"You didn't have to tell her, you know," Soren muttered, arms crossed.
"Why not?" Ezra shot back, his tone firm but calm. "Rayna needs to know about all this—especially if there's danger lurking beyond the village boundary."
"I know, but still..." Soren looked away, jaw tight. "She's already got enough on her mind."
"Will you two stop it already?" Rayna cut in, giving both of them a pointed look. "I do want to know more about it—but not while you're bickering over dinner."
She crossed her arms. "And for the record, arguing while eating is a choking hazard. So eat quietly, chew properly, and then talk like civil beastmen."
Both men went quiet instantly, exchanging sheepish glances as Rayna sighed and took another bite.
The three of them were having dinner at Rayna's hut, the fire crackling softly in the hearth. After they finished eating, Soren and Ezra helped clean up, then returned to sit by Rayna—one on each side, nuzzling into her shoulders like overgrown puppies seeking comfort.
Rayna smiled, heart warm, and wrapped her arms around both of them. She pressed gentle forehead kisses—first to Soren, then to Ezra.
After a moment of silence, she whispered, "Now... Soren, tell me about these... scorpions."
Her voice was low, almost wary, as if just saying the word might summon them.
Soren spoke, his voice low and grave.
"Well... they're half-beastmen, with upper bodies like ours, but their lower halves end in thick, segmented tails—scorpion tails. The venom they carry is paralyzing, which makes them especially dangerous. I've heard that if the person is already injured with their venom, the venom can kill them within an hour unless they get the antidote. Even if it doesn't kill, the paralysis can last for a long period of time"
Soren continued.
"In the Beast City, it's said they don't dare attack the city itself, but they often raid outer villages. I've heard stories... they capture females, force them to bear young—because no female would willingly choose to be with them, given how brutal they are. They take the females back to wherever they live, treat them like slaves, and discard them once they're... no longer useful."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Soren continued, "I was sent to this village partly because of that. To protect it. Ezra, you remember—three years ago, we spotted a group. There were three of them, all scorpions. We managed to take them down."
Ezra nodded grimly.
"And now they've been seen again."
Soren nodded solemnly.
Rayna let out a quiet sigh. "So... what do you think they're planning? Are they going to attack us?"
Soren shook his head, frustration lacing his voice. "I can't figure it out. Every time I try to track them, they vanish. No scent, no trail. It's like they're ghosts. That's what's bothering me the most."
Ezra added softly, "That's why we were so worried when we realized you'd gone past the village boundary, Rayna. It's dangerous out there."
Rayna looked down, guilt flashing in her eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. If something like that happens again, I'll let you both know first."
The two men pulled her into a hug, holding her close with relief in their touch. "Good," Ezra murmured.
Rayna leaned back just a little to look at them. "But still, staying like this... not knowing what they're going to do next—it's unsettling. They could attack, or worse... show up with a whole group when we least expect it."
Ezra nodded slowly. "Yeah. We've never had them attack our village before. And the last time they tried to infiltrate—those three scorpions—we took them down."
"But now..." Soren added, eyes narrowing, "we can't read them. Can't predict what they're planning. That's the part that worries me."
Ezra leaned back, arms folded behind his head. "But I think if we stay on high alert regularly, we can prevent anything major. Plus, the wet season's just a few days away. It'll rain so hard, no one in their right mind would attack in that kind of storm."
Soren nodded thoughtfully. "He's got a point."
Rayna gave a small nod too. "Okay... maybe you're right." But deep down, unease still lingered in her heart. Something didn't feel right. Still, she didn't push the topic any further.
Rayna looked out the window, the thought suddenly crossing her mind. "In the wet season, if it rains that heavily... what about food and everything else? How will we manage?"
Soren replied calmly, "I've already made preparations. I've stocked up food, supplies, and I'm even storing some river water for you to bathe in during those days, if you'd like."
Ezra added with a grin, "And I'll be shifting here into your hut, alright Rayna?"
Rayna smiled, amused and warm. "Fine, we'll all stay here together, since we can't really go out during the storm."
A moment passed before curiosity tugged at her again. "So... what do beastmen usually do during the wet season? I mean, if they're stuck indoors?"
She already had a feeling, but still asked.
Ezra's grin widened mischievously as he replied, "Oh, well... beastmen usually mate during that time. And yeah..." he trailed off, throwing her a meaningful look.
Rayna blinked, her cheeks warming. She glanced at both of them and thought to herself,
So... both of them... in the same hut... the three of us...
I don't know what's going to happen... but it's definitely going to be interesting.
Soren let out a yawn, eyes half-lidded now.
Rayna turned to him with a smile. "Sleepy?"
"Yes," Soren mumbled, sliding closer and wrapping his arms around her. He rested his head gently on her shoulder. "Very."
Rayna chuckled softly. "Then let's go to bed."
But before they could move, Ezra cut in. "Hey, wait a second. I think it's my turn to sleep with her tonight."
Soren frowned, clearly not ready to give up. "But I'm exhausted. I need her warmth."
Ezra raised an eyebrow. "And I haven't even gotten a turn yet—not once. Be fair, brother."
Rayna blinked, then burst into laughter. She hadn't imagined she'd live to see the day when two handsome beastmen would bicker over who got to sleep beside her.
"Alright, alright," she said, still smiling. "I'll sleep with Ezra tonight. He's right—I haven't slept beside him at all."
Soren sighed dramatically but relented. "Fine..." He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "Sleep well, Rayna." Then with a flap of his wings, he flew off to his hut.
Rayna turned to Ezra, who looked far too smug for his own good.
"Happy?" she teased.
Ezra grinned. "Very."
Ezra and Rayna settled into bed, the night air cool and quiet around them. Ezra wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her close into his warmth. He nestled his face into the crook of her neck, placing a soft kiss there, then one along her jawline.
Rayna shifted slightly and murmured gently, " Ezra... not tonight I'm feeling sleepy."
Ezra smiled against her skin and gave her a reassuring squeeze. "It's alright, Rayna. Don't worry about it."
He pressed a light kiss to her temple and tightened his embrace just a little. "Sleep well," he whispered.
Wrapped in his arms, comforted by his steady breathing, Rayna closed her eyes. The two of them slowly drifted into a peaceful sleep, hearts calm and close.