After an accident, Imara, a 28-year-old plus-size black woman, ends up in a strange rainforest world from a bittersweet novel she read. This wild jungle is full of mysterious and dangerous beastmen, just like the stories she used to read.
To stay al...
When Queen Memi told us about Parker being hurt and his mate taken by a feral, the need to act hit us hard.
We split into two groups. One group went to find the eagles, and the other went to find Leopard King Calum to tell him what had happened to his son. I was with Sampson, who liked to get things done quickly, and Theo, who never missed a detail.
When we found Muir and came back with him, Queen Memi said we should meet someone named Imara. She called her a friend, which was strange. Most females weren't like that. Why was this one so helpful?
I started to wonder about her, especially since she had something to do with Parker's troubles. Who was this female the Queen trusted so much? The idea of meeting her made me curious.
By the time we got back to the City of Beasts, everyone was talking about Imara. But the Queen didn't tell us much, so all we had were rumors. They said she had darker skin that shined under the sun, hair as smooth as fine fur, and a beauty no one could forget.
Some said her kindness was as strong as her looks. She cooked food that made everyone stop and stare, and she sang to her mate in a way that could make anyone's heart ache.
What really caught my attention was her mate. She chose a no-stripe leopard—a male with no rank or status. Yet she held him close, like he was a rare jewel. She was also under the Queen's protection, which made me wonder even more.
Could someone like her really exist? Could she be the Beast Goddess walking among us?
Before I even saw her, I caught her scent. It was soft and warm, mixing with her natural smell. It made the air around me feel different, pulling me in before I knew what was happening.
Then she stepped out from behind the castle wall, carried in her mate's arms. The sun hit her, and for a moment, the world stopped.
Her skin looked like the richest earth under the sun's glow, her hair flowing dark and wild, with streaks of light catching here and there. She wore a soft purple dress, and her movements were light and full of grace. Even her nails, painted in pale colors, seemed to fit perfectly.
She didn't seem real. Her beauty wasn't something you could describe fully—it was like looking at a dream you didn't want to end.
When she spoke, it felt like she could see right through me. Her voice was steady, but it wrapped around me, making me want to stand taller. I felt a pull deep inside, a need to protect her, to prove myself to her, to give her everything I could.
Seeing her bandaged leg made me clench my fists. That feral had hurt her, and it stirred something fierce in me. I wanted to find it, to end the threat, to make sure nothing ever touched her again.
As she talked about saving her clanmate, I felt torn between respect and sorrow. She was brave, risking herself for someone else, but the weight of it sat heavy in her eyes.
When she spoke about the guardianship process, I was already committed. Her honesty—it wasn't just about choosing mates. It was about building a family where everyone belonged. How could I not want to be a part of that?
At that moment, I made a promise to myself. I would be part of her family. I would stand with her, protect her, and care for her. I don't know all that is to come, but I knew I would love her, fully and completely, with everything I had.
End of Gabriel POV
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