Beauty, in the Beast World

Beneath His Gaze

{AN: As many of you may have noticed by now, I write primarily in the third person. I want to apologize in advance to those expecting multiple POVs in the first person, as I prefer keeping the perspective centered on the main characters in this format. Additionally, I want to address the first mating scene—while it clearly implied intimacy, I chose not to delve into vivid details just yet. Rest assured, there will be spicier content in the near future, but for now, my focus is on introducing Lila's first three mates: Atlas, Zache(Zah-sha), and the subject of the upcoming chapter, Lyris(Lie-r-is).

Also, I've decided that Bai Qingqing will make an appearance later in the story, though I won't be following the original Beauty and the Beasts plotline. With that said, I hope you enjoy where the story is heading!}

{Lyris's POV}

Lyris lay sprawled among the sturdy branches of a tall tree, his thick, scaled tail coiled firmly around the trunk for balance. He was on the verge of drifting into a light doze when a strange yet alluring scent hit his keen senses. His forked tongue flicked from his mouth, tasting the air. A sweet, floral fragrance mixed with something distinctly feminine. His brow furrowed slightly in curiosity—what was a female doing so far from any village?

The closest settlement was the wolf village, and that's when the unmistakable scent of a wolf male filled the air, mingling with hers. Lyris's lips curled into a slight, bemused smile. She has a wolf as a mate? But as he inhaled deeper, he caught the faint scent of another wolf male, though it was far less pronounced. Ah, she hasn't fully accepted him, he mused, moving to a lower branch with the grace of a serpent, positioning himself to observe without being detected.

His eyes narrowed, scanning the forest floor below, until she came into view.

She was exquisite.

Silver hair, long and shimmering, fell in two delicate braids that framed her face, intertwined with vibrant pink flowers. Her magenta eyes gleamed like jewels, their brightness making them impossible to ignore. Yet, despite her obvious beauty, she was dressed in plain, hide clothes. Ugly and unworthy of her, Lyris thought with a twinge of disdain. Is this truly the best her mates can offer? She should be adorned in my skin, worthy of a female of her stature.

He watched, fascinated, as the wolf male hoisted her effortlessly onto a low branch of a red fruit tree before climbing higher to fetch the fruit for her. A quiet, amused laugh echoed in Lyris's mind. A wolf, climbing trees for his mate? The thought was almost comical to him, but he couldn't take his eyes off the female.

As the wolf busied himself picking fruit, she gently stroked a colorful bird that had perched beside her on the branch. Lyris's sharp eyes traced the delicate curve of her ears peeking through her braids—pointed ears. His heart skipped a beat. A Snake Beast female! Memories from his father's inherited knowledge flooded his mind. Females with those distinct ears were rare, but unmistakably of his kind. His instincts sharpened.

He leaned forward, his body tensing in the branches as he studied her closely. She's one of us. But just as the thought crossed his mind, the female paused, her magenta eyes lifting from the bird and gazing directly at the tree where he hid.

For a brief moment, Lyris's heart pounded in his chest. Did she sense me? Impossible, he reasoned. Females didn't have the heightened senses of males—but this was no ordinary female. Snake Beast females were different. More cunning, more aware. And they possessed fangs, though smaller than those of their male counterparts.

There was something else about them, something important that tugged at the edge of his memory, but before he could recall it, her voice rang out.

"Atlas! Come down!"