Beastmen: Divinity in the wild

CHAPTER - 13

I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside my window and the soft rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. Today marked the first day of the festival, a week-long celebration that brought everyone together. I was both excited and nervous, and I could hear mom bustling around since dawn, preparing everything for the big day. She hummed a cheerful tune as she laid out a pretty dress for me.

"Good morning, Aria!" Mom greeted me with a bright smile. She held up a beautiful dress made of delicate beast pelts and the fur of wild animals, the fabric shimmering in the light. "Look at this dress I picked out for you. Isn't it lovely?"

I nodded, admiring the dress. It was a soft pastel pink with intricate embroidery along the hem and sleeves. "It's beautiful, Mom. Thank you."

She helped me into the dress, her gentle hands adjusting the fabric and smoothing out any wrinkles. "You look like a little princess, Aria," she said, stepping back to admire her work. "Today is a special day. The festival is always so much fun, and you'll get to see so many new faces."

As she brushed my hair and tied it with a ribbon, Liora continued to chat. "A few females from other tribes might also come to the festival. They usually come in search of more males, and a lot of males will be there too, hoping to find a mate. Sometimes, female cubs like you might fancy other cubs, or vice versa, and they usually become fiancés if both are fine with it."

Her words made me pause. "Fiancés? But I'm still just a child."

Mom chuckled softly. "Yes, but in our world, it's not uncommon for cubs to form early bonds. Of course, it's just an understanding, not a binding agreement. However, your fathers are very protective of you. They think you're too young to even meet a boy, let alone fancy one."

I sighed, knowing how true that was. "I suppose they’ll be extra vigilant today, then."

Liora nodded. "Indeed. They love you very much and want to ensure your happiness and safety."

Just then, Ursan, Selwyn, Rafe, Jax, and Alaric entered the room, their expressions a mix of pride and protectiveness. Ursan, spoke first. "Our little Aria looks beautiful today."

"Absolutely," Selwyn, agreed. "You’ll be the star of the festival."

Rafe, grinned. "Just remember, no talking to boys."

Jax, added with a wink, "Unless they bring us treats first."

Alaric, nodded solemnly. "Your brothers will be with you. Listen to them and stay safe."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Yes, yes, I know. Let’s go have some fun."

My brothers—Thorne, Kieran, Rael, and Finn—came to escort me to the village center where the festival was taking place. Their eyes widened with pride and protectiveness as they saw me in my festival dress.

"Aria, you look amazing," Kieran said, his eyes twinkling.

"Remember," Thorne added sternly, "we’re to keep the boys away from her."

As we made our way to the village center, I couldn't help but notice the palpable excitement in the air. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits, eagerly anticipating the day's festivities. The village center was already bustling with activity. Stalls lined the streets, each one filled with colorful trinkets, delicious food, and handmade crafts. The air was filled with the scent of freshly baked bread and roasted meat, mingling with the sweet aroma of flowers. Children ran around, laughing and playing games, while adults chatted and haggled over prices.

"Look at all the stalls," I said, my eyes wide with wonder. "There’s so much to see."

Vendors called out to passersby, showcasing their goods with enthusiastic gestures. One stall had beautiful jewelry made of precious stones, while another displayed vibrant fabrics and clothing crafted from various pelts and furs. There was even a stall with tiny, intricately carved wooden animals that seemed almost lifelike.