Wanderlust Beastkin, Beauty and the Beastkin-Chapter 37: Tender Care

As I slowly blinked awake, my gaze fell upon the delicate little paw print etched on the side of his neck, a reminder of our shared intimacy. Scattered around it were a few sweet kiss marks, each one whispering tales of affection and warmth, painting a picture of our tender embraces. I soft and happy giggle escaped my lips and I gently touched the mark.

"My mate," I said softly, feeling love bubble up within me.

Oliver’s eyes fluttered open and there was such warmth and love shinning out from his eyes that it made me suck in a gasp.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt?" he said.

I sat up and looked around the room seeing that we were still alone and frowned with just a little bit of worry.

Seeing the look on my face, Oliver gave me a reassuring smile. "There’s nothing to worry about. The others came back while you were sleeping and went into the back room to give us some privacy."

I covered my face with my hands. "That’s so embarrassing."

He propped himself up, his fingers delicately enveloping mine, and a warm smile graced his lips as our gazes intertwined. "You have nothing to feel shy about," he reassured me, his voice smooth and comforting. "Even those who have yet to experience the bond of a mate are taught the art of pleasuring a partner shortly after their awakening ceremony. Also, they are often guided by their fathers and the lessons of their upbringing on how to care for a female properly so that she remains healthy and happy. It’s perfectly natural for a female to have multiple mates and to engage with them frequently. We all must learn the nuances of caring for a female, ensuring we fulfill both her desires and her needs, so that we remain cherished and never cast aside."

"You guys are trained!" I exclaimed, my voice taking on a high-pitched tone that danced through the air. It’s no surprise that last night was such an incredible experience, especially considering I was his first. The heat radiating from my cheeks was undeniable; I felt as if I had been set ablaze, a delightful blush painting my face in shades of crimson!

"The remaining males will emerge once I give them the signal, and if it suits you, we could relocate your bedroom to the rear while we’re still here. Earlier, I took the liberty of exploring the woods in my beast form and noticed that the search parties are dwindling, veering off in another direction. This gives us a promising window to make our escape, either tomorrow or the day after.

"That sounds promising! I really need to return to find my dear friend Elara. She’s my only female companion, and they intend to force her into that dreadful female snatching ritual, which she absolutely despises. Please tell me you’re not going to suggest that it’s some sort of tradition that she must adhere to, are you?"

He hesitated, a look of bewilderment crossing his features. "Absolutely not! If this matters to you, it matters to me. I’ll stand by you through thick and thin, doing everything within my power to ensure your happiness. How could it ever bring you joy to have your beloved friend whisked away to who knows where against her will? Who can say if you’d even have the chance to see her again? No, we must act swiftly to bring her back to you. I’ll let the other males know about the urgency of our mission, and we can set off bright and early tomorrow morning, well ahead of any search parties that might come looking."

As I leaped into his arms, enveloping him in a warm embrace, I showered his face with kisses, each one a testament to my joy. "I always knew you were the perfect choice for a partner," I exclaimed, my heart dancing with delight.

By the time I finally released him, his cheeks were flushed a deep crimson, and I noticed his lower lip quivering slightly, a charming sign of his flustered state. He cleared his throat, a hint of nervousness in his demeanor, and reached for his bag. With a shy glance, he retrieved a small clay jar, its lid snugly fitted, and offered it to me, his expression a mix of embarrassment and earnestness. "This is an ointment that helps ease pain," he murmured softly, his gaze fixed on the ground as he held the jar out to me. "It’s safe for sensitive areas too, just in case you’re feeling any discomfort."

Thank you, I expressed warmly, leaning in to take the jar from him, planting a gentle kiss on his cheek. His fluffy tail danced joyfully behind him, a delightful sight that made my heart flutter. How utterly adorable he is!

"I have some fresh clothes for you to slip into after your bath, if that sounds good to you. And I’ve brought along some sweet leaf soap, too," he said, revealing a lovely light blue dress that was meticulously handwoven from soft cotton threads. The dress featured a charming heart-shaped neckline adorned with delicate straps crafted from tiny, hand-woven daisies, and an empire waist that echoed the same floral design. "In my clan, it’s a cherished tradition for fathers to teach their sons the art of weaving dresses from the soft fluff flowers. This way, when they find their mate, they can present her with a special gift. After I became your mate last night, I made some adjustments to this dress to ensure it fits you just right. Thankfully, I only needed to add a touch more material to the chest," he explained, his gaze dropping as he held the dress up for me to admire. I noticed the delicate layer of soft white ruffles he had added to the bust line and gently took the dress from his hands, feeling a rush of warmth and affection.

A soft laugh bubbled up inside me, a delightful realization that my curves might have exceeded his expectations for his future partner.

"It’s absolutely stunning," I exclaimed, my fingers gliding over the exquisite craftsmanship of the dress, marveling at the luxurious, tightly woven fabric that felt like a gentle caress against my skin.

"I’m so pleased to hear that," he replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "I wanted to create something truly special for you, so I dedicated a lot of time to perfecting every detail. This is a gift for our bond. While many herbivore beastkin and small omnivores possess the skill to weave, I poured my heart into this piece. Knowing you appreciate it brings me immense joy."

"For the time being, I can certainly wear this, but I’m really hoping to find something else to slip into before we head out. I can’t help but feel a bit anxious about it getting snagged or soiled while we’re wandering through the woods later on."

"Once you’ve finished your bath, I’d be more than happy to take care of your other clothes for you. I can wash them and hang them up nice and fresh. And if you’d like, I’d gladly share some of my own wardrobe with you. Anything that’s mine is yours."

As I gently caressed the side of his face, a warm smile graced my lips. "Thank you," I whispered, my heart fluttering with gratitude. In his hands, he presented me with a delicate light cream woven towel, a charming little gift that he had thoughtfully prepared. Alongside it were three jars, each holding a promise of indulgence. One contained a luxurious soap designed for both body and hair, while another cradled a fragrant oil, crafted to keep my tresses from becoming parched. The last jar held a lotion, reminiscent of a floral bouquet, though perhaps not as refined as the modern lotions I was accustomed to. It was delightful nonetheless, a testament to his creativity, as he had concocted the lotion and hair oil while I was lost in slumber.

The soap, infused with invigorating notes of peppermint and lemon, was his personal favorite, a scent that spoke of freshness and vitality. He assured me that once we were settled, he could create any fragrance my heart desired, though it would require a few days of careful crafting. Oh, how fortunate I felt to have him by my side! In so many ways, he was the perfect partner, and I couldn’t help but revel in the serendipity of our union.

As I strolled gracefully to the water’s edge, a gentle breeze tousled my hair, and I peered into the shimmering depths. "Are you absolutely certain this is okay?" I inquired, a hint of uncertainty lacing my voice.

"He assures me it is, but if it would ease your mind, I can fetch him to join you in the water," he replied, rising to his feet and deftly gathering our blankets, arranging them with a meticulous touch.

With a soft sigh, I gazed down at the inviting water, dipping my toe into its warm embrace. I carefully laid out my soap, lotion, hair oil, and towel, placing the towel on a piece of leather to keep it pristine. "Would you mind going to get him? Just one thing—I’d prefer he turns his back while I bathe. I understand that many clans are more relaxed about nudity, but I was brought up to keep my bare self hidden from males unless we share a mate bond."

He hesitated, his fingers momentarily frozen as the blanket slipped from his grasp. "Am I truly the only male who has had the privilege of seeing you without your clothes?"

I instinctively covered my face with my hands, a rush of vulnerability washing over me. "Yes," I admitted softly.

In an instant, he surged forward, taking my hands in his with a tenderness that sent shivers down my spine. He pressed gentle kisses to the tops of my palms, each one a sweet promise. "Thank you for this incredible gift. To be your first, to be the sole witness to your beauty, even if just for a fleeting moment, is more than I ever dared to dream. I feel profoundly blessed," he murmured, enveloping me in a warm embrace that radiated affection. I was left speechless, my heart swelling with a joy so deep it felt almost overwhelming.

He leaned back, his lips brushing against mine in a tender kiss that lingered like a sweet promise. "Now, let me fetch Ira," he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I’ll make sure he understands the rules: his back must remain turned to you unless you specifically ask him to face you. After all, you only reveal yourself to those you wish to be your mate," he added, a playful grin lighting up his face before he bounded off toward the back room, leaving a trail of warmth in his wake.

Coming Next Time: Meanwhile In Duarte Village