Chapter 107
“Ghost Wolf p>
“Lady Nina p>
Ghost Wolf hurried forward, his face lighting up with relief and excitement. “I’ve finally found you p>
Nina glanced past him. “Where are Sal and the others p>
She scanned behind him but saw no sign of Sal’s group.
Ghost Wolf quickly explained, “That day, after the battle with the mutated beasts, we saw you carried away. We tried to chase after you, but we lost your trail. We pursued for a long time but still couldn’t find you. So the boss ordered us to split up and search separately p>
He continued, “Two days ago, I found the markings you left behind and followed them all the way here. Luckily, I truly found you. The boss and the others aren’t with me right now, but I have a way to locate them p>
A trace of disappointment flickered across Nina’s face. “Are they far from us now p>
“I’m not entirely sure,” Ghost Wolf admitted. “But they shouldn’t be too far p>
His gaze shifted behind Nina. Seeing several unfamiliar females, he asked in confusion, “Lady Nina, who are those beastfolk behind you p>
“We met them on the road,” Nina replied. “We’re escorting them to the Half-Mountain Tribe up ahead p>
“In that case,” Ghost Wolf suggested, “why don’t you go to the Half-Mountain Tribe first and stay there for a few days? I’ll bring the boss to you p>
If she was already escorting these beastfolk, it would save time if she simply waited there instead of traveling back and forth.
Then he noticed Odian holding Nina’s hand.
His heart skipped.
That was bad. The boss had competition.
He glanced at Odian’s forehead and quietly exhaled in relief—no bonding mark yet.
He needed to find Sal quickly. Otherwise, the position of first beast-husband might be taken.
And the other males nearby… the way they looked at Nina was exactly the same as the boss’s gaze.
More rivals.
He would have to run fast.
By the time Sal arrived, who knew what number in line he’d be?
Nina thought about it for a moment. “Alright. I’ll wait at the Half-Mountain Tribe p>
If she went searching for Sal now, Tao and the others would be difficult to handle. They were already halfway through the escort. It would be dishonorable to abandon them midway—and she still wanted that elemental stone.
Having Sal come to her would be more efficient, even if it meant waiting a few extra days.
“Then I’ll go find the boss immediately. Please be careful on the road,” Ghost Wolf said.
“You too. I’ll wait for you p>
He nodded and shifted into his beast form, sprinting off at full speed.
Nina’s group continued onward.
Shui quietly surveyed her surroundings, then leaned close to one of her husbands and whispered instructions.
The male slipped to the rear of the group and destroyed the trail markers Nina had left behind before returning to Shui.
She smiled coldly.
She couldn’t stand seeing so many powerful males surrounding Nina.
If they had been separated once, she would make sure they never found her again.
There were no nearby tribes in this area, and the Half-Mountain Tribe was relatively hidden. They would never locate it.
By nightfall, they found a place to camp.
During dinner, Aina kept glancing at the abundant dishes on Nina’s table, unable to hide her longing.
Finally, she approached shyly with some meat in hand. “Nina, could I exchange this for some of your food? Yours smells so delicious… I couldn’t resist p>
“No need for meat,” Nina smiled. “Just come sit and eat with us. Tonight’s my treat p>
“Really?” Aina beamed. “Thank you, Nina p>
She quickly found an empty seat.
Several other females came to ask as well, and Nina agreed to each.
Seeing her own mother join, Tao’s daughter tried to follow, and Shui hesitated before approaching too.
“Hey, you,” Tao’s daughter said rudely to Ridan. “Give me your seat p>
Shui also pointed at a place beside Pado. “I’d like to sit here p>
The seats were already full once Aina and the others had joined.
Ridan and Pado both looked displeased but glanced toward Nina for instruction.
Nina frowned slightly. “I didn’t invite you. Please return to where you belong p>
“Why can they come and we can’t?” Tao’s daughter demanded.
“Because I don’t want to invite you. It’s that simple,” Nina replied calmly.
The girl glared at her. “It’s just food. What’s the big deal p>
Fine. She would make her husbands secretly learn how to cook it.
She tried to pull her mother away, but her mother remained seated.
Fuming, she returned to her spot and chewed on dry-roasted meat.
Shui bit her lip, suppressing her anger.
Once she drew those males over to her side, she would see how arrogant Nina could remain.
Ridan and Pado were inwardly pleased.
Lady Nina was wise.
That night, Nina soothed the cubs to sleep.
Odian pulled her gently closer, brushing his fingers across her palm. “Nina… shall we go outside for some fresh air p>
She immediately saw through him and laughed softly. “Alright p>
She instructed Ridan and the others to watch over the cubs. They thumped their chests in assurance.
“Don’t worry, Lady Nina. We’ll guard them well. Stay out as long as you like p>
Even overnight would be fine.
They shot Odian encouraging looks.
High Priest, seize the opportunity. Win more of Lady Nina’s favor. Secure the position of first beast-husband!
Odian raised an eyebrow and led Nina outside.
Kith and Finch watched them leave, their expressions dim.
When would they ever have such a moment?
Shui’s gaze followed the departing pair, a dark glint flashing in her eyes. She looked around and noticed Aviel was absent.
Her lips curved slightly.
Odian carried Nina up into the branches of a towering tree.
They settled on a thick limb high above the ground. With little to block their view, only a few sparse trees nearby, the horizon stretched open before them.
After days of relentless rain, the sky had finally cleared enough to reveal a hazy moon.
Odian wrapped an arm around Nina’s slender waist, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder.
“Nina, look. There’s a moon tonight p>
She sat in his lap, leaning comfortably against him. “Mm. It’s beautiful p>
From their height, the moon seemed larger, round and luminous, partially veiled by drifting clouds. A soft halo surrounded it, giving it a quiet, tender glow.
As she admired the view, Odian’s restraint began to falter.
He brushed his lips gently along her soft earlobe, down the curve of her pale neck. Turning her face toward him, he captured her lips in a lingering kiss.
Meanwhile, Aviel returned to the cave and instinctively searched for Nina.
He circled once, then twice.
Only the sleeping cubs remained in her place.
His brows drew together.
Where had Nina gone?
At that moment, Viann entered from outside.
“My lord,” he said, approaching quietly, “a male just told me Lady Nina was looking for you p>
“Where p>
Aviel felt a strange tug of doubt—but hope won out.
“Outside p>
With a mix of anticipation and suspicion, Aviel followed Viann out.
Behind them, Shui smiled faintly and slipped out as well.