Imara Diversifies The Beastmen World

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Three: Caught In One's Own Web

After I got my laugh in the trees, I couldn't help but feel utterly satisfied. Watching Rosa get crushed like that—humiliated, seething, exposed—was everything. Bai and Parker they were closing the gap, finally stepping toward each other.

My bestie was grinning too, enjoying the moment just as much as I was.

"Bestieeeeeee!" I called, stretching my arms toward her.

Memi's eyes lit up, just as excited to see me as I was her.

"You made me laugh so damn hard today," I said, my stomach still aching from it. "I love you for it. You really put her in her place."

She wiped her nose smugly, flipping her hair like the queen she was. "My son don't want her funky ass, it's only right."

I lost it again. "Pleaseeeee, y'all are too much for me!" I cackled, gripping my sides as I leaned against the tree for balance.

Below, Gabriel was watching me. His eyes glinted with amusement, his signature smirk curling at his lips, when our gazes locked.

I turned slightly, my eyes landing on Nicholas, and pride swelled in my chest. Proud of you. The silent exchange between us. Despite the odds, despite his single stripe going up against higher-ranked males, he had held his own. His agility, his determination, his skill—I saw it.

I nodded at him, planning to spoil him in the ways that I can. I was so proud of him.

Turning back to Memi, I extended my arms dramatically. "Bestie, you deserve whatever you want today!"

Gabriel, still in his leopard form, crouched slightly before leaping up the tree with ease. He scaled the branches with that graceful, effortless agility that made my stomach flip, reaching me in no time.

Before he could scoop me up, Memi placed a hand over her heart, swooning playfully. "Seafood, please!" She clasped her hands together, hearts practically floating in her eyes.

I laughed, shaking my head. "Anything for my Queen!"

And then—Bai screamed. A bloodcurdling scream. "Ahhhhhh! My God!!!"

My heart slammed into my throat. I snapped my head toward them just in time to see a massive orange tiger lunging—straight for Parker and Bai.

The world slowed.

I couldn't breathe.

It was inevitable. They wouldn't escape unharmed. Not this time. I squeezed my eyes shut, unable to watch.

Then—A piercing screech tore through the sky. "Crrrrraaaaaaaaak" I opened my eyes, A blur, and shadow. A massive figure swooped down.

CRASH!

The impact was violent. The tiger was ripped away, thrown across the forest with brutal force. I gasped, my eyes flying to the figure—Muir. His massive bird form loomed above, his talons still dripping from the force of the attack.

Then, Shugh, he had Bai in his grasp, his wolf form bounding through the air as he escaped toward us.

Chaos erupted.

Growls. Claws ripping into flesh. The heavy scent of aggression thick in the air.

Rosa was laughing wildly.

Her mates clashed with ours, bodies colliding, the ground trembling under the force of so many beastmen fighting for dominance and Rosa... That cowardly bitch was already making her escape.

Slipping through the chaos, she was retreating toward her territory. Because she knew. She knew she had crossed a line too far.

This wasn't just a fight anymore. This was a political disaster. An act of war. She had to get back to her father before the Four Kings got involved.