Lost and Found

Personal space

Ethan's POV

This female, Aurora, is perplexing and remarkable.

When I first saw her in the water, it did not escape my notice how different she was to other females I have seen. She is skinny and toned like a male, yet had all the curves present that makes a female, well, female.

Despite her small frame, she seems fit and healthy. The two stripes on her upper arm evidence to her skills.

Rowan and I keep looking at the surrounding area as we follow her to her shelter. These parts are not frequented often by beastmen. Being surprised to find a lone female here, we do not want to take any chances with her safety. Whilst most beastmen would protect a female, there are the very few that have been cast out and turned feral. those ferals would not think twice in harming a female.

Arriving at her shelter, I am further impressed. It is well built and tidy. A lot of thought has been put into this space. Out of sight from passers by, and an unusual yet effective extension is created by lifting and supporting a wall.

She efficiently lit a fire and started preparing the meal. A little shocked at this little female being so independent and unconventional, we immediately sat when instructed.

She claims to be from a different world, and I am inclined to believe her. Some of the words she uses are unfamiliar to me, and some of her explanations are beyond our imagination. The shock is evident on her perfect face as we explain a little of our world to her. The number of males to females shocks her the most. And given her counter explanation on mono relationships on her world, I too am shocked. A world where males do not need to fight and compete to gain a females attention.

Aurora is so different from our females. She has done so much in or world in just one year. Travelling, building, hunting. And the food, oh my. First of all she cooks, no female I have heard of cooks. She even added medicine to it, and it was delicious. I would gladly follow this female for the rest of my life, just to eat this food again.

The differences are startling. Within just a couple of hours of being within her presence I realise just how precious she is. She is so nonchalant in what she does and acts, she is oblivious to the revelations her simple actions are.

Rowan and myself have a brief chat amongst ourselves. Finding ourselves drawn to this little female, we decide to stay near her for as long as she will allow. AS strong and independent as she may appear, there is a desire in both of us to protect her.

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Aurora's POV

The next morning myself, Rowan and Ethan start the half day journey to my cave. Along the way they tell me about the marks on my arms. They are like a levelling system for the beastworld. More importantly it is only the men that receive them. The first mark is attained after their first hunt, as is a marker of their transition into adulthood. After all, they are now able to hunt and provide for a prospective female. The most marks a male has recorded is five. I learn that both Rowan and Ethan have four marks each, making them very strong. As it is unknown in their world for a female to gain marks, they advise me to cover them if I am to meet other beastmen.

In return I go into more detail of my first few weeks since arriving, earning a laugh from both as I express my horror at emerging from the mud.

As we reach the halfway point, we come to the river. They watch with inquisitive eyes as I stack what I could onto the waiting raft and pull myself and it across the river. I explain that being so vertically challenged, anything I carry across the river gets wet, and offered them a go. Immediately shaking their heads they casually wade through the water after me.