Reborn as a Side Character in the Beastworld

Chapter Thirty-four

By the second week, the weather got noticeably colder. It also became apparent that everyone who knew Winston, knew that he was back with his mate, a snake feral and a healer.

Just as we had finished breakfast, we had a visitor. Winston and Harvey both growled before I heard the knock at our door. Winston got up to answer it. Exuding dominance, he opened the door. A terrified but determined voice made its way to me where I was still enjoying the red tea Harvey had made.

"I-i-is th-there a healer here? My m-mate is ill."

Winston turned to look at Harvey and my leopard who was refilling my bamboo mug shook his head. Winston was about to chase the visitor away when I held up one hand to stop him. I looked at Harvey, confused by his refusal.

Setting down my cup, I asked him, "Do you not want to be a healer anymore?"

"No it's not that. I just feel it's a little early to leave your side. We've only been here a week." He set down the bamboo pitcher filled with the hot stones and the herbal mixture.

"Hmmm" I thought about that. It was true that we had yet to establish a reputation that would create an initial defense against would be troublemakers. But that didn't mean that I was entirely unprotected. Harvey loved his job. He loved to help people. I wasn't going to stop him from doing that just because I wanted to be around him all of the time. "You should go." I encouraged.

He looked at me a little surprised. "But,"

I cut him off. I didn't want to become an excuse for not doing what felt fulfilling to him. "If you want to go, you should go. It's not a bad idea to establish yourself here as a healer and gain the local's favors. I'll be fine." A bud of an idea formed in my head. If Harvey could gain a decent reputation, maybe we could set up a clinic of sorts so he wouldn't have to make house calls in the future.

He thought about my words for a minute before nodding in agreement. "I understand." He walked past Winston and went outside to ask for symptoms before collecting the things he would need in a messenger bag I had made for him and left.

I felt like he was forgetting something. Then I realized a custom from my previous life was what was making me feel strange. Goodbye kisses. I had established my relationships with all three of my mates so quickly, that we had yet to form what could be considered typical couple behaviors. I had been with Winston the longest but even then, we had gone from near strangers to mates in a matter of days. How we were currently was normal in this world which is why I hadn't felt the strangeness until now. We lived together, we had sex, they carried me around, but there was no PDA. We hadn't done such simple things as holding hands in public. I made a mental note to teach the men about goodbye kisses and hand holding.

Not even an hour after Harvey had left, another visitor graced our doorstep. In the same manner as before, Winston answered it.

This time a low gravelly voice notified us that the Tiger King was expecting Winston and 'his mate' to visit the castle to extend a formal greeting. 

Just because Winston was mated, didn't mean he could stop being part of the Tiger clan. His brother was still his king and Winston was a powerful beast. Determining whether he could be used as a tool or relied on as an ally was the most likely the reason for this summons. If we refused, we would be making a powerful enemy right from the get-go. It wasn't an option. I was more surprised it hadn't happened sooner.

Winston held himself in a regal manner and growled in not so many words that we would be visiting when it was convenient. Then he slammed the door in the messenger's face. I snickered a little at my no-nonsense mate. It was very attractive to see him stand up to a king. He looked confused as to why I was happy about the visit.

I got up from my seat. "Give me a moment to wash up and then we can go."

His confusion amplified. "You want to go now?"

"Isn't it better to get the unpleasant things out of the way first?" I shot over my shoulder as I headed for the back door and our washing basin. This would also give me a good opportunity to feel out Rosa. Maybe I could find out if she and Bai are already enemies.

His eyebrows scrunched together in consternation. "I don't like it. It could be a trap." He made to follow me. It felt like the Winston in reality talks back a lot more than the Winston in the novel did. Is it because I didn't have any other mates when we mated? First mates tend to take their protector roles very seriously. Ryan had been a little like that. He never let me do anything unless I convinced him it was perfectly safe.

I stopped at the door and thought about his words. "It could be but it's more likely that he hasn't decided what to think about us yet. I highly doubt he would prepare a full-frontal attack for a brother he's allowed to live this long already." I shrugged, "And if it really does become dangerous, I can always summon Lance to help us escape."

Lance, who had been using a feather grasped in his tail to tease Kit, stopped moving. Kit bit down on both feather and tail, but Lance didn't even feel it. Both Lance and Winston looked at each other questioningly.

I noticed their expressions and realized that neither one would know much about the power of five stripes. Lance, because he had never had a mate and Winston because he hadn't even believed five stripes to be possible until recently.

I smacked my forehead and both Lance and Winston reacted as though I had hurt myself. They both started to come towards me with worried expressions, but I held a hand up again to stop them. "I'm fine. I just forgot to tell you about it. When a male beast has five stripes and a mate, if that mate is ever in mortal danger, he will be summoned by the mark. All I have to do is think about needing Lance."

Lance looked thoughtful while Winston looked disbelieving. Or maybe he was thinking that even if I could do something so useful, he still didn't like the idea of me in danger.

"Granted," I continued, "I do have to feel like I am in great danger for it to work."

Both male's expressions hardened at that. Yeah. They really didn't like that idea.

I put both hands on my hips, "I admit. It's a last resort. But I truly don't think your brother will try to kill us." I thought about what I'd just said and added, "today."

Neither male looked satisfied with my logic. I wasn't deterred. This meeting had to happen. Without letting them come up with another reason not to go, I went outside and used the cold water and some scented soap to wash up. I decided I should take a couple of the bar soaps and see if any of the females would find it interesting. If they did, maybe I could make my own money and increase the hygiene of the city someday. One stone, two birds and all that.

Once I was cleaned up and wearing my snakeskin dress with a black badger shawl, I asked Lance to watch Kit while we were out.

"Now Kit." I kneeled down and took the little fluffball into my arms. "If papa Lance disappears, you go upstairs and hide until momma or one of your other papas comes for you. Got it?"

Yip! "Yes!"

"Good boy." I gave my son some cuddles and set him down.

Then I walked over to Lance and signaled for him to lower his head. Curious, he did. I kissed him on the cheek. He looked confused. I could almost hear the question of 'why did you kiss my cheek when my lips are so much better?'

"This is called a goodbye kiss. Whenever one mate has to go somewhere, but will be back soon, we kiss on the cheek."

Winston was watching from the front door. I'm sure he made a mental note. That man doesn't forget a thing.

"Hmmm. Is this something you want us to make a habit of doing?" Lance asked.

"It would be nice. Do you not like it?" I didn't want to make him do anything he thought was stupid.

He leaned down and pressed his lips to my cheek. Before moving his lips away, he whispered, "Any excuse to touch you, I like."

I blushed and headed for the door. "We'll be back soon." Winston followed me out, shifted and we headed for the Tiger King's castle.