The Beast World Resets

Chapter 7

Curtis had been watching from a distance, staying hidden in the shadows, just like Colette had allowed him to. He told himself he was giving her space—time for them both to cool down after their last conversation. That night had been filled with tension, unspoken frustrations, and Colette's refusal to rely on him the way he had expected. She had left him with his thoughts, told him to come back when he was ready.

But something in him had snapped. Instead of returning, he found himself watching her from afar.

It wasn't like he was abandoning her. No, he was keeping her safe. Making sure she stayed out of harm's way without stepping into her line of sight. He would have stepped in if anything dangerous happened, but part of him resented that she hadn't needed him. For three days, he had kept his distance, lurking in the trees around Apollo's cave. Colette moved through her routines effortlessly, without so much as a glance toward where she knew Curtis lingered. It gnawed at him.

She didn't seek him out. Didn't ask for him. It made him feel like a ghost, and the feeling festered in his chest.

Curtis slithered silently along the forest floor, his crimson eyes fixed on the entrance of Apollo's cave. Colette had been inside most of the morning, tinkering with something. The routine felt normal—too normal. She should have called for him by now. Or at least looked in his direction. Instead, she was doing what she always did—managing, surviving.

His tail twitched in frustration. Colette had made it clear that she didn't need him hovering, but every part of him screamed that he should be there—beside her, protecting her.

Even now, his senses were on high alert, waiting for the smallest sign that something was wrong. But nothing was out of place. The forest was quiet, the sounds of birds and rustling leaves filling the air.

And yet, something nagged at the back of his mind.

Curtis shifted his position, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the area. His instincts told him to move closer, and after a moment of hesitation, he finally gave in. He slithered up to the entrance of Apollo's cave, his movements silent. But when he peered inside, his stomach twisted.

Empty.

The cave was dark, the firepit cold. Colette's belongings were gone. Apollo's too.

Curtis blinked, his heart hammering in his chest. He darted inside, slithering deeper into the cave, his red eyes flicking around. No signs of recent life. Their bedding was untouched, the usual clutter Colette left behind cleaned up. His jaw clenched as he inhaled deeply, trying to catch their scent, but it was faint. Too faint.

Where are they?

Curtis spun around, his body coiling and uncoiling with restless energy. Colette wouldn't have just left—she had no reason to. She knew he was close. She had to know he was nearby, keeping an eye on her. So why...?

A cold knot formed in his stomach as a dangerous thought crept into his mind. What if she left because she didn't want him around?

"No," he muttered to himself, shaking his head. That wasn't it. She wouldn't just abandon him. She was stubborn, yes. Independent, definitely. But she wouldn't do that. Not after everything.

He slithered out of the cave, his movements sharp and urgent as he followed the faint scent trail leading into the forest. It was barely there, but it was enough for him to follow. Curtis moved quickly, his body weaving through the dense trees, his breath coming in shallow, controlled bursts. The further he went, the fainter the trail became, as though she had left hours ago.

Panic clawed at his chest.

He reached the river where Colette usually washed, but it was empty, the water calm and undisturbed. No scent of her, no signs that she had been there recently. Curtis's frustration mounted, a low growl rumbling in his throat. He darted to the small clearings where she usually hunted, but again, nothing. Every familiar place was empty, the scent of her fading with each passing minute.