Imara Diversifies The Beastmen World

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty Seven: All the Ways I Was Not Alone

Winston approached and adjusted my cloak, tugging the hood gently over my head before giving me a final once-over like he was bundling me up for the coldest winter travel.

"You look warm," he said proudly.

"I feel like I'm fighting the elements just to go pee," I muttered, still smiling.

He chuckled and reached for my hand. "Let's go."

As we headed to the front door, I suddenly remembered. "Oh yeah, what have you been up to these last couple days, darling?"

He gave me that mysterious smile that made me feel like he was hiding something sweet. "What I should," he said, "for you."

Gabriel stepped out ahead of us, holding the door open. We followed.

And then I gasped.

"What...?"

When I stepped outside, two lines of men stood on either side of the pathway in the rain. They wore cloaks and waist cloths, their posture straight, their focus fixed forward—on us.

On me specifically.

"Greetings, Queen Imara," they said in unison, bowing slightly.

I froze. I didn't even feel the cold air brushing against my skin anymore. My mind stalled completely.

"Huh? What?" I said, turning slowly toward Winston and Gabriel. "Weren't guards supposed to be assigned later? I thought King Winfrey said I'd receive them after the Cold Season."

Winston stepped in front of me, close enough that I felt the warmth of him through the rain-cooled air. His presence alone steadied the moment.

"It doesn't matter when he said you should receive them," he said evenly. There was no edge in his voice, just truth. "You deserve them now. Not later."

His eyes never left mine. "There is no reason for you to wait," he continued, low and assured, "if I can make sure you have what is meant for you now." He reached up, brushing his thumb along my jaw, having me focus on him.

"So I did."

The certainty in him, the refusal to hesitate, the way his words carried his willingness to act—to do, to provide, to make sure just for me, made my chest ache in the best way. Tears pricked my eyes before I could stop them.

To be loved like that... without delay, without doubt.

He stepped to my side, taking my hand, his grip firm and secure. With his other hand extended toward the guards, he said evenly, "I made sure you had what was promised."

And in that moment, all I had were eyes for him. My feelings surged deep within me. When he looked down at me, I could see it clearly—the love, the devotion, steady and unshaken.

I saw myself reflected in his eyes.

I was his world.

For the first time, I truly understood what my mates meant when they told me how I looked at them, when they said it was all in my eyes.

It was a beautiful thing to experience.

I covered my mouth, rubbing at my eyes, then turned back toward the men. "Well... welcome," I said, scrambling. "I wasn't prepared to receive you, but God does things in His own time, and I'm truly grateful.."

As I spoke, something clicked. I counted again. There were more than ten. Two of the men looked familiar. I blinked. "Hey—wait a minute. What are you two doing here?"

Theo and Sampson smiled. "We were assigned as your personal guards," Sampson said simply.

Theo nodded in agreement.