Reborn as a Side Character in the Beastworld

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-seven

*Image from https://www.dunnsriverfallsja.com/climb-the-falls/

Only five miles upstream from our home, Shuu made a discovery during one of his recent patrols. The river had eroded the limestone into a mile stretch of countless waterfalls. The falls were low and the water, shallow. The rocks were covered in slick lichen making them smooth enough to slide on. All you had to do was lay on your back and let the current take you for a ride. It was our very own water park. This morning we'd decided to check it out with the cubs, Shuu, and Lance. As we were leaving, Qin, who had been suspiciously wanting to stay close to me since yesterday, decided she wanted to tag along. That meant Carl and Patrick were also roped in to coming. Our group of six became nine. But when we'd finally arrived, we found the spot was already occupied. Olly, Muir and Alva were there searching the damp earth for medicinal herbs. In the shallow divots and crags on the stone behind the falls, cave moss grew abundantly. This moss, when cleaned and dried, is a very soft and absorbent substance that is always in demand. When females go into heat or when a beast has a wound that continues to seep, the moss works its magic as a gauze-like dressing. Our group of nine became twelve.

I sat on a wide flat boulder watching the hypnotizing flow of water as Baek and Tora snoozed in the basket next to me. There was something about the way the light glinted off the river's small waves that caught my attention. It was as though it was trying to tempt me with the promise of treasures beneath the surface. Treasures that would disappear the moment I reached out my hand. It was a golden mirage that was impossible to tear my eyes away from. Then with a splash, those glints of gold were turned into a million diamond drops as Kit, together with my wolf, slid down the short waterfalls into the pool beneath it. Kit's head popped up and he yipped happily as he swam to shore, ready to take the waterfall slide for another spin. Shuu was more than happy to escort him and his tail wagged behind him with abandon. I laughed at their excitement.

Qin was sitting next to me giving the falls the side eye. "I don't get what's so great about a few waterfalls. Ocean waves are much more fun to ride on."

I rolled my eyes a little, "Why'd you come along then?"

"As if I was going to stay in the village with all those females stalking me." She scoffed. "At least you don't nag me over every little thing. I hadn't expected you to be this boring though."

I looked at the tsundere female and shrugged. "Why don't you try the slide once? It might be more enjoyable than you think."

"You only say that because you've never ridden the ocean tide in a mer bubble." She taunted.

I looked at the clear morning sky, "You're exactly right. How could I possibly compare them without having tried them first? But I have to stay near my young ones. It will be a while before I can try the slide myself." I said with mock despair. I glanced at Qin to see if she had gotten my message.

She turned a little pink and quickly stood up with her hands on her hips. "You there! Tigers. Take me to the top of the falls." Then she looked at me with an air of arrogance. "I'll do you this favor one time and only because of the cubs. You just wait right there and when I slide back down, I will have proven my words to be true." Then she turned and started walking up the hill with two, three-stripe males rolling their eyes behind her.

Alva, who was doing a poor job of looking for moss because he kept sneaking glances at Qin, noticed her leave. He dropped his cargo and shifted to fly after her, offering her a ride to the top to which she accepted, forcing Carl and Parker to shift and run to keep up. It would've taken her thirty minutes to walk to the top but only ten to slide down. It wasn't a strenuous journey by any means but Qin probably had the endurance of a wet paper bag. Olly and Muir both glared after the peacock as they had to collect what he'd abandoned. The trio had been together more often than not of late. I understood Muir and Olly getting along as Olly was helping Muir with the rehabilitation of his arm. I surmised that Alva was simply hanging around them because he was bored, but after Qin's arrival, his eyes lit up with hearts and he started following her instead.