Wanderlust Beastkin, Beauty and the Beastkin-Chapter 49: Shocked

As I strolled closer, my gaze was drawn to the window, and just as I leaned in for a better look, he swiftly lowered it over me. In an instant, I was transported into a vast expanse that felt like an enchanting outdoor paradise. The ground was a vibrant tapestry of wildflowers, and there stood a magnificent log cabin, exuding rustic charm, with a serene pond nestled beside it. My eyes widened in wonder as I took in the surroundings; the trees were unlike any I had ever encountered, their shapes and colors a delightful surprise. The pond was alive with an array of vividly colored fish, and the air was filled with the melodious calls of exotic birds perched high in the branches. It was a scene that felt both surreal and magical, inviting me to explore every corner of this captivating haven.

I couldn’t help but exclaim, "This is incredible!" as I took in the surroundings, with Titus standing next to me, a satisfied grin lighting up his features. But there was something more to that smile—a hint of something else that made me raise an eyebrow.

"Having you here with me makes me think the others are probably scratching their heads, wondering where we’ve disappeared to. Or maybe it’s just our minds hanging out in this space? Honestly, I’m a bit puzzled about how all of this operates."

"We’re both within this place, but my physical self is still out there. My strength lies in my ability to split my focus, allowing me to operate in both realms simultaneously. You, however, have vanished from their sight. No need to worry, though; I’ve assured them you’re just taking your time on a tour and will be back soon."

"Oh really? Well, I believe it might be wiser for me to pop back in here another time, maybe once I’ve finished my meal." I couldn’t quite shake the sense that I needed to escape his space; there was something off about the way he was looking at me with just the two of us. As much as my curiosity was itching to explore, I knew better than to dismiss the instinct that was ringing alarm bells in my mind. Something felt amiss, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

He moved in closer, locking his gaze onto mine with intensity. "That’s true... you’ve been through quite the ordeal. Quite...the...or...deal."

I looked up at him with a smile, feeling a bit at a loss for words. But judging by the way he was lost in thought, my quietness didn’t seem to bother him at all.

"Make sure you grab a bite to eat before you start wandering around this massive area. Trust me, it’s expansive, and we’ve got a lot to explore."

"I’m really impressed, but I have to admit, I’m so hungry right now that I wouldn’t want anything to distract me from the thrilling tour you’re about to take me on!"

"That’s right, you wouldn’t want your attention divided away from me. Why would you want that? It’s best that we leave now so that we can fully enjoy the tour together without any distractions. Yes, that would be best," Titus said.

I shot him a sideways glance, curiosity piqued about what was going on with him. His behavior had been increasingly odd lately, but now he seemed to be teetering on the edge of mania. I flashed him a warm smile and reached out, giving his arm a gentle rub, all while trying to ignore the goosebumps that danced along my skin.

Suddenly, the light around us intensified, and in an instant, we were no longer in his space. I gasped, taking in my new surroundings; the shift from his world to reality felt like being squeezed through a narrow passage. It was such a bizarre sensation! But just as quickly as it came, that feeling faded, and I realized I was still enveloped in that peculiar space.

"I thought we were going to leave for now?"

"There’s no rush, you know. I got to thinking and I realized that I have everything a female could possibly want right here. And since I finally have you all to myself, shouldn’t I take advantage of that?"

I frowned at him, seeing that he was finally starting to speak more plainly. "Why would you want to have me alone?"

"Is it not normal for me to want some alone time with my mate?!"

"You’re mate? What do you mean by that? I mean yeah, there’s been some spark between us but we’re not mates."

"You call it a spark? That’s a laugh. You make it sound so simple while I’m stuck watching you get pawed at by some rodent. You haven’t even recognized my claim on you yet. Here I am, a proud and legendary Nemean Lion, forced to witness my destined mate being pawed by a common and weak beastkin, his scent lingering on you while you’re in heat. I haven’t even had the chance to claim you, and yet you filled the cave with the scent of your lovemaking, flaunting your affection for him right in front of me, completely ignoring the bond we share. Are you trying to drive me insane? Is this some twisted game to see how far you can push me before my jealousy drives me mad?"

I gaped at him, my eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets. Fated mate? It felt like I had stepped right into one of those corny romance novels featuring wolf shifters and the occasional werebear—my guilty pleasure, I admit. Fated mate, really? Then I remembered the first time I met Titus. The moment our skin touched, there was this electric jolt, a pull that made me want to be closer. Looking into his eyes, I noticed the indignation on his face, but beneath that tough exterior, there was a flicker of hurt, as if he thought I was deliberately ignoring our connection to belittle him. That was never my intention, but I could understand how he might feel that way. If I were in his position, I’d probably think my fated mate was throwing shade at me, and trust me, that wouldn’t sit well. While I’m definitely annoyed by his heavy-handed approach, I can see he’s equally frustrated with the whole situation, and I get it. Still, I need to let him know that his method of handling this isn’t cool. I didn’t mean to offend him, and I want to make it clear that I won’t tolerate this kind of behavior. If he’s serious about us, this isn’t the way to win me over.

I bit my lower lip and released a deep sigh, thinking it was time to take the plunge. "I had no idea you were my destined partner; honestly, I didn’t even know such a thing was real! If I had, I definitely would have brought it up with you to gauge your feelings on the whole situation."

He looked at me with wide and somewhat disbelieving eyes with a hint of hope in them. "How could you not know? You smelled our elevated scents and felt the electric spark that went off when we touched each other. How could you not know? It was extremely apparent."

"I wasn’t exactly surrounded by other beastkin mermaids growing up, and no one ever mentioned this kind of connection could exist. So when I started to feel that spark between us," my cheeks practically ignited. "I thought it was just my attraction to you, and honestly, I couldn’t tell if you were just playing with me or if you felt the same way. I wasn’t about to jump in and assume we were on the same page. Honestly, there are already more guys around me than I’m comfortable with. My emotions are a tangled mess, and my hormones are throwing a wild party, leaving me in a constant state of confusion and discomfort. And on top of all that, I’m worried sick about Elara. I just want her back home with me, where she truly belongs. It feels like a part of me is missing, and I can’t stop thinking about all the conversations we could have, only to remember she’s not here to share them with. Then I feel angry and lonely all over again."

"It wasn’t on purpose, I promise! I didn’t mean to offend you or downplay what we have. Honestly, you can be a bit intimidating. You’re quite the remarkable guy, and I can only imagine how many females are drawn to you, if not outright throwing themselves at you. If I were in your shoes, witnessing my destined partner pick someone else right in front of me, I would be absolutely crushed and furious. I totally get why you’re feeling this way, especially if you believe you have so much more to give than the one they chose to showcase their affection for."

"However, I need to be clear about something. I have no intention of giving any of my mates unequal treatment based on what type of beastkin they change into or based on their powers. There isn’t going to be a less-than-mentality, and I won’t support it being enforced on other males. I will allow there to be a lead male since that seems like the best way to organize things but I will still be able to refuse that lead male since I dislike being controlled the most. The lead male will not be able to push the other males aside though and in the end, I will be the one who decides who I sleep with and when I feel like laying eggs and for who. So Oliver being a chipmunk beastkin will not lower his standing in our family. Everyone who I decide to allow to be a member of my family will have their own equal place, no matter what society says their place should be."

He locked eyes with me, weighing my words carefully, but his expression was a complete mystery to me.

Coming Next Time: Arrangement