Chapter 117
“No,” Yanai said, sounding faintly aggrieved. “He never sent me any message. Nina… I’ve been searching for you for so long p>
Every day he had worried about her, thinking of her constantly. He hadn’t eaten or slept well, and he had grown visibly thinner.
He and Ghost Wolf had agreed in advance on a signaling method—whoever found her first would immediately send word. Even though they had split up, they hadn’t scattered too far apart. If a message had been sent, it should have reached him.
The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became. Sal must have deliberately withheld the message, trying to shake him off and monopolize Nina for himself.
“Maybe the message just didn’t get through,” Nina said, not thinking too much about it. Her own wounds already felt much better. “Please check on Kith first. He’s badly hurt p>
Before she finished speaking, Kith finally lost consciousness. He shifted back into human form and collapsed toward her.
Nina caught him quickly. Seeing the vicious wounds covering his body, her eyes burned with unshed tears.
“Yanai, hurry—treat him,” she urged anxiously.
Yanai immediately activated his power. His healing ability also enhanced the effect of the medicine Kith had swallowed. Very soon, Kith’s condition stabilized considerably.
Once he was steady enough to move, they brought him back to the tribe.
Inside the room, Kith leaned weakly against the head of the bed.
Nina intended to let him rest. “You should sleep. We won’t disturb you p>
Summoning his courage, Kith reached out and grasped her hand. His voice was faint but pleading. “Nina… could you stay with me for a while p>
His pale face and vulnerable expression made it impossible for her to refuse.
She didn’t pull away. “Alright. I’ll stay and take care of you p>
After all, he had taken those wounds for her.
Kith smiled faintly, then glanced at Odian and the others. “You don’t need to stay. There must be a lot to handle outside p>
Odian and the others clenched their jaws silently.
That damned tiger—playing the sympathy card.
Yanai muttered inwardly. He had already healed most of Kith’s injuries. He wasn’t that weak. The man was clearly exaggerating.
None of them wanted to leave.
Kith looked at Nina pitifully. “It feels a little stuffy with so many people here p>
Nina considered it. He had a point.
“Why don’t you all head out first?” she suggested.
Since she had spoken, they had no choice but to comply, though they were reluctant.
“And take the cubs to feed them,” Kith added softly. “They must be hungry p>
Nina checked the time. It was indeed close to feeding time. She nodded.
Odian and the others shot Kith dark looks but carried the cubs out.
Soon, the room was quiet, leaving only Nina and Kith.
For Kith, simply being alone with her felt like a gift. Even sitting in silence beside her filled him with quiet contentment.
The atmosphere grew a little too still.
“Are you thirsty?” Nina asked gently. “Would you like some water p>
Kith almost said no, but he feared she might feel awkward and leave. He nodded. “A little p>
Reluctantly, he released her hand. She poured him a cup and passed it over.
He drank slowly and set it aside.
After letting go, he didn’t dare take her hand again. His fingers twitched faintly, his expression dim.
“Do you want to lie down?” Nina asked. “Or close your eyes and rest p>
Kith shook his head. “No. I want to look at you p>
If he closed his eyes, he wouldn’t see her.
The sincerity in his gaze made her ears warm. “Then… let’s talk p>
“Anything you like,” he said softly.
She searched for a topic. “Do you have any hobbies p>
Since arriving, he had spent all his time taking care of her and Yinny. She couldn’t recall him doing anything else.
He thought for a moment. “Before… I didn’t have many hobbies. I preferred finding a quiet place to train and grow stronger p>
His eyes softened. “Now, my hobby is taking care of you. Making you happy p>
Her face flushed. Why did he always say things like that so straightforwardly?
Kith inhaled deeply and gathered his courage. He reached for her hand again.
“Nina… will you give me a chance to take care of you p>
He didn’t dare hope to become her official mate. Even being her guardian without a title would satisfy him. He would accept it for a lifetime.
His eyes were filled with earnest devotion.
Nina felt herself drawn in.
She thought of everything he had done quietly for her, his constant attentiveness, the way he had stepped in front of her without hesitation when danger struck.
She couldn’t pretend to be unmoved.
Perhaps… giving him a chance wasn’t such a bad idea.
Her lips curved gently. “Alright p>
Kith froze. “Really? Nina… I—I didn’t mishear p>
She laughed softly. “You didn’t. I said yes p>
Joy flooded him so suddenly his hands trembled. “Thank you, Nina. I swear—I will protect you with my life p>
He had waited so long.
He longed to embrace her but didn’t dare.
Seeing the yearning in his eyes, Nina leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him.
“Then recover quickly,” she teased softly. “Take good care of Yinny and me. If you perform well, I might make it official p>
When she hugged him, his breath caught. He hugged her back carefully at first—then couldn’t help holding her tighter.
“Official… you mean… becoming mates?” he asked, his voice shaking.
“Yes,” she confirmed.
Tears welled in his eyes.
He had truly been given hope.
“Nina, I’ll devote everything to you. I swear to the Beast God p>
She hadn’t expected him to be this emotional. She patted his back gently as he held her, as if he never wanted to let go.
That evening, Nina invited Lex and his mermen to dinner and gifted them beast crystals in gratitude.
Lex parted his lips as though to say something but ultimately remained silent. He left with his people.
Two days later, Lang came to report new information about elemental stones. He had located another mutated beast group.
Kith considered it carefully. “We’ll plan later p>
For now, he needed to recover.
Lang was concerned about Kith’s injuries—but even more curious.
What kind of female could make their city lord fall so completely?
He resolved to find an opportunity to secretly see her for himself—to witness the extraordinary woman who had captured Kith’s heart so utterly.