Beastly Love

Chapter 3: Adam

My head feels fuzzy. Is this what a hangover feels like?

Once again, I'm opening my eyes to new surroundings except this time, I feel awful. Then it hit me. I passed out. Before everything went black, I remember something between a gasp and a yelp escaped my throat. It was because of the lion.

Adam is the lion. It goes against everything I've ever known, but I'm not even sure that this isn't the afterlife yet. It would explain how the lion just disappeared into thin air and how Adam appeared in the water.

Instead of a warm and vibrant forest, I'm surrounded by a dimly lit cavern. Pink and orange light floods the entrance, so I can tell it's sunset or maybe sunrise. I'm laying on something soft and plush and I figure it's an animal pelt of some sort. A shiver creeps up my spine and I realize it's not as warm as before. Sitting up, I see a familiar figure on the floor by the entrance.

"You're awake," Adam says, starting towards me. I move to stand up, but am a bit shaky and groggy. Adam catches me in his arms and helps me up.

"Thank you," I say. "Where are we?"

"I brought you to a nearby cave. I didn't know when you'd wake up, and it's getting dark soon. It's better to find shelter."

"Thank you helping me," I say.

"You should rest," he says, helping me to sit back down. He sits with me and once again I take in his figure.

"Are you a Greek god by chance?" I ask.

"'What's a 'Greek god'?"

"Nevermind. I just... Anyways, so. You're a lion?" He nods. The words form awkwardly on my tongue. It's not every day you're asking someone if they're a shapeshifter.

"I didn't expect that. You surprised me... and terrified me. But I've had one hell of a day already, so I guess it was a mix of everything that made me faint."

"You've never seen a lion man?"

"No. People aren't supposed to turn into animals. That just doesn't happen. But I don't know if I'm in the same world anymore. I really think I'm in a dream."

"I don't quite understand what you're saying, but every man has a beast form."

"And women? Because I don't turn into any animal."

"No, women don't have beast forms." I nod, but it's a lot to take in. It seems that instead of dying, I've been transported to another world, one a bit different from the one I knew.

People turning into animals. Sounds like something out of a fairytale, or a movie. I mean, werewolves are a popular concept, vampires are supposed to turn into bats, there's a story about a prince who turns into a frog, and I know there was some movie about a guy turning into a dog. But this is reality, not some kid's movie!

"Adam... What if I told you I'm not from this world?" At this, he seemed to deeply contemplate my words. It sounds crazy, but maybe I'm not the only one to fall into this world. Maybe jumping into different worlds is common here.

"I don't know," he says after some time. "It's strange that you don't know anything about beast forms or that you don't belong to any tribe. There are no women wandering on their own, so you can imagine my surprise at finding a beautiful woman all alone and unprotected. And from your reaction earlier, I know you're telling the truth. But it's hard to believe."

He called me beautiful. This sculptured man, more handsome than any celebrity, called me beautiful. My brain stopped working when he said that. I hug my knees to my chest and try to slow my heart rate. I mean, he already saw me naked too. Thinking about that causes blood to rush to my cheeks.

When I don't answer, he moves to face me and takes my hands in his, looking intensely into my eyes. I can't look away, and though I don't want to, I feel awkward and embarrassed being looked at like that.

"Do you have a mate?"

"A—a what?"

"A mate. A male companion."

"A—no, I don't have anything like that. I've never even had a boyfriend," I say. "Why are you asking me that? We just met. And you don't know my name yet." I realize I haven't even told him my name.

"What is your name?"

"Eve. Eve Silva. But I guess we're on a first name basis." Adam smiles warmly and I absolutely melt.

"If you had a mate, then I would help you find him. It's dangerous for women to be alone."

"What could possibly be more dangerous than men who turn into lions?"

"Rival males. They could take you for their own tribe, or feral beastmen would just take you and it would be very difficult for your mate or tribe to find you. There are the primal beasts, the animals that are not men." His expression darkens. "And then there are the great beasts. Most beastmen try to stay away from them. Only the strong dare to hunt them."

"There's a lot I don't know," I say, looking away. And what I don't know may get me killed, or worse.