Chapter 5
I sat in the center of the beast council, surrounded by towering, masculine figures that radiated strength and wild beauty. Each beast male was striking in his own right—but none could rival the presence of my soon-to-be husband, Kai.
"Kai," the eldest chief spoke, his voice gravelly with age and wisdom. "I hope you keep your word and never harm your human bride."
Kai met the elder's gaze with a brief, unreadable glance, then nodded in agreement.
I remained quiet, observing every interaction, trying to absorb as much as I could. After what felt like hours, Kai returned to my side as the chief priest began preparing for the ceremony.
"You'll need to bleed a little," Kai murmured, producing a handmade knife fashioned from an animal's fang. Its edge was crude, sharp, and intimidating.
I took it from him and hesitated briefly before slicing a shallow cut on my arm. Blood trickled down, dripping into the ceremonial cup placed beside me. My skin still stung when Kai wordlessly applied a thick, greenish leaf to the wound. The bleeding stopped almost instantly—its healing properties were quick and impressive.
Without flinching, Kai sliced into his own arm, his cut five times deeper than mine. Blood flowed easily as he held it above the cup, mixing his blood with mine. I winced on his behalf, but he remained expressionless.
Once the priest retrieved the cup and began chanting, I gently picked up another healing leaf and placed it over Kai's wound. His body tensed beneath my touch. It was subtle—barely noticeable—but it revealed more than he intended. Was he uncomfortable being touched by a woman? Or was it just because I was human?
I looked up and caught his gaze—icy blue and unreadable. I offered him a small smile, a silent reassurance that the pain would pass. We were strangers, yes, but maybe, just maybe, we could learn to understand each other.
The priest handed me a small bowl filled with a strange, dark liquid.
I hesitated, eyeing the unfamiliar drink. But with everyone watching, I held my breath and downed it in one go. The taste was bitter—violently so. My entire face scrunched in reaction.
Kai, who had been watching silently, slipped something into my palm. I opened my hand to see a small, dark seed.
"It's a sweet seed," he explained. "It'll help with the bitterness."
I popped it into my mouth and chewed. The contrast was immediate. The seed was sweet and crunchy, easing the bitterness. I made a mental note—there were a lot of interesting natural ingredients here I could explore.
Just as I began to relax, a sudden bolt of pain tore through me.
I gasped, my body going rigid. My hair clung to my damp skin, and my breath came out in sharp, ragged pants. I looked at Kai, panic rising as the pain deepened. My body went stiff—paralyzed. I could feel the agony radiating from three distinct spots: my thigh, my stomach, and my arm.
It was as though something was being carved into me.
"The pain will pass," I heard Kai say softly. "It's part of the bonding. My mark is being imprinted on you."
His words barely registered as the pain crescendoed. I screamed, unable to hold it in any longer, and then everything faded to black.
---
When I woke, my body ached and my stomach growled. I sat up slowly, wrapped in thick animal furs that had served as a bed. My limbs were heavy, but I forced myself upright.
The cave was dim, the only light from the moon filtering in. I heard Kai's voice before I saw him.
"You're awake," he said quietly.
I scoffed and shuffled over to sit beside him.
"I wasn't sure what humans eat," he admitted, placing a leaf in front of me. On it sat a piece of roasted meat—slightly burnt but edible. "One of the chiefs who visited the human world suggested this."
I eyed the meat, then took a bite. It was dry and slightly charred, but it would do.
"I thought beast folk didn't like fire," I said between chews.
"We don't," he replied. "But my female needs it to survive."
He watched me eat with a strange mixture of curiosity and concern, probably wondering if it tasted as bad as it looked.
"I want to explore the forest tomorrow," I said after swallowing. "To find some food we can both enjoy."
Even in the darkness, I could feel him watching me. Beast-men must have excellent night vision. I couldn't read his expression, but I hoped he saw the sincerity in mine.
Once I finished eating, Kai led me out of the cave. Behind it, hidden by vines and boulders, was a small waterfall I hadn't noticed before.
"Be careful. Don't trip," he warned.
I nodded and stepped cautiously toward the water. The moonlight danced on its surface, casting a beautiful silver glow. I reached for the tie on my gown, pausing as I felt his eyes on me.
"Kai, I need to undress," I said, avoiding his gaze.
"I know," he replied, still staring.
My cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "Then look away."
Instead, he stepped closer.
"What's there to hide?" he murmured. "I'll ravage you eventually."
His words, so sincere and blunt, sent a shiver down my spine. Did he even realize how perverse that sounded?
He began to undress. I turned away, flustered. "A little warning next time," I mumbled.
I felt his presence behind me again, and before I could protest, his hands were at my waist, slowly lifting my gown. I didn't stop him. His cold fingers brushed against my bare skin, and I trembled slightly.
Nude, we stepped into the water. To my surprise, it was warm—almost soothing.
"Why are you called beast-humans when you look human?" I asked.
He moved closer, his voice low and steady. "Because we are beasts who also have human forms."
"So... what kind of beast are you? And why is the water warm at night?"
"I'm a Siberian tiger," he said, placing a hand on my arm. "The water's warmth depends on the temperature. If the night is cold, the spring turns warm. If the night is hot, the water cools down."
His hand moved slightly to the places where the pain had struck earlier. "My marks are here—your thigh, stomach, and arm."
I pulled back slightly, touching each spot. The skin there felt rough, almost like a tattoo.
"I'll check them in the morning," I whispered.
"Siberian tiger, huh? I've never heard of that kind of tiger before," I added, looking up at the night sky filled with stars and a glowing moon.
"Maybe… life here won't be so bad after all."