31 - Rejection (2.3k words)

3rd person POVMuir was quite surprised to see Nivi showing sudden interest in Winston, which explained why Yaya was vehemently refusing to consider the white tiger as a potential mate and cut off her friendship with Nivi. Nivi obtained three mates without her in the picture, which was enough proof that they were better off separated.Muir turned to Nivi and Rosa, his demeanor distant, yet respectful. "How about we organize a joint bonfire? It could be a good opportunity for us all to get to know each other."Rose gave the large groups filled with powerful beastmen a scrutinizing once over. She didn't say anything and just gave a slight nod.Nivi stepped forward, "That sounds like a wonderful idea." She looked at Winston, "Is this ok with you, Winston?"Winston gave a small smile at the considerate female and nodded.Muir approached Yaya, who walked beside Curtis like a ghost without a presence at the far back of the line. He gently reached out to cup her cheeks, leaning closer, using the cover of Yaya's hoodie to shield their moment from prying eyes. "I know you're wondering about Nivi's wellbeing and whether she's happy. I promise I'll find out for you. Just try to relax and enjoy the evening, okay?"Yaya remained silent, giving Muir a distant look before finally nodding. "Okay," she whispered.Muir smiled as he pecked her lips. It was a private gesture, hidden from the world by the hoodie's embrace. As long as his actions were in full view, Yaya wouldn't react defensively. It was especially important not to sneak up on her from a blind spot, or one might end up with a sliced throat. Unlike him, Curtis had to learn the hard way. He then straightened up and walked ahead to join Bai Qing Qing at the front, leaving Yaya standing there with Curtis.Curtis wasn't much for mingling in small talk, and his vibe usually kept people at a distance, which suited Yaya just fine since she wasn't keen on socializing herself. Walking quietly together, they stayed close, their fingers interlocked.Due to the myriad of triggers surrounding them, their hand-holding was more about keeping each other in check and under control than a romantic gesture. Yet, the way their steps synchronized without effort and the gentle pressure of Yaya's fingers entwined with his struck a warm chord within Curtis.· · ─────── · ⊱❈⊰· ─────── · ·The group finally stopped in the middle of a clearing. Rosa's and Nivi's mates lit up the fire, and everyone gathered around the burning bonfire.Nivi sat beside Winston, who sat beside Rosa.Bai Qing Qing sat on the mat before them.From the outsider's viewpoint, Winston looked like a bone between three hungry wolves.The group silently understood the need to respect the females' space ─ close enough to listen but not interrupting, although the air was so thick with jealousy from Nivi's and Rosa's mates that one could almost slice it.Amidst the thick drama, YaYa's males were as relaxed as one could be in a deck chair by the pool, drama-free and utterly content.Vick engaged in a chat with Rosa's and Nivi's mates, smoothly integrating himself into both groups as if they were long-lost brothers. Their current topic of discussion was about how to worship a female the right way.Meanwhile, Muir conversed with Tony, staying the closest to Bai Qing Qing.And then there were Curtis and Yaya, sitting furthest away from everyone ─ so far away actually, they seemed like a group of their own.But soon, Rosa rejoined her mates, her frustration evident in her hurried steps. The warning from the two females had ignited a fear in her ─ a concern that close blood relations might result in unhealthy cubs. And since Winston was her uncle, the risk was too close to home. To add to her frustration, Winston also mentioned he had consumed the emerald, leaving none behind, which cut all the reasons why she ever wanted him.· · ─────── · ⊱❈⊰· ─────── · ·"Nivi, isn't it a bit selfish to assume you know what's best for Winston?" Bai Qing Qing asked, challenging Nivi, "You already have three males to keep you warm at night. How many is enough for you?""It's not about being selfish," Nivi defended, rolling her eyes, "This is a harsh world where having multiple partners isn't a luxury; it's a strategy for survival. If you won't consider expanding your circle of males for Winston's sake, then it falls upon me to ensure he isn't burdened with the impossible task of providing for everything alone."Nivi's words caused Winston's heart to skip a beat. To think this female would come looking for him, wanting to protect him, touched him deeply."What makes you think I'm still looking just for one partner?" Bai Qing Qin pointed at Tony, "Tony and I are working things out. So, don't butt into other's matters. You are not my mother."Nivi laughed in ridicule, "Fine, but then act your age and stay out of my affairs as well," she retorted, attempting to catch a glimpse of Yaya. However, Curtis had positioned himself in such a protective stance around Yaya that Nivi couldn't see her.Bai Qing Qing bit on her lips, then turned toward Winston. Her cheeks started to heat up, and the color became more prominent as the silence stretched, "I'm sorry, the moment I saw you, I thought you were scary, but I've heard so much about you and your heroic acts from my dads that I feel that I would be very safe around you like I do around them. What I mean is... can we, you know, take some time to get to know each other and see if we are a good match?"Winston's body stiffened, his hands clenched into fists, and his breath was coming in short gasps. The notion that a female was actively pursuing him, potentially courting him, sent his mind into a whirlwind of disbelief and astonishment.Nivi, noticing the situation, turned toward the frozen Winston, her smile gentle, "Winston, you don't have to answer right away. Take all the time you need."Winston shook his head, unable to utter a word. He was never treated this nicely by a female before. Now, there were two, and the pressure tightened his chest. The fear of making a misstep and potentially scaring them away added to his nervousness, leaving him cautious with his words and actions."Winston," Nivi coaxed, her voice soft, "Why don't you take a deep breath and try to relax? Don't worry about anyone else here. Just focus on what's important to you."Winston did as Nivi suggested and took a few breaths, his tense shoulders relaxing a bit. He then turned toward Bai Qing Qing. "I appreciate your kindness, but I decided to stay alone for the rest of my life. It's a decision I've made a long time ago, and I don't plan to change my mind."Nivi nodded, piecing together her observations. "That scar made you give up on finding a female, and you chose instead to commit yourself fully to being a warrior who protects. Is that right?"Caught off guard by Nivi's accurate perception, Winston could only offer a rigid nod in agreement. His response was tinged with a newfound respect for her understanding. "Yes," he acknowledged quietly."Don't worry. I will not interfere with your decision," Nivi replied, her expression neutral, "But isn't that a bit lonely? Don't you wish for someone to come back home to? I'm sure it's not easy being the city's protector. You will need someone who can be there for you when you're down. And I'm willing to fill that position if you are open to it."Winston felt a sudden heat rush to his face, turning his cheeks a noticeable shade of red. His ears felt as if they were emitting steam. Why would Nivi, a female of such esteem and allure, direct her attention toward someone like him? Her unexpected show of interest ignited a tumult of emotions within him-flattery, confusion, and a budding hope he dared not acknowledge.Bai Qing Qing stared at the pair. She wasn't a fool; she had noticed the chemistry between the two, especially after facing her own rejection. "If you decide to take Nivi as a partner, I won't have any objection. She's not that bad. In fact, she's really fun and has a big heart. I'm sure you'll grow fond of her in no time.""That's a big step from hating me a moment ago," Nivi raised an eyebrow, "Don't you think?""I hate you, but not enough to want you dead," said Bai Qing Qing with a humph as she stood up and ran in Yaya's direction; she rubbed the stream of tears that kept flowing from her eyes, "MOOOOOOOOM!" she wailed, her voice fading to a whisper, "I was just rejected.""What were you expecting with Nivi as your rival?" Yaya dismissed her with a wave, "Forget about Winston. That guy is more than twice your age. He's an old dinosaur while you are a young lady in your prime.""Exactly!" Bai Qing Qing dropped to the mat, wrapping her arms around her knees and concealing her face, now streaked with tears. "This is so humiliating. I'm never going to be able to face a male again, let alone try to court one."Curtis cleared his throat, "Yaya, I'm older than Winston.""And what's your point?" Yaya asked."It makes me older than an old dinosaur," Curtis continued."So?"Curtis sighed, "Nevermind," he chuckled softly.Bai Qing Qing couldn't help but join in with a giggle."Bai, ask your flying dad to take you on a flight to clear your head," Yaya said, "He's the one who rushed you into growing up; so let him shoulder some of that responsibility."Bai Qing Qing immediately jumped to her feet, rubbing away her last tears."You are too clingy," Muir frowned, shrugging Bai Qing Qing off his shoulders, who tried to climb up on him, "You are my cub, not my female.""She's got that clinginess after you, Muir," Yaya commented. "Just fly with her and don't bring her back till she's happy again."· · ─────── · ⊱❈⊰· ─────── · ·Bai Qing Qing giggled as Muir took her off into the sky in his eagle form, "How can you deal with Mom?""Who said I could?" Muir asked with a helpless sigh, "But I love her, so I endure her."Bai Qing Qing hugged his eagle neck, "Thank you for being my father, and sorry for being a bad cub. I don't want to be a burden to you all. Once I find a few good males, I'll leave. I don't want to be in the way.""Yaya is the one who decides who leaves," Muir reminded her. Even if he wanted to speed up Bai's growth process, Yaya told him to kick every single suitor away, or she would do it herself-except for Tony. That bear beastman had somehow made it through their doorstep."I know," Bai Qing Qing answered, her mood lifting a little, "That's why I like her so much, even though she hates me," she said, bawling out her eyes again, "I don't want Yaya to hate me."With nobody to turn to for support, Bai Qing Qing found herself surrounded by nothing but lustful beastmen and females who showed no inclination to welcome her, and when she finally found one that was from the same world as her, she was urged to toughen up and adjust.She felt a twinge of jealousy toward Nivi's maturity and how she embraced her circumstances, which she found slightly irritating. In her frustration, she found herself searching for any flaw in Nivi's seemingly perfect personality. A slut. That was the first thing that came to her mind when she thought about the men Nivi had to sleep with.Then Yaya showed up, a slipper in hand (slingshot), ready to give her a smack like her mom used to do. Bai Qing Qing fought against the thoughts of her family, afraid that acknowledging the possibility of never seeing them again would crush her spirit. Yaya probably slept with all of her males like Nivi too, but instead of telling her to follow her footsteps, she actually told her to stay naive and childish."The world's got enough adults as it is," Yaya said, "and let's be honest, adulting is overrated."The wind blew Bai Qing Qing's hair around her face. She closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of the sunset on her face and the cold bite of the wind on her skin, "Daddy Muir, can you introduce me to a nice eagle from your tribe?""See what Yaya has to say about it first," said Muir, his voice as cool and detached as a winter morning."She will probably kick me out of the house." Bai Qing Qing chuckled playfully, used to Muir's frosty demeanor whenever Yaya wasn't around.She decided that she would no longer be afraid to make life-changing decisions that could lead to either great rewards or horrible regrets, knowing there was someone she could run to when the world seemed too overwhelming.She knew it was kind of childish of her to play house at sixteen, but she wanted to hold onto that feeling just a little longer before reality kicked in ─ becoming an adult, finding a group of males to protect her, figuring out how to manage them, and eventually, the whole deal with giving them cubs.╔═══ Author's note ════╗Do you enjoy chapters written in third person?Because I plan to write another after this chapter. I couldn't fit everything I wanted into this one. 🤧After that, we will go back to Yaya. 😊╚════════════════╝