Imara Diversifies The Beastmen World

Chapter Nineteen: Days at The Leopard Tribe Castle III Girlfriends

After finishing our meal, I was eager to freshen up. Spending the day outdoors and in the forest had left me a bit sweaty and in need of a good wash.

Harvey took care of cleaning up the cooking equipment and tending to the furs we'd used, promising to process them later on.

Turning my attention to Memi, I softly called her name, and she blinked awake, her eyes still heavy with sleep but focused on me.

"Let's go wash up before bed," I proposed. She nodded in agreement, responding with a soft, "Yes, of course."

We made our way to the pond, and the guys separated from us to give us our privacy. I slipped out of my clothes and stepped into the water, feeling the warm embrace of the sun-warmed pond. Surrounded by tall brick walls and nestled away from prying eyes, this hidden place seemed reserved just for Memi and her mates—a sanctuary of privacy and calm.

The pond's gentle current and clear, fresh water were a welcome retreat, perfect for unwinding. I had a small wooden box with soap, oil, and clean rags for washing up. Handing Memi a bar of soap, I explained, "This is soap. It helps clean our skin and leaves a nice smell." I demonstrated, lathering up, and she followed with a smile.

"It smells so good," she said with delight, clearly impressed by the simple luxury. As she washed, she marveled at the ideas my tribe must have had, wistfully adding, "If your tribe were still around, I'd convince them to join us. We could protect them in exchange for all these ideas. Such a shame they're gone."

She sighed, as though sharing my loss. I nodded, acknowledging her words, while keeping to myself the truth that I came from another world.

Curious, she asked more about foods, the names of the medicinal herbs, and vegetables we used, her eager nature making me chuckle. As we chatted, laughter filled the quiet space, lightening the air between us. I pulled out an Aloe Vera leaf and grabbed my comb and wig brush, noticing how my hair had become frizzy from the heat. My curls had lost some of their definition, especially at the back.

I sliced open the Aloe Vera leaf, letting her know it was the same plant we used to treat Parker's wounds. "It can soothe cuts and burns, but it has a lot of other uses, too."

"Can you eat it?" she asked, curious.

"Yes, though it's a bit of an acquired taste. Today, I'm using it to tame my hair and revive my curls." I demonstrated, running the gel through my hair as it began to shine and soften.

Watching closely, Memi agreed to try it as a conditioner, intrigued by the benefits. After I washed her hair with soap, I applied the Aloe Vera, suggesting she leave it in for as long as it takes to eat two meals. Her hair, usually sleek but not as smooth as it could be, would gain new life.

Eyeing my comb and brush, she asked, "What are those?" I explained their purpose, showing her how they worked.

"Do you have more? I'll trade you furs for them," she said eagerly.

"Sadly, this is my only set," I said, seeing her face fall slightly, not revealing my plan to gift her a set soon.

After we rinsed her hair, she touched it, her eyes widening. "It's so soft!"

"See? Aloe works wonders," I smiled, then added oil to my skin, passing her some. Once dressed, she ran her hands down her freshly conditioned hair and sighed in delight.

"I feel like a whole new female!" she exclaimed.

"Good! That's the idea," I said, handing her a piece of Aloe Vera I had picked for her.

Memi looked at me in surprise, tilting her head. "Why are you so kind? Us females, we might spend time together, but we don't share things."

"In my tribe, we call it friendship," I explained. "It's when you choose to know someone, accept them, and help them because you care.

She looked puzzled. "Isn't that what mates are for?"

I shook my head, smiling gently. "It's a bit different from being mates. Mates are about commitment and partnership, something you build as a family. Friendship, though, is more about sharing life without that commitment. In my tribe, we call it friendship. It's a bond built on care and trust, just for the sake of knowing and accepting each other."

Seeing her curiosity, I added, "A friend is someone you care about, not as a mate or family, but simply because you like them. It's about being there for each other just because you want to, not because of duty or mating."

A slow smile spread across her face. "So, we're friends?"

"I hope so," I replied warmly.

"I like being your friend," she said, nodding. Then, she looked at me appreciatively, her expression softening. "You're a very pretty female, Imara. At first, I thought you were from the fox clan."

I blushed. "Thank you, Memi. That means a lot."

She continued, admiring my unique look. "Your skin has the same glow as the emeralds Parker's father brings me. And I've never seen hair like yours—so curly and full. It's very... nice."

Smiling, I touched my hair and said, "Yes, my hair is naturally curly. I'm glad you like it. I've come to appreciate it over time." Her genuine interest in my looks and culture made me feel seen and valued in a way that felt like the start of something real.

Her mates looked at her in awe as she moved confidently among them, flipping her hair and running her hands down her thighs, embracing her refreshed beauty and making a subtle statement. I couldn't help but find it adorable to see her confidence soar.

As her mates tried to whisk her away, she held up a hand, commanding them to escort her to the front of the castle. Turning to me, she declared, "Imara, my friend, come with me."

I followed her, intrigued. We walked to a spacious open area, where her strongest mate let out a loud, commanding roar that drew every beastman's gaze to us.

In a clear, commanding voice, Memi announced, "This is Imara, my friend. She brought my son back to me and has offered to help us find his mate, who was taken by a feral." She glanced around at the attentive beastmen. "Imara has only one mate, Harvey, the doctor from Camel Hump Valley. I will not tolerate anyone intimidating or harassing him. Any beast who thinks to trouble her or her mate will answer to me."

Her voice rang out with authority, a force that rippled through the crowd. The other beastmen lowered their heads in submission, some even showing their necks—a clear sign of respect and acknowledgment of her command.

As I looked on, a warm feeling of gratitude and pride rose within me. This was more than I'd expected. Memi had done more than just offer me protection; she had publicly vouched for me and Harvey in a way that could silence any potential challengers or troublemakers as much as possible..

Memi turned to me, a satisfied glint in her eyes as she observed the beastmen around us. She had clearly enjoyed the impact of her words, and I could tell she took pride in making a statement to protect her new friend.

"Thank you, Memi," I said, bowing my head slightly in respect.

She returned my nod with a slight smile, her confidence undiminished. "You're welcome, Imara. Friends look out for each other."

I felt warmth grow within me as I smiled back at her. "That we do."

On the secondhand I felt meticulous, it was like arranging a line of dominoes; with each piece carefully set, I was closer to tipping the first and letting the rest fall into place.

Author Notes

Well would you look at that another update 🫶🏾💜 yall be making me excited also I'm impatient 😅

Also, ain't Imara crafty? Who knew she'll have a Queen as a friend?

She making powerful moves with great effort and true genuineness, that's no easy task, because this could've been so difficult and different, also Cudos to Memi for being a kind Queen🫶🏾💜

👏🏾 A Queen is a good friend to have indeed.. I know their going to have a good friendship. 🥰