I am a Zombie?!

After the apocalypse erupted, I was forcibly taken as a lover by the guardian of the Salvation Base.

I swore I'd never submit. Everyone said I was foolish and not smart enough to be with him.

But I was a zombie, and humans and zombies were worlds apart. How could they cross the line? Jesus Christ.

1

I was dragged into the Salvation Base by Jesse Murphy, my clothes in tatters and my dignity shattered.

Prior to the apocalypse, I was the beloved heiress of the Glass Family in Texas, cosseted and doted upon. Once the apocalypse struck, Texas promptly set up a base, and the person in charge was my cousin, who led a rather comfortable life.

Jesse was one of my admirers, and he was one of the most aggressive.

Now, as a zombie, I'd encountered this guardian of the Salvation Base.

It would be his failure if he hasn't torn me to pieces.

I barely made it 39 meters before his massive sword, stretching 40 meters, was at my throat.

Indeed, the metahuman endowed with wind powers was astonishingly swift, just as the rumors had described. Such metahumans, with the gift of harnessing the power of the wind, are able to convert this force into superhuman speed, allowing them to move at a velocity far beyond that of ordinary humans.

"Die later or die now. Choose." Jesse pressed forward relentlessly, his face still bearing the mark of the slap I had just given him. That cold, domineering smile made me shiver.

I had never been humiliated like this before.

Due to his arrogance, a searing anger welled up inside me. Aware that I couldn't die a second time in the form of a zombie, I defied the wind - like blades and advanced towards Jesse. Then, mustering all my strength, I launched a kick at his most vulnerable area.

Unfortunately, he dodged it easily with the wind power.

He glanced at the fissured earth beneath my stomp, visibly unsettled.

In his anger and shame, he aimed the wind blades at my beautiful face.

I froze, acknowledging his ruthlessness.

A big zombie knows when to bend and when to stand tall. I slid to my knees and clung to Jesse's leg, "Please, take me as your maid."

Jesse snorted disdainfully, but his actions betrayed his words.

He hoisted me off the ground with a single hand, paying no heed to the fact that I was scarcely clothed, and then paraded me into the Salvation Base with great fanfare.

I was practically naked.

While I had donned more revealing bikinis previously when hunting for small fish, there's a world of difference between doing so of one's own volition and being compelled to.

Jesse, just wait. I'd get you one day.

2

Jesse tossed me onto the bed, which was really hard.

I turned to glare at him, and he was laughing, making my scalp tingle.

I watched in horror as he tore off his shirt.

I had to concede that his physique was truly remarkable. His skin boasted a bronzed hue, and the well - defined eight - pack abs appeared rock - solid. However, the scars did somewhat detract from their aesthetic appeal.

Jesse's face was cold and indifferent, yet his actions were completely contradictory, which annoyed me.

After all this, he just wanted my body. Ugh, pervert.

Jesse placed his hand on my chest, and I slapped it away, feeling a bit panicked.

As a zombie, would there be any side effects if I had relations with Jesse?

He persevered, his hand gently caressing my face, starting from my forehead, gliding over my eyebrows, then lingering on my eyes, nose, and finally coming to rest on my mouth.

His face loomed closer, and I held my breath in fear.

Almost forgot, I didn't breathe.

I needed to find a way to escape soon. Staying in a human's base as a zombie was too dangerous.

The scars on Jesse's body were proof of how many zombies he had killed to earn his reputation as "humanity's hope."

Lost in thought, Jesse was already taking off his pants.

"Emma." Jesse's deep, husky voice was irresistibly alluring, "Finally, I've caught you."

What did he mean? Before I turned into a zombie, I hadn't been avoiding him. When he was still unknown, I even thought about protecting him.

Unable to understand, I asked, only to crash into his deep desire.

His kiss was a familiar, fiery siege, claiming every part of me, yet I didn't black out from lack of breath.

It wasn't until Jesse carried me to the shower that my brain, now only a crystal core, realized: After becoming a zombie, I slept with my ex-boyfriend, whom I had cheated on.

In ancient times, Poseidon slept with Medusa, and now Jesse with a zombie.

All were bold moves.

I was exhilarated. Was I about to embark on a groundbreaking human-zombie romance with Jesse?

It was so exciting.

So exciting that I impulsively bit a bloody hole in Jesse's shoulder.

Under Jesse's death glare, I awkwardly released my bite, still feeling the warmth of his blood on my lips.

Superpowered human blood was indeed delicious. I instinctively licked my lips, tasting mint. I wondered what his flesh tasted like.

"Does it taste good?"

I shook my head vigorously, retreating involuntarily, but the bathtub was only so big, and there was nowhere to go.

My heart was filled with fear. Would my identity be exposed? Was my short life about to end like this?

But Jesse merely regarded me with a complex mix of emotions, gently patted my head, and murmured softly, "Aren't you concerned about it being dirty?"

Was the difference between before and after sleep so great?

This long-lost tenderness almost brought me to tears, but alas, zombies didn't cry.

I slapped his hand off my head, pretending to be fierce.

"Are you coaxing a pet?"

"Isn't it just a little dog that bites?" He continued to pat my head more vigorously.

Before I could really bite him, he quickly apologized.

"Alright, it's my fault, don't be mad, dear Emma."

What?

When did he just call me?

My confusion was too obvious, and Jesse patiently explained, "We've slept together. Don't you want to live with me?"

If only he didn't have wind blades hovering by my head when he smiled gently.

Was that the only trick he knew?

I grumbled to myself, nodding like a pecking chicken, repeatedly addressing him as "husband," and acceding to his demand that we get married the next day.

But inside, I was determined that I'd rather die than marry him.

Jesse's mood swings were too fast for an ordinary zombie girl like me to handle.

He held me, discussing tomorrow's wedding, while I obediently pondered ways to escape the wedding.

We were both looking forward to tomorrow.

3

But Jesse was the real tough one. I suspected he was the non-human here.

Even if he didn't let me escape the wedding, did he have to go this far?

I had never heard of a bride being tied up and gagged for her wedding.

In the wake of the breakdown of societal norms during the apocalypse, the so - called marriage merely entailed two people proclaiming it to those in their vicinity and subsequently cohabiting.

As the strongest person, Jesse's wedding announcement reached practically everyone in the Salvation Base.

He stood in the center of the square, holding me as he declared us husband and wife, and everyone around us cheered excitedly.

This scene, if you knew it was a wedding, fine, but if not, you'd think I was being sacrificed.

I vehemently shook my head in refusal, the crystal core within me nearly dislodged, yet not a single person with a shred of conscience could be found. A throng of people brazenly extolled us as a perfect match, and I was on the verge of erupting with fury.

Jesse, on the other hand, was overjoyed, smiling like a flower from start to finish, without a trace of his usual scowl.

Disgusting.

"From now on, Emma is my wife. I hope everyone can keep an eye on her, especially to ensure she doesn't leave the base."

This was the real secret behind my public humiliation, wasn't it? To have everyone in the base watch over me and prevent my escape.

I turned my head away, out of sight, out of mind. He dared to pull such a stunt; clearly, we'd been apart too long, and his chivalry had gone out the window.

Back at Jesse's house, the moment the ropes were untied, I bit his arm. Jesse didn't even flinch, and he even softened his arm for me.

The mint - scented blood was frigid, sending a shudder coursing through me. All the humiliation, all the coercion-none of it held a candle to the allure of this blood. I was so tempted that I nearly yearned to tear off a piece of flesh to savor its taste.

It was Jesse's meaningful gaze that brought me back to my senses. I struggled to control my cannibalistic urge and released my grip.

Disregarding Jesse's hesitant countenance, I composedly feigned as if naught had occurred. I then pivoted, hastened into the bathroom to brush my teeth and obliterate the evidence, all the while wracking my brains for an explanation.

Before I could come up with a perfect excuse, Jesse's mission arrived.

The scavengers had unearthed a cluster of zombies within a vast mall. Several teams of meta - humans had already met their demise. The dispersed zombies were steadily growing more powerful, and if left unaddressed, they could pose a threat to the safety of the base.

In other words, Jesse had to go. His face fell instantly, and I couldn't help but smile gleefully.

The chance to escape was right in front of me; why bother explaining anything?

I put on a brave face, my tone exaggeratedly dramatic, "The fate of the base is at stake, Jesse, you must go without worry." Once you're gone, I'll sneak out under the pretense of waiting for you at the city gate.

"She is so attentive, you are a lucky man, " said the young messenger, full of admiration, probably a naive kid tricked by others.

Jesse sent the naive kid away, picked up the rope from the floor, and stared at me.

I sneered, grabbed the fruit knife from the table, and stabbed it through the table, then pulled it out and pointed it at him, "Jesse, if you dare tie me up again, believe me, I'll kill you."

I was actually terrified, my legs were shaking.

Fortunately, Jesse hesitated and put down the rope.

But it was just a feint; he snatched the knife in a moment from me and carried me away again.

Damn it, I didn't I deserve a princess carry?

Even in such a predicament, Jesse's team members looked at me as if I were a femme fatale.

Frustrated, my rationality snapped, and I clung to the car door, shouting my innocence, but under Jesse's threatening gaze, my words slipped.

"I'm ... okay, fine."

For a moment, everyone except Jesse, who was still prying my fingers off, was gloating without exception.

Whose spirit was crushed? Oh, it's mine. Never mind, just let me die.

4

In a romance novel set in the apocalypse, how could there be no supporting female character?

Watching Pamela, who used the excuse of chatting to separate me from Jesse, I understood.

Pamela Cox had a rare healing ability, so even though she wasn't strong, she could join Jesse's team.

"Emma, ever since the zombie outbreak, it's been so long since we last met." She hugged my arm, winking at me suggestively, "I was the first to explain things between you and the captain."

So it was you, you backstabber. Four years of dormitory friendship, and this is how you betray me.

I rolled my eyes dramatically, and while Jesse was busy with battle plans, I wrote "run" in Pamela's palm, quickly covering her mouth before she could call out.

She shook off my hand, her face full of reproach, then sneakily checked Jesse's position just like I did.

"You even reformed for the captain, and now that you're finally together, why do you want to... " The word "escape" was swallowed back nervously.

"Emma, do you know how the captain honed his skills? He almost went crazy looking for you. People run for their lives, but he fights for his. He'll never let go."

I fell silent.

Jesse was still assigning tasks, his rolled-up sleeves revealing a powerful arm, with a bite mark I left visible as he waved.

Pamela noticed too, astonished, "The captain's body is so strong, yet there's a mark. There must be a powerful zombie in the base."

Her tone was filled with disgust for zombies and a desire to eliminate them.

The apocalypse indeed changes people. Even Pamela, often criticized as self-righteous but genuinely kind-hearted, had something she hated.

"Help me or not?" I was eager to escape, with no time for sentimental nonsense.

"Help." She agreed without hesitation.

Relying on years of tacit understanding, we planned the escape. When Jesse went to kill zombies, he would definitely leave Pamela, the burden, outside to wait, and to keep an eye on me.

She would take that chance to distract the guards, allowing me to slip away.

Jesse and his team soon set off.

"Stay in the car, I have something to tell you when I get back." Jesse gently patted my head, his tone soft and confident.

I simply scoffed, "Your habit of tempting fate before going to battle is great, keep it up."

He was so confident, he didn't take my warning seriously, and even pinched my face in retaliation, "Wait for me to come back."

I told you not to tempt fate.

Pamela and I both looked away, unable to bear it. We watched them leave.

"Are you still going to escape?" she asked, sounding resigned.

I had no time to answer her, as the constant calling in my mind almost drowned me.

"King, the king made an order... "

What was that noise in my head?

"Escape, why not? It's now or never." I lectured her earnestly, earning two big eye rolls.

The plan went smoothly. Despite Pamela's worries, I successfully headed in the opposite direction.

Once away from the convoy, the whole world seemed greater to me.

But the barking in my mind continued, and I caught snippets of messages.

"Food... ambush... take them for the King." My brisk steps halted.

I could sense the voice coming from the direction Jesse and his team went.

An ambush? They were in danger!

I almost cursed out loud. Damn Jesse, he was so tough with me, how could he be outdone by zombies weaker than me?

I rushed back, ignoring Pamela's surprise and her shouts warning me of the danger.

Jesse, you better not die. I didn't want to compete with you for the zombie king's position.