Wanderlust Beastkin, Beauty and the Beastkin-Chapter 42: The Mysterious Man

A gentle hand on my arm roused me from my slumber, and as I blinked my eyes open, a wave of disorientation washed over me. Everything that had transpired in what I could only describe as my... system space? It certainly felt like a system space, but it left me pondering whether my access to it was limited to my dreams. If that were the case, it could pose quite the dilemma. I would need to ensure I had a private room with a door I could firmly shut behind me, especially if I planned on indulging in a shopping spree at the system store. Imagine waking up next to a guy, only to find myself surrounded by an array of items that had materialized overnight! The look on his face would be priceless, but explaining the situation? That would be a whole other challenge.

I’m not keen on diving into the whole "I’m from another world" narrative just yet, especially until I gauge how this society views women who are summoned by their deities. Some might argue that I should place my trust in them since they are my designated protectors, but I firmly believe that trust is something that must be earned. In my life, I’ve placed my faith in four individuals, and three of them turned out to be less than trustworthy. So, I’ve decided to rely on myself for safety and keep my thoughts close to my chest until someone truly demonstrates that they deserve my openness.

I suppose I’ll have to take things as they come, navigating through the unexpected twists and turns that life throws my way. Honestly, given my current lack of familiarity with this world, I can only imagine how many surprises await me.

As I slowly opened my eyes, I noticed Oliver hovering nearby, his fingers lightly brushing against my arm. "Are you still thinking about leaving early this morning?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

With a groan, I turned away from him, feeling every inch of my body protest in agony. It was as if I had been put through a meat grinder. A relentless migraine throbbed in my skull, each pulse reverberating through my teeth and echoing in my ears. Even my nails felt like they were in on the torture. To top it all off, a faint green aura began to emanate from me, pulsing rhythmically like a strobe light, adding to the surreal atmosphere.

Ira stormed into the room like a whirlwind, his vibrant energy wrapping around me in an instant as he formed a protective bubble. "What on earth are you doing?" Oliver blurted out, his surprise evident at this unexpected twist.

"Her presence is about to reveal our location; her aura is intensifying, and with it, her potent mating scent. It’s clear she’s been in heat, but now her aura is becoming more pronounced, which means her scent will become even more pervasive. We have two options: either we keep her within the protective bubble, or she must remain submerged for the time being. Her body is harnessing its magical abilities," said Ira.

"Powers?" said Oliver.

Titus strolled into the room and made his way over to me, my eyelids barely lifting as the noise around me felt like a thunderstorm. "She’s juggling multiple powers that are all coming to life at the same time, and she really needs some uninterrupted rest. Right now, she’s probably in a lot of discomfort because the body isn’t designed to wake up while those magical abilities are still forming."

"I didn’t know," said Oliver quietly.

"Didn’t your folks give you the lowdown on this stuff before sending you out to find your partner?" Titus remarked.

Sam strolled into the room, and I couldn’t help but think about how many more people would cram in here while I was desperately trying to find some peace and quiet to catch some sleep. Honestly, I felt like giving them a good kick, and if one more guy dared to invade my personal space, I might just have to introduce him to my fist. "Go na wah," I attempted to shoo them away, but what actually escaped my lips was far from what I meant.

"What did she say?" said Oliver.

Ira chuckled and remarked, "I believe she’s hinting that we should leave."

"She’s a cute little spitfire, isn’t she," said Titus.

"Listen up, there’s no reason for all of you to crowd in here, especially since she’s not feeling great. The only beastkin who should be back here with her is Oliver and me. We’ll get her sorted to leave while the rest of you check if we’ve missed anything. Ira, take down the bubble for a sec so we can wrap her in a blanket, then put another bubble around her right after so we can get out of here," said Sam.

"I believe it would be wise to let me take her underwater until her powers fully develop. Given her aura is manifesting and her abilities are still emerging, along with the fact that she’s in heat, moving her right now could be quite dangerous. All these factors combined make it likely that wandering beastkin or mermen could discover her and whisk her away. While our group is relatively strong, we wouldn’t stand a chance against a whole faction like that," Ira said

"What do you suggest we do now? We can’t go back on our word to help her friend," Oliver said.

"Look, her safety comes first, alright? Sometimes we have to put aside what she wants for what she actually needs," Sam grumbled.

"What if she decides she doesn’t want us anymore after this? You should have heard how furious she was with Kai; she was mumbling in her sleep about wanting to take him down," Oliver expressed, concern evident in his voice.

"Whenever she seems like she’s ready to throw down, just switch to your beast form and play it cute. Trust me, she’ll forget about wanting to fight you," Titus advised.

"How are you so certain about that?" said Oliver.

"Trust me, I noticed how she was eyeing your beast form. I’d say it’s already turned into her weakness," Titus remarked.

"Is that really the case?" Oliver murmured softly, a faint blush creeping across his cheeks. "Even so, I truly want to make sure she feels cherished and avoid letting her down if I can help it."

"Delaying for just one more day won’t really change anything. We’ll still arrive before the whole female snatching ritual kicks off. However, there might be a way to ensure nothing goes awry. I could send my brother to mingle with the guests at the ritual. He owes me a favor and can keep an eye on things for me. I’ll make my way to his pond and have a little chat with him," Ira suggested.

Oliver observed him intently for a moment, allowing the silence to stretch between them like a taut string, before finally giving a subtle nod of his head. He then turned his gaze to follow Ira as he gracefully made his exit from the cave.

"Are you sure we can trust him?" said Titus.

"If my brother’s willing to put his faith in the guy, then I guess we can too. He’s got this knack for sensing beastkin that kicks in when he glares at them long enough. It must’ve kicked in while you were giving him the eye, right?" said Sam.

Oliver nodded in agreement, then redirected his focus to ensuring that nothing was left behind in the cave. They had decided to extend their stay for another night, planning to depart the following morning instead.

Before I knew it, I was enveloped in a profound slumber, only to awaken in a bed in an opulent bedroom that seemed to have sprung from the pages of a fairy tale. The bed, a magnificent four-poster crafted from gold, was adorned with sumptuous red silk bedding that beckoned me to sink into its embrace. Clad in the softest brushed silk nightgown in a rich shade of green, I nestled into bedding that surpassed my wildest dreams in terms of comfort.

The room itself was vast, draped in deep red and gold hues that exuded a sense of grandeur. The ceiling soared high above, reminiscent of a three-story building, and was embellished with golden panels intricately designed with floral motifs that danced in the light.

Beside the bed stood a nightstand, and nearby, a stunning white vanity made from shimmering stone caught my eye. It was adorned with brushes and an array of exquisite dark blue bottles, each one appearing to be crafted from colored glass, filled with an assortment of luxurious cosmetics and perfumes. Adjacent to the vanity, two doors beckoned, hinting at other enchanting spaces waiting to be discovered.

The room was adorned with towering windows draped in sumptuous, deep crimson fabric that cascaded down. The walls, predominantly a pristine white, were embellished with intricate golden leaf patterns. Above, a magnificent chandelier crafted from an array of vibrant mana crystals cast a soft, ethereal glow, infusing the space with a palpable sense of mana energy. A delicate mist lingered, swirling gently around, a testament to the thick mana that enveloped the room.

To one side, a grand fireplace crackled cheerfully, its flames flickering and popping. In front of it, two inviting chairs beckoned, creating a snug little nook perfect for curling up with a good book. Speaking of books, the nearby wall was lined with shelves brimming with volumes. Across the room, a long table was laden with an array of delectable dishes, the tantalizing aromas wafting through the air. My stomach let out a loud growl, a clear indication that I was more than ready to indulge. With no one else in sight in this opulent setting, I felt a surge of curiosity. I had to rise and discover if the culinary delights of this dream tasted as exquisite as they smelled.

I strolled over to the table, only to discover it was laden with all my past favorites. I heaped them onto an empty plate at one of the chairs and poured myself a glass of apple cider that was simply divine. Then, I dove into a massive piece of fried chicken, accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes topped with a generous dollop of butter, roasted corn, deviled eggs, and a vibrant fruit salad. To top it all off, there was hot apple pie with whipped cream and the most delightful vanilla ice cream. I indulged until I felt like I might pop. Every bite was a burst of reality and deliciousness, but as I reached the point of discomfort, I couldn’t help but question whether I was falling into the same trap again—wondering if I was truly awake or just dreaming.

"Once you’ve finished your meal, why not join me by the fire for a little conversation?" a deep, alluring voice called out, sending a delightful shiver through me that made my toes curl.

Coming Next Time: Welcoming Presents