Reborn as a Side Character in the Beastworld

Chapter One Hundred and Sixteen

*Art curtesy of PurpleDepp . Elven Tristan! :)

Like lightening through the heart of a tree, the image of Bailey nursing her cubs with her full breasts was burned through Tristan's center. She was serene. She was perfection. She was a goddess. Her long lashes against her slightly blushing cheeks and her sleep tousled hair shining like a halo around her pale skin made his breath catch in his throat. He'd felt as though he might burst into flames at any moment. The scene of maternal bliss had captivated him and it wasn't until she'd turned her quiet gaze towards him that he realized what he was seeing was not a fantasy in his mind but reality. His body reacted immediately to her attentions. Embarrassed and ashamed to have shown her just how much she affected him, he fled.

Bursting through the front door of his queen's home, he shifted and sprinted as though he might replace the desire burning in his veins with exhaustion. He ran and ran and ran and when it still wasn't enough, he jumped into the deep middle of the cold river. But the heat could not be quelled. The sight of her flawless skin and his need to mark it and posses it was too strong. Howling bubbles into the rushing water, he cursed. If she kept showing such sacred moments to him, his grip on his control would surely slip.

It took the fox the entire day to calm and reprimand himself. Though he was a king, he was still nothing more than her pet beast and he must never overstep that role. When night fell and he finally felt restrained enough to return to her side and receive his punishment, he was met with a nearly empty home. The only light came from a small flickering lantern on the second-floor windowsill. The tiger, the leopard, the wolf and the cubs were nowhere to be seen or heard. Only one beast's presence was noticeable.

On the doorstep, lounging against one of the deck's pillars, the snake waited with his arms crossed. When he noticed the fox emerge from the shadows, Lance rose to his feet with a sigh and an exasperated, "Finally.". His long hair swayed behind him as he descended the few steps bringing him closer to Tristan.

Confused, the fox stepped back, maintaining a respectful distance. The snake gave him a look of annoyance and said, "What are you waiting for? The moons to fall? Get your tail in there before we change our minds."

The fox did not move. "I don't understand." He responded. After having spent all day taming his imagination, he refused to let it run wild. Tristan was not a stupid beast but he was also not one to hold hope.

A small vein pulsed at Lance's temple. He massaged it to prevent the stress headache that was building. "Do I have to hold your hand for you to get anywhere?! Stupid fox. She's been waiting." Then as though he couldn't be bothered to explain fire is hot and ice is cold, the snake shifted, and slithered away with an annoyed hiss.

Tristan watched to snake go and then turned his eyes to the house that was empty of all beasts but her. The one he yearned for was waiting. He steeled his resolved and entered the home, sliding the front door open on its tracks with barely a sound. He softly climbed the steps in his fox form, one quiet paw after another and though his tail desired to wag frantically, he held it in check. No matter what words were said or what hints were given, hope was like sand through his fingers. If would be folly to try and hold it.

He had once hoped to rescue his sister and bring her home. That hope died with her. He had hoped to find her soul stone and revive her. That hope was a fantasy smothered by reality. He had hoped to go back to his village and pick up his life where he'd left it. That hope disappeared with the villagers. He hoped to find his parent's healthy and willing to take him in. That hope was sold as a debt to his parent's savior. He hoped to become someone useful in the City of Beasts. That hope was taken and used against him, causing pain and suffering to those he wished to protect. And now hope felt more toxic to him than a feral's venom. He must not hope. It was thanks to giving up such feelings that he was able to make the quick decisions that saved Kit from Curtis and defended his owner from the flames of a jealous beast. When one had no hope, there was no fear.

Once he reached her room, he hesitated. He raised a paw to open the door but couldn't seem to find the strength to move his arm. And he realized he was afraid. He was foolishly holding hope. He was hoping for something beyond this door and he feared that if such hopes were once again turned to dust, he would never be the same after. Maybe he himself would fade into the darkness and never return. Maybe that would be better for everyone.

Lost in his dark thoughts, he sat in the hallway frozen for some time. So deep in his own swirling pool of pessimism, he didn't notice the soft sounds of footsteps drawing nearer. The door slowly opened with the sound of soft wood sliding against the tracks. In the low light, a goddess with skin of moonlight, mahogany hair, and a slip of a dress stood looking up at him. In his beast form, he was a good deal taller than her and she had to crane her neck to see his eyes. Her face plainly expressed the question 'why are you out here?'. He had no answer. He simply looked down at her, waiting for her to choose his fate.

She lowered her eyes and then, without closing the door, turned to walk further into the room. When he didn't follow, she looked over her shoulder. Though she could not read his expression, she gave him an evaluating scan. "Come in Tristan and I shall be yours in the same way you are mine. Or leave and our relationship remains as it has always been."

'Ah.' He thought. 'She's placed my fate in my own hands. What a generous goddess.' There were the words he needed. Simple and clear, there was no need for hopes or dreams. He could have her if he so chose. And he chose.

With two determined steps, he shifted and followed her inside, closing the door behind him as though closing off any other options. He had wanted this. Wanted her. And now that he knew she wanted him as well, he would have her. He moved until he stood behind her delicate figure and let his eyes trace the soft length of hair down over her shoulder. He placed his hands on those narrow shoulders and could not stop himself as he nuzzled his face against the silky strands and inhaled their perfume. She shivered and goosebumps rose on her perfect skin but she tilted her head to the side, inviting him closer. He accepted her invitation.

*Thank you all for your patience on the updates!  I'm at 90% HP but the headaches at night have made it hard to write. I'm getting better. It's just taking longer than I expected. I promise I will not drop this story until it has a clear and perfect ending so stick with me!