Imara Diversifies The Beastmen World

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Somewhat A Success

Early release for my besties 💓  shoutout to snowbunny2027

After everything Harvey and I had uncovered about my new ability to merge our senses, we decided to take time to process what it meant. We also worked on strategies to protect me during those vulnerable moments when I lose my voice and my movements slow.

When Harvey sees through my eyes, the effects only last about thirty seconds, but during that time, I'm completely unable to speak, and my movements feel sluggish and heavy. On the other hand, when I look into his past, the effects linger for about a minute, leaving me even more drained.

We knew this ability had potential, but it was also dangerous if it happened at the wrong time. Keeping it a secret was crucial, and we needed to figure out how to protect me when it occurred.

Once we'd calmed down and made some progress with our plans, Harvey suggested I get some fresh air. It was a good idea, so I followed him outside.

As we stepped out, I saw the guys waiting nearby. I hadn't seen them in a while, and the sight of their familiar faces instantly lifted my mood.

"Hey, boys!" I called out with a big smile, truly happy to see them.

Their reaction, however, wasn't what I expected. They stared at me, wide-eyed, with expressions that ranged from surprise to curiosity, and something I couldn't quite put my finger on.

I glanced at them, confused, then noticed their eyes weren't meeting mine. Instead, they were glued to my chest—specifically, to the mark displayed over my heart, peeking through the crisscross design of my top.

Oh.

Well, I wasn't about to let their gawking ruin my day. I'd worn the outfit intentionally to show off the mark and let them know that I was Harvey's mate. So, I pushed past the awkwardness and addressed them directly.

"So, what's the plan for today?" I asked, trying to steer the conversation back to something productive.

The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the distant chirping of crickets. The guys didn't move, didn't speak. They just stared, frozen like statues.

Irritation bubbled up inside me. Before Harvey could say anything, I clapped my hands together sharply, startling everyone. "Am I talking to myself?!" I snapped, tilting my head and blinking at them for emphasis.

"I greeted you all, asked about today's plans, and got nothing. So, what's the problem? Speak now, or forever hold your peace."

That got a reaction. All at once, they flinched like guilty cubs caught in the act. Their ears flattened, and their tails drooped as they scrambled to explain themselves.

"I-"

"Ugh-"

"Umm-"

"S-sorry," they finally managed in unison, their voices filled with a mix of embarrassment and apology.

I raised a hand to stop their stammering. "Enough," I said firmly. "Just tell me what's on your mind. Get it off your chest already."

Nicholas hesitated for a moment, stumbling over his words. "Sorry, I didn't mean to ignore you. I would never. I-It's just... you're so b-beautiful," he stammered, his cheeks flushing. "And I've never seen a male's mark like yours before."

The rest of the guys nodded in agreement, their expressions a mix of admiration, fascination, and a bit of envy.

Frank quickly followed with an apology, his tone sincere. "I'm sorry too. Umm, for the plans today, we talked about organizing classes. We thought it'd be best to hold a gathering and show everyone what we can teach instead of approaching one by one. Then, those who are interested can join and learn."