Reborn as a Side Character in the Beastworld

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty One

We picked up our things and our cubs and headed to the center of town on the east end of the lake. I rode atop Harvey and carried Tora and Baek while my leopard carried our picnic items in a basket in his mouth. Laura was carried in the arms of her black-haired mate and followed by her tawny mate in fox form with their cubs in tow. There was a large crowd gathering around the courthouse but no sign of my mates and the newcomers. At our approach, Harvey gave a warning growl and the crowd that consisted of mainly unmated males parted like the red sea. I could hear excited whisperings all around us as males fantasized over the new female that they had yet to see.

"Are they inside?" I asked the tall Tony who was close to the courthouse doors.

"Yes? Yes!" He answered, surprised I had addressed him.

"We'll wait here." Said Laura tactfully. She positioned herself at the forefront of the group and the few curious females that were present moved up closer to her.

I nodded and we headed up the few steps to the door which opened before we had a chance to knock. Shuu, Patrick and Carl were there and heard us coming. Once inside, they shut the door behind us but not before I heard an excited, "She SPOKE to ME! ME! Hahahaha! Do you think I have a chance?" and an answer of exasperated groans. Shuu couldn't help but shake his head a little at the bear who always set his sights high. Then he led us to the room immediately on our right while Carl and Patrick remained guarding the door, preventing any overly curious males from entering. Harvey shifted and took the cubs from me. While he indicated his intention to wait in the foyer, Shuu escorted me inside.

Inside the plain room, Winston and Tristan sat on the only two chairs on the far end. A blue-haired female and three dark-haired eagles stood facing them. The entryway of this room was located in the middle between them so we were able to see everyone's expressions as we entered. Though I had never seen Qin yet in this life, there was no doubt in my mind that it was her. The breath-taking beauty stood haughtily with a hand on her hip as she angrily pointed a perfectly delicate finger at my mates. Wilbert was nowhere to be found. The eagles around her looked nervous but still puffed up their chests to not seem cowed by the pressure my mates were giving off.

The males all turned at our arrival. The eagles looked me up and down and then smirked as they determined I didn't hold a candle in comparison. Winston and Tristan who both had welcoming smiles, turned their heads back to the eagles with angry frowns. Qin, completely oblivious, continued whatever tirade she'd be on since before we came.

"How dare you go against my wishes! If I want to stay here, I can! Are you both stupid?!"

A pulse on Winston's forehead twitched. The scowl he now aimed at her made her flinch, "As I said before female. You may stay for a short time but we will be notifying the mer clan of your presence here."

She stomped her feet in frustration. "How many times must I tell you!? I will tell them myself when I'm ready. Until then, all you need to do is let me stay here."

It was clear that Winston recognized Qin as the Ape King's mate. I don't know why I hadn't thought about it before but both Winston and Shuu had worked closely with the Ape King and would have met or seen her from a afar. Shuu must have also known who she was when she arrived. 

"We wont risk unnecessary conflict with the mer clan over a single female. As mers only have one female per tribe, allowing you to stay here without notifying them would only anger them."

"So what? Are you a that much of a coward Winston? All I want is a little time before I go back. Why can't you give me even that?!" The Qin from the novel had tried to seduce Winston when he was Bai's guardian beast but it would seem she had not tried that tactic here as he was already fully mated. She chose to whine until she got her way instead.

Winston growled low. He looked tired. He must have been re-iterating his stance ever since she'd arrived but she either couldn't grasp the logic behind it or was simply to arrogant to compromise.

"I have made my decision female. If you wish to stay, you must abide by it. Or you can leave."

She was red in the face at having been told to follow rules and like a petulant child clenched her fists and scrunched her face with angry tears. "Fine." She finally agreed. "Tell them. But when you do, tell them I'm not going back until I WANT TO!" She yelled the last before turning to leave the room but stopped when she saw me and Shuu blocking her way. She glared daggers at me. I smiled pleasantly.

I hadn't the foggiest as to why she was so determined to stay but she was in for a rude awakening if she thought this village was going to be anything like the city of beasts. She may end up leaving earlier than she planned once she realized just how powerless she was without her mate. I looked at where Wilbert's mark should be but found the skin between her breasts clear of anything but a faint healed, scratch. My smile faded. A shiver went up my spine and I met her petulant eyes with disbelief. Had she turned the Ape King into a rootless beast? The thought of a rabid Wilbert out there was far more terrifying than any trouble she could cause on her own.

While I stood gathering my thoughts, she pushed past me and out the door. I let her but Shuu growled a little. I knew Lance hadn't killed Wilbert when we'd left the city. He'd told me as much. He'd prioritized the safety of our family members over vengeance he could exact any time. I had praised him then, but now a part of me lamented he hadn't taken out the threat he considered small.

I looked to Winston and Tristan. "How soon can we get a messenger to the mer clan?" Qin needed to go. Wherever she was, the homing missile she'd set loose could summon beast tides and flesh eating insect swarms and would eventually come for her.

Tristan answered. "I'll send a couple flyers today. They should be able to get there by tomorrow morning."

I nodded in understanding. Flying was much faster than walking but it was already past noon now. It takes a full day to get to the beach and peacocks avoided flying in the dark. It was only at times like these I truly missed technology. I wished I could just ring them up with a phone. 'Hi! Is this the mer clan? This is your friendly neighbor calling to let you know your wife needs a ride home. If you could pick her up at your earliest convenience, that'd be great.'

The clamoring from outside broke me out of my thoughts. The crowd must have gotten their first look at the City of Beasts best kept secret. No doubt when the uninvited guest did leave, some of our single males would follow her only to have their hopes dashed on the rocks of the sea.