This chapter is dedicated to Dara P as an acknowledgement for your support. I hope to see you at the end of this journey ๐.
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Prince Ken stood up from his seat and walked out with an air of arrogance. He was widely known to be the pickiest male just after the City Lord. As a five rank beastman, many females coveted him eagerly but knowing he was dashing and only a few ranks to rise to a rank of a king, he said he'd wait for a female who was deserving of a powerful male like him!
Where was the last place the female was last seen?" Ken asked as his men followed him.
The female was last seen at the edge of the leopard tribe. Her males were running a morning meal for her." he reported.
That's odd! Ken thought. Most females would stay inside. Why was she up and about? He shifted and sprinted off to go see the female that was even praised by his father who was a rather cold person. He ran into some princes from other tribes along the way and that had him frown. Were they also out here to look for the female? If so...then he now really wanted to see her!
After running for a while, he found a crowd of male beastmen ogling at someone. From a distance, he could see a red head female, she was giggling softly with a small blush on her cheeks, her eyes were the prettiest Ken had ever seen in his life...they shone like the brightest precious green crystals.
".....trust me! I know what I'm doing!" Sydney replied with a smile.
Caden looked at her skeptically but nodded anyway. At the moment, they were drafting the soft copy of the home she wanted to build. Shawn had been listening attentively since he couldn't see. "Shawn, can you help with finding some of the materials?" she asked.
"I can do everything you want me. I can also help with the construction." he said.
"Alright.. but I have a special task for you and you alone." she said enthusiastically making Shawn's tail wag excitedly.
Female..." a foreign voice called out and Sydney instinctively looked over. It was only then she noticed that a crowd of beastmen had been watching them. How the hell was she going to grow used to this?! These men would look at you like they were stripping her naked with their gazes.
"Female.. I'm from the lion tribe. I'm strong enough to help you with what you are doing...can I join?" the young male asked hopefully.
Sydney looked at both her males but recalled what they had told her..the decision making was up to her under all circumstances. She looked back at the young male with lion ears and tail and spoke politely. "I'm thankful for offering to help but this is my family's matter. We will deal with it on our own just fine!" she said.
Why are you constantly rejecting males like that?!" a harsh voice resonated making Shawn growl and Caden shield Sydney with his body. "You need males to survive in this world and instead of picking able bodied males, you are taking pity on a pathetic beastman...it's detestable." Ken said as he stepped out.
Sydney felt like her ears were bleeding from hearing the same words that insulted Shawn. She hadn't known him for long but surely, he was just as capable as any male she saw. And what?! She needed a man to survive?!!! She scoffed rage brimming in her chest. A PHD holder in computer and construction engineering, a certified wildlife handler and a recently appointed military Captain...she was sure she'd survive just fine without any man!
She took a deep breathe and looked at the male before her, he was a wolf beastman. Just perfect! "Shawn...let's return home. We can continue our discussions while there!" she said and went to collect her newly acquired equipment.
"Shawn...do you know that you took a spot that didn't belong to you? As your leader, you dare covet what's mine?" Ken hissed seeing the female didn't give him any face. This female was the one he had been waiting for all his life. He wouldn't let any other male replace him!
The other beastmen around nodded feeling this was indeed unfair! Shawn didn't deserve such a female! How could he get a spot when the sons of different chiefs hadn't got even a chance to speak with the female! There was resentment and bitterness for being out shone by a disabled male.
"Say that again!" Sydney dared the wolf beastman who spoke ill of Shawn. Dropping her things to the ground, she stood out of Caden's back and strode forward towards Ken with a hostility that almost made him cower. The female's demeanor shocked everyone who was present. "I can tell you are from the night wolf clan based on your hostility...do you have a problem with me?" she asked with a devious smile her eyes glowering dangerously.
"Female...I understand that blind fool has...." a crisp slap landed on Ken's cheek instantly turning red. "What were you saying?" she asked with a smile as she readied her self to beat this man up.
Ken on the other hand was utterly shocked for being hit by a female in the presence of others. The city lord who had been in the crowd had his eyes widen in amusement. Parrick shuddered!
The next time you insult Shawn whom I've chosen, make sure to do it in my absence or it won't end with just a slap. I'll rip your tongue out of your mouth and feed it to the strays. Am I clear?!" she asked menacingly and the males who were around nodded their heads despite not being the ones who were being addressed, at least not directly. Ken on the other hand was in a daze at the fierce female...she was exactly what he had been looking for! She didn't hide behind her males to let them fight for her ....she stood up for herself.
Shawn who heard the sound of a slap was in shock that his female had stood up for him, something even his parents didn't do! Caden felt proud watching Sydney as she turned gracefully like a feline and walk back to them. "Let's go home." she said and both males nodded docilely and carried their things and exited the crowd with heads raised up!
At the city hall.
Sydney fell onto her bed exhausted. As always,she had been trying to cope up just fine but what she didn't expect was to get into a fight with someone twice her size with beastly features and DNA. She was sure she'd be able to dodge a few attacks on her but the question was for how long? She was lucky this world was where females were treasured. She did not really miss home that much but thought of her family...she was sure her big brother was leaving no rock unturned to find her. At the age of 16, she was already at university and by the age of 20, she had joined the military and also taken part in the wildlife protection programs where she spent months and years studying and interacting with them on an intimate basis. What she didn't expect was the fact that she was going to end up in this place.
Caden entered the room with a stone bowl of food but saw that Sydney seemed sick. Her breathing was heavy. Reaching her, he placed his hand on her forehead and she was burning up! He sprung up forgetting the food and ran to find Shawn.