She was impregnated by a snake.

"At last... I have found you."

Pangrum jolted at the mysterious voice. She whipped her head around, searching the shadows, but found no one. It was just her and the massive serpent.

"Who’s there?"

she whispered, her voice trembling.

"Mate—"

the voice resonated, seemingly emanating from the creature itself. She shook her head in disbelief. This was impossible. She was talking to a snake.

"You have been my mate across a hundred lifetimes"

the voice continued, smooth and ancient.

"In my previous life, I committed a grave sin, condemned to take the form of this Great Serpent. I have waited for you for an eternity... I have missed you beyond words."

Pangrum’s eyes widened in sheer confusion and horror.

"No!"

she cried out, her voice hardening with defiance. The serpent’s massive coils shifted closer, its unblinking gaze locked onto hers.

"You belong to me... and I will never lose you again."

Suddenly, the beast’s enormous body began to wind around her. The embrace was surprisingly gentle—not tight enough to crush her or steal her breath, but firm enough to pin her where she stood.

Pangrum let out a piercing scream, a desperate plea for help to anyone within earshot, but only the hollow echoes of the forest answered her.

The serpent’s head glided down, nuzzling the crook of her neck. Its flicking, forked tongue brushed against her soft skin as its coils began a slow, rhythmic movement. It pressed against her back, her chest, and her thighs with an unsettling tenderness.

A strange sensation, unlike anything she had ever felt, rippled through her body. The paralyzing terror began to blur, replaced by a sudden, dizzying heat pooling in her lower abdomen. It felt as though her body was being meticulously kneaded by a master’s touch.

"You shall be my wife."

Pangrum shook her head violently, tears welling in her eyes.

"Please...please let me go,"

she pleaded, her voice breaking.

"I have to help someone... I have to get these herbs for him— If you let me go, I’ll... I’ll give you anything!"

Even in this waking nightmare, her only thought was of Pongpang. The tears finally spilled over.

The Great Serpent went still, as if weighing her words. Its eyes began to glow, shifting into a brilliant, shimmering gold.

"I will release you" it intoned

"on the condition that you surrender yourself to me willingly. You must vow to obey my every command."

Without a moment's hesitation, Pangrum nodded.

"I... I promise."

The golden glow in the serpent’s eyes deepened, burning with an ancient hunger.

"But first... I must claim you as mine."