The soft light of dawn spilled through the cave mouth, warm and golden, catching on the still–flickering embers of the dying fire.
Evan stretched slowly, a small groan escaping his lips. His body was still a little sore, but the ache was fading — replaced now with a lazy warmth that made him smile despite himself.
When he sat up, Silas was already awake. The beastman stood near the entrance of their chamber, his tall frame backlit by morning light, tail moving slowly as he polished something in his hands. His silver-white scales gleamed faintly like moonlit glass, and his emerald hair fell loosely down his shoulders.
When he noticed Evan watching him, Silas turned and walked over. Without a word, he placed something soft and folded into Evan's lap.
Evan blinked down at it. The material shimmered faintly — smooth, light, almost silk-like. "What's this?" he asked absently, still half-asleep.
"For you," Silas said simply.
Evan, still groggy, held it up between his hands. "It's beautiful… what is it made of? It would make such good fabric."
Then, halfway through the sentence, realization dawned. His eyes widened, and his mouth fell open.
"…Wait. This isn't… your skin, is it?"
Silas's lips curved faintly. "My shed skin, yes. It's strong, soft, and light. It can be used for clothing or as a protective layer."
Evan froze, staring at it, then looked back at Silas in disbelief. "You mean you're giving me that? Your actual—?!"
Silas tilted his head slightly, looking amused. "Do you not like it?"
"I–I didn't say that!" Evan spluttered, cheeks warm. He ran his fingers over the shimmering material again. It really was beautiful — smooth like fine leather but lighter than any fur. "I just— didn't expect you to give me something that came off your body."
Silas chuckled quietly, his tail flicking behind him. "Among my kind, it's considered… intimate. A way to show trust."
Evan blinked, his heart skipping for reasons he couldn't quite explain. "Intimate, huh…" He coughed lightly. "Well, I guess I'll… make something out of it then. Maybe a coat or blanket."
Silas watched him fondly, emerald eyes soft. "Whatever you wish. It's yours now."
Evan held it closer, almost instinctively, as if it carried Silas's warmth still. Then, more quietly, he asked, "Does it… hurt? When you shed ?"
Silas smiled faintly, clearly touched by the question. "No. It only itches near the end. The old layer loosens and I slip free. It feels… cleansing."
"Cleansing?"
He nodded. "Like starting anew. The air feels different against the new scales. I feel lighter."
Evan exhaled softly in relief. "Good. For a second, I thought it might be painful."
Silas leaned closer, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Worried about me, little one?"
Evan looked away quickly. "Of course I was! "
Silas's chuckle rumbled low in his chest, and he brushed a finger against Evan's cheek.
"Cute"
"Hm" Evan muttered, trying to sound firm — but his lips betrayed a small smile.
---
After breakfast, the cave was filled with the usual chatter.
The cubs were busy arguing over who would help Mama today, while Silas making knife ,niddles and hunting tools from his shedded scales — not that he needed them but Evan does .His claws and fangs were more than enough.
Evan after being reminded by the system of the taro location, thinking of solution how he will take Silas to the location .
After a while, was kneeling beside a small map he'd scratched into the dirt floor with a stick. "Okay, we've got herbs stored, jerky dried, furs ready, and the salt's nearly finished drying. But for winter, we'll need starch and fiber. Something filling."
Milo blinked. "Starch?"
Leo tilted his head. "what's that?"
Evan sighed. " Food that fills your stomach even when there's no meat."
Silas raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by Evan's small lecture voice. "And what are you planning to find, little one?"
"Taro," Evan said, smiling. "I've harvest some near the lake but wanted to find more. They are the plants with broad leaves that love damp places.We can dry them and grind them into powder for winter."
Silas nodded. "Then you'll want the lower marshes. South of the ridge — but the ground there's mushy, and full of those itchy vines you hate."
Evan's eyes lit up. "Itchy vines? You mean there's a patch of them?"
Silas blinked, bemused. "Yes… why?"
Evan grinned and called mentally, "Hey, System — south of the ridge is the place you mentioned, right?"
[✔ Confirmed. Taro growth zone detected.]
Evan beamed. "Because itchy vines mean fertile soil! That's exactly where taro loves to grow!"
The cubs looked impressed for exactly three seconds before Leo frowned. "But Mama, if it's mushy ground, won't you sink?"
Evan chuckled. "That's why I have your Papa. He'll carry me over the mud if needed."
Silas's tail swayed lazily, the corners of his mouth lifting. "You sound quite certain of that."
Evan gave him a sly look. "You owe me after that night."
That earned him a very quiet, deep laugh — the kind that made his stomach twist pleasantly. "Fair," Silas said simply.
---
Later that morning, they set out together. Silas walked ahead, his powerful body moving easily through the thick underbrush. Evan followed behind with a basket slung over his shoulder, the cubs skipping between them.
The air was damp, rich with the scent of moss and wet earth. Soon, the sound of bubbling water reached their ears — a shallow marsh stretched ahead, glinting under the sunlight.
Evan crouched near the edge, examining the vegetation. "Ah, see this one?" He pointed to a large, heart-shaped leaf sprouting from the mud. "That's taro! Look how the stem curves slightly. That's how you know."
Milo leaned over curiously. "Can we eat the leaves too?"
"Not raw. They itch," Evan said, grinning. "But once cooked, they're good food."
Leo sniffed the air. "Smells like mud."
"That's because it is mud," Evan teased. "Now, help me dig around the roots. We'll clean them later."
While they dug, Silas carried full baskets to the nearby stream, washing the mud away and hauling them back with practiced ease. His tail occasionally brushed Evan's leg — a teasing reminder that he was watching.
After hours of work, they had 20 full baskets of taro. Evan straightened with a sigh, wiping sweat from his brow. "This should last weeks once it's dried."
Silas came closer, eyeing the pile. "These little roots are what you plan to make powder from?"
"Mm-hmm," Evan nodded. "Taro powder. You slice the roots thin, dry them under the sun, then grind them. Keeps for months."
The beastman tilted his head thoughtfully. "Efficient."
"Practical," Evan corrected with a grin. "Not everyone can live on raw meat and fire like you."
Silas smirked, tail curling briefly around Evan's ankle. "I could live on you, little one."
Evan flushed, glaring at him. "Not in front of the cubs!"
"Then don't look so edible," Silas said smoothly, clearly enjoying his reaction.
Leo snickered loudly. "Papa said Mama's edible!"
Evan groaned and covered his face. "You two didn't hear that!"
Milo blinked innocently. "We totally did."
Later when Evan and the children were exhausted Silas done all the harvesting and delivery work.
---
By the time they returned to the cave, the baskets were overflowing with taro and a few bonus finds — wild onions, vine fruit, and a rare bunch of sweet herbs.
Evan immediately began slicing the taro while Silas built a broad rack near the fire pit for drying them.
The smell of earth and woodsmoke filled the air as the slices began to slowly dehydrate. The cubs lay nearby, playing a guessing game with leaves and pebbles.
Silas sat beside Evan, quietly sharpening one of his claws with a smooth stone — not because he needed to, but because it kept his hands busy.
"You work too much," he said after a while, his tone soft. "Even beasts rest after mating season."
Evan snorted. "Are you comparing me to livestock now?"
"No," Silas said calmly. "Livestock don't smell this nice."
Evan nearly dropped his knife. "Silas!"
The beastman just smiled that maddeningly serene smile. "What? I'm complimenting my mate."
Evan muttered something under his breath about shameless snakes and pretended to focus on the slicing again — though his ears burned pink.
---
As night fell, the taro slices were spread out neatly, catching the last of the sunset glow.
The cubs were already asleep when Silas came to sit beside Evan near the fire, his emerald eyes reflecting the light.
"You've done well," he said quietly. "Our den smells like life again."
Evan smiled, leaning slightly against him. "It's our home now. We have to make it feel that way."
Silas's tail brushed gently against his leg — just enough to make Evan aware of it, not enough to startle him. "You already have."
The night grew still, filled only with the soft crackle of flames and the rhythmic breathing of the sleeping cubs.
Evan looked up at Silas's glowing scales and murmured, "You're shining again."
Silas's lips curved faintly. "Then I'll stay close, so you don't lose your way in the dark."
Evan smiled, eyes soft. "You already do that."
---
[System Notification]
[ Quest Completed: "Gather and Prepare Wild Taro"
Hidden Reward Unlocked: +50 Experience (Domestic Skill Level Increased)
New Quest Available:
Make taro powder for winter storage.
Hint: Sun-dry until crisp, then grind with smooth stones.
Special Note: Silas's affection +10. Current bond: 98%.]
The den grows warmer — in more ways than one.