Chapter 8
It was evening again when I pleaded with the helpers to rest, but they insisted on working. Since they could see in the dark and claimed they weren't tired, they wanted to finish what they'd started.
I stood still, staring at the site that now resembled a home. The structure was halfway done, and we needed bark and wood for the roof. I'd taught them how to sharpen sticks into spikes that could pierce and hold the logs together like makeshift nails.
I gave instructions to leave spaces for windows and doors—for ventilation and entry. The kitchen needed to be spacious, with a basement for preserving food during winter. I had already constructed a fireplace that would direct smoke out through a chimney made from clay.
While they worked, I supervised and helped when needed. My hands were muddy, my clothes dirty, but I didn't mind. I was molding clay and shaping materials, building something of my own.
Throughout the day, I spotted many beasts in their humanoid forms. But one that truly terrified me was the boa. A giant python.
Most women aren't exactly fond of snakes—or anything in their family tree.
My stomach growled loudly, and I blushed in embarrassment. Of course, the beasts heard it clearly. Their senses were sharper than any human's.
"You haven't eaten today," Kai said, stepping forward. "Come. I caught a rabbit. I heard its meat is sweet."
I apologized for retiring early while they continued working. Waving goodbye to the others, I followed Kai, who silently walked beside me.
He started a fire using a phosphorus stone. After cleaning and cutting the meat, he carefully picked out every bone. I smiled, touched by his gentle actions. It was a small gesture, but such care made a woman's heart flutter.
"If this is how beast males behave, I'd rather stay locked up with them than return to the so-called humans who treated me like trash," I thought, taking the meat from him before he accidentally burned it.
He placed something white in front of me. It looked like salt.
"I heard humans eat meat with this white substance," he muttered, unsure of himself.
I smiled. In my modern world, food was far more flavorful—though in my father's house, it was barely edible. Still, a little salt was better than nothing.
I adjusted the fire, removing some wood to lower the heat. Then I placed flat stones over the flames to serve as a grill. Setting the meat on top of it, I sprinkled the salt, hoping to bring out some taste.
"I wish there were pepper," I murmured absentmindedly. "Spicy food is more my thing."
Kai didn't say anything, but I could tell he made a mental note—even though he clearly didn't know what "pepper" was.
Not long after, I saw him hoist a massive bear onto his shoulder and head off.
"Where are you going with that?" I asked, eyes wide.
"The others might not be tired, but they're hungry. I heard humans don't like the smell of fresh meat, so that's why I served it later. I'll join you soon," he explained. "They need this first."
His effort to explain himself, to make sure I didn't misunderstand, made me smile. Some males preferred to act cold and distant, barely speaking. But not him.
"What about you? Isn't that heavy? Can't you just call them to help?" I asked, still puzzled.
"I'll eat with them. And I'd rather carry the weight myself than let any other beast male near you," he said bluntly before walking off.
I didn't know whether to feel flattered or frustrated by his level of possessiveness.
Once the meat was done roasting, I let it cool before placing it on a leaf Kai had prepared for me. I made a mental note to start crafting essentials soon—pots, kettles, pans, and utensils. I could carve spoons, forks, and chopping sticks from wood. I also needed to make soap. Kai's private waterfall seemed to purify water naturally, so bathing there was convenient.
And clothes—animal skins weren't my thing. If I could find cotton or even sheep, I could try to make something more comfortable.
Taking my first bite of the roasted rabbit, I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't bad. Actually, it was sweet—just as he said.
After eating, I headed to the waterfall to relax and wash away my fatigue. The sounds of beast males—chatting, laughing, working—carried clearly through the night.
If I had proper ingredients, I wouldn't hesitate to cook something hearty for them. But I didn't. Kai had done enough by offering up such a massive bear to feed them.
The word husband slipped out of my mouth as I thought of him. So naturally. So easily. It felt strange—yet somehow right.
Still lost in thought, I jumped slightly when a warm hand wrapped around my waist. I turned to see Kai.
"You sneaked up on me," I whispered, unused to this kind of intimacy.
In my previous life, even with Tony, we weren't this close. No wonder he called me boring. But he never tried to connect either. He always acted like an animal in heat.
"An animal in heat?" I reminded myself. "I'm literally married to one now."
"Do you… go into heat?" I blurted, embarrassed.
"What do you think?" he smirked, his voice husky as he gently washed my back.
The ease with which I let him touch me startled me. I was beginning to trust him. I wasn't resisting, and strangely, I wasn't uncomfortable. I didn't dislike our closeness.
"Don't underestimate a beast," he said softly. "We don't need to go into heat. We're always in heat. And we have high libidos. Just a reminder."
I gasped when he pressed his hardened length against my back. He wasn't subtle—and he didn't need to be.
I understood what he meant. If I hadn't noticed earlier, he made sure I did now.
Sensing where the conversation was heading, I shut up immediately.
No way I was letting it go any further—at least not yet.