"Is this fire?"
Alessio was very surprised.
When he reached out to touch it, Fannie didn't stop him. Only by truly feeling fire could someone understand its power.
Sure enough, the next moment, Alessio's hand got burned by the flames. The pain made him quickly pull it back. He looked at Fannie, upset, seeking comfort. "It hurts…"
"It should hurt."
Fannie blew on his burned hand and patiently explained, "Only by feeling it can you learn how to use it."
Hearing this, Miliano slowly reached toward the flames too, feeling the heat bit by bit. He pulled back as soon as the pain came.
Fannie threw some deer meat into the fire. Soon, the smell of roasted meat filled the air. She then gave the cooked meat to Alessio and Miliano to taste.
Beast people naturally liked raw food.
The two brothers didn't find the cooked meat tasty. It was dry, had no juice, and was hard to swallow. It felt like such a waste!
Fannie was also eating roasted meat in its pure form for the first time.
The bland, dry meat was hard to eat. Even she found it unpleasant.
Unfortunately, there were no spices here, not even salt. But being able to eat cooked meat in the Beast World was already rare.
She wasn't here for a vacation. Having something to eat was enough. She didn't have the luxury to be picky.
She ate just to fill her stomach and get enough nutrients, not for pleasure.
Fannie sat on the stool, taking small bites.
Alessio felt sorry for her. He half-squatted in front of her and said softly, "I didn't expect life on Blue Star to be so hard for you. Eating such bad food every day, no wonder you're so thin."
Fannie smiled wryly at his sympathetic look.
How could she explain that the delicious food on Blue Star was something he could never taste?
It wasn't that her life used to be so hard—it became hard only after coming here!
She forced a smile. "Don't look at me like that, as if I'm miserable. It's just like how you like raw food and I don't. We have different tastes. I'm not as pitiful as you think."
Was she pitiful?
Not at all.
She had loving parents and family on Blue Star, caring teachers and classmates. She had even adopted a clingy stray cat. She was young and still had so many things to do.
The stupidest, most unforgivable thing she ever did was giving up her life for a jerk!
"Really?"
"Of course!"
"That's good."
After getting her confirmation, Alessio felt less heartbroken. His ice-blue eyes were full of affection as he said softly, "If your family doesn't want you, I want you!"
Uh…
Fannie wanted to explain she wasn't abandoned, but she didn't want Alessio to keep questioning. Anyway, her parents would never know, so she let him take the blame.
At that moment, a voice echoed in the cave: "Sorry!"
Fannie looked up at Miliano, surprised.
Although his face was still stern, his eyes were noticeably gentler. He said, "I misunderstood you before. I apologize and hope you can forgive me."
Acknowledging a mistake is a great virtue.
Fannie didn't hold a grudge against a leopard. After all, if she really argued, she wouldn't win.
Why doesn't the system let her target Miliano?
If she could target Miliano, wouldn't she get the points right away?
Sigh!
Fannie wasn't the type to hold a grudge against a leopard. She stood up and said, "We people from Blue Star don't argue with a leopard. Since you're willing to apologize, I will generously forgive you."
Fannie's generosity impressed Miliano. If it had been another female, she definitely wouldn't have let him off so easily. "Since everything is clear now, you can call me brother from now on, just like Alessio does."
Fannie said, "Brother."
Miliano gave a light 'hm' sound, acknowledging Fannie.
The happiest person about Miliano's recognition was Alessio.
He held one hand of Fannie and one hand of Miliano and said excitedly, "Brother, Fannie, from now on, the three of us are one family. We will always be together and never separate!"
Hearing Alessio say they would always be together, Fannie felt a little guilty.
Alessio treated her so well, protected her, and even argued with his own brother for her, yet she had only been using Alessio as a tool to gain points. She felt a bit sorry for him.
Then she thought, although she was gaining points, she would also be giving Alessio children. She wasn't getting something for nothing; she was contributing too.
Maybe she could even give the leopard tribe a high-level child, increasing the tribe's reputation in the Beast World and expanding their territory.
In this way, Alessio really benefited!
With fire, of course, it had to be shared with the tribe!
Alessio gathered the tribe members together, showing them the use and power of fire, and told them that fire was a gift from Fannie as the lord's wife.
Because of the fire, Fannie not only gained Miliano's recognition but also earned the respect of more tribe members. They held hands around the fire, celebrating, with smiles on their faces. They clearly liked the gift Fannie gave them!
Batoya had thought Fannie was just a homeless wandering beast, but she didn't expect Fannie to have such skills. It impressed her greatly.
She admired Fannie, but she still saw her as a rival in love and was determined to steal Alessio away.
Now was the perfect opportunity!
Batoya decided to confess her love to her beloved lord in front of the tribe while everyone was present.
First, she was confident in her beauty.
Second, she thought public confession would have a higher chance of success. After all, she was the youngest daughter most loved by Elder Bagu.
If the lord refused her, it would not only be disrespecting her but also disrespecting her father, Elder Bagu.
The lord always respected her father and wouldn't let him lose face in front of the tribe.
Batoya first called the celebrating tribe members to stop, then confidently walked toward her beloved lord in front of everyone and boldly said, "Lord, I love you. I want to be your lifelong partner!"
The tribe members were shocked by Batoya's words!
The lord's wife was still standing here, yet she openly confessed to the lord. Truly bold for the most beautiful female of the tribe!
The tribe members then looked at Fannie.
They didn't see any displeasure on the lord's wife's face. She wasn't angry; she even smiled!
The lord's wife really had a big heart!
The tribe members quickly turned their eyes to the lord.
The lord's wife was great, but Miss Batoya was the most beautiful female of the tribe, their dream mate!
They bet that the lord would accept Miss Batoya's confession!
However.
Facing the love expressed by the most beautiful female in the entire tribe, Alessio's heart remained completely calm, as still as a dead pond, not even a ripple appeared.
From the moment he met Fannie, he had given her his whole heart.
In this life, he would only have one partner, and that person was Fannie.
"Batoya, I already have a partner."
"I know."
"If you know, then why confess to me?"
"Because I like you!"
Until this moment, Batoya was very confident. She believed the lord would choose her. "I don't mind sharing you with other females. I hope you can accept me and let me be your partner too!"
"I mind!"
"What?"
"I said I mind!"
Alessio responded solemnly, "My heart, my life, all belong only to Fannie!"
Batoya was completely stunned!
No matter what, she never expected the lord to reject her!
And he did it in front of all the tribe members, mercilessly and openly!
Her eyes widened, staring in disbelief at the incredibly handsome man before her. Her once-bright smile instantly disappeared.
Not willing to fail so easily, Batoya still clung to her last bit of hope. She stubbornly asked, "Are you rejecting me?"
Alessio firmly said one word: "Yes!"
In that moment, all hope vanished completely!
Proud and arrogant Batoya could not accept this cruel reality. To save what little face she had left, she recklessly launched an unprecedented challenge against Fannie.
In the Beast World, where the strong dominate the weak, anyone with enough strength could boldly challenge the tribe lord.
If the challenge succeeded, the winner would become the new tribe lord!
But a situation like today—someone daring to openly challenge the lord's wife—was unprecedented!
Even more shocking, Batoya chose to openly provoke the lord's wife right in front of the lord himself. This was a huge insult to him!
The tribe members gasped in surprise, secretly worried for Batoya.
"Challenging me?"
Fannie looked confused, as if she had been suddenly called on in class while dozing off. She was completely stunned!
She was speechless.
No… Big Sister Leopard, the one confessing was you, the one rejecting was Alessio. Even if you were angry, you should challenge Alessio. Why challenge me?
She hadn't done anything!
The reason Batoya challenged Fannie was that Fannie had won Alessio's heart completely. Batoya was unwilling and dissatisfied!
Batoya widened her eyes, staring fiercely at Fannie. "Your rank is higher than mine. I am challenging you across ranks. You won't dare refuse, will you?"
In the tribe, only Alessio and Miliano knew Fannie's true identity.
In the eyes of the other tribe members, Fannie was a female leopard beast with a rank above five. Although her body was thin, her strength was not to be underestimated!
Otherwise, the lord would not have chosen her as his partner!
Miss Batoya, rank four, dared to challenge the perfectly formed lord's wife across ranks. Wasn't this basically sending her head to the leopard?
The tribe members again secretly worried for Batoya.
Batoya challenged Fannie across ranks. Although anger had clouded her mind, she hadn't completely lost her reason.
In Batoya's eyes, even though Fannie's rank was higher, Fannie's body was too weak!
Batoya confidently believed Fannie was no match for her. That was why she dared to challenge her across ranks. "In this challenge, you are strong and I am weak. I have no chance of winning. If I lose, the lord is yours. If I somehow win, you must leave the tribe and never come back!"
"Do you dare or not?"
Hmph!
Does this need to be asked?
Of course she didn't dare!
She wasn't stupid!
She was human, a human!
She avoided large dogs outside, let alone a female leopard who could turn into a human!
If she accepted the challenge one second, the next second she would be smashed by a paw into a bloody mess, dying miserably, and all for nothing. Who in their right mind would accept such a challenge? She certainly wouldn't!
Fannie didn't dare accept the challenge and couldn't reveal her identity. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Sister Batoya, with so many eyes watching, even if I accept your challenge and win, it would not be a fair victory…"
Before Fannie could finish, Batoya interrupted, continuing her provocation: "I think you're just afraid to fight!"
Fannie was speechless. "What if I don't accept?"
Batoya aggressively said, "Not accepting means admitting defeat. If you lose, you must leave the tribe!"
Fannie was exasperated.
She had already said she was willing to share Alessio, yet this female leopard wouldn't let it go.
How could she continue her plan now?
Luckily, there was no time limit on the plan, otherwise who knew what punishment awaited her!
Alessio hadn't wanted to argue with Batoya, but she had gone too far, even trying to drive his partner out of the tribe. This crossed his bottom line!
Even if she was Elder Bagu's daughter, it was unforgivable!
Just as Alessio was about to speak, a cold, extremely stern voice came from behind him: "The lord's wife's fate is not for a mere rank-four beast to decide!"
That voice was…
Fannie's heart stirred slightly, and she quickly turned around.
Earlier, during the celebration, she hadn't seen Miliano, and she hadn't expected him to suddenly appear to stand up for her. Fannie was both surprised and touched.
For a moment, the entire scene fell completely silent!
The once arrogant Batoya now trembled under Miliano's overwhelming presence. Her heart seemed to jump into her throat, and her eyes showed deep fear.
This was a stark contrast to her earlier aggressive and domineering attitude toward Fannie.
She had even lost the courage to look Miliano in the eye!
Miliano coldly glanced at Batoya, then swept his gaze over the other tribe members.
His eyes were sharp as swords and full of authority, making people too intimidated to meet his gaze and feel deep respect. "If any of you are disobedient, challenge me! If anyone disrespects the lord's wife, don't blame me for showing no mercy. You will be expelled from the tribe immediately!"
Looking around,
in this area of Yao Mountain or across the Beast World, beast people with rank-eight strength were extremely rare, like phoenix feathers, almost impossible to find!
Miliano, as one of the few rank-eight beasts in the Beast World, naturally had no one daring to act recklessly in front of him!
Any beast who dared to challenge his authority would only meet a tragic end—killed by his sharp claws and fangs, becoming nothing more than his food!