Imara Diversifies The Beastmen World

Chapter Sixty Eight: Chess Not Checkers

Curtis's POV

It had taken me time to return to my Snow. The longing for her had only grown since I last handed her to that irritating eagle, Muir.

I hated him—my natural enemy. He had done everything to keep us apart. He should have died by end of day to my venom, but somehow, I suspect she used my scale to save him. Her kindness toward others, not just me, was unbearable. She belonged to me, and no one else.

To ensure her safety, I had led the giant beast chasing us far from her. Only when I was certain she was safe did I return.

I felt her tamper with my mate mark during that time. She couldn't remove it—it was impossible. But it let me sense exactly where she was, drawing me straight to her.

When I finally reached the City of Beastmen, excitement swimmed through me. I was close to her again. My Snow, with her soft pale skin and those large brown eyes, was all I wanted. I swam directly into the city through the rivers connected, ignoring the noisy gathering filled with food scents, loud noises, and strange movements.

None of that mattered. I was here for her. And there she was, smiling and moving strangely in the odd gathering. By her side was that female from Camel Hump Village—Imara.

Seeing Bai lit a fire of possessiveness in me. She was mesmerizing, but my rage flared at the males eyeing her. Bai had talked endlessly about Imara—how they worked together to prepare food and how much she missed her friendship.

But my focus wasn't on Imara. My heart was set on Bai. Still, I couldn't ignore how Imara turned heads, even mine for a moment. She was more striking than I remembered, with a no-stripe beast's mark on her chest. Like Bai, she carried a unique beauty that drew every male's attention.

Where did they come from? They weren't from the Mermaid tribe, though their looks could rival even the rarest of Mermaid females.

Then my jealousy spiked as I watched Bai approach that inexperienced cub, Parker. He lived only because she had begged me to spare him.

When Bai smiled at him, something inside me snapped. My fury surged, and I unintentionally sent a wave of strength to her through our mate bond. She snapped a willow branch in half before collapsing into Imara's arms.

I emerged from the river, focused entirely on Bai. Parker's warning about not being able to escape with her if I tried irritated me, but he was right.

The beastmen encircled me, growling low. Among them was a four-stripe leopard, a three-stripe eagle, and others who were clearly ready to fight. Yet, my only thoughts were of Bai.

When she regained consciousness, her eyes on me thrilled me, but her fear stabbed at me. She shrank into Imara's arms, her eyes wide with terror. It hurt more than I could admit.

Why couldn't she see how much I cared for her?

Why couldn't she understand the restraint it took to let her live, to not consume her and allow her to rot within me and make her one with me in flesh? Then I'll be relieved that she is forever with me and not anyone else.

Not wanting to upset her further, I picked up the clothes she had left behind. Bundling them up, I wanted to make way toward the house that reeked of Parker's scent.

As I moved toward the house, Imara intercepted me. Her eyes burned with contempt and disgust. It wasn't just because I was a snake or a feral beast—it was because I was me.

Her stare cut through me like she could see straight into my soul. I'd never experienced anything like it before.

Then Parker's father stepped forward, taking Bai's clothes out of my hands. My irritation spiked. I felt myself slipping into that familiar rage. He might have been a challenge, but I've never backed down before.