Wanderlust Beastkin, Beauty and the Beastkin

 I lifted my gaze, and our eyes locked—his breathtaking azure stare ensnared mine, a flush of color warming his cheeks. He was undeniably the most alluring man I had ever encountered. My attention drifted to his lips, and I felt an irresistible urge to moisten my own. In that spellbinding moment, I vowed to savor every heartbeat. I leaned in closer, an undeniable pull drawing us together, and he instinctively mirrored my movement.

His eyes sparkled like sapphires, glowing from within, and then our lips met, cautiously at first. But the chemistry igniting between us quickly turned that kiss into something fervent and consuming. I wove my fingers through his hair, pulling him closer as our tongues danced like flames. He wrapped his arms around my waist, lifting me slightly, his hands exploring my back. It was a struggle to catch my breath, but the exhilaration was intoxicating. I finally pulled away, gasping for air, only to be overwhelmed by an irresistible urge to nibble at his neck, and so I did.

[Temporary System Activated. Mate Confirmed. Scanning through recollections to select a Signature Symbol. Suitable Image Discovered!]

As I sank my teeth into him, a strange black light illuminated the spot before fading away. To my surprise, a tiny, delightful paw print tattoo emerged at the base of Kai's neck. My eyes widened in shock, and he beamed with joy, lifting me high above him, spinning around with laughter that echoed like music. When he finally set me down, he wrapped me in a hug that felt like being cherished as the rarest of treasures. I was utterly bewildered by this unexpected turn of events, yet I found myself enjoying his embrace. Typically, I would shy away from any contact, needing to cleanse the area repeatedly, but this was a refreshing change. A warmth spread through my heart, ignited by the sincerity of his affection—something I felt I didn't deserve, yet it was a welcome surprise. I began to regret that this was merely a dream; the joy of such genuine affection was something I longed to experience.

 "Let's head home swiftly; we can have the healer examine your ankle and make you comfortable in my place for now. Do you have any other mates?"

"Mates? Let's just say my social life is a bit limited. I've got Beth and Nancy, my besties who live on the same street as me and swing by often, but beyond that, it's a struggle. My parents have this strict policy about me not going out after school for fun. They prefer to send their driver to collect me, arranging playdates with only the kids they approve of—children of their friends and associates."

With a furrowed brow and a hint of bewilderment, he inquired, "So, you mean to say you don't have any other mates?"

"No."

"I understand, does your tribe have a tradition where mates offer gifts to their mate's parents?"

I took a moment to reflect; "tribe" felt like a peculiar term, yet I figured he was talking about the company I keep. "No? Not usually, I mean they could if they wanted to, but it's not a practice."

"How is your relationship with your family unit?"

This inquiry is bizarre and utterly devoid of any seduction. Where did that tantalizing make-out dream go? "Strained, I'm not exactly the daughter my parents had in mind."

He appeared taken aback by my response, saying, "Your blood parents have such high standards for the daughter they want. They ought to feel grateful simply for the gift of having a daughter at all!"

I found myself staring at him, shock morphing into a smile as I leaned in to kiss his forehead tenderly. It's such a cruel twist of fate that he's not real. As I pulled back, I noticed the flush on his cheeks and the sparkle in his eyes. He pulled me into a hug that felt like sunshine breaking through clouds. "I will love you enough to wash away all the pain you've carried until now."

I blinked, hands pressed to my lips, feeling the sting of tears on the verge of falling. Why can't he be real?

"Since you lack other mates, I will escort you to my village and take on the role of the temporary lead male as you settle in. The village I call home is Duarte Village, named after the Celestial Guardian who protects us. In keeping with our customs, I will hunt and present a tribute to the guardian to honor our new mate bond, and I will also provide an offering for your awakening ceremony, stepping in for your parents as we embrace our new family unit."

His words danced around me, leaving me a bit bewildered, yet I couldn't help but find this dream's twist captivating. "Of course, let's make it happen."

As he held me close, each step felt like a dance, his gentleness wrapping around me like a warm embrace. Sure, there were the occasional pesky creatures—horned rabbits, light green slimes, mischievous goblins, enormous rats, glimmering green beetles, and colossal ants—but Kai radiated a soothing light blue aura. The moment those monsters dared to approach, they scurried away as if they'd seen a ghost. Talk about a handy little perk!

 Our journey took a bit longer than it would have if he had transformed into his beastly self, but I appreciated his concern about not jostling me while he ran. My ankle was in rough shape, and his gentleness was a balm to my spirit. I leaned into him, resting my head against his chest, inhaling the scent of him—like fresh rain, invigorating and calming all at once. The thought of when I might wake up lingered in my mind, a bittersweet ache, but I reminded myself not to be greedy for more time.

As we rounded a bend in the river, a stunning sight unfolded before us: an opening flanked by towering rock walls, gracefully curving around the water. Above the river, a bridge stretched out, adorned with two imposing doors carved from gray stone. Perched on the bridge were two guards, their wolf ears perked up, one with raven-black hair and the other a warm chestnut. Clad in blue-dyed leather skirts and matching armbands emblazoned with a shield, they rose from their seats, fists over their hearts, beaming at Kai as he approached.

"General Kai! You've returned earlier than expected!" said the wolf-man with black hair. 

 Both men were undeniably attractive, their tanned skin and chiseled muscles a feast for the eyes. The one with the jet-black hair had captivating brown eyes with a hint of amber, while his brown-haired counterpart possessed warm, inviting brown eyes. Their smiles, revealing tiny fangs, radiated joy, and the happiness on their faces was infectious, especially as their tails wagged with glee—it was downright adorable.

The brown-haired one was panting, his tongue hanging out in excitement, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Kai as if he were a rare gem.

I couldn't help but laugh at their endearing antics while both wolfish men locked their gaze on me.

"Yay, General! You've got a lovely female! Big cheers for your fantastic find!" said the brown-haired wolf guy.

"Could you share what your plans are for the aforementioned female?" said the black-haired wolf.

With a beaming smile, Kai announced, "I have secured her affection, and she has embraced my intentions, gifting me with a symbol." His deep, resonant voice held a magnetic charm that captivated all who listened.

"Oh my goodness! General Kai has finally accepted a female! This calls for a big celebration! Who do we need to get in touch with for the Mate Celebration?" said the brown-haired wolf.

"There isn't anyone else; I am her first mate, and there are other personal matters at play," Kai said.

"Certainly. We will have the statue of Duarte serve as a witness for her family. I understand that there will be extensive preparations for the ceremony. May we provide a guard to accompany her as she familiarizes herself with the village, and arrange for a woman to assist her in preparing for the ceremony, given that she has no family?" said black-haired wolf.

"I need you and your brother to lend your support to her. Please coordinate with some of the others at the guard house to cover your duties here. In the meantime, I would like you both to watch over Perla and if your sister is available, it would be beneficial for her to join in the preparations."

"We are at your service!" They both saluted him again and bowed their heads slightly.

"Perla, allow me to present these two wolf brothers, who are not only my devoted subordinates but also close friends I trust implicitly. Fidel is the one with the black fur, and Zelig is the one with the brown. They have kindly agreed to show you around the village while I am away. Additionally, I have asked their sister to join you for a shopping adventure, and I am confident she will be eager to assist. Please, feel free to purchase whatever you desire; as your mate and a male of my rank, it would be a matter of honor for me to ensure your needs are fully met."

It's obvious that finding a mate involves more than just friendship, especially given the context of our conversation. But since this is just a dream, I'm ready to dive in. That kiss we shared was nothing short of electric! When I wake up, I'm absolutely going to pursue a date or two. Perhaps I'll consider Beth's cousin; she mentioned he's been crushing on me.

Zelig dashed off and returned in no time with two new faces, who took their seats after giving a salute and congratulating Kai.

"Please purchase a two-seater wheeled palanquin for the females to use. I am concerned about Perla's injury and want to ensure it does not worsen. Ensure that it is of the highest quality available."

"Oh boy! Elara is going to have a blast teasing us nonstop!" Zelig said, before sprinting off to buy it.

"You can't deny his accuracy; she is bound to be thoroughly intolerable for the foreseeable future," said Fidel

 A smile spread across his face. "I am truly looking forward to it."

Coming Next Time: Shrine and Elara