After an accident, Imara, a 28-year-old plus-size black woman, ends up in a strange rainforest world from a bittersweet novel she read. This wild jungle is full of mysterious and dangerous beastmen, just like the stories she used to read.
To stay al...
Amidst our busy preparations, a loud flapping sound, like the wings of a large bird, caught our attention. Everyone paused, turning toward the door with curiosity.
Frank, with a knowing look, said, "Muir is outside."
"Muir?" I asked, a bit surprised.
Frank nodded. Nicholas added, "Do you want me to let him in, or would you like to greet him?"
After a brief moment of thought, I decided, "I'll greet him at the door."
As I opened the door, I was momentarily taken aback. The sight before me left me speechless for a moment, my breath catching in my throat. The Muir I had known only in his beastman form was strikingly different in this form.
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He was undeniably beautiful, and anyone who knew me would know I had a weakness for the pretty and handsome ones.
His dark navy hair fell in a long braid, framing his vibrant dark blue eyes and a charming five o'clock shadow. A blue cape adorned with feathers added to his regal presence, and his height, though slightly shorter than Horace's, was still impressive.
Muir POV
The first thing I noticed when the door opened was her smile. Warm, inviting—I was so unsure of how this was going to go. My stomach twisted in a way I didn't like. Why did I feel so... off?
"It's about time you came down from the tree to meet me," she said, her voice light and teasing. "I've been wanting to thank you for helping with Curtis and for keeping watch over my family."
Her words caught me off guard. No one had ever thanked me before—not like that. Most just assumed I'd do my job, no questions asked. I gripped the bag in my hand tighter, feeling awkward and out of place. What was I even doing here?
"Actually, my name is Muirmore," I said, my voice quieter than I intended. The way she said it back—"Muirmore"—made something in my chest tighten. It sounded... good.
I forced myself to focus. I wasn't here to think about that. I had a purpose, a reason for standing in front of her. "I wanted to ask you for a favor and give you this," I said, holding up the bag.
She took it, her curiosity obvious, and then stepped aside to invite me in. The others watched me closely as I entered. Their nods were polite, but I could feel the tension in the air. They didn't trust me. I didn't blame them. Most males didn't trust each other.
When she opened the bag and saw the crystals, her surprise was clear. "What made you bring such a generous gift?" she asked.
I shifted uncomfortably. This part was harder than I thought it'd be. "When Harvey and Horace told me they'd used all their crystals and herbs to save Bai, I... I felt like I should do something. It's not much, but it's all I could find."
She didn't say anything right away, just looked at me with those steady eyes. I couldn't tell what she was thinking, and it made me uneasy. Then she smiled, and that strange, twisting feeling came back.
