Imara Diversifies The Beastmen World

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-One: Kicking Up Some Mess

Parker's POV

I ventured off after getting the basket from Imara, focusing on the task ahead for Bai. However, misfortune seemed determined to shadow my every step.

Rosa.

She couldn't get to Imara, so now she was trying to target me instead.

Her mates—and even those wannabes as Imara called them—had decided to go after the very things I needed. Eggs. Short birds. Mushrooms. They didn't even know what to do with the eggs, and I could only hope a few of them suffered from the poison of the mushrooms they snatched from right under my nose.

I clenched my jaw and forced myself to let it go, pressing forward deeper into the forest.

The air was thick with humidity, the dense canopy above trapping the heat of the day beneath the towering trees. Vines snaked down from twisted branches, swaying gently in the breeze. The scent of damp earth mixed with the sharp tang of crushed leaves underfoot, and somewhere in the distance, I heard the snap of twigs as something moved through the underbrush.

I barely paid it any mind. I had a job to do.

Ahead, a short-winged bird was pecking at some rotten meat, its beady eyes darting around warily. It hesitated, glancing up, scanning the area. Seeing nothing unusual, it lowered its head and continued feasting.

I crouched low, my muscles tensed, every instinct in my body coiling as I silently stalked closer. My heart pounded steadily in my ears, the thrill of the hunt taking over. I took another step, drawing in my breath, readying myself—and then—A black wolf suddenly leaped from behind a tree, its fur sleek and dark as night. The startled bird shrieked, its frantic wings flapping as it tried to flee—but it was too late.

I lunged, jaws snapping—but the damn wolf was faster. With one clean movement, it snapped the bird's neck, sinking its fangs deep.

I froze, my lungs about to explode with fury. "Howl!"

The wolf had the audacity to look smug, its sharp eyes filled with mocking amusement as it shook its fur, prey clenched between its teeth. Without so much as a second glance, it trotted away, leaving me standing there, fuming.

I dug my claws into the damp earth, grinding my teeth. I should have known.

Rosa's mates.

They were doing this on purpose.

Regardless of how angry I was, there was nothing I could do about it. This was the law of nature. The prey belonged to whoever captured it first. No such thing as first come, first served.

Fine. I'd find another bird.

I turned, spotting one perched on a low-hanging branch, its feathers ruffling as it picked at an insect. I moved silently, carefully, step by step and then, just as I sprang forward—Out dashed a tiger.

My entire body bristled as the striped beast snatched the bird midair. Its jaws clamped down with a sickening crunch, blood splattering against the mossy ground.

I stiffened. That was twice.

Once was a coincidence. Twice? Intentional.

I slowly exhaled through my nose, my ears twitching as I heard snickers from around me.

Rosa's mates were watching me. Mocking me.

I didn't even have to look to know that some of them were still lurking out of sight, circling like damn scavengers, waiting for any chance to interfere.

I gritted my teeth. Fine. You want to play? Let's play.

I turned away from the birds entirely and focused on climbing. Knowing none of them could climb trees.