"However, I need to be clear about sothing. I have no intention of giving any of my mates unequal treatnt based on what type of beastkin they change into or based on their powers. There isn’t going to be a less-than-ntality, and I won’t support it being enforced on other males. I will allow there to be a lead male since that seems like the best way to organize things but I will still be able to refuse that lead male since I dislike being controlled the most. The lead male will not be able to push the other males aside though and in the end, I will be the one who decides who I sleep with and when I feel like laying eggs and for who. So Oliver being a chipmunk beastkin will not lower his standing in our family. Everyone who I decide to allow to be a mber of my family will have their own equal place, no matter what society says their place should be."
He locked eyes with , weighing my words carefully, but his expression was a complete mystery to .
He flashed a smile so stunning it could have illuminated the entire room. As I gazed at him, the golden hue of his hair and his robin’s egg-blue eyes radiated an enchanting glow, creating one of the most breathtaking views I had ever encountered. Almost instinctively, my fingers tangled in his thick, soft golden locks, which seed to shimr with an otherworldly light.
"Such beauty! What exactly is a Nean lion?" I asked, my fingers gliding through his luminous hair. It sparkled like a million fiber optic strands, yet felt incredibly soft to the touch. His hair was a luxurious experience, making my own feel like nothing more than straw in comparison. I felt like a humble toad trying to caress a graceful swan.
"You really haven’t co across my kind before? You must have been incredibly secluded. The Nean lion is a legendary beast, known for its impenetrable fur that can withstand any slash and claws sharp enough to slice through nearly anything. We take pride in our clan, rarely venturing outside our own or mingling with other big cat clans like lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, pumas, and cougars. The only ti we break this rule is for a fated mate, and that’s a bond respected by all clans, no matter the lineage."
"I totally get where you’re coming from, and honestly, it’s all good! But let make one thing crystal clear: I won’t tolerate anyone treating Oliver like he’s any less important than my other mates. Right now, Oliver is my one and only permanent mate, and he has my deepest respect and admiration. I truly care about him. It doesn’t matter to that he’s a chipmunk beastkin or that his powers are plant-based. What really counts is how we use our abilities. Everyone has their own unique strengths, and it’s all about figuring out how to make the most of them."
He paused for a mont to collect his thoughts, then offered a slight smile and nodded in agreent. "It’s true. Oliver has really transcended the limits of his beastkin heritage and skills to beco an exceptional doctor, and he’s been a solid ally. I regret ever speaking poorly of him, but I appreciate your understanding of the challenges I’ve faced. My kind is known for being dominant, so it was difficult to restrain myself when I sensed your heat and recognized you as my mate, especially since you hadn’t acknowledged our bond. I see now it was unintentional, and I’m glad you weren’t trying to offend . You won’t have any issues with concerning Oliver moving forward. Although I can’t promise I’ll always get along with everyone."
I couldn’t help but laugh. "I totally get that! If the tables were turned, I doubt I’d sh well with everyone either. I’ve never given it a shot, but I doubt sharing a partner is exactly my strong suit!"
He chuckled. "Well, luckily you’ll never have to worry about that."
"Are we really considering becoming an item? I’m not against the idea since it seems like we’ve been naturally gravitating toward that. Still, I’d prefer to hold off on making you a permanent fixture in my life until I have a chat with Kai. He was ant to be my first serious guy, but then I got a bit too heated, and things spiraled out of control. But hey, if you’re ga, I could always leave my mark on you with a bite! Would that help soothe those instincts of yours?"
He paused for a mont, then knelt before , tilting his head to expose his neck. I guess that’s a yes. I swallowed hard, taking in the sight of his impressive stature now humbled at my feet. This world is truly sothing else.
I stepped closer, my heart racing, and nervously licked my lips as I gazed at the side of his exposed neck. This is what he desires, and I’m not entirely against it, even if I hadn’t planned on marking another male so soon! It feels like I’m in a race to catch up with Patricia, who seems to effortlessly collect every beastkin in sight, regardless of their type.
If I ever find myself attracted to a rat beastkin, I might as well admit I’ve completely lost it! And let’s not even talk about the possibility of encountering a snake, spider, bat, or any creepy-crawly beastkin. Just the thought of spider beastkin gives goosebumps, especially since the system said that I could end up as one. Ugh, why did I have to learn they exist? It’s downright unsettling!
With a soft sigh, I reflect on the unpredictable twists life throws my way. Turning him down isn’t really sothing that I want to do, so I might as well plunge into this and get it over with. After all, it’s just a temporary mark. We both have the freedom to change our minds later, right? The idea of him possibly having second thoughts gnaws at , but I’m not quite ready to unpack that feeling just yet.
For now, I’ll tuck it away, promising myself to revisit it when I have the ti and energy to sort through my tangled emotions. One step at a ti, as my grandmother always reminded . There’s no point in spiraling into anxiety over a future that’s still shrouded in mystery, especially when I have so much to focus on in the present. I miss her dearly; she was the only one who truly cared to know beyond my potential. She embraced for who I was, not for what I could offer. It’s a bittersweet realization, considering I often struggle to see my own worth. I wouldn’t have chosen to spend ti with myself either, if I’m honest. I’m not quite the girl I aspire to be, and the path to becoming her feels elusive, but I’m determined to figure it out.
I made a promise to my grandmother as she took her last breath: I vowed to cherish myself in her absence, to embrace who I am, knowing she wouldn’t be there to watch over anymore. I’ve been doing my best to honor that promise, yet her absence still tugs at my heart every single day. When I think of her, I can almost hear her voice encouraging , urging to seize the opportunities this world has to offer. She would want to forge the friendships I’ve always longed for, to fill my life with joy, to create a big, loving family that would banish loneliness forever. She’d remind to love fiercely and to let my true self shine, assuring that it’s perfectly fine if so don’t appreciate what they see—there will always be others who will embrace wholeheartedly. Once I find my people, I’ll never feel alone again.
A soft laugh escapes as I picture her nudging toward this charming guy, teasing that if she were younger, she’d be all over him too. She had a knack for making smile, even if my mom often claid she was a bit of a troublemaker. But perhaps that was her way of encouraging to live boldly, to discover who I truly am, mistakes and all. She promised to be there with a tissue or a Band-Aid, as long as I stayed safe. After her passing, though, I let my anxiety take the reins. Maybe this is my mont to begin anew, to reclaim that sense of belonging she always believed I would find again.
I leaned in, my heart racing like a drumroll, and took the plunge before I could second-guess myself. My teeth grazed the tender skin on his neck, and just like that, the familiar black light flickered to life, marking him as mine. He looked at , tears shimring in his eyes, and his entire being radiated a warm, golden glow. With open arms, he welcod , and I lted into his embrace, battling the awkwardness that danced at the edges of my mind, even as everything felt oddly perfectly aligned at the sa ti.
"As much as I’d like us to enjoy so alone ti right now, I think I’ve kept you long enough. We should eat. A good thing about my space is that there’s a pond in here that’s high in mana so you can get in so good quality swimming ti whenever you want without others seeing that you’re a rmaid. If the others are alright with it, they can co into my space too, I wouldn’t mind."
He expanded his blue aura around himself and then I was suddenly back out of his space.
Coming Next Ti: anwhile in Duarte Village: Kai Returns
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