Wanderlust Beastkin, Beauty and the Beastkin-Chapter 33: Night in the Cave

Oliver quickly snatched Perla away from Ira, but by that point, she was already descending into a whirlwind of panic that triggered a seizure. Her body began to convulse uncontrollably, limbs thrashing about wildly, while her head shook side to side in a frantic dance. Beads of sweat formed on her brow, and a vacant expression settled on her face, her eyes clouded and unfocused. Gradually, her movements shrank into tiny tremors, only to erupt again into more intense, larger shakes.

Oliver dashed over to a patch of soft, dried grass, carefully laying Perla down with the utmost gentleness. He then took a soft cloth and placed it in her mouth, which she instinctively bit down on.

"Someone, please, get me a small fire right here, and do it fast!" He gestured to a nearby spot, ensuring it was far enough from Perla to keep her safe.

Without wasting a moment, he sprinted to his bag, retrieving a handful of dried leaves and tossing them into a stone mortar. He added a few more varieties, mixing them all together with determined precision.

Just then, Sam entered the cave and sensed that something was amiss. Knowing Oliver’s remarkable skills, he immediately sprang into action, setting up a small fire at Oliver’s direction while the others looked on, puzzled.

As the flames flickered to life, Oliver had the herbal mixture ready in no time. He pulled out a large blue hand fan from his bag and handed it to Sam. "Start fanning the smoke towards Perla as soon as I drop the herbal mixture into the fire. Only let her have the green smoke!" Sam, having witnessed this process before, understood Oliver’s instructions perfectly and was ready to assist, If Sam hadn’t been there Oliver would have managed it all on his own.

Oliver scooped up a small handful of the mixture, letting it cascade into the fire while Sam expertly fanned the flames. Instantly, the smoke transformed into a delicate shade of green, and just as it began to lighten, Sam added another sprinkle. He took his time, gently releasing the leaves until the bowl was completely empty. Throughout this process, Perla’s restlessness faded, and a soft sigh of contentment escaped her lips. Oliver placed a reassuring hand on Sam’s arm. "That’s enough for now. In the future, I’ll whip up a paste for her that will be much easier to manage. I just didn’t have the time to prepare it today."

"Wow, it actually worked," Titus exclaimed, his eyes wide with astonishment as he approached and gazed down at Perla, who was peacefully dozing away.

"Absolutely, it’s crucial to handle the herbs with utmost precision. Too much heat can lead to them burning away too fast, creating an overwhelming cloud of smoke, which is definitely not something we want to inhale. Trust me, I steer clear of this method if there are easier alternatives available."

"What’s going on with her?" inquired Ira, curiosity piqued.

Oliver took a moment, his lips pressed together in thought. "I can’t say for certain without discussing it with her first, but I suspect she’s dealing with some personal matters that I don’t feel comfortable sharing without her consent. Just remember, if she tells you to keep your distance or not to touch her, you need to respect that immediately—no questions asked." He scanned the group, his big brown eyes trying to convey seriousness despite his charming demeanor. One by one, the larger men nodded in understanding.

"We’re not going to gossip about this with anyone else or in her presence. You won’t pry into it either. If she chooses to open up, that’s her decision and her timing. No one is to interrogate her about it, understood?" Oliver asserted firmly.

The group exchanged knowing nods, signaling the conclusion of their discussion. They attempted to mask the tension that lingered in the air following Oliver’s ominous warning, but the subtle tightness in their smiles and the flicker of concern in their eyes betrayed them. An unspoken heaviness enveloped the room, thick with unease, as Oliver busied himself in the corner, diligently concocting a new batch of medicine for Perla—one that wouldn’t necessitate any flames.

The air was filled with a soft scraping sound as Oliver diligently went about his tasks, while the rest of the group busied themselves with the camp setup. An awkward silence enveloped them, each person casting uncertain glances at one another, grappling with the unspoken tension that arose from their male-dominated hierarchy. Sam stood out as the sole mate of Perla, yet he was also the only herbivorous beastkin in the mix, which typically placed him lower on the authority ladder—after all, he lacked the fierce, attacking prowess that the others boasted. It was clear that the other males were eyeing Perla with intentions of their own, but none had yet claimed her as their mate. In a typical scenario, the hippocampus would have taken the lead as the alpha, but Perla’s disinterest in his advances rendered him the least authoritative figure in the group. As for the one they all seemed to heed, that was Oliver, though it was puzzling to consider him the alpha given his physical stature was the most unimposing of them all. Confusion reigned supreme among them, leaving everyone in a state of bewilderment.

After a few hours of peaceful slumber, Perla stirred awake, her senses tingling as she caught the faint murmur of male voices nearby, their tones laced with concern as they spoke to Oliver.

"Do you really think she’ll be okay?" one asked, a hint of worry threading through his words.

"Absolutely, there’s no need to fret. She’s on the mend; her body just needed a little time to recuperate after everything she’s been through," came the reassuring reply.

~~~~~~~~~~

I caught whispers floating through the air and noticed a gentle glow seeping through my closed eyelids. Curiosity piqued, I blinked and was greeted by the sight of a small fire nearby, its flames dancing merrily and wrapping me in a cozy, nostalgic embrace. As I began to sit up, I spotted Oliver, skillfully using a stone ladle to transfer water from a large stone bowl to a smaller one. He approached me, crouching down with a warm smile that lit up his big brown eyes.

With a gentle gesture, he offered me the smaller bowl, and I peered inside to discover a delightful concoction of warm herbal tea, its aroma a delightful blend of chamomile and hibiscus, with a hint of sweetness wafting through the air.

"Please drink this; it will soothe your sore throat and help you unwind for a restful night’s sleep," he encouraged.

Just as I was about to take the cup, a flicker of doubt crossed my mind. "Are there still monsters lurking in the water? Is it truly safe here?"

Oliver reassured me with a calm demeanor. "Ira checked the water while you were resting and even set up a protective barrier at the bottom of the water, just like the bubble he created around you earlier. Those barriers are incredibly strong, so even if something were trying to sneak into the water, it wouldn’t stand a chance. We’re perfectly safe right now."

I glanced down at the steaming cup of tea, inhaling its fragrant aroma, and a spontaneous smile danced across my lips, completely unintentional. "This tea has such a lovely scent."

"Oh, you actually know about tea! I haven’t encountered many beastkin who do."

As I lifted my gaze to meet his, I was captivated by his warm brown eyes, which sparkled with a gentle kindness. For the first time, I realized he was not just cute; he had a certain understated handsomeness that was hard to ignore. He exuded reliability, gentleness, and an undeniable warmth. Honestly, he was the kind of guy any girl would be lucky to have as a partner, and I could easily picture some lucky lady swooping in the moment she recognized his charm. Yet, the mere thought of him gazing at another woman with the same affection he was showing me now sent a wave of unease through me. The idea of him forgetting about me, of him lavishing attention on someone else, made my stomach churn and my heart race. Was I really developing a crush on him? Were these feelings starting to blossom? I carefully set the bowl of tea aside, letting it cool as I pondered the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me.

I tucked a strand of my long, chestnut hair behind my ear, my heart racing as our eyes locked in a moment that felt electric. A blush crept across my cheeks, and I could hardly contain the warmth blooming within me. "Thank you," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "For being there when I was... struggling. I imagine you have a good idea of what was going on since you managed to help me. It’s just so mortifying," I confessed, my gaze dropping to my hands, neatly folded in my lap.

With a slow, deliberate motion, he reached out, his hand hovering near mine, giving me every opportunity to pull away if I wished. But I didn’t. I let him take my hand, feeling the reassuring strength in his grip, more solid than I had initially perceived.

When I finally met his gaze again, the depth of emotion reflected in his eyes left me momentarily breathless. "I won’t pry into what led to your struggles," he said softly, "but please know they are not a reflection of you, and there’s no reason to feel embarrassed. I’m here to support you through whatever challenges arise. If you ever feel ready to share, I promise to listen without judgment, in complete confidence. Remember, everyone walks their own path, and we all face unique trials along the way."

I swallowed hard, the emotion prickling at my throat and threatening to spill from my eyes. His thumb glided softly over the back of my hand, a gesture so unexpectedly soothing that it sent a thrill through me. In that moment, I realized how utterly ridiculous it would be to let this man slip through my fingers. I needed to claim him for myself, and soon—preferably before we reached Duarte Village, where I could already sense the competition lurking.

"For now, I think it’s wise for you to take a breather for a couple of days while we wait for the search parties to tire themselves out in these woods. After that, we’ll make our way back to your village as quickly as possible. I’ve prepared some more medicine for you in a paste form; I’d like you to apply it to your collarbones before you drift off to sleep. It should help keep the nightmares at bay. And your tea should be cool enough to sip now."

I blinked, letting my hair cascade over my face, hiding my thoughts. Can you believe I’m actually considering how to seduce him before we reach Duarte Village? The very idea sends my heart racing! But the thought of someone else swooping in and stealing him away? Absolutely not! Oh, but how on earth do I even go about seducing someone? My mind is a whirlwind of uncertainty. Yet, he’s so kind and gentle; I doubt he’d mock me, even if my attempts were hilariously awkward. Still, the idea of doing this in front of a crowd? That’s a recipe for embarrassment I’d rather avoid!

Coming Next Time: Attempting to Seduce Oliver