stress from your abuse made me lash out at our daughter. It wouldn't be very difficult to convince the judge that you've brainwashed Marie into siding with you. After all, the law will always see women as the victims of the men. Once I win, I will take control of Horns Conglomerate. I will then marry my backup stag."

"Backup stag?"

Azuki gives Louis a wicked smirk. "Charles."

The stag's insides freeze. 'Shit! If any stag is more ruthless than me, it's him! He's been able to get away with having those he doesn't like murdered because no one could trace any of it back to him!'

"With him as the new CEO, we would be able to make Marie obedient to us and have you powerless to stop any of it."

Louis knows exactly what Azuki means. 'She'd threaten Goshen's life so that Marie'd be forced to do as she and Charles want. Charles would hire the lowest criminals to assassinate all my lion friends to prevent me from doing anything to stop them. I'd be completely alone and, as Azuki said, powerless.' Sudden visions of a cell and meat hungry carnivores fill his head. Louis lets go of his wife. "Marie, go to your room and stay there. Never see Goshen again."

Marie sobs. "YOU MONSTERS! I HATE YOU!" She runs to her room.

Louis feels himself die inside at those words, but he keeps going. "Dolph, I know you've been listening! Tell Dope and Free to keep watch over her!" He doesn't need to hear anything to know his orders are being carried out. 'The most fucked up orders I've ever given.'

"Very good," Azuki says with a self satisfied smirk. "In the morning, I'll begin searching for a stag willing to overlook Marie's transgression." The hind leans in so that she's breathing on Louis's face. "As punishment for forcing me against the wall, you'll spend tonight on the couch. A fitting punishment for being out of line." She walks to the door before looking back. "Do get a healthy amount of sleep. It would be quite troubling if the CEO were to fall asleep at his work desk." She exits the room.

Louis stares down at the floor. 'I have failed as a father. I've let my wife to bully me into submission.' He looks at the portrait of Oguma. 'Are you happy that this is the price I'm paying to keep your legacy alive in Horns Conglomerate, Father? Well?!' He turns around to leave, but he finds Dolph in front of him. 'You're regretting letting me become your boss, aren't you? You all find it disgusting that I'm allowing Azuki to run my life and take away Marie's happiness just to secure business. Say it! Tell me what a doormat I've become!'

"It's Saturday night, Boss," says Dolph. "Do you want to head out?"

Louis's mind clings to those words like a lifeline. "Now more than ever."

Unknown to the pair, a cloaked figure is on the roof of the mansion calling someone with their phone. "Hey. It's me. That equipment we stole worked like a charm. The crazy shit I just heard is the Daily Spew's wet dream. Hold on. There. Got it synched up to your laptop. You'll be able to hear everything whenever you want. Listen, we need to head out. Looks like Louis is leaving. From what I heard, he does this every Saturday night. Whatever it is, it might be juicy. Hope the device won't be discovered. Yeah, I know it's basically camouflaged, but I'm still kind of worried. See you later." The cloaked figure turns to an even larger one standing nearby. "The audio mixed with the visuals you collected will make the Daily Spew the most popular article for some time. Follow their car." The smaller animal climbs onto the larger one's back.

The larger cloaked figure takes flight.

Later…

Louis the Red Deer enters Mask Le Strange. However, he's not Louis right now. At this moment, he's just another stag wearing a mask in this club.

Animals are dancing everywhere. All the pairs are carnivore and herbivore. The masked animals are indulging in extreme interspecial lust. Pairs can be seen entering and exiting the side rooms. Those exiting reek of sex.

The masked Louis heads over to the bar.

The tiger bartender holds up a card to him saying 'Welcome back'.

Louis holds up a card of his own that says 'I'll have my usual.' Once the bartender starts prepping the drink, the stag sighs. 'I'm such a regular, most of the staff knows me. Well, they all know my shape. They don't know who I am outside this club.' He takes the drink the bartender's offering him and chugs it. 'Good thing there's a no speaking policy here. Keeps me anonymous since my voice has been on TV and radio a lot over the years.' Louis starts scoping out all of the carnivore women. 'Cheetahs, tigresses, vixens. I have been with so many kinds of carnivores by now.' He sees a bear woman and cringes. 'One bad experiment was enough for me.' The stag's eyes zero in on an obvious newcomer. 'She wolf.'

A young she wolf is nervously looking around. She's clearly new to this environment. It is likely she's not even twenty yet.

Louis chugs down a second helping of his drink. 'Might as well show her the ropes.' He gets up and he approaches the young she wolf. The stag pulls out a different card and shows it to her. 'You and me?' it asks.

The she wolf opens her mouth to respond.

Louis holds up a hand, then points to a sign on a wall. He knows the sign by heart at this point. 'Rule One: No means no. Rule Two: Carnivores must keep their instincts under control. Rule Three: Don't speak.'

Seeing the third rule on the sign, the young she wolf pulls out an entire stack of cards and shuffles through. She pulls one out and shows it to the stag. 'Yes.'

Louis takes her hand and leads her to the nearest side room that's available. He locks the door behind them as the she wolf sits on the bed. Joining her, the stag pulls out another card and shows it to her. 'Submissive or dominant?'

Knowing that the stag is asking for her preference, the young she wolf responds with her card. 'Submissive.'

'Perfect. I'm really in need of dominating something right now.' Louis gets his shirt off.

The she wolf's tail wags at seeing all the scars on the stag's torso. 'He likes it rough.'

Louis feels excited by the young she wolf's wagging tail. 'This is why she wolves are my favorite. Even with masks on, their tails give away their emotions. They're naturally passionate. The shape of their snouts, the feel of their fangs and claws, that hot canine tongue. It all adds up to make she wolves the best.' The stag gets on top of the she wolf and starts working her clothes off.

LEMON STARTS HERE

The young she wolf chooses to get the rough play started early by nibbling the stag's left shoulder.

Louis shudders with pleasure. 'A quick learner.' He gets the she wolf completely naked, then he works his pants down to just above his knees. Louis never lets his pants go any further at Mask Le Strange since it would show his prosthetic and risk revealing who he is.

The young she wolf knows what she wants to do next at seeing the stag's pants down. A thrill goes through her when he gives her the go ahead. She goes in and gives a long, slow lick.

Louis grits his teeth to hold back a moan. He places a hand on top of the she wolf's head and pets it. It excites him even more knowing her tail his wagging from this. He's unable to stop his moans as the young she wolf takes him completely in her mouth. 'Her fangs…grazing…shit that feels good!' The stag soon pats the she wolf's shoulder.

She pulls away thinking she did something wrong. The she wolf is surprised when she is placed on her back again and the stag grabs a nearby bottle of lube.

Louis places some on his fingers and starts to work her open. He adds to her pleasure by rubbing her cream colored belly. Seeing the she wolf's tail wagging again, it encourages the stag to get even more aggressive with his fingers inside her. Once he feels that she's prepped enough, he pulls a condom from his pocket and puts it on. Then, he enters her.

The she wolf moans. 'I knew it! Herbivores are the best! There's no going back for me!' As the stag thrusts into her, she wraps her limbs around him. When he hits the right spot, the she wolf screams and rakes her claws across the stag's shoulder blades.

Louis's pain from this urges him on. 'Yes! Tear me to shreds! Please! End me!'

The young she wolf feels herself reaching her limit. Right at the edge, she bites the stag's left shoulder.

Louis desperately thrusts to reach his own climax. 'Yes! Eat me! EAT ME, JUNO!' He finally releases and keeps himself held up with his arms. 'Juno.' Hearing a hum of contentment from the she wolf beneath him, the stag remembers where he is. 'This isn't Juno. She's some she wolf too young and the wrong color to be her.' Louis feels hollow inside as the she wolf licks his shoulder wound.

LEMON ENDS HERE

Later…

Louis is sitting in the back of a car with Dolph tending to his new wounds. 'My mind imagined that young she wolf as Juno near the end. It wanted her to eat me, but I couldn't do it. I couldn't ask the she wolf to eat me out loud. Couldn't hit my cheeks three times to signal her that I wanted it. To think I was the one who force fed Legoshi my leg all those years ago. Where did all my bravery go?' He sighs. "Say something, Dolph."

The lion doesn't react other than to keep tending to the stag's wounds. "What would you want me to say, Boss?"

"What I know you want to say. That I've become a complete coward. That I've allowed Azuki to take control of my life and Marie's. That I'm no longer worthy of being your boss."

"I'm not going to say any of that, Boss."

"You should, Dolph. It's all true. I'm a weak animal."

"Here's what I will say, Boss. You've been going to Mask Le Strange every Saturday for over eighteen years. You started not long after Marie was conceived. That should've tipped you off that staying married to Azuki was the wrong thing to do. Being with her did allow for Marie to exist, but that's the only upside."

"I gained the political power to get all you guys jobs with me and to change the world."

"On your own, you could have had both. Freeing us would have taken a bit longer, but it still would have happened. As for changing the world, you didn't actually have much to do with that."

"Yes I did."

"No, you strengthened Horns Conglomerate. Anything you wanted to do that would have had world changing effects, Azuki and the Board of Directors were able to convince you there'd be negative consequences for the company and you backed down. Then, Juno advocated for the same policies and the world accepted them with open arms. It lead to her being named a Beastar because you allowed Azuki and the Board to hold you back. FYI, Legoshi was named a Beastar too, even with Goshen to raise."

Louis frowns. "He doesn't do anything with his title though."

"Not true. He sometimes works as a private enforcer with the police to bring down some of the worst criminals."

The stag turns to look at Dolph when the lion finishes tending to him. "How the hell did you know something like that?"

"Each of us visits him and his family on our days off."

That hurts Louis even more. 'Everyone I know keeps in touch with Legoshi and Haru but me.' "Ok."

"You're now in a corner with no way to escape. You should've run to Juno when she was still receptive to you." Dolph gets out, walks around to the driver's door, and gets back in. "I'm taking you back to the mansion…Boss."

Louis flinches at that last word. 'He practically spit that out. None of the lions see me as good boss material anymore, do they?'

Unknown to these two, a cloaked figure is on a nearby rooftop calling someone. "It's me again. Turns out that Louis's a regular. Goes in every Saturday for a roll with carnivore women. Has been for more than eighteen years. Huh? What do you mean save it? His daughter? Oh, so that's why you had us split up. Guess I'll head back to the hideout. See you soon." The cloaked figure starts jumping from rooftop to rooftop.

AN: So much happened this chapter! Some of you may think Louis would never cave like he did and forbid Marie from seeing Goshen at Azuki's insistence, but this is how I see him after he chose to marry Azuki. Also, you can't tell me Louis wouldn't have secret flings with carnivores if he stayed with Azuki long term. It also appears Louis's affairs are going to go public soon as well, along with what happened back in the mansion. What's going on with Marie now? Find out this Saturday! This will be the last upload before Christmas, so happy holidays to everyone!