The Beast World Resets

Chapter 11

The forest welcomed them back with open arms, the towering trees rustling softly as the trio made their way toward Apollo's cave. Colette, Curtis, and Apollo walked in comfortable silence, the air filled with the faint scent of damp earth and pine needles. It had been a long journey from the village, and despite the satisfaction of helping the Blacksheep tribe, Colette felt an overwhelming sense of relief as they neared the place she now called home.

Apollo hurried ahead, eager to return. "I missed the cave, sister! It's quieter here."

Colette smiled at his excitement. "You mean you don't miss the sound of villagers coughing every five seconds? Shocking."

Curtis followed closely behind, his presence constant but less tense than before. He had made his decision—not just to court Colette, but to take her as his mate. The weight of that decision settled between them, unspoken but undeniable. He walked beside her, more as a partner than a shadow, though Colette could still feel his eyes on her, watchful and protective.

The cave entrance loomed ahead, a familiar sight, but Colette's mind was already thinking about what came next. The decision to become mates meant that change was inevitable—and that included where they lived.

"Speaking of decisions," Colette started, stopping just before the cave entrance. Curtis raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue. "Since we've decided to be each other's mate, we need to talk about your cave."

Curtis's red eyes darkened slightly with curiosity. "What about it?"

Colette crossed her arms, her tone casual but firm. "I'm moving in with you, but your cave needs some serious work. We can't live there as it is."

Curtis's tail twitched, his eyes narrowing. "You don't like it?"

"It's... fine," Colette said carefully, her lips quirking into a teasing smile. "But I'm not moving into a giant snake pit. We need to fix it up. Make it a real home for both of us."

Curtis's frown deepened as he processed her words. "You want to change it."

"I want to improve it," Colette corrected, stepping closer and looking up at him with her signature smirk. "If we're going to be mates, our home should be a reflection of that. Not just a cave where you coil up to sleep."

[Congratulations Host! You just have your fast mate! Additional points of 2000 will be added]

The sudden voice of the system ruined the atmosphere which Colette decided to ignore.

Curtis's gaze softened, his protective instincts still sharp, but there was an understanding growing between them. He had agreed to be her mate, and with that came the responsibility of sharing a life, not just a space. "Alright," he said finally, his voice steady. "We'll fix it. Together."

"Good," Colette said, her eyes glinting with satisfaction. "Because I've already got some ideas."

She was about to dive into her plans when the system's familiar voice chimed in her mind.

[Congratulations, host! You have successfully created the first paper in the Beast World! You have received 2,500 points! Current total points: 25,360.]

Colette's eyes flickered with excitement at the news but remained outwardly calm. She had stored the paper she made in her space, and now it would be useful for designing their new home.

"Hold on," Colette said, reaching into her space and pulling out the bundle of paper she had made. Curtis and Apollo looked on in confusion as she laid the paper out in front of them.

Before either could ask questions, the system chimed in again.

[Congratulations, host! You have created the first ink and pen in the Beast World! You have received 3,000 points! Current total points: 28,360.]

Colette bit back a grin, but shrugged off the system's prompts, focusing on the task at hand. With a smooth motion, she dipped her makeshift feather pen in the ink and began sketching on the paper, her strokes quick and confident.

"So," she began, speaking as she worked, "I was thinking we could expand the sleeping area first. We'll need more space. You take up a lot of room with your coils, and I'm not exactly a fan of being squished into a corner."

Curtis watched her, his eyes narrowing slightly, but there was no anger—just quiet observation. "You want more space."

"Exactly," Colette said, glancing up at him with a playful smirk. "I'm not fragile, Curtis, but I like my space. Plus, we'll need room for supplies, herbs, tools, and whatever else we decide to keep. Think of it as an upgrade."

Curtis crossed his arms, studying the designs she was drawing. "You're serious about this."

Colette didn't look up as she continued sketching. "We're going to be mates. This is a big deal, Curtis. I'm not just moving into your cave. I'm moving into our home. And I want it to feel like one."

Curtis remained quiet for a moment, watching her work, his red eyes softening as her words sank in. He had never thought about his cave as anything more than a place to sleep and rest. But with Colette, things were different. It wasn't just about him anymore—it was about them. And if Colette wanted to make their home comfortable, then he would follow her lead.

"Alright," he said finally, his voice low but steady. "We'll do it your way."

Colette smirked, finally looking up from the paper. "Smart decision."

Apollo, who had been watching the entire exchange with wide eyes, finally spoke up. "Sister, does this mean... you're moving in with Curtis?"

Colette paused, glancing over at her little brother. His golden eyes were filled with uncertainty, and she could see the hesitation in his expression.

She set the pen down and turned to face him fully. "Yes, Apollo. Curtis and I are going to be mates, so I'll be living with him. But that doesn't change anything between us. You're still my little brother, and we'll still be together often. I promise."

Apollo's lips twisted in uncertainty, but he nodded slowly. "So... you won't be living with me anymore?"

Colette's heart softened at the sadness in his voice, and she moved closer, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I won't be living in the cave with you, but that doesn't mean I'm going anywhere. We'll still hunt together, and I'll still visit all the time. You're family, Apollo. That's not going to change."

Apollo looked up at her, his worry easing slightly. "Okay. As long as we can still hunt together."

Colette smiled warmly. "We'll always hunt together. Besides, you'll have plenty of excuses to visit Curtis's cave. I'm sure he'll be thrilled."

Curtis, who had been silently watching the exchange, gave a slight nod. "Apollo can visit anytime. But don't think you're off the hook for training."

Apollo grinned at that, his mood brightening as he realized he wasn't being pushed aside. "I won't miss it for anything!"

Colette chuckled softly before turning her attention back to the paper. "Alright, now that we've cleared that up, let's get back to work. Curtis, I'm going to need your help gathering materials for the renovation. We'll start with the walls and then figure out the rest."

Curtis's red eyes gleamed with approval as he watched her take charge. "Whatever you need, Colette."

"Good," she said, her voice firm but playful. "Because this is going to be our home, and I don't settle for anything less than perfect."

As they began to plan their future home, the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the forest. Colette's heart swelled with a sense of purpose—not just for the challenges ahead, but for the life she was building with Curtis. They had come a long way, and while the road ahead wasn't without its challenges, Colette knew they were on the right path.