Chapter 15:
"Who was it that told me she was perfectly fine staying home alone?" Kai asked, trailing after me.
I shot him a glance over my shoulder. "What are you implying? I never told you to stay out so late," I mumbled defensively, though being around him made it strangely easy to act natural.
"Alright, I'm at fault. I'm sorry, so stop sulking," he said, sliding his arms around my waist.
"Kai… you—"
"You have a perfect body, and I'm more than satisfied," he interrupted, and I flushed, caught off guard by his boldness.
The fire had mostly died down. "Help me carry the pots to the kitchen. It'll cool off faster," I muttered, no longer sulking. He nodded and followed my lead. Once done, I quietly slipped away toward the waterfall.
Stripping down, I waded into the warm water, letting it wash over my body. It was soothing—just what I needed. I finally let Rose's words settle in my mind.
"Giving birth, huh? I'm not ready for that," I whispered to myself, frustration bubbling in my chest.
Before long, Kai joined me, as he often did. His presence didn't surprise me anymore.
"What's been bothering you lately?" he asked while gently massaging my back.
I hesitated, then blurted, "Kai, do you… want babies now?"
His hands paused. I felt it. The silence that followed made me nervous, maybe even scared of what he might say.
"Where's this coming from?" he asked as he resumed rubbing my shoulders.
"Everyone's expecting something from us… from me. It's too much pressure." My voice wavered, but I didn't hide my feelings. If he wanted to change now, so be it. I wasn't going to shrink myself to please anyone. I'd made up my mind to enjoy my life this time.
"I won't lie. I do look forward to having kids with you someday, but I'd never force it. That's not who I am," he said softly. His fingers moved to my temples, massaging gently. I smiled to myself. He always knew how to soothe my anxieties.
"What if the elders force you to abandon me… or make you choose someone else?" I asked, eyes closed, enjoying his touch.
"That would be pointless," he replied firmly, making me open my eyes to look at him.
"Marriage, to me, is once and for all. They're the ones who chose you for me. If they start doubting you—or me—that's not just an insult. It's disrespectful."
His voice deepened, rough yet tender, and I felt something stir in me. It wasn't just words. It felt like a vow, but I pushed the thought away.
I've been misled before. I can't afford to fall for sweet promises again.
But when I met his gaze, the sincerity in his eyes nearly blinded me.
"…Oh," I replied simply, knowing he probably hoped for more.
Instead of giving in to the intensity, I urged him to turn around. I climbed one of the stones submerged in the water to reach his hair and began washing it.
He didn't press the matter. Though a little disappointed, he sat still, enjoying the gesture like I did earlier.
Afterward, we returned to the house. I paused in the kitchen, eyeing the big bag of rice.
"I need to find bay or neem leaves to keep pests away… and maybe some spices too," I muttered more to myself than him.
Kai watched quietly, letting me ramble.
Turning to him, I said, "Let's go into the forest tomorrow. Maybe I'll get lucky and find some ingredients. I want to try cooking for real this time."
I glanced around the cozy kitchen, full of simple but practical utensils. A flutter of excitement stirred inside me.
I never used to like cooking, but Tony was obsessed with African food, so I forced myself to learn. Even though he wasted all my effort and treated my food like trash, that knowledge is finally coming in handy. I don't even know how to cook my own country's native dishes, but I've grown fond of African flavors. It might actually help now.
Smiling, I made my way to the bed and patted the space beside me.
Kai didn't say much. He simply lay down and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his warmth.
I smiled again, satisfied. I knew I'd let my guard down with him—let him in physically—but that was part of being a wife. I didn't regret that. What I feared most was loving again… falling deeply only to be betrayed, abandoned, or left to die. But I had limits now. If anyone crossed them again, I wouldn't forgive. I'd seek revenge.
"Kai," I murmured, resting my head on his chest, "what happened today at the Elders' Council?"
His voice was calm, too calm. "A homeless beastmale captured a young female, forced himself on her, and damaged her internally during a brutal mating attempt."
"What?!" I sat up, shocked. "How is she? Did she… survive?"
"She's twelve. The beastmale was thirty-one," he said coldly. "But don't worry. I got there in time. She didn't die."
He pulled me back down before my spiraling thoughts could overwhelm me.
"How did you save her?" I asked, still shaken.
"The elders reported her missing. I recalled a few previous cases involving homeless beast males, so I followed the trail. Found her just in time."
I relaxed slightly under his steady heartbeat.
"She's alright now. In fact," he added with a smirk, "a seven-year-old female beast is stronger than you. Maybe you should worry about yourself—and how your sweet little hole is going to survive me. Even if I go slow, your stomach might burst."
I sat up again, mouth agape. "Excuse me?!"
This man is seriously foul-mouthed! But then again… he wasn't wrong. I was smaller than him.
Wait—no, no! How did I go from worrying about a child victim to wondering how I'd survive Kai's filthy fantasies?
I turned to glare at the idiot beside me, only to see his handsome face looking completely innocent.
"Motherfucker," I muttered, earning a proud smirk from him.