Beauty, in the Beast World

Trouble Brews Among Us

{AN: I wanted to take a moment to address the pronunciation of some names from the original Beauty and the Beasts Manhua. As an American who does not speak Mandarin/Putonghua, I understand the challenge of pronouncing certain names, especially for readers unfamiliar with the language. For those who might be in the same boat, I thought it would be helpful to share what I've learned.

Qin is pronounced as "Ch-en."

Bai Qingqing is pronounced as "By Ching-Ching," though I've also come across variations like "King-King."

Lanze is pronounced as "Lance."

I'm sharing these notes out of respect for the original Manhua, and I hope it helps others who, like me, might have been unsure when first encountering these names. Please note, this is not meant to be a definitive guide, but rather a small resource for English speakers navigating the beautiful complexity of Mandarin names in this story. Thank you for understanding!}

When Curtis returned from his search, he approached Lila with a gentle smile, his arms full of various fruits. Lila's eyes lit up as she spotted the early bubble fruits nestled among the harvest. Though not the sour berries she craved, the bubble fruits were a welcome treat, and the small red fruits he had found piqued her interest. However, Curtis's expression quickly shifted, his brow furrowing as he sniffed the air, picking up a faint but unmistakable scent.

"Little Moon," he began, his voice steady but tinged with tension, "why can I smell a foreign male?"

Lila smiled softly, hoping to soothe his concerns. "It was just Trap, Isla's son. He stopped by for a brief chat, but don't worry, we agreed there's no attraction between us. I told him I wouldn't be taking a new mate... yet."

It was that one word—yet—that unsettled Curtis. His crimson eyes darkened with a flicker of unease. Sensing his discomfort, Lila quickly wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning into his broad chest. "I love you, Curtis," she whispered against his scales. "Don't forget, you hold the highest place of all my mates."

Curtis softened at her words, but a trace of sadness still lingered in his gaze. "But I am still not the one over your heart," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

Lila cupped his face, her magenta eyes full of sincerity. "Had you been my first mate, Curtis, I have no doubt you would hold that place." Her words seemed to reach him, and his features relaxed as he nuzzled her neck affectionately.

"Are you ready to go home?" he asked softly, his voice now filled with warmth.

"Yes, let's gather up the—" Lila's words were cut off by a sudden, sharp pain in her arm. Her breath hitched, and she looked down to find Zache's spousal mark, lighter than it should have been. A sinking feeling gripped her stomach.

"Curtis, the cubs—get the cubs. Something's happened to Zache!" she urged, her voice tight with panic.

Without hesitation, Curtis sprang into action, scooping the snake cubs into the basket and wrapping his powerful tail around Lila. He gently lifted her into his arms, ensuring she and the cubs were secure before taking off at full speed toward the village.

As they neared, the distant shouts and clamor grew louder. A crowd had gathered near the river, and the air was thick with tension. Curtis slithered through the throng of beasts, pushing his way to the center where the commotion seemed most heated. Lila's heart sank as her eyes landed on Zache, lying motionless in his beast form, blood staining his brown fur. Her wolf cubs huddled around him, their cries and howls tearing through the air.

Curtis set Lila down, and she rushed to Zache's side, her hands trembling as she knelt beside him. "Zache! What happened?! Who hurt my mate?!" she screamed, her voice raw with fear and fury.