Beastworld, Here I Come!

Luca watched Ves's beautiful, calm face. Everything that happened yesterday had taken this calmness away and he vowed to never let this happen again. His precious female shall live a life that is not only carefree but also joyous.

When Ves opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the regal panther's golden eyes staring into hers. She rubbed her eyes and slowly sat up, yawning.

The panther shifted closer to her making Ves smile, "Good morning," she whispered as she pet his head.

Luca shifted to his human with a smile playing on his lips, "Good morning, my sweet female."

Ves immediately noticed his wounds had all healed up and looked at him in surprise, "Your injuries... H- how did they all heal up so... so soon?"

Luca glanced at his body, "As a male, I heal faster. and since I am four starred beastman, I heal even faster as compared to males of lower stars."

"What do you mean, stars?" Ves asks in confusion. She understood that males healed fast but what was this whole new star talk?

Luca shows her the part behind his ears, "These four stars behind each of my ear signifies my strength. Since I have four of these stars, I am a four starred beastman."

Ves traces the traces behind his ears and nods in understanding, "They look beautiful."

Luca smiles at the compliment and adds, "The more stars a male has, the stronger he is. There are a total of five stars. I will work harder to attain the first star for you, my sweet female." Luca says with determination.

Ves taps his nose with a giggle, "I like you just the way you are."

Upon hearing her own words, she realizes that she had actually fallen for this beastman whom she had just met. And not only that, but she was actually acting like they were dating. 'Not like we aren't. I mean, we will 'mate' in the future,' She blushed at the thought.

Luca opened the cave door to prepare Ves some breakfast but as soon as he opened the door, he saw a lot of fruits and meat and furs placed at their doorstep today. This was undoubtedly due the ritual that took place last night and his face darkened.

He pushed the things aside and roasted some meat for Ves. He also inspected all the gifts and noticed a small bowl in a corner which made the herbs Mathew wanted to use to treat him last night.

He pursed his lips but knowing Mathew's intention, he brought the bowl that had the paste and some herbs to Ves, "Mathew seems to have left this at our doorstep.

Ves had a bad impression of Mathew and wanted nothing to do with him. She eyed the bowl Luca held out to her with hesitation, her frown deepening. She didn't want to accept anything from Mathew, especially after last night. Yet, seeing the sincerity in Luca's expression, she hesitated.

"I... I don't trust him," Ves admitted softly, crossing her arms. She trusted Luca and if Luca brought this to her then it definitely meant something.

She had seen Luca push aside the other things in their yard so what was different with what Mathew had brought for her. Why did Luca have to bring it to her?

Luca set the bowl down gently, crouching to meet her eyes. "Mathew doesn't have bad intentions, little female. He only wants to help."

Ves sighed, torn between her lingering mistrust and Luca's calm reassurance. "If you trust him, then fine. But don't expect me to forget how much pain he caused me last time."

Luca smiled warmly, cupping her cheek. "I will make sure there isn't a next time."

Despite her reluctance, Ves allowed Luca to place the paste on her wound. To her surprise, it felt soothing, a far cry from the stinging sensation she remembered. Still, she kept her lips pursed, unwilling to admit that Mathew might not be as bad as she'd thought.

As they finished up, a knock echoed at the cave entrance. Luca stood up and cautiously opened the door slightly. To both their surprise, a young female stood there, clutching a basket of fruits.

Her eyes widened when she saw Ves. "Oh, you're awake! I-I'm Lyra," she stammered, a bright smile on her face. "I just wanted to welcome you. It's... rare to have females join us."

Ves blinked, taken aback by Lyra's friendliness. "Uh... thank you?" She did not know how to respond to the sudden gesture. She definitely had not expected someone to welcome her, much less with such a friendly gesture.

Lyra nodded quickly, placing the basket down. "I hope we can be friends," she said earnestly, before turning and scurrying away before Ves could respond.

Ves turned to Luca, her expression a mixture of confusion and amusement. "She's... bubbly."

Luca chuckled, closing the door and bringing the fruits to Ves. "Lyra means well. She's one of the kindest females in the tribe."

Ves eagerly took the fruits, finally getting something to eat other than bland meat, "Can we go see her later? I couldn't even thank her properly just now..."

Luca noticed how eagerly she indulged herself with those fruits and made a mental note to bring them for her regularly from now onwards. "I will bring you to her."

Ves smiled, savoring the sweetness of the fruits. "Thank you," she said softly, glancing at Luca with gratitude in her eyes.

Luca's chest swelled with warmth at her expression. "Anything for you, my sweet little female," he replied, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.

The peaceful moment was interrupted by a soft knock on the cave door. Ves wondered if it was Lyra again and watched as Luca opened the door.

To their surprise, Mathew stood there, holding a small pouch of herbs. His ears drooped slightly as he looked at Luca, then at Ves.

"I... I brought more herbs for her wound," Mathew said, his voice low, almost hesitant.

Ves narrowed her eyes but said nothing. Luca took the pouch with a nod, his tone neutral but kind. "Thank you, Mathew."

Ves frowned, watching Mathew's back disappear into the distance. "He's so strange. Why does he have to act like her cares?"

Luca sat beside her again, taking her hand in his. "Mathew cares for everyone in the tribe. He's always trying to do his best."