Imara Diversifies The Beastmen World

Chapter Twenty: Days at The Leopard Tribe Castle IV Road to Your Mind

As we entered the City of Beast, an unease settled in my chest that I couldn't quite shake. Back in Camel Hump Valley, things were different. I'd earned some respect there, both as a doctor and as Imara's mate, even with my lack of stripes. I knew the guys there—they looked out for her too, hoping one day they'd join our family. But here, everything felt different.

In this city, there were eyes everywhere, watching, lurking. As a doctor, I knew I had some protection; my skills were rare, and that alone could keep me safe. but I also knew there'd be those who might try to challenge me as her mate to court her, to prove that I wasn't worthy. There was no comfort in the fact that the other males traveling with us were no stronger than I was. If things went wrong, I couldn't protect her the way she deserved. She might be forced to accept mates who could defeat me. But I wasn't without plans. For our protection here and I wasn't above using whatever means I had to keep them at bay with my skills as a doctor.

But Imara—she never stopped surprising me. It was barely the next day's rise when she had already set things in motion. She asked Queen Memi for protection for us, pointing out the help we'd given to Parker. It was a move both smart and strong. And then, to seal it, she made her own kind of announcement, warning any male who might harm me, she stood there, fierce and unbreakable, sending a silent message to everyone around her: she wouldn't tolerate any disrespect or threat to her mate. She cared that deeply, that fiercely for me...

Watching her do that... it left me in awe. She would go to such lengths to keep me safe, to make sure no harm came to me. I didn't know what I'd done to deserve her, but I felt that I should be happy. I should be grateful, and I was, but a part of me couldn't ignore the weight of it all. She was busy, moving from one plan to the next. And yet, every so often, I'd catch her with that distant look in her eyes, her fingers tapping against her thigh, her mind somewhere else. She was carrying so much, and I could feel the strain.

As we gathered supplies for yet another plan she had, she was humming softly, but there was a tension there—a hum of anxious energy. I could see how much she wanted everything to work, to keep us safe, to make it all go smoothly. It made me feel like I was part of the reason for her stress. Here she was, taking on so much, not just for herself but for me too. And I hadn't been able to do more than follow along, helping where I could.

For a moment, I wondered if I should keep my own thoughts to myself. I wanted to support her, to be useful. I was lucky she wanted me, blessed by the Beast God to have someone as incredible as her. But at the same time, it hurt to think that I might be adding to her worries instead of easing them. Maybe that's just how things had to be. Maybe it was enough that I could be here, by her side, offering whatever I had to give, even if it didn't feel like much.

And yet, as I looked at her, determination etched in every line of her face, I knew one thing for certain: I would do whatever it took to be worthy of her. I'd give all that I had, grateful for every moment she allowed me to be by her side. For we are an us, a family no matter what.

And even though I knew all of that about my love, about our special situation, I wasn't immune to the worry creeping in—the fear that maybe I couldn't be enough for her here. It's one thing to heal, to soothe, but it's another to be seen as someone who can protect and defend. In a place like this, where strength speaks louder than skill, those old worries kept resurfacing.

Yet, I held onto the faith she'd shown in me. Imara's love was unwavering. Every action—asking Memi for protection, standing by me publicly, daring others to challenge her love for me—proved her belief in us. And still, a shadow of doubt lingered. I watched her strategize, humming softly or tapping her thigh when she thought I wasn't looking, her mind always working through something. She was always two steps ahead, always planning, always watching. And I wondered...where did that leave me? Just the healer right...?