Wanderlust Beastkin, Beauty and the Beastkin-Chapter 40: Meanwhile in Duarte Village: Horror of the Snatching Grounds

Elara’s Perspective

That shrug, combined with him turning his back on me, ignited a spark of hatred within me—not just for him, but for this entire village that had so easily decided to cast me aside like I was nothing. Little did I know back then that things were about to spiral into something far worse than I could have ever imagined.

I stepped through the gate, and an unsettling scene unfolded before me, accompanied by yet another guard who took over from the one who had ushered me through. This new figure had short, gray hair that seemed to match the somber atmosphere, and his silver-gray eyes held a piercing gaze that made me shiver. I couldn’t quite decipher what kind of beastkin he was, as all I could see were his pointy ears, which only added to the air of mystery surrounding him.

Once we were alone, he seized my elbow with a firm grip and began to pull me across the desolate grounds, the landscape around us growing increasingly bleak. We eventually arrived at a pergola that, at first glance, appeared to be a lovely structure, but upon closer inspection, it revealed a nightmarish quality that sent chills down my spine.

Without uttering a single word, he dragged me toward the pergola and swiftly unfastened the chain that had been binding my hands behind my back. I thought for a fleeting moment that I might escape, but before I could even consider making a run for it, he secured cuffs to the chains that dangled ominously from the pergola’s ceiling, leaving me feeling trapped and terrified.

I looked at him with wide eyes. "What do you want?"

"Let me break your situation down for you." He shot me a smirk. "What do you think I want? Seriously, what could a male possibly want from a pretty female that everyone else has tossed aside? You’re practically invisible now, just another face lost behind that stone wall. The village? They’ve washed their hands of you. You could drop dead, and no one would bat an eye. If you kicked the bucket before the whole snatching thing, we’d just say you were picked by some male, and poof—no one would know where you went. It’s a classic tale, isn’t it? You think you’re all that, acting like you’re in charge, but look where you are—at our mercy. So, why not play nice? Treat me right, and maybe you’ll get some food, maybe even stick around long enough for the ritual. But don’t get it twisted; if you don’t play along, by the end of the week, you’ll be begging for some random male to pick you. Ha! If we take a liking to you, we might just keep you around, pretending you were chosen while you wait for the day you’re no longer eye candy.

"You know that I’m friends with General Kai, right? He won’t allow you to get away with this!"

"Oh, you really think any of this is documented? General Kai? He’s the big shot for the Eastern Alliance’s armies, not some local authority. He’s banned from coming back here unless a war suddenly erupts in the area. The real players here? That would be the village chief, his inner circle, and his personal guards, which I am one of. They’re all too happy to look the other way for a little hush-hush and the cash those foreign males hand over. You really think those shiny jewels that keep this city thriving just appear out of thin air? We’re trading away women, and you? You’re a prized catch with that yellow aura of yours. Don’t hold your breath waiting for a rescue; your loved ones have no clue you require saving. So, be a good girl, and I promise you’ll be rewarded," he said, sliding his hands onto my legs and creeping up my skirt.

As he leaned down, expecting me to just go along with whatever he wanted, I suddenly launched my head forward and slammed it into his face.

He staggered back, groaning in pain, clutching his face as blood began to seep from his shattered nose. "You stupid little slut!" he yelled, his voice a mix of anger and disbelief.

When he pulled his hand away, blood gushed from his nose, and I could see his eyes were puffy, one almost completely shut. A smirk crept onto my face, even though a dull ache was starting to throb in my head; it felt like a small price to pay for the satisfaction of standing my ground.

But then, out of nowhere, he charged at me, throwing a punch that connected with my face. I heard a sickening crack as my jaw shattered and my lip split open. Everything went dark, and as I slipped into unconsciousness, a chilling realization washed over me: when I came to, I would no longer be the same and there was nothing I could do about it.

~~~~~~~~~~

Lirit’s Perspective

I casually informed the guard of what I had previously shared with his colleague, and he stepped aside, granting me the precious solitude I craved. As I approached the final cabin, I couldn’t help but peek inside, and there was Elara—oh, how the mighty have fallen! Her once smug and cheerful demeanor was now a shadow of its former self, utterly defeated and caked in grime. Those perky wolf ears of hers, usually standing tall and proud, were now flattened against her head, and her tail, which typically danced with excitement, was shamefully tucked away between her legs. A soft whimper escaped her lips, and I could see her knees drawn up, arms wrapped tightly around herself in a desperate embrace. Her chin rested on her arms, revealing a bruise marring her cheek, a split lip, and that dreadful mana suppression collar clamped around her neck. It was painfully obvious she had put up a fight, only to be met with brutal consequences. Tears streamed down her face, a heartbreaking sight that was almost too deliciously tragic to bear.

A wave of pure joy surged through me, bubbling up, and before I knew it, a charming little giggle escaped my lips, light and airy, like a whisper of mischief in the air.

As she caught the sound of my laughter, her gaze lifted from the cold, hard floor, and her eyes darted toward the barred door. It was then that I noticed something truly unsettling—her mouth wasn’t merely shut tight; no, some sinister contraption had been affixed to her chin, snaking its way around her forehead, effectively sealing her lips shut. How utterly bizarre and, dare I say, dramatic! I couldn’t help but feel a mix of intrigue and a hint of amusement at the absurdity of it all.

"I’m not surprised they got so fed up with you that they just wanted to silence you for good. Honestly, you never did grasp the concept of knowing when to shut it." I couldn’t help but chuckle as I took in her swollen face; she looked like a shadow of her former self, barely even recognizable as a female anymore. Let’s be real, at this rate, she’s destined to end up as some sort of servant because who in their right mind would want her as a partner? Not even the most desperate males would touch her with a ten-foot pole, especially now that she’s sporting this unfortunate look. I mean, who would want to risk having ugly cubs, right? The best part? I don’t even have to worry about her trying to throw herself at my Kai anymore; she’s lost all her charm, and it’s about time! She practically made herself a walking eyesore, so what was I supposed to do? I had to ensure she couldn’t snag my mate and ended up in this ridiculous female snatching ritual instead. Honestly, it’s her own fault for making herself so utterly irritating to me.

"I have a little surprise for you, a farewell gift since this is probably the last time I’ll ever lay eyes on you." Looking at this exquisite light blue fabric I’m holding; it’s the softest cotton imaginable, woven in a way that’s just so unique, it’s honestly infuriating. I mean, how dare Perla have such impeccable taste? But don’t worry, I’ll figure out her little secrets eventually; it’s just a matter of time before I figure everything out.

"I’m sure you recognize this lovely piece of cloth. I found it in the woods while I was on the hunt for that pathetic little group that dared to run off with my male. And guess what? It looks like Perla finally got what was coming to her, wouldn’t you say? Just look at this—flipping it over reveals a rather large splatter of blood. Isn’t that just poetic justice?" I turned it over and showed Elara the large blood stain on the back of the cloth.

Oh my gosh, can you even believe the absolute delight I experienced? I mean, I was just being my fabulous self, doing the whole good Samaritan thing by letting her know what happened to her precious friends. And how did she repay me? With those muffled screams escaping from her gritted teeth and those big, tear-filled eyes that were practically begging for mercy. Honestly, it was like a scene straight out of a drama, and I couldn’t help but burst into laughter, completely reveling in the delicious chaos of her despair. It was just the best day ever! I mean, who wouldn’t want to throw a bloody blue cloth through the bars of her little prison?

And then, as I was about to make my grand exit, I just had to add a little cherry on top. I turned to her, all sweet and innocent, and said, "Oh, I’m just so sorry I can’t linger any longer, but the aroma wafting from your charming little hideaway is really starting to make me feel a bit queasy. And we can’t have that, can we? After all, I’m a prized jewel of Duarte Village, and I simply must maintain my impeccable standards!" It was just too perfect!

Coming Next Time: My System