Alice in the Beastworld

3

I apologize for the late update. My time is now preoccupied by college, since we have now begun our second semester. I'll try to write when I have free time and update as much as I can. Thank you for your patience!

Not far from the group of females, Winston, the tiger prince, gently lowered his body to the ground for Alice to get down.

None of the males dared to approach Alice with Winston near her.

She recalled that there had been five females when the trading party had returned to the City of Beasts.

However, now she only saw two unfamiliar faces. Including herself, there were only three. This led her to the realization that she might have been transported to a timeline different from the canon.

She sat down on the ground with the females, who were wary of her. It might be because she is a stranger wearing strange clothing or what they've gone through, seeing as they looked starved and unhealthy.

Alice initiated a conversation with a cheerful "Hello," her dimples showing as she smiled and extended a hand toward an older woman. "I'm Alice. Nice to meet you both."

Maya, looking at Alice's hand, finally reached out to touch Alice's hand. She couldn't help but notice how her hand was rough compared to Alice's smooth one.

"Maya," she introduced herself with a small smile.

The other female with dark hair and nervous behavior, briefly met Alice's gaze and quietly said, "Rhea."

They exchanged questions about each other's origins until it led to the peculiar design of Alice's clothes.

"Oh, these?" she said, fiddling with the edge of her t-shirt. "They're from my clan, the human clan, back in the far-off lands."

Maya's brow furrowed. "Human clan? I have never heard of such tribe."

"Because our clan lives on the land across the ocean. I am the only human left living here."

It wasn't a complete lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either. It is not wise to reveal her origins entirely.

"What about you?" Alice asked, tilting her head with curiosity. "Which clan do you belong to?"

Rhea spoke first, "I'm from the bear clan," followed by Maya, "I'm from the leopard clan." 

"Oh, I see, what do you.........."

As time pass by, the sunset and long shadows stretched across the clearing, giving the leaves a golden hue.

The twilight grew darker, the fire crackled with energy, illuminating the women's faces with flickering orange light.

The beastmen didn't waste any time and served the females a delicious dinner of fruits and grilled meat, which they happily accepted.

However, some males introduced themselves, hoping to become mates with one of the females.

While other males try to impress the two females, Alice, always resourceful, knows that softly rejecting the beastmen could lead to false hope.

She did not hesitate to turn down the advances of some males whose attention was on her after receiving her share of food.

Ignoring their disappointed looks, she leaves her spot and approaches Winston, who is silently watching at the edge of the clearing.

Noticing the bewildered expression on his face, Alice couldn't help but sympathize with the guy.

'My Winston does not deserve having this much of a low self-esteem.'

Pushing aside the ache she felt from Winston's sufferings, she met his gaze with a soft and dimpled smile.

"Hello, Winston. Mind if I take a seat beside you?"

Winston is taken aback as the most captivating woman he has ever seen walks towards him. His usual guarded demeanor crumbled into astonishment.

He would normally avoid interacting with women, as his presence often scared and disgusted them. However, this woman approached him willingly.

"Hello, Winston. Mind if I take a seat beside you?"

His heart hammered against his ribs at the sound of her voice, leaping even higher at the sight of her smile directed solely at him.

Snapping out of his daze, he realized he hadn't responded. The woman's smile grew wider as she settled into the seat next to him, casting an enchanting spell on him.

To say that Winston was nervous was an understatement.

His heart felt like it was about to burst out of his chest. He couldn't believe that a female would willingly choose to sit beside him.

As they sat in silence, Winston's mind raced with a million thoughts and questions.

Alice, sensing his struggle, smiled warmly.

"Winston," she began, her voice filled with sincerity, "I want to thank you for saving me earlier. If it wasn't for you, I don't know what would have happened."

Winston's surprise showed on his face. No female had ever spoken kindly to him before.

He mumbled a short response, "It was my duty."

Alice reached out and gently placed her hand on Winston's arm, offering him a comforting touch.

"It may be a part of your duty, but it doesn't hurt to appreciate someone for their help."

His cheeks flushed a warm red.

Alice couldn't help but chuckle at his cuteness.

A wave of warmth spread through Winston. He had always felt like an outsider, someone to be feared and avoided. But in that moment, sitting beside Alice, he felt seen and appreciated for who he was.

Encouraged by his reaction, Alice continued the conversation, asking him about his life, likes and dislikes, and fears.

Despite his initial hesitance, Winston finds himself opening up to her, drawn to her genuine interest and non-judgmental nature.

As their conversation continued, Winston's admiration for Alice grew.

It wasn't just her captivating beauty that drew him in, but also the strength and kindness that radiated from her every word and action.

In Alice, he found a rare treasure who looked beyond appearances and accepted him for who he was.

A new feeling blooms within Winston's heart.

Warmth washes over him, dispelling the loneliness that has clung to him for so long. It ignites a hope for a future filled with happiness, a future that suddenly feels possible.

Just this first conversation has him on the cusp of falling in love.

Alice wasn't just captivatingly beautiful; she possessed a stunning heart and soul, which she so openly shared.

Even if being a guardian beast became his eternal duty, it would be worth it for her.