The Beauty's Hidden Beast

We decided to set out to the Beast City the next day. The Bai girl asked us if she could join us too when she saw us depart from Harvey's place, showing a very enthusiastic desire to befriend me.
Before Nivi could refuse, I agreed under the condition that Bai would teach my trio how to write and read, not that I really needed it, but I didn't want to make her think that I was helping her for nothing.
It was easy for Bai to get suspicious of Nivi's origins ─ her behavior and the things in Harvey's clinic were much more advanced compared to other places.
Along the way, both Bai and Nivi had to walk on their own, and I would even make them run occasionally with my slingshot. These girls were drop-dead gorgeous by this world's standards, so who knew when they would need to bolt from a feral or something? Nivi's males were strong enough to fight strong beastmen, not the scheming ones.
"Enough, I can't anymore," Bai held onto a nearby tree, panting heavily.
Nivi leaned forward, resting her hands on her knees, as she gratefully accepted a pouch of water from Harvey. Shuu, looking visibly concerned, knelt down to remove her shoes and began to massage her feet gently.
Treatment of injuries and such weren't included in our deal, so I let it pass.
"We are taking a break," commanded Sei, setting down his luggage and giving me a look that said he would crush me to death if I dared to make his female suffer again.
I stretched my body before plopping on a stone boulder, "One hour, no more."
The six men unloaded their bags and arranged two picnic setups ─ one near me and the other closer to Nivi ─ emphasizing the space between our two sides.
I noticed that Bai was like a puppy that liked certain people depending on their first impression.
I flicked Bai's forehead, "Stop glorifying my figure. It's annoying."
"Ouch!" Bai whimpered, dramatically clutching her forehead as she sat on a boulder next to me, "But Big Sis... yours is just so perfect compared to those women with their flabby stomachs. Can you believe those horrid women had the nerve to call me 'fertiless' and scorn me just for a bit of mud on my face?"
I handed her a pouch of water, "Look, I judge to make myself feel better too, but the difference is I can take it as well as I dish it out. You flaunt your fake freckles to make others look down on you. Then, when people treat you with the same shallowness you've shown them, you act all surprised? It's a two-way street, Bai. Learn to take what you give."
Bai's mouth dropped open as she searched for the right words, but finding none, her lips gradually settled into a pout, "I did it to protect myself. Parker said I'm too beautiful compared to other females, and he will claw my face if I don't put on any."
She hastily wiped away her freckles. No woman wished to degrade their beauty, but it was for survival, so she didn't have a choice, "Parker said I'm prohibited from taking in anyone beside him. I thought that if I kept being ugly, I wouldn't have to. I can't imagine falling in love with more than one man like Neveah. So I wonder who those men are to you, Big Sis? Are you with them because of the care and protection they are offering-"
"Those?" I glanced at Vick, Muir, and Curtis, who settled on a flat surface nearby, "Isn't it obvious from their behavior? Who else would they be to me but my little pet servants?" I said, making the trio shot each other an expression that said: What the fuck is wrong with her again?
"..." Bai's mouth opened again, her voice rising in shock, enough for everyone to hear, "What do you mean...don't tell me...Are you treating them like the females in this world?" She frowned, her voice lowering into a whisper, "They have feelings too, even though they are a bit barbaric. It's unfair to take them in as your males if you don't like them genuinely..."
"So you keep rejecting Parker while still using h..." Nivi pinched the bridge of her nose, taking deep breaths, holding back not to lash out at Bai.
I handed the girl an apple, "I don't like you either, but does it mean I should have left you to become that leopard's breeder?" I laughed at her petrified expression, "If you dislike the idea of MY males being my servants, you can save them from my evil clutches and set them free. Just don't lecture me on how I should behave. I will leave you behind in this forest if you do."
Just a word, MY males, and look at those three fool's happy smirks.
Rubbing at her teary eye, Bai laughed bashfully when she saw the trio's encouraging smiles at the mention of being saved by her, creating a cute misunderstanding for herself, "I don't dare."
"No matter how lowly you might view me, in my eyes, you'll always be that sixteen-year-old teenager seeking help to escape from a pushy leopard," I said, making the girl keep her quiet.
The hour-long break was more than enough. After using the sandpit and enjoying some refreshments, everyone relaxed and simply enjoyed the moment.
After Bai finished her apple, I handed her four sticks, a sandbag, and four pieces of leather, "Go introduce yourself to your students," I suggested. "Start by showing them how to write your name, then theirs."
Bai nodded and approached the trio, introducing herself as their teacher carefully. "Good evening, everyone," she began, her voice warm as she set down the sand and the makeshift writing board made of leather, "I'm Bai Qing Qing, and I'll be teaching you reading and writing. I'm looking forward to learning together." She wrote down her name with the stick, pointing to each letter.
For anyone curious about Parker's whereabouts, I had arranged for Muir to fight him, promising Muir a kiss if he emerged victorious and maybe more if he kept Parker out of my sight for a whole moon without killing him. Birdie looked down on a feral snake for his violent ways and see how he ended? Exactly the same.
I found out that Muir's reputation was quite respectable in the community. When he said Parker had been pushing a female into mating with him by using threats, everyone took his word for it, no questions asked.
Next thing I knew, Muir summoned his eagle pals to keep a tight watch on Parker, pretty much escorting his sorry state straight to his mommy's and daddy's place, where he'd face punishment for mistreating a female.
This approach was perfectly aligned with Nivi and Bai's nature, given their kind hearts. They weren't the type to wish death on a leopard who consistently showed restraint, and kept Bai alive and well fed. Instead, they were more inclined to attempt talking Parker into backing off while still letting him hang around. Nivi would try to scare him away with Sei or some roasting at max. Personally, though, I just can't be bothered to stress myself out by keeping someone like that around me.
"How do you write Yaya?" asked Curtis. His question about writing "Yaya" caused Muir to lean in, equally interested in the lesson.
"..." Bai widened her eyes slightly before quickly recollecting herself after I wrote my name in the air, "Yaya is quite simple," she said, writing it down slowly in the sand for them to see. "You start with a 'Y,' like this," she demonstrated, making a Y shape in the sand.
Muir, always quick to learn, attempted to mimic her movements, his version a bit rough but recognizable.
Curtis, not to be outdone, practiced writing my name several times, each attempt improving. He then slithered over to me and extended his finger, using his sharp nail to carve into the stone I was sitting on. The name "Yaya" began to take shape.
I used my knife to carve a big worm 🪱 by its side, then a big chick 🐤, and then a big...
"Don't even try it," Vick stopped me. Walking over, he drew himself as a big lollipop 🍭, making my mouth twitch as Curtis and Muir tried to decipher what species of beastman he was.
"Um, guys, the class is not over yet," called out Bai. Despite her efforts to keep the lesson on track, Vick blatantly ignored her as if she was thin air. Curtis began to carve my name on every single stone within reach while Muir watched on with a cool detachment, offering silent nods at pretty YaYas and disapproving shakes at ugly written YaYas.
They probably thought a teacher was unnecessary since they could learn from Vick once they got a new house and some privacy. After Muir put a spousal mark on me, Vick told him that he was not from this world but preferred to keep it a secret on the outside.
Leaning back with a poise that drew the scene into a gentle pause, I crossed my left leg over the right one and rested my chin on my right palm. My eyes danced with mischief as I turned my gaze toward Bai's lonely figure, "Good luck with trying to save these nutcases." I raised my left hand in a gesture of support, "Fighting."
Bai's cheeks flushed red while Nivi burst into laughter.
Nivi got up, fur coat in hand, and headed towards Bai. Her guys tried to give her the eye, silently telling her that Bai was my problem since I was the one who decided to bring her in. They dealt with Bai and Parker's nonsense all the time and felt Bai hadn't earned the right to be looked after, especially after how she judged their female.
"The nights are cold," Nivi said as she offered Bai the coat. This act of kindness melted her men's hearts, showcasing a generosity and benevolence worthy of a Queen.
When Nivi came back, her males wanted to embrace her but remembered the boundary she had set just yesterday; they hesitated, merely clenching their fists instead. Harvey looked concerned, Shuu seemed confused, and Sei shot a cold look my way, which Curtis effortlessly blocked with his body, successfully hiding me from the other group's view.
"They are not as lovey-dovey as yesterday. I wonder if it's your doing, Precious," Vick whispered in amusement while changing the lollipop into a sun ☀️.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," I said, focusing intently on the symbol of the sun, searching for any deeper meaning it might hold.