Beastly Beauty

Chapter 5 : The Markings

The merchants agreed to let them in because Raed offered to take a look at the females and try to treat them as he had some knowledge on medicine from his father. His father, being a panther that usually lived in exile had learnt some basics on medicine for survival. Panthers usually live a solitary life and despised by fellow leopards and jaguars because of their differences in colouring. Even though they're labeled as outcasts, they're considered rare and usually developed special talents or had unique abilities. Mother took father in for that exact purpose, to have an exclusive witchdoctor for herself and a strong unique partner.

Something grabbed on my furs and snuggled at my side. I woke up to find that the young female was asleep beside me. To be exact, she's lying on my side! This is wayyy too close! I tried to wiggle my way out of the awkward situation but she's holding on tight to my furs.

"She seems to love you so much! To cling on to you like that in her sleep."
My brother commented with a chuckle.

"Hey, wake up! I need to go somewhere!"
I blow some hot air on her face.

"No... I'm still sleepy. Go away."
She swatted her hands around her face.

"Female... I'm serious. Wake up now."
I began to poke at her thin figure.

"Go away... Don't disturb me..."
At last, she let go of my poor fur and rolled away from my touch.

"Help me keep an eye on her, I need to look after the sick ones."
I said to my still laughing brother.

"Go on. Don't worry about her. She's fun to watch."
Brother replied with a grin.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Sooo... Is the panther yours? I don't see his patterns on you. Nor any others..."
A tough looking female asked bluntly.

"No. He's, my brother. You like him?"
Rhea replied shortly.

"Just asking! Welcome to our caravan. I hope you like it here! We have some able males here if you're interested. And I assure you, you'll have a lot more choices along the way!"
She smiled proudly, showing her teeth.

"Ummm... Thank you."
Rhea nodded politely.

"Come with me! Let's take a look around. I'm Helen, you...?
She pulled Rhea's hands refusing the conversation to just end there.

"Rhea. Where are we going?"
Rhea followed hesitantly.

"Don't worry, we'll just go walk around and pick berries!"
Helen said cheerfully.

The girls walk around the campsite and were greeted by many dwellers. Some offered them fruits, vegetables or meat... While others present goods like tanned leathers, furs or accessories.

"I love horses. If possible, I'd like a Unicorn or Pegasus as my mates! Now I only have six horses and a bear. What about you? If you don't mind sharing."
She grinned foolishly at Rhea.

"Me...? I like furry ones. Maybe, wolf...? Bear would be great too. Oh, I'd like a bird! I want to fly... But I'm ugly. I think it'll be hard to include them."
Rhea said quietly at the end.

"You're beautiful! Your scales are shiny! Don't worry about it. I bet all your mates are going to be special!"
Helen cheered her up.

"Helen! Time to eat. Let's go now..."
One of Helen's mates called out to her.

"Oh! It's time to eat! See you later~"
Helen ran to her mate happily.

* * * * * * * * * *

SPLASHHH!! SPLASHHH! A female was jumping around in the river. The males that passed by just shook their heads looking at the scene. Females were known to be willful after all, disturbing their good moods will only ask for troubles...

"Stop playing. You'll get sick. It's cold!"
A brown-haired male commented.

"I'm trying to catch some fish. I'm hungry. I want fish."
The female said in frustration.

"Let me do it. How many do you want?"
He waited for her to answer.

"It's okay... Leave me."
She refused his help.

The female continued with her fishing and ignored him. Her face was flushed, even when the air was cool... Pearls of sweats was clearly formed on her fair face. She's sweating heavily despite being in the water. Sweats and water dripped down her smooth small face. Her clothes were wet, drenched in the river. He sighed heavily but didn't try to interrupt her anymore. He moved away from her and caught some fish then cleaned them slowly... still waiting for her to call for his help. Suddenly everything was quiet, no splashes were heard anymore. The worried male quickly left and searched for the careless female.

BLOOD! He caught a faint smell of blood. His eyes scanned the surroundings wildly... the female was nowhere to be seen! Did something happen to her?! He smelled the air and followed the scent of blood. Something shiny reflects on the water surface... something like a fish. But much bigger! A fair face appeared in his mind. She had scales... beautiful shiny scales! It's better to check thoroughly then be sorry! He lunges towards the shiny scales and was glad he did it! It's the female! She's unconscious! Her face was covered in blood. He quickly brought her to the campsite for treatment.

* * * * * * * * * *

"You cannot deny him! He saved your life. Remember that... or you prefer dying? Fine. I'm sure no one would help you anymore after this, if they heard about this..."
Helen said furiously at her friend.

"I... I remember. I understand. But this is too fast! I'm not ready... Is it okay if I try to be closer before I agree...?"
She replied with watery eyes.

"That's good enough! Go for it, Rhea! You better go look for him. He's worried."
Helen cheered her friend.

Rhea quickly went to find the one who had saved her. She asked around for his details and eventually found him. She didn't know his name, so she starts the conversation from where it ends.

"Can I have some fish...? I'm hungry."

"Yes... Take as much as you need. If it's still not enough, just tell me and I'll go catch some more."

"Thank you for your help just now but... I... I need more time. Is that okayyy...?"

"That's alright. Thanks for giving me the chance. I'm Aethon."

As soon as he finished speaking, a symbol dimly glowered on his chest. Something that looks like a dragonfly with an undefined blurry long abdomen. An almost similar symbol appeared on Rhea's upper arm with the addition of a leaf with three small dots, protruding from the side of the blurry long abdomen encircling her arms. With the appearance of the markings, they are officially promised to one another. Looking at the symbol on his chest, Rhea's face turned bright red while Aethon just smiled at the shy female.

********************

So, it's Aethon! The bullied young bear! Is it a good choice to make him the first husband? What do you think?

If you can choose... who would you like to be your first husband?

Let me know! Maybe I like your reason enough to make a new story with your opinion as a reference... 🥰