Imara Diversifies The Beastmen World

Chapter Twenty Seven: Days at The Leopard Tribe Castle XI A Real Life Talk

His question hung in the air, and I took a moment to gather my thoughts. It wasn't a question I had expected, though I knew deep down Harvey wanted children, and likely my other mates would too. But facing it head-on was a different matter entirely.

In my past life on Earth, I had never envisioned having children—not because I thought I'd be a bad or neglectful mother, but because I understood the immense commitment it required. Raising children demanded time, effort, endless love, and selflessness. I had always been more selfish with my independence, cherishing my solitude above all else.

While I adored children and truly saw them as a blessing, the idea of being a parent felt overwhelming. I liked doting on kids, spoiling them even, but I also liked the ability to hand them back to their parents when the day was done.

More than that, no man I had ever met had stirred in me the desire to start a family. Not that I was even entertaining the idea—having children simply wasn't something I wanted.

Harvey's smile was bittersweet, his eyes understanding, but I could see he was tucking the moment into his heart, unsure what to make of my hesitation. "My love... do you not want them?" he gently asked, pulling me out of my swirling thoughts.

I stumbled over my words, desperate to reassure him. "I... I do," I managed, but even I could hear the uncertainty in my voice. His gaze softened, but he could see through me. "Tell me the truth," he encouraged. "How you really feel."

I exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of the question settle on my shoulders. "I would love to have children with you," I admitted. But even as I spoke, it felt like a surface answer, something insufficient for what he needed to hear.

"It's just that there are a few things we need to discuss," I added quickly. "Can we talk about it after we've washed up and gotten out of the tub?"

His eyes searched mine, but he nodded, respecting my request.

As we washed up and got dressed, the conversation still lingered, unspoken but heavy. I could see the unease in Harvey's eyes when I chose to sit across from him rather than in my usual spot on his lap. It clearly bothered him, and the sight of his troubled expression made my heart ache.

I sighed, knowing I had already fumbled this. Without hesitation, I got up and moved to his lap, feeling his arms wrap around me tightly as he buried his face in my neck. His embrace felt like a mix of comfort and turmoil, a reflection of the storm brewing inside him.

I pressed a kiss to his forehead, hoping to ease some of his tension. "I'm sorry," I began, keeping my voice gentle. "I didn't mean anything by sitting across from you. I just thought it might help me explain things better."

Harvey nodded, though his voice was soft, almost vulnerable. "I know it may be silly," he said, "but could you please not do that anymore? I prefer when you sit with me like this. It feels... right."

I smiled, my fingers brushing his cheek. "I'll do whatever you want," I said softly, laughing lightly. "I like it better too."

Her laughter soothed some of the unease in my chest, and the warmth in her smile settled the sharp edges of my earlier doubts. But I couldn't shake the curiosity, the quiet tension about what she had to share. When she finally began, her words caught me off guard.

"I didn't lie when I said I'd love to have kids with you," she said, her voice steady but tinged with a hint of sadness. "It's just... back home, where I came from, I had a different view on it."

She exhaled deeply, and I could feel the weight of what she was about to say pressing on her. "Single-parent homes are common where I come from, and they come with their own challenges. My mom raised me on her own. I never knew my father."