Wanderlust Beastkin, Beauty and the Beastkin-Chapter 29: Shaking off Pursuers

Having filled the three backpacks with everything that they could fit in them, the three males put on the bags and Sam picked me up again. Oliver gathered some items that he couldn’t take with him and lit them on fire within the main room. "I know that I won’t ever be able to come here again and I’m willing to swallow my loss in order to gain a new life but I won’t allow the people who tormented us to gain my property that I was forced to give up."

Then they rushed out of the house before others could notice them leaving and while there were sounds of beastkin rousing around Pamela’s home. It seemed that the guys were right to leave the village right away.

As I glanced back at Oliver’s hut, a delicate wisp of smoke curled from the roof. There was no turning back now. I had certainly tangled things up, but honestly, what could I have done differently? If only Sam hadn’t revealed his neck to me—at the time, I had no clue it signified his submission. But didn’t that imply Kai had also chosen to submit? He’s anything but submissive! How would he behave if he weren’t in that role? Such a perplexing man.

Sam swept me up in a princess carry, and I felt so out of place that I nearly swooned. There was a connection between us, especially since he had taken my mating mark, but it didn’t hold a candle to the intense bond I shared with Kai or even the unexpected spark I felt when Titus carried me. And then there’s Milo—just the absolute cutest! I couldn’t help but adore him.

To be honest, if I had a do-over, I wouldn’t have marked Sam just yet. I’d prefer for us to develop deeper feelings first. I wasn’t looking to expand my family until I could sort things out with Kai. Milo isn’t even my mate yet, but I find myself drawn to him far more than to Sam. Not that I have anything against Sam, aside from his perpetual grumpiness. But hey, at least he’s ridiculously attractive, so there’s that.

This world is overflowing with handsome men. If I ever find my way back to my old life, I might become impossibly choosy. The only ones I’m not at least a little attracted to are those two rat jerks and that intimidating lizard fellow. Even if the rat guys weren’t total jerks, I still wouldn’t be interested; I’ve never liked rats, and their tails? Just too gross for me. Now gerbils? Adorable! And I can sometimes appreciate pet mice, though wild ones give me the heebie-jeebies—I’m always worried they’ll take a bite out of me.

I nestled my face against his chest as the guys dashed back into the woods and down the path. It felt surreal to return here so soon after I had been desperate to get into town. Trouble seemed to find me effortlessly, and here I was, leaving with three men. In this world, picking up men felt as simple as gathering wildflowers by the roadside. However, I’ve heard that keeping them is a whole different ballgame.

It seems that in certain cities, women can find themselves in fierce competition for men, with some even having their partners whisked away before their mating ceremonies, much like what happened to Elara. Each city has its own customs, but the Female Snatching Ritual appears to be a disturbing common thread among the villages. I shudder at the thought that I could have been swept into that chaos if I hadn’t accidentally marked Kai.

That lizard must have been one of those wandering beastkin Elara warned me about. I can’t help but wonder what other types of wandering beastkin exist. It’s unsettling to think that I not only have to be on guard against monsters lurking in the woods but also cannibalistic beastkin! The idea that he wanted to impregnate me just to feast on the eggs I might lay is beyond disturbing. Am I really going to be capable of laying eggs? After all, I was born human!

The wind whipped through my hair as Sam sprinted ahead, moving faster than I ever thought possible. Titus forged ahead while Oliver brought up the rear. We ventured deeper into the woods when, out of nowhere, a radiant golden light surrounded Titus, transforming him into a stunning golden lion—even more impressive than Kai’s white tiger form. He was so breathtakingly beautiful that I found it hard to tear my gaze away. The forest was growing darker, but I could still make out the faint lights of the village behind us, along with smoke rising into the sky. It looked like Oliver’s hut was ablaze, likely keeping them too occupied to chase after us just yet.

As we delved further into the forest, the guys paused, exchanging worried glances. Sam approached Titus and helped me onto his back. "You lot just keep moving on without me. I’ll distract them and catch up when I can. With my mate mark, I can keep tabs on her as long as you don’t wander off too far."

"Hey, no need to stress about us," Tutus said with a confident grin. "I’ve got Perla and your brother covered. Just make sure you don’t do anything crazy out there.

Sam grumbled, "I’ve got the perfect spot for our camp, right on the edge of that blasted forest. Once I manage to lead them off somewhere else, I’ll come back and join you."

"Watch yourself," I warned Sam as he transformed into his big-horned sheep form and took off. The moment he put some distance between us, he began crashing through the trees, and soon enough, we could hear the shouts of people chasing after him.

"Is he going to be okay?"

"He’ll be totally okay! Sam’s got this forest down to a science. That’s why Pamela always counted on him to find stuff out here, even if he was her only herbivore beastkin. But hey, now you’re his mate, and before you know it, you’ll be mine too!" Oliver added with a grin, causing me to choke on my own saliva as I inhaled sharply.

Fantastic, just what I need—headlines about a girl who drowned in her own spit. I coughed violently until my throat felt raw, so graceful.

"Are you alright?" both of the guys asked in unison.

"I’m perfectly fine, no need to fret. Just a little surprised, that’s all."

"What are you surprised about?" Oliver asked, his curiosity piqued.

"So, you think you’re going to be her partner in no time, huh? You little shrimp," Titus said.

"What’s the big deal about me saying my future mate is going to be my mate? I don’t want anyone else!" Oliver said.

"I see that you’re quite a bit more bold now that we’ve left the village," said Titus.

"Why wouldn’t I be bold? I’m not like you, effortlessly charming every female with just a glance! You transform into this incredible, majestic lion when you shift. But do you have any idea what I turn into?"

"Given your build, I can’t say I’m expecting much," Titus said

"I bet it’s way less impressive than you think!" Oliver said.

"What do you become, then?"

"You’ll discover it soon enough when we stumble upon a great spot to take a break. I’m planning to whip up a cozy shelter for us to chill in as soon as I spot the perfect location. After that, we can enjoy some food, relax, and kick off the morning feeling refreshed!"

The group journeyed for quite a while, gradually approaching the outskirts of the denser forest. As the trees began to thin, they stumbled upon a clearing with smaller trees, while larger ones loomed on the opposite side, framed by towering mountains above. Just a short distance ahead, a small opening in the rocky terrain caught their attention—one they might have overlooked if Sam hadn’t pointed out that it was a potential resting spot.

Titus passed me to Oliver, who effortlessly lifted me, even though we were nearly the same height. It’s remarkable how much strength men possess in this world! I nestled against his chest, feeling a wave of comfort and happiness wash over me. It was a different sensation from the flirtatious vibes I experienced with the others; this was pure coziness. His skin felt smooth and silky, and his hair was delightfully soft. Lately, I didn’t know what has been coming over me. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but cuddling with him felt incredibly soothing.

I let out a contented hum, and to my surprise, a similar sound resonated from his chest. Meanwhile, Titus climbed the rocks and disappeared into the opening within the mountain.

Before long, he returned, having transformed into his humanoid form, a broad grin lighting up his face. "Come on in! Sam really knows how to uncover the good stuff."

Coming Next Time: Calamitous First Swim