Ava's eyes locked with Amon's, his hands wrapped tightly around her waist. She felt a sense of relief wash over her, knowing that Amon had saved her from potential harm. As she looked into his eyes, she felt a flutter in her chest, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, the world around them fading into the background.
As he pulled her closer, goosebumps swarmed every part of her body where they touched. Ava immediately looked away, her face flushing with embarrassment. "Thanks, Can you put me down?" she asked, trying to sound casual.
Amon put Ava down, but his hands still lingered a little bit longer on her waist before letting go. "It was nothing," he said, his voice low and smooth. As she looked up, she saw Amon's worried face staring back at her, "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
Ava nodded, still trying to process what had just happened. "Thanks," Ava said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "I owe you one." Amon smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You don't owe me anything," he said. "Just be more careful next time, okay?"
Ava nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Amon. For some reason, she felt she could always count on him to have her back. Just then, Amon winced in pain and pulled out a small green snake from his leg. "Oh no! You got bit! It's all my fault," Ava exclaimed, her face filled with worry.
Before she could get closer to Amon, Kael and George already caught up to her, followed by the others. George held Ava's hands, while Kael asked, "What happened?"
Ava narrated the whole ordeal to everyone, her voice shaking slightly as she recounted the snake's attack. Both Lily and Oma were relieved that nothing serious had happened. Oma said, "It's a good thing my brother was here, otherwise, you would have been bitten by that snake. Brother, I hope you're fine."
Amon nodded, "I'm fine, sister." Ava's worry deepened, "But you have to go see the shaman. If anything happened to you, I won't be able to face your sister and the shaman." Kael reassured her, "It's okay Ava, there's no need to feel bad. Although the snake's bite is quite painful, it's not a poisonous snake, so it doesn't even need treatment. It will heal up in a day or two."
Ava finally agreed, and everyone then headed back to the tribe. Ava's heart still raced as the group trekked back to the Tree tribe, the forest's dense canopy casting long shadows across their path. Her ankle throbbed faintly, but it was her mates presence beside her that kept her thoughts in a tangle.
"Ava, watch your step," George said softly, his hand hovering near her elbow as they crossed a rocky patch. His voice was steady, but his fingers twitched, as if resisting the urge to touch her.
Ava nodded, her throat dry, and focused on the ground, trying to ignore the flutter in her chest. 'That's right, I have Kael and George,' she reminded herself. 'Amon's just… being kind. Like always.' Yet, her mind drifted to the snake bite, his quick wince, and the way he'd brushed off the pain to reassure her. 'He didn't have to jump in after me. Why did he?'
'could it be....No, stop thinking rubbish, there's no way he could like me, he is just fulfilling his obligation to protect a female of the tribe, any other beastman could have done the same' Ava affirmed to herself.
Amon, for his part, kept his gaze forward, but his thoughts were a storm. 'She's fine. That's what matters,' he told himself, but the image of Ava getting bitten by the little green snake, her startled gasp, had ignited something primal in him. He'd acted without thinking, diving after her, heedless of the snake that had struck his leg. 'It's my duty as a tribe member,' he reasoned, but the truth gnawed at him. He'd always noticed Ava—her quick mind, her fearless ideas—but saving her had felt personal, urgent, like a pull he couldn't name. 'She's Kael's and George's mate. Would Ava consider…' He clenched his fists, forcing the thought away.
As they reached the village, the central grounds buzzed with activity. Females sorted fruits, males sharpened tools, and cubs darted between the tree huts, their laughter sharp in the air. Ava's return drew eyes—some curious, others wary. Her innovations, from cooking to the salt cave discovery, had elevated her status, but whispers followed her. "Am curious about her origins, could she be a spy?," an older female muttered, eyeing Ava's ash-colored hide dress, a stark contrast to the tribe's simpler attire.
"The Beast God favors her, but what if she angers him?" a beastman said but another beast man jeered "Just say your jealous because she doesnt choose you as her mate"
Another, a young male, countered, "She's brought us fire and salt. We're stronger now." The divide was clear: Ava's influence was a spark, igniting both admiration and unease.
Oma, walking beside Ava, nudged her playfully. "You've got Amon all flustered again," she whispered, her eyes glinting with mischief. "He's never this jumpy, you know. Bet he'd follow you into a dozen traps if you smiled at him."
Lily, trailing behind, stifled a giggle, her gaze darting between Ava and Amon. "He's smitten, Ava. You should see how he lights up when you're around."
Ava's face flushed, and she swatted Oma's arm. "Stop it," she hissed, but her glance strayed to Amon, who was carrying a basket of herbs. His broad shoulders tensed under her stare, as if he felt it, and he turned slightly, their eyes meeting for a fleeting moment. The air crackled, and Ava quickly looked away, her heart pounding. 'This is ridiculous. I'm just grateful. That's all.' But the warmth in her chest suggested otherwise.
Kael, ever watchful, slithered closer, his tail brushing Ava's leg possessively. "You're too reckless, Ava," he said, his voice low but laced with a teasing edge. "And Amon's too quick to play hero." His dark eyes flicked to Amon, a warning glinting in them. Amon met his gaze, unflinching, but his ears reddened, betraying his discomfort. The awkward moment hung between them, broken only by George's gruff laugh. "Let's not make a habit of falling into danger, alright?" he said, squeezing Ava's hand, though his glance at Amon held a hint of rivalry.
As the group dispersed, Ava lingered near the communal fire, her mind racing. The tribe's dynamics were shifting—her ideas had brought prosperity, but also tension. Some females, like Oma and Lily, embraced her innovations, eagerly learning to weave nets or cook fish. Others, who had similar mindset like Emily's, whispered of tradition, wary of Ava's "strange" ways. The males were divided too: all the young males admired her, while some older ones grumbled about her influence over the shaman and tribe leader. 'I'm just trying to help,' Ava thought, frustration mingling with determination. 'But I can't please everyone.'
As the sun began to set, Ava made her way to the shaman's hut, accompanied by Amon. The shaman, Lazur, greeted them warmly and tended to Amon's wound. After a brief examination, Lazur nodded, "It will heal soon. You were lucky, Amon."
As Amon and Ava left the hut, Ava couldn't shake off the feeling that something was brewing in the tribe. She saw the tribe leader, Morris, speaking with Lazur and some of the elder tribe members. They seemed to be in deep discussion, their voices hushed.
Morris's eyes met Ava's, and he nodded in greeting. But Ava sensed that something was off. She felt like she was being watched, and the tribe's dynamics seemed to be shifting.
As the night fell, Ava made her way to her dwelling, lost in thought. Little did she know, the tribe leader and the shaman were discussing her fate.
------------------------------------
Later, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the village in a warm orange glow, Shaman Lazur and Tribe Leader Morris stood apart, their voices hushed. Lazur's wrinkled face was thoughtful, his staff tapping the ground. "Ava's gifts are undeniable," he said. "The salt cave, the fire, the meat curing—she's a blessing from the Beast God. But she's still an outsider in the tribe's eyes."
Morris nodded, his eyes scanning the village. "She's won many hearts, but not all. To solidify her place, she must follow our ways. Newcomers must take at least three mates from the tribe to become full members. George is one, but she needs another."
Lazur's gaze drifted to where Ava stood, laughing with Oma. "George is loyal, and his mark binds her to him. But the tribe will expect her to choose soon. It strengthens bonds, ensures loyalty. Who do you think she'll pick?"
Morris's lips quirked. "Amon's name comes up often. He's proven himself, saving her today. But Kael and George won't make it easy." He paused, his expression serious. "We must inform her soon, Lazur. Her place—and the tribe's future—depends on it."
Lazur nodded, his eyes gleaming with purpose. "We'll speak to her the next chance we get. The Beast God guides her, but the tribe's laws bind us all."
Morris nodded in agreement. "It's a tradition that has been passed down for generations. But we need to approach her with care. She's still adjusting to our ways."
Shaman lazur nodded, a hint of a smile on his face. "I'll make sure to handle it delicately. But one thing is certain, Ava is a valuable addition to our tribe."