Beastly Beauty

Chapter 28 : Aethon's Awakening

I wake up to the intense feeling of oppression... It felt suffocating as jf I had drowned in the deep water! Did my cave flooded while I'm asleep or something?! I panicked and whimpered for someone...

"Kids!!"
I screamed for Caramel and Cappuccino.

Silence... but since I've mated to two animals with the best hearing out of ten. It's almost impossible for me to ignore the deep grumblings that I heard just outside of the cave... always the favourite spot of Aethon to tinker with his hands...

"Aethon?! Did something happen...?"
I called out to Aethon.

Still... no one answered her... but the grumblings were now getting louder... She tried to get up from the bed and fight against the heavy pressure that forces her to stay still. She managed to crawl with hardship towards the mouth of the cave. From there, she saw Aethon in his beast form lying on the ground with his body curled into a tight ball... the pressure comes from him. He looked like he was in so much pain, but he tried to keep it at bay... seeing him in so much pain, she dragged her heavy body and tried to comfort him.

"Aethon!! What's wrong?!! Talk to me!! And put this pressure away!"

"Rhea! Don't! Don't... go near him!"

I heard Nix warning me in a weak voice. I search the surroundings and found Nix and Iyasu battered so badly and was dangling in some torn down bushes... the cubs were also there, trembling in fear...
Otto was nowhere to be found. He would usually stick to Caramel like a chewing gum! But right when the cubs needed his comfort he's not here!

"What happened here?!"

"Papa mad! He... he chase us out and beat Pretty Papa and Nix.."

Pretty Papa? So they called Iyasu that. Fine whatever... as long as they accept them both. I roughly guessed what had happened but first I need to stop this annoying heaviness! So I slowly inched closer to Aethon and whispered some comforting words to try and calm him down. And soon, the pressure was instantly gone. Aethon's furs was still bristling but he had stopped growling...

Finally free to move, all of them relaxed. Rhea walked to her poor cubs and hugged them lovingly. She might not be that close to them but she will love them enough as her family! All the joy and pain while carrying them in her belly... she won't forget any of it... She just sat there rubbing her cub's furs enjoying their softness on her hands. Now that everything is fine, her sight suddenly got blurry and she slumped on her cubs. She heard them called her in unison but was feeling so heavy and couldn't respond.

* * * * * * * * * *

The smell of sweetness wakes her up. Her eyes fluttered open and she requested for the food with the sweet aroma. Someone heard her and helped her sit and feed her the food. It tasted like apples... the juicy sweetness and the yellowish texture of the fruit. It's just enough to satisfy her hunger. She began to eat by herself and the bowl of fruits was emptied. She asked for more but only get a bowl of water.

"How long was I out, Iyasu...?"
She massage her head and asked softly after realising what had happened.

"Three. Aethon were mad at us for mating with you on the same day until you pass out. He was especially mad at Nix for hurting you. I'm sorry... I should restrain myself more that day..."
Iyasu blurted the details in low voice.

"That explains the bruises. What about the kids? And what's wrong with him?"
She looked at him with confusion.

"I think, Aethon had leveled up. He chased the kids out for being so noisy around you. Otto can't stand his aura."
Iyasu answered.

"Right... Where's Aethon right now...?"
She panicked after hearing he was having a breakthrough.

Hearing his mate asking for him, Aethon went inside and stood in front of his mate cautiously... His eyes was looking down not daring to make eye contact. Rhea pounce on him unexpectedly, rubbing her face on his chest before congratulating him on leveling up! He still feel and smells the same. But his charm seems to upgrade a little...

"How do you feel right now, Aethon?"
Rhea asked eagerly, looking up to him.

"Good... I'm more worried about you."
Aethon rubbed her back gently, with a guilty expression on his face and still refusing to meet her eyes...

"I'm okay!"
She grinned widely, beaming at him.

"Are you sure? You've been sleeping for three days straight. Anywhere hurt?"
He asked with doubt while his eyes wildly inspected her every skin for any bruises or any other hidden injuries.

"Aethon! Stop. I'm dizzy... Wait, I don't see anything change about you. How do I know if you are a four marks?"
Rhea began to randomly grabbed Aethon's body to find any symbols or markings that might appear.

"Uhhh... Rheaaa... I don't think this is a good idea... The cubs are watching..."
Aethon's face was red from blushing.

"What are you thinking?! I'm just checking if anything is changing!"
Rhea blushed when she realised what Aethon meant.

"I don't think I've seen anyone having any markings even if they are a four marks. But they do change. They have powers. Can you show us yours...?"
Iyasu interrupted them.

"Sure. But we should go out. I don't want anything dangerous to happen."
Aethon said and carried his mate.

All of them followed Aethon. Once they're outside, Aethon puts his mate down with the cubs and moves away from them. He began to open his hands and tried to summon any elements that might appear... but nothing happened... Aethon inhaled slowly and remembered his father. He must be proud if he can see Aethon right now. Growing up strong with a family of his own. He then tried to imitate his father's actions from memory and suddenly, rubbles began to float...

"You did it!! The rocks are floating!"
Rhea screamed happily at him.

Aethon just smiled looking at his playful mate and enthusiastic cubs. He was blessed to live until this day to see all this. He silently prayed to the Beast Goddess for his father's soul...