Wanderlust Beastkin, Beauty and the Beastkin-Chapter 38: Meanwhile In Duarte Village: Inspecting the FSR Grounds

Lirit’s Perspective

As I strolled gracefully toward the secluded cabins where the unfortunate souls of the Female Snatching Ritual were confined, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of curiosity and disdain. It was a rather common practice for the males in our community to parade their daughters past these locked-up females, a twisted attempt to instill a sense of dread in their hearts. The idea was to ensure that the girls would obediently accept the arrangements made by the dominant males for their first mates, as if fear could somehow dictate their futures.

Accompanying me was one of my family’s guards, a rather persistent male who had made it abundantly clear that he harbored feelings for me. He had approached me time and again, pleading for me to consider him as a potential mate. But honestly, the thought of it was laughable. He was merely a lowly yellow aura wolf beastkin, about as rare as a random pebble in our village, he would never catch my interest. I mean, really, who could take him seriously?

There was absolutely no chance I was going to settle for anything as mundane as that for my first mate! He had to be nothing short of extraordinary, the absolute pinnacle of excellence, and that could only mean one thing: General Kai. Picture this—he’s a stunning blue aura rare white tiger beastkin, blessed with mesmerizing water magic. I mean, can you even? He’s not just handsome; he’s the embodiment of bravery and strength, practically revered by everyone around him, wielding an immense amount of authority as he commands the armies of the entire eastern territory. Honestly, there’s no one who could even come close to his caliber, not for miles!

For years, I’ve indulged in daydreams about the two of us, where I’m confidently giving orders while looking down at others, my arm elegantly draped around Kai’s as he gazes at me with that adoring look in his eyes. His authority just naturally flows to me as his mate, the queen of our little family unit. It’s a fantasy that feels so right, so perfectly tailored to the life I envision for us!

A towering stone wall loomed between the designated area for the locked up females and the rest of the village, a deliberate barrier to ensure that the truly valuable females wouldn’t be whisked away by some opportunistic rogue. After all, the village had no intention of losing its gems alongside the discarded remnants it was eager to cast aside. As I sauntered closer, my long, luxurious golden locks cascading down my back, I caught sight of the guards’ unabashedly lascivious gazes. Honestly, I didn’t mind the attention; a little admiration never hurt anyone. They could feast their eyes on me all they wanted, but the moment they thought about crossing that line and reaching out? Well, that’s where I’d draw the line. They aren’t good enough to touch the bottom of my foot.

As I sauntered ahead, my hips swayed with an irresistible rhythm, and my gorgeous hair flowed around me like a luxurious waterfall. Behind me, my magnificent golden wings unfurled, shimmering in the light. I couldn’t help but revel in the fact that I embodied the very essence of beauty. It’s a little unfortunate that I wasn’t born a goddess, but honestly, with this beauty, who could blame anyone for thinking I was?

As I approached, the guards immediately noticed that I was in the company of a male guard. They stepped aside, their stern expressions softening, as they moved their spears out of my path. It was clear that the rules were strict—no females were permitted to enter alone. One of the guards, with a flourish that suggested he was used to this kind of thing, reached into the pouch strapped to his side and produced a hefty metal key. The sound of it clinking against the lock was almost musical, and I felt a rush of excitement as he turned it, granting me access to whatever awaited beyond that door.

I had been daydreaming about what it would be like for quite some time, and let me tell you, the anticipation was absolutely thrilling! The thought of Elara being locked up filled me with a delicious sense of excitement. Honestly, I never really cared for her; she always had this annoying habit of draping herself all over Kai, as if he were some kind of prize to be won. Newsflash, darling: he’s mine! He doesn’t need those dirty little females clinging to him, trying to steal my spotlight. The idea of her being out of the picture was just too satisfying to resist!

She may have been the first, but she certainly won’t be the last! Oh, just wait and see! That little drab girl with her lackluster brown hair and those utterly forgettable brown eyes—yes, the one named Perla—she’s going to pay dearly for even daring to think she could steal my mate away from me. I’m already plotting, my mind swirling with deliciously wicked ideas on how to ensure she faces a fate so dreadful that it will make her wish she had never crossed my path. Just wait; I’ll make sure she learns her lesson in the most unforgettable way!

As we stepped into this peculiar clearing, the landscape unfolded before us, a curious blend of openness and scattered trees, their trunks standing amidst a carpet of long pine needles. The absence of flowers was striking, leaving the scene devoid of color, while the sky above wore a dreary, melancholic hue, filtering through the leafy canopy.

Perched high among the branches were little ladders and platforms, clearly designed to heighten the thrill of the chase for the eager males, adding an element of playful mischief to the otherwise somber atmosphere. Tiny pearl lights nestled in the treetops cast a ghostly glow, illuminating the thinning woods with an eerie charm that felt both enchanting and unsettling.

The ground, a thick quilt of long pine needles, enveloped everything and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of gratitude for heeding my father’s advice to don sturdy boots. Normally, I shun the clunky feel of such footwear, preferring the delicate caress of lighter shoes on my feet, but in this moment, I relished the protection they offered against the prickly underbrush.

As we strolled through the clearing, an unsettling stillness enveloped us, broken only by the whispering wind and the soft crunch of pine needles beneath our feet. It was as if the very air held its breath, waiting for something to unfold. Then, we stumbled upon a breathtaking sight—a clearing bursting with vibrant, exquisite flowers that danced in the gentle breeze. At the heart of this floral paradise stood a magnificent pergola, crafted from pristine white wood that shimmered with an ethereal glow, almost as if it were kissed by the moonlight itself. It was a vision of beauty, captivating and enchanting, until my gaze fell upon the chilling sight of chains and manacles dangling ominously from the beams above, casting a shadow over the otherwise idyllic scene.

"This area is designated for showcasing the females prior to the hunt. The chains will release simultaneously when the button on the pergola is activated. Males will observe the females and select their targets before the hunt begins. Once chosen, the females are released and given a chance to conceal themselves before the males commence their search. If a female successfully hides or escapes by dawn, she can return to the village and seek a mate before the next female snatching ritual," Jim said and shrugged his shoulders.

I gazed at those chains, a chill creeping up my spine, and I couldn’t help but feel a wave of horror wash over me. This place was truly wretched. There was no way I would ever allow myself to sink to the level of those females, not even if it meant snatching up some random male to serve as my first mate, only to toss him aside once I found someone more suitable. Why should I care if some hapless fool is left heartbroken and dies after I cast him off? He should consider himself lucky to be of any use to me at all.

We made our way to the edge of the ritual grounds, where the far left wall loomed ominously, casting long shadows over ten small cabins that stood in a neat row. These were no ordinary shacks; they were wooden prisons, each one fortified with heavy bars on the doors and a narrow slot at the bottom, just wide enough for a meager offering of food to be slid through. They were designed with a sinister precision, small enough to ensure that no beastkin could ever hope to escape, even in their tiniest forms, yet just spacious enough to allow sustenance to be delivered. Guards were stationed at each door, their watchful eyes scanning for any hint of rebellion, ensuring that escape was a mere fantasy. As I approached the first guard, Jim lingered beside me, his proximity unsettling. He had begun to exude a confidence recently that made my skin crawl, a boldness that felt unwelcome and intrusive.

"Could you possibly guide me to the cabin where my dear friend Elara is staying? I feel an overwhelming urge to check on her, to bring a little something—a small token, really—to lift her spirits." I held up a delicate piece of light blue fabric, its color reminiscent of a serene sky, and the guard, with a reluctant gesture, pointed toward the far end of the row of cabins. As I approached, my heart raced with a mix of anticipation and dread. Peering inside, I was met with a sight that sent chills down my spine: the floors were strewn with furs, a grotesque comfort amidst the oppressive atmosphere. The air was thick with the pungent stench of body odor, a suffocating reminder of the despair contained within those walls. Soft, pitiful cries echoed through the bars of the door, each sound a haunting reminder of the sorrow that enveloped this place.

As I strolled leisurely past one cabin after another, an unbearable stench wafted through the air, clinging to my senses like an unwelcome guest. With a graceful flick of my wrist, I let the luxurious pink silk sleeve of my exquisite dress cascade down over my nose and mouth, a masterpiece my father had specially crafted for me. It was a vivid reminder of my own stunning beauty, a stark contrast to the forsaken souls trapped within those shabby walls. I was a dazzling gem, a coveted treasure, far superior to those unfortunate and shabby females destined to be handed over to the desperate males that no female wanted.

It’s almost amusing, isn’t it? Those who have failed in life seem destined for one another. But honestly, wouldn’t it be a stroke of genius to ensure they don’t pass on their less-than-stellar genes before they’re ushered out of the picture? Just imagine the world without their influence—how delightfully serene it would be!

I casually informed the guard of what I had previously shared with his colleague, and he stepped aside, granting me the precious solitude I craved. As I approached the final cabin, I couldn’t help but peek inside, and there was Elara—oh, how the mighty have fallen! Her once smug and cheerful demeanor was now a shadow of its former self, utterly defeated and caked in grime. Those perky wolf ears of hers, usually standing tall and proud, were now flattened against her head, and her tail, which typically danced with excitement, was shamefully tucked away between her legs. A soft whimper escaped her lips, and I could see her knees drawn up, arms wrapped tightly around herself in a desperate embrace. Her chin rested on her arms, revealing a bruise marring her cheek, a split lip, and that dreadful mana suppression collar clamped around her neck. It was painfully obvious she had put up a fight, only to be met with brutal consequences. Tears streamed down her face, a heartbreaking sight that was almost too deliciously tragic to bear.

A wave of pure joy surged through me, bubbling up, and before I knew it, a charming little giggle escaped my lips, light and airy, like a whisper of mischief in the air.

Coming Next Time: Meanwhile In Duarte Village: Finally Found