Reborn as a Side Character in the Beastworld

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-five

I made my way through the evergreens and nearly leafless maples from my home to the lake. Kit, Tora and Baek trailed behind me. My red hair blended in with leaves crunching beneath my feet but despite the camouflage, I was escorted. With all the new beasts coming from the destroyed city, I was not allowed to walk the short path without one of my mates by my side. So, the fully recovered tri-marked Shuu walked alongside me. Somewhere high above, I guessed an eagle was also watching.

Since Carl and Olly's departure and Alva's stalking Qin, Muir kept himself busy by guarding me from the shadows and skies. After the battle with the ferals and rootless, my mates allowed his presence without objection. He had proven his loyalty. His presence became a great comfort to me the past couple weeks despite him never getting close enough to chat. My human self had held a soft spot for the taciturn male and my fox self was no different. Despite his foolish actions in the past, the rehabilitated Muir was worming his way into my heart. As was the honest and simple mer.

Bluepool, after taking up permanent residence in our lake, hadn't changed his mind about courting me. He'd taken it so seriously that he'd even started training with Lance, sparring on land. His body with its flexible muscles was incredibly fast and powerful without the resistance of water. His main focus was on maintaining his balance while bipedal and timing his attacks. Once his two legs became weapons as useful as his arms, he would be a difficult opponent for anyone. The village cubs enjoyed watching the the snake and mer fight and would play fight amongst themselves after every session.

Kit, being a couple seasons older than most of this year's births was being taken by Tristan on hunting trips more and more often. It wouldn't be long now before my Kit gained the ability to morph into his human form. I got excited wondering what his sweet cherubic face would look like, but melancholy at how fast he was growing had me wishing it wouldn't be until next year. We'd heard no further news of Mitchell and Flame City, and a part of me regretted the scorpion, with my first mate's soulstone, wouldn't be here to watch him grow. No matter how strained and uncomfortable my relationship with Mitchell and Ryan was. Maybe I was being sentimental. Maybe Ryan wouldn't be as invested in his progeny as my other mates were. Maybe my human side was projecting human ethics onto beasts. Whichever the case, the feelings remained.

I looked down at the scorpion on my hand and found solace in the knowledge that the feral was still alive at least. Then I brought myself out of my reflections and focused on the road as the trees gave way to open air and the path changed from forest trail to hard packed dirt. I had promised to let Bluepool take me to one of his favorite places for a picnic. It would be our first 'date' in weeks and my steps became light in anticipation. It wasn't something I got to do often and Lance only agreed to it so long as he got to chaperone. So, when I finally saw the light sparkling off the gentle waves of the lake, I couldn't help but smile. I picked up my pace but the cubs were faster. They bolted to the water, tripping and tumbling along the way but rolling back to their feet in a race to get wet. I was surprised to see, not Bluepool or Lance, but Tristan and Winston on the shore looking out over the lake.

They turned at our approach and Winston immediately intercepted Baek and Tora before they got more than ankle deep in the water. Kit yipped a greeting and Tristan gently wagged his tail in acknowledgement, his foxy face showing a gentle smile.

"Why are you two out here?" I asked, happy to see them. I had thought they would be to busy with their kingly duties to be lounging on the shore like they were.

The two males shared a glance, appearing nervous and displeased making me think I had maybe done something wrong. My smile faltered. "Is something wrong?"

Tristan waved his hand as though to swat away my anxiety. "No. Not —um—wrong. It's just...." Tristan gave Winston another look.

Winston ran a hand through his soft white locks before sighing and then with one big hand indicated out towards the middle of the lake.

I quirked an eyebrow at him but closed the distance between us until I could see what had them both acting so weird. Blocking the reflected light with a hand, I looked out towards the sandbar of reeds. At first, I couldn't tell what I was seeing. Something jutted up from the water and it took my eyes a moment to focus on the dark figure that was strapped to it. Then I gasped. Just like he had been at the Oasis months ago, Mitchell was chest deep in the water. He was tied to a log as Lance periodically swam by, causing the male to sputter as water rose to cover his nose and mouth.

"What in the world?!" I blurted in surprise.

Lance heard my voice and I watched as he instructed Bluepool, who must have been swimming nearby to continue causing waves. Then my snake headed straight for me. He hit the shore and shifted, using his hands to wring the water of his hair. Before I could ask, he said, "Patrol found him near the valley entrance. Since I knew you would be coming here eventually, I was entertaining him while we waited."

"Entertain is one word for it." Oh. Lance was still mad at the Scorpion King. I didn't blame him "Did he say why he's here?" I didn't bother commenting further on Mitchell's torture.

"No." he shrugged. "The reason didn't seem important. He came here before accomplishing the tasks you set for him after all. How would you like me to end him, dear? Dismemberment? Drowning? Or we could get your black phoenix to roast him. Personally, I think crushed to dust would be fitting."

I guffawed and Lance smiled. "Let's find out what happened first. Maybe he can tell us more about Flame City's current situation. Hmmkay?" I said sweetly.

"Do we have to?" The centuries old feral whined.

It would seem Lance had been spending so much time with cubs that he's adopted their manipulation tactics as well. "Bring him over, love."

"Ugh. Fine." Lance huffed before heading back out to lake to retrieve my other feral mate.

If Mitchell had really come here, ditching his responsibilities out of selfishness then I would think of a more permanent punishment. But if he was here because the riot was more serious than the rootless had let on...we needed to know what kind of trouble we might be in for.