Imara Diversifies The Beastmen World

Chapter Forty Five: Big Girl Draws

Hey besties. I am doing an early release because I am moving, and most likely will not have any time to get back to it by this weekend or the beginning of next week. So imma post it now while I have a little downtime. Enjoy 💜

Story:

Lying close to Harvey, I found solace in the warmth of his embrace. My mind raced through the events of the previous day and Harvey's words of wisdom. It was becoming clear that I needed to stand my ground.

While I cherished the boys as friends and family, romantic love wasn't blooming within me.

Harvey's hand landed on our mark, a reassuring touch that affirmed our bond. I gazed into the past events, witnessing his progress in training with James. Then, him on the way home, and my attention shifted to the scene with the boys.

I let out a sigh, my gaze drifting up to the ceiling. The weight of responsibility settled on my shoulders, a reminder of the need to navigate the intricacies of my relationships with the boys.

It was a task that required careful consideration and thought. This situation felt like a tangled mess, and a touch of sadness crept in.

Admittedly, John had a point; genuine kindness in this world was a rare find. Observing how the girls cared for their mates, I saw a different approach. But dwelling on this perspective would only leave me vulnerable to the influence of the males.

I needed to shift my focus. These weren't just young boys or kids; they were grown men in this world. It was time to summon my inner strength, face the situation head-on, and put on my "Big Girl Draws". This was a moment for me to navigate the complexities.

As I pondered the situation, my thoughts turned to Harvey. Who would have thought that my sweetie pie could possess such a commanding and fierce side? I was aware that he had committed himself to grow stronger and engage in battles, but witnessing the transformation firsthand was something else.

It was a testament to his deep love and concern for my well-being.
Glancing over at him, I met his gaze, trying to discern the emotions behind it.

Sensing something, I asked, "What's on your mind?"

He let out a sigh and confessed, "I didn't anticipate how you would feel, seeing that scene unfold like that."

"It gave me more clarity," I affirmed.
He appeared a bit apprehensive, asking, "What kind of clarity?" I couldn't help but laugh, understanding his concern.

"I want them as friends, as family, but that's all I can offer them," I explained.

He let out a relieved exhale. "Really. I won't lie, I thought you might consider them as mates," he admitted. Harvey leaned in, touching his forehead to mine.

"I know it's your choice. If you had decided that, I wouldn't have been able to complain. But it would have been a headache, dealing with so many males, not strong enough to protect you, and still needing a lot of maturing to do."

I smiled and assured him, "No worries, my love. I have thicker skin than that. It just made me sad, facing the reality of male beastmen. But I won't let it drive me to reckless decisions. That would set us back severely. We each have our roles in protecting us."

He beamed and showered my face with kisses, saying, "That's my girl." After preparing ourselves for the day and having our meal, we were about to start Harvey's morning class when he went to the door and found the boys waiting outside.

"Good morning, guys," I greeted. They nodded in response, their attention turning to Harvey. He gave a confirming nod, allowing them to enter. As they came in, they each bowed their heads in respect to Harvey.