Wanderlust Beastkin, Beauty and the Beastkin

Beckett’s Perspective

I typically preferred solitude, only breaking it to spend time with my brothers, Ira and Caspian, who were part of my hatchling group. Out of the ten of us in that litter, only four remained in the same area. Caspian and Ira often came by to swim with me while Ronen was busy preparing for his upcoming hatchlings, making it difficult for him to join us at the moment. However, we have plans to visit Ronen soon, bringing gifts to celebrate his hatch day and welcome the new arrivals. We’re all eagerly anticipating the chance to meet our new nephews and possibly nieces.

It would be wonderful if some of them shared our species, allowing us to take them swimming with us as well. I hadn’t expected Ira for a few more days, so I was taken aback when he leaped into the water, half-shifted, with his upper body in his beastkin form and his lower half in fins. In that state, he resembled a true mermale.

"Beck! I need your help! I need you to go to the female snatching grounds in Duarte Village and keep an eye on my mate’s friend. We won’t be able to get there as fast as you will and she’s worried about her. I need to help and be reliable for her, so I really need your help." He rushed up to me and grabbed me by the shoulders with wide and desperate looking eyes.

"Just a second, take a deep breath. Your mate? When did you find someone?" I glanced at him, but I couldn’t spot any mate mark.

His cheeks flushed a soft pink as he cast his gaze downward. "I might have gotten a little ahead of myself; she’s not my mate just yet, but my heart is so drawn to her. I really want us to be mates someday. The truth is, I’m not sure she feels the same way about me, and I can tell she’s still warming up to me. But oh, she’s so beautiful and has the sweetest heart, fiercely loyal to her friends. She’s got this incredible sense of humor, a talent that captivates, and just the right amount of sass that makes her utterly irresistible. I crave more time with her; I want us to dive deeper into each other’s worlds, to share laughter and tears, to be a beastkin she can lean on. She’s a radiant light that brightens any space. But for now, I feel like I’m just a shadow in her life, and I need to change that. I want to be one she can trust, one who listens to her every thought and stands by her side, no matter what. I long to be that rock for her. I feel like a fool but she’s extraordinary and I can’t pull myself away."

"This isn’t like you," I said.

"I know," Ira replied, placing his hands on his warm cheeks. His eyes sparkled, and his face was aglow; he had never encountered anyone who sparked more than a fleeting interest in him, especially not someone who could make him blush or feel so devoted.

"I can’t express how much I need this! There are so many other guys vying for her attention, and some of them already bear her marks, while I remain unmarked. Only one of those marks is permanent, and she’s recognized them. Yet here I am, unable to even embrace her, and she is simply extraordinary. All I long for is the chance to hold her close."

"I understand, and I’m here to assist you. I’ll help you create a positive impression on this female, absolutely. If your brother isn’t around to support you, who else do you have? Your happiness matters to me, and it seems like this female could be the key to that happiness. Just make sure you take the time to truly understand her before you let her leave her mark on you. It’s important to remember that once a male finds himself in a difficult relationship, it can be quite challenging to escape. He can only move on if she agrees to let him go, regardless of how unhappy he might be. For our kind, the situation can often be even more complicated than it is for other males."

"I know," Ira said quietly. "But in a way, I also have kind of an advantage."

"Yes...but it could also turn horribly wrong."

"I know."

I reached out my hand, gently ruffling the soft strands of his light pink and delicate light green hair, before pulling him into a tender hug. Our long tresses mingled together, his flowing locks intertwining with my own light yellow and baby blue hair, which perfectly complemented my baby blue eyes. The iridescent pink scales that adorned him glimmered beautifully, harmonizing with my own silver and white scales. While males of other species may not express affection as freely, male hippocampus are known for their deep emotional connections with those they cherish, in contrast to the more reserved nature of the females of our kind. It’s simply part of who we are as a species."

"I’m familiar with the route to Duarte Village, so you don’t have to be concerned. Can you describe what this female looks like and what her name is?"

"Elara is a petite wolf beastkin with shoulder-length brown hair and golden-brown eyes. She has a yellow aura, so she may attract the attention of many suitors. She yearns for independence and resists being claimed so don’t allow other males to come near her. Perla, her closest friend, is determined to protect her. They have made plans to live together, but one of Perla’s mates betrayed her trust by sending Elara away without her knowledge and against her wishes. Perla believes that Elara has been poorly treated while being kept at the snatching grounds."

"Wow, other species of males are definitely different," I said.

"I agree, and they often regard us with disdain, claiming we don’t fit the mold of real males," Ira said, exasperation evident in his voice. "If being a real male equates to being a brute, then they can hold onto that definition for themselves."

"Rest easy about this situation; you can confidently tell that female you like that you’ve sent your brother to look out for her friend Elara. I won’t let any other guys come near her or mistreat her while I’m watching over her. We may be gentle by nature, but our magic is powerful, and I’m a swift swimmer, so I’ll reach her quickly." I offered him a comforting smile and we embraced once more before he departed. I noticed how his posture straightened and his steps were light as he walked away from my pond. He knew he could rely on me, just as he always has. Family always stands together.

I beamed at his retreating figure, pleased that he trusted me completely. After that, I gathered some of my things and stowed them in my sack belt before diving into the water, propelling myself swiftly toward Duarte Village.

Lirit’s Perspective

I had General Kai all cleaned up and dressed in something a bit more daring. I wrapped him in this luxurious silk that hugged his torso perfectly and laid him down in my bed. My parents were off somewhere, probably fussing over some nonsense about mom’s teacher needing to check on the shrine because the energy was acting weird. Honestly, I think they’re just overreacting. So what if the shrine flickers? It just means we can pick a new deity to worship. There are plenty out there, and honestly, I’ve always wanted to find a fierce combatant deity. Imagine being able to wield fire! How cool would that be?

The fact that those two are out of town is just perfect for me. They never really get my vibe when I’m laser-focused on my ambitions. Honestly, they’ll never grasp my level of determination because they refuse to push boundaries like I do. My mom is all about her principles and limits, and the thought of switching up her approach? Not even on her radar. My dad, though, he’s a different story. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants, but he has to be sneaky about it so Mom doesn’t lose her mind. That’s why I can’t spill the tea about the snatching grounds. But honestly, those girls had it coming. They’re the bottom of the barrel, and getting rid of them keeps our town looking fabulous. Plus, if they sell for a good price, I might even score another water feature. Low taxes, happy beastkin, and we’re thriving because we’re offloading unwanted females who would just drag the village down. Everyone benefits! Even those girls who would otherwise be lonely get a chance at a mate, so what’s the issue? And soon enough, I’ll be rid of Elara for good. It’s a genius way to eliminate competition. If any girl thinks she can outshine me or gets too cozy with Kai, she’s out. And if she’s stunning? Bye-bye! The title of the village’s top beauty is mine, and mine alone.

Coming Next Time: Meanwhile In Duarte Village: Beck Arriving