Kasia softly pat Azra's arm signaling for him to set her down. As she slowly closed the distance between herself and Haran, Haran was like a stone where he stood. Was she going to force him to leave? Was she going to end his life as he knows it?
______^~^
Haran flinched and reflexively closed his eyes as Kasia's shadow came into view.
His whole body slightly trembled as he tried to prepare his mind for being driven out or worse... Killed.
To his absolute disbelief nothing of the sort happened to him. He felt her fragile arms wrap around him and her tiny hands softly patting his back. Why.... Why was he being comforted??
"It's okay now. You told me the truth about what happened and I forgive you for being rude before. "
He felt the warmth of her tears fall against his chest as she softly cried in her one-sided embrace around him.
"What happened... Wasn't completely your fault Haran. I don't blame you for myself being abandoned... It's definitely not the best feeling but it's bearable because I have Aure. Maybe this means if this ever happened again Aure could help again or even other beasts.... Thank you for coming to save me"
Kasia slowly released her grip around the shocked man in front of her with a very similar facial expression as her mate behind her. They were both dumbfounded while Briar started giggling at the sight knowing how her sister shows her emotions.
Although mildly jealous Azra pushed down the feeling and just smiled at his mate who was obviously feeling better than any of them had anticipated. He walked up and pat him firmly on the shoulder and said..
"Now calm down we need to prepare for the cold season it is coming soon. We need to hunt enough to feed all of us now that everyone is in good health. Our focus needs to be changed."
Cold season.. that's a term they use pretty often, Kasia wondered again what it was but the two men were talking together so heartily she couldn't bare to interrupt and just smiled as they ran out to gather food.
_____^
Days passed with Kasia, Briar, Haran, and Azra all getting to know one another and becoming more and more like a family as time went on.
Even though it was widely known that in the beast city no two males with different mates would ever dwell in the same place. But this was a strange situation and the beasts involved are open-minded enough to allow this oddity.
Kasia slowly opened up to eating more of what they call "food" and she loved many of the things she tried that grew on trees and from the grass. Although she couldn't work up to eating the flesh of beasts just yet and they all respected that and didn't eat it in front of her.
Although secretly Kasia was intrigued by the smell but she just couldn't bring herself to try it.
Kasia was aware that the others were more prepared for whatever this cold season was. They were constantly gathering the skins of the animals and drying them, while gathering their flesh to consume at later times.
While it seemed very odd compared to what she was used to, she understood that this was normal here. It may be hard to adapt to certain aspects, she truly wanted to be a part of this new world with her newfound family by her side.
_____^
Azra held out his hand to his mate. A little shakily and wearily that she might not accept it, but he was growing more comfortable by the day on things that she did and didn't like.
He felt his breath become constricted as he waited for her reaction to him trying to bring her out of their dwelling. The moment her fingertips touched his, his heart soared high in the sky and he couldn't stop the smile spreading across his face.
"Kasia.. I want to show you something beautiful, it'll take half a day to reach there and you will have to ride my beast form, but I'll show you the most beautiful place in the world"
Kasia felt a little nervous but more excited than anything. She had the chance to ride a dragon and fly in the sky, it's so strange and so wonderfully amazing and an opportunity she never thought she'd ever have.
"I would absolutely love to see this place but.. what about briar and Haran? Will they be okay without us around? And what if we need Aure?"
Kasia wondered aloud while azra just chuckled slightly at this little females protective nature towards anything or anyone she considered precious. Azra spoke softly as he pulled Kasia into his arms and nuzzles the top of her head under his chin.
"Don't worry, I can swear it will be safe and we will not need Aure. Just trust me?"
Kasia could see the slight blush on his cheeks slowly spreading as she cranes her neck to glance at him.
"Okay, let's go."
A smile slowly formed onto his face before Azra transformed into a burgundy red dragon and knelt down for Kasia to climb onto his back.
Briar who was nearby just cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled at Kasia to have fun and they would be fine while they were gone. Azra had already informed them he wanted to take Kasia away for a couple of days.
Kasia flinched and her eyes softened while Briar was calling out. She waved back and felt azra slowly lifting into the air and soon they were far above the clouds.