Surviving the Beastworld

Chapter 43: Bonding

Jade allowed Rosette to get all the excitement of having them back out her system and pull away to speak to Diana when her eyes landed on the woman who had been missing the whole time. Zuri's back length brunette hair was pulled a half up and her usual bright dark green eyes that were filled with so much wonder and innocence were gone leaving a pitch of sadness in them. Zuri held a weaved basket close to her chest.

"Hi, Jade. I heard all about the adventures you guys have been doing when trying to build this place up. I was fortunate to be able to catch the tail end and help heal guards when they came home hurt." Zuri chuckled as she began to come closer to her. "And I heard that you are starting a family now, I am so excited to be here. I guess Maria and Rosette can't call you a lone wolf anymore."

"Zuri..." Jade hiccupped as she began to full blown cry as she shot forward to wrap the older woman into a tight hug. Aspen swiftly took Zuri's babies out of her arms to keep them from getting harm as Zuri caught the distressed woman. "Zuri, I am so sorry. I wanted to come get you when I first heard, I promise."

"There there, I didn't doubt you for a second." Zuri reassured while rubbing her back to help her calm down. "Calm down, it is all over now so there is no point in holding all that sorrow and guilt inside of you anymore."

"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!!" Jade snapped, removing her head off Zuri's shoulder to give a weak glare. "You must have been so scared, thinking we might have abandoned you."

"Why would I believe something so heinous? You guys are too kind to think something like that. Regardless, I am just happy Mr. Dajon was willing to allow Rosette free." Zuri asked, baffled. Jade let out a wet snort at the statement.

'It is nice to see that even though she was kidnapped. Zuri's kindness and love still to remain intact.' Jade smiled, finally allowing the last bit of grief she did not notice she had gone. 'I guess she is right in the end, there is no need to stay caught up in the past, for my sake.'

"Oh! I wanted to show off my beloved babies!" Zuri squealed as she went over and reached inside the basket to pull out all her children to bring them to Jade. "This is the oldest Kanamu, he is a little shy right now. The middle child is Hosea, he is a little on the big size while the youngest name is Otis."

Jade tensed up when the youngest child, Otis, slithered out of his mother's arms and made his way to her head to get a better look at Jade. Otis' deep brown eyes reflected curiosity. 'I know that this would be the result of the kidnapping but seeing the proof right before my eyes.'

"Why do you have baby snakes?" Alan demanded, his eyes ranking her body for the snake mark only to be relieved when there was none in sight. "You did good by removing the feral's mark, but it is meaningless if you have them. When their father is probably on his way here to collect you thanks to their scent. Give them to me and I will relocate them somewhere far off from here."

"Don't you dare put a single finger on any of my babies." Zuri snapped; the babies let out their own little hisses making Alan sucked his teeth. He bit the bottom of his lip as he tried to think of a way to say it.