Kaelith sat on the windowsill, his back leaning against the arch, one leg drawn up while the other dangled casually. His tail swayed lightly, brushing against the ferns and making them rustle.

He had probably expected her to cover herself in shock. But Mirabelle had no intention of doing that. She straightened, her upper body clearly visible above the water.

Kaelith’s gaze lingered on her chest, and she saw him swallow hard.

The hyena beast pressed his claws into his palms to force himself to look away.

When he finally managed, he found an amused smile on the lynx female’s lips.

He had wanted to fluster Mirabelle. Maybe even provoke her, since that seemed to work so well on her.

But now it was him who had been caught off guard.

"What are you doing here?"

Despite her smile, her voice was cold.

’Uh oh.’

This was not how this was supposed to go.

A shiver ran down his spine.

It was not a pleasant one.

"What? Cat got your tongue?"

Kaelith let out a hiss and muttered something she could barely understand.

It sounded like: "I wish."

He pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers and closed his eyes for a brief moment.

Then his hyena grin returned.

"Thought I’d check on you. Didn’t expect a reward."

Mirabelle raised an eyebrow.

"And what exactly did you expect when you broke into a female’s bathroom?"

Instinctively, she used the term common in this world. With all the foreign memories in her head, it did not even feel strange.

Kaelith immediately raised both hands in a defensive gesture, his eyes widening.

"In my defense, I thought this was your bedroom."

’As if.’

"That doesn’t really make it better, does it?"

Now the hyena beast scratched the back of his head, slightly embarrassed.

"Probably not..."

"Try that again, and you’re out the window."

He acted as if he hadn’t heard her threat. But his ears were slightly turned back.

"But since I’m already here... I could help you..."

Before she had time to react, he jumped elegantly off the windowsill and walked toward her.

"...and show you what a mate is good for."

He dropped to his knees at the edge of the bath. He was reckless on purpose.

The water immediately soaked into the fabric of his pants, but he did not seem to care.

The warm light from behind wrapped around him, giving him an almost ethereal presence.

But Mirabelle was not impressed. Now she did cross her arms over her chest. Beneath the water, her tail lashed in irritation.

With a small wrinkle of her nose, she turned her head to the side.

"Thanks, I’ll pass."

"That wasn’t a no... that was a ’not yet.’"

’This guy is impossible. I’ll show you what modern women mean by consent.’

Mirabelle looked him straight in the eyes now.

But he could not hold her gaze for long. His eyes flicked down to her hands. Her claws slid from her fingertips, but otherwise she did not move.

"That was a ’get out.’"

All humor had vanished from her voice.

Once again, he raised his hands in a placating gesture.

"Alright, claws in. I’ll behave."

Sulking, he dropped down onto the floor, which immediately soaked through his clothes, and wrapped his arms around his knees.

"You’re no fun."

"I’m not here for your entertainment."

"That’s disappointing. I had high hopes."

"Is this how males in Zasar behave?"

"What?"

"Breaking into the private chambers of strange females."

That question clearly struck his pride. He frowned, offended.

"What? No."

"So it’s just you, then," Mirabelle cut in.

"I’m not sure I like what you’re trying to show me about mates." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

She hadn’t raised her voice — and yet she had taken control of the situation.

’Shit... how did this spiral out of control so fast?’

The hyena beast had actually hoped to see her blush with embarrassment, to watch her try to turn the unexpectedly intimate situation into something flirtatious.

But her composure had twisted everything.

Now he was the bad guy.

"You know... most females would have enjoyed this."

"Then you should go find one." Mirabelle did not give an inch.

"This is humiliating," he mumbled into his knees.

Mirabelle raised an eyebrow again. Later, she would probably have sore muscles in her face.

"You broke into my bathroom."

Kaelith lifted his head and flashed a crooked grin.

"That’s just details."

Then he slowly got up. Water dripped from him.

"Fine. I’ll go. Before you actually throw me out."

He turned and walked toward the window... but just before reaching it, he stopped and looked back:

"But next time... I’ll be invited."

With that, he jumped out.

His exit would have been cool — if Mirabelle hadn’t had to suppress a burst of laughter while staring at his soaked backside.

It ruined the entire dramatic exit.

She had the feeling that he had plenty of experience flirting... but none when it came to truly winning a woman’s heart.

Then again, that did not seem to be something beastfolk needed for a partnership.

Those were formed based on strength. Once a pair was mated, the beastman became inevitably bound to the female. Instincts and the mate bond ensured that deep feelings would develop. And at the latest, once there were children, the same would happen for the female.

What she demanded from the males through her behavior was more than they had expected.

But she saw no reason to abandon her principles.

Even if this world worked differently — she refused to.

A soft knock sounded, and Tara stepped inside. Her gaze drifted toward the ferns, which rustled a little more than the wind alone should have caused.

Her eyes lingered just a moment too long.

Then she said:

"The tailor will be here shortly. We should pick out a few dresses for fitting."

A/N: Your votes honestly keep me going — especially if you want those three Chapters a day to continue ♡