After Giving Birth, All My Beast Ex-Husbands Suddenly Want Me Back-Chapter 86: A new feeling

"Sorry to trouble you," Nina murmured softly, lowering her head, her voice carrying a hint of shyness.

"It’s... it’s nothing."

Odian snapped back to his senses, the tips of his ears burning as his heartbeat quickened even further.

He composed himself with effort and turned his face slightly aside, not daring to stare.

Stepping forward, he crouched behind her and drew in a steadying breath before forcing his gaze back to that stretch of pale skin that had so thoroughly unsettled him.

"There’s still a little blood on your back," he said gently. "Let me clean it off first."

"Alright." Nina’s cheeks flushed faintly.

They were already at this point. It would feel better to have it properly cleaned anyway.

Odian wrung out the hide cloth in the basin. As he moved closer, his hand trembled slightly.

He steadied himself, his face still tinged red, and began wiping her back with meticulous care, his touch feather-light—like he was handling a priceless treasure.

Nina gripped the fur beneath her, her face growing hotter by the second.

Once he finished cleaning, she handed him a packet of cotton swabs. "Use this to apply the medicine."

"Okay."

Odian dipped the swab into the salve and carefully applied it to her wounds.

The angry gashes across her beautiful back made his chest tighten again. He was so gentle it was as if he feared even his breath might hurt her.

Inside the small partition, silence reigned—save for the sound of their heartbeats.

When he finished the last wound, a strange reluctance welled up within him.

He silently scolded himself, capped the bottle, and said softly, "It’s all done."

"Mm." Nina answered quietly.

"I’ll leave the medicine here," he said, then stepped out with visible reluctance.

Nina let out a breath and pressed a hand to her flushed cheeks.

Finally.

She applied medicine to the rest of her injuries herself. The salve was remarkably effective—cool and soothing, dulling much of the pain. When she felt it had dried enough, she dressed again.

Only then did she realize she was hungry.

When she stepped out, she saw Ridan and the others near the cave entrance preparing prey.

They had helped her today. She felt she should return the favor.

"How about I cook something delicious for you?" she suggested.

The phoenix males immediately shook their heads.

"How could that be allowed? Little female, are you hungry? We’ll roast meat for you right away."

"I really just want to thank you," Nina insisted. "I’m actually quite good at cooking."

"But you’re a female," Odian said gently, clearly disapproving. "How can you cook? And you’re injured."

There were so many males present—how could they let a wounded female do the work?

And... why did she know how to cook at all? Did her mates not take care of her?

The thought that she had been alone outside with so many cubs today stirred something uncomfortable in him. Her so-called mates must be irresponsible males.

His gaze softened further as he looked at her.

"It’s fine," Nina said with a small smile. "Females can cook too."

Ridan and the others glanced at Odian.

"I really want to thank you," Nina added with a sigh. "My injuries aren’t serious anymore. They barely hurt. If you help me prepare everything, I’ll just do the stir-frying. I won’t need to do much."

She looked at Odian expectantly.

He didn’t want her to strain herself, yet he couldn’t bring himself to refuse. "Alright. We’ll help. Anything that can be done by us, we’ll handle."

"Mm!"

Nina immediately began directing them cheerfully.

The phoenix warriors watched in fascination as she produced one unfamiliar item after another from her space.

Under her guidance, they processed the ingredients.

Odian even worked personally. By now, Ridan and the others were no longer shocked—whenever their High Priest was around this little female, he hardly resembled the aloof priest they knew.

When everything was ready, Nina began cooking.

They watched as she added this and that, flipping and stirring with practiced ease.

Meat could be prepared like this?

They were learning something entirely new.

Soon, an irresistible aroma filled the cave.

The phoenix males sniffed the air unconsciously, swallowing.

The cubs were drawn by the fragrance as well and toddled over to Nina.

Mom’s food smells amazing!

They were too young to eat yet, but even just smelling it made them happy.

Since the floor was carpeted, Nina let them wander nearby.

Dish after dish was completed.

As they had no table, Nina purchased a wooden table and chairs from the system—her previous set was still with Sal.

Each finished dish was placed neatly onto the table.

Finally, she cooked noodles as a staple.

When everything was ready, they gathered around.

Nina taught them how to use utensils. They clumsily but earnestly imitated her.

At last, Odian tasted his first bite.

His eyes lit up.

This was the most delicious food he had ever eaten.

Though he longed to devour it quickly, he still maintained elegant composure.

Ridan and the others stared wide-eyed.

"This is incredible!"

"The best food I’ve ever had!"

"You’re amazing!"

They couldn’t stop praising her.

"Thank you. I’m glad you like it," Nina smiled.

Odian looked at her with admiration shining in his eyes.

The phoenix warriors restrained themselves, eating properly despite their obvious longing.

Outside the cave, Kith and Finch caught the drifting aroma and swallowed involuntarily.

"Kith, what exactly are you doing?" Finch frowned. "Why are we hiding out here? Didn’t we come to take the cubs back?"

Though he, too, felt reluctant, he couldn’t allow the precious offspring of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan to remain outside. They would compensate her generously.

"I..." Kith didn’t know what he was doing either.

Yes, they had come to take the cubs.

But seeing that fragile yet resolute figure, he found himself unable to say a single harsh word.

"Let’s wait a little longer," Kith murmured, lowering his eyes with a faint sigh.

Finch shot him a helpless look. The delicious scent drifting from the cave only made him more restless.

He wanted to eat too.

Inside the cave, once Nina had finished eating, the phoenix males finally began eating in earnest.

After they had nearly finished, Odian bit his lip and asked the question he had been holding back.

"Little female... may I know your name?"

"My name is Nina," she replied gently. "You can just call me Nina––that’s the only name I have."

"Nina."

Odian repeated her name softly, savoring it.

It sounded beautiful.

A faint smile curved his lips.

"Nina..."

Outside, Kith quietly echoed her name as well, staring toward the cave in a daze.

So her name was Nina.

When the rain finally stopped, night had already fallen, and they stayed in the cave.

Dinner that evening was prepared by the phoenix males. They refused to let Nina cook again and asked her to guide them instead.

Watching Yinny and Didi drool at the smell of food, Nina gently pried open their little mouths to check.

Yinny had already grown tiny teeth. Didi had not.

"Yinny’s getting little teeth. Soon you’ll be able to eat meat. Mommy will make you some meat puree and rice cereal to try."

She pinched Didi’s cheek. "And Didi, don’t be greedy. Mommy will make you some sweet-and-sour fruit puree."

The two little ones nodded eagerly, eyes crescent-shaped with joy.

Nina couldn’t resist scooping them up and cuddling them repeatedly.

She prepared rice paste and fruit puree, feeding them patiently. They ate happily.

That night, she bathed them and then settled down in the partitioned corner with the cubs and the remaining eggs.

Through the hide curtain, Odian imagined what she looked like sleeping.

A strange, unfamiliar sense of fulfillment rose within him.

He didn’t know what this feeling was—but he knew he liked it.

A faint smile touched his lips as he gazed in her direction and peacefully closed his eyes.

Kith and Finch remained outside the cave all night.

At dawn, Odian rose early and began quietly tending to matters.