Wanderlust Beastkin, Beauty and the Beastkin

"I’m pleased to see you grasp that. However, I must inform you that we only have two females who fit your criteria. One is a wild, wandering female that our scouting team discovered, while the other is a wolf female from our own village. The latter is quite popular, but her demeanor can be quite harsh, whereas the wild female is less sought after due to her...untamed nature."

As he spoke, he stepped into the snatching grounds, and I was immediately taken aback by the foul stench of decay and body odor that permeated the air. Then, I thought I caught a sound on the breeze—was that wailing?

I brushed past my guide as he hurried after me, insisting that I was far from the visitor’s quarters and that this area wasn’t part of the tour. I quickly tuned him out, focusing instead on my path. His words faded into the background; they simply didn’t matter.

Then, I stumbled upon a sight that was utterly appalling—small cabins resembling animal cages, complete with bars on the doors, each one locked and containing beastkin. How could anyone subject these precious females to such treatment? They deserved to be cherished, not imprisoned. The stench was unbearable; it was clear they hadn’t been allowed to bathe and were forced to use a bucket in the corner for their needs. I felt a wave of nausea wash over me as I took in the horrific scene and the foul odor that accompanied it.

As I drew nearer, the grim reality became even more evident—most of the females were injured. It struck me that during the snatching ritual, they hadn’t been harmed, which meant they must have been abused beforehand, only to have the deity’s blessing used to mask the atrocities committed against them. It was no surprise that miasma was beginning to seep out; their deity was clearly displeased. The gift of healing was being misused to hide their crimes against these females. Did they truly believe that the deity they worship knew nothing of their wrongdoings, or did they simply not care? Provoking a Celestial Phoenix seems like an incredibly foolish choice.

I made a concerted effort to maintain a calm expression as I approached the source of the anguished cries. What I encountered when I finally reached the scene was unlike anything I had ever seen. In the final cage, two females were locked in what appeared to be an embrace. One was a petite girl with brown wolf ears and short, tousled brown hair, while the other had long, flowing black hair that sparkled like a starry night, her midnight blue eyes captivating. Large black wings adorned her back, and she was slender, slightly smaller than the wolf girl, with skin that looked pale and fragile.

What truly took me aback was the realization that the black-haired girl was biting the wolf girl’s neck. Surprisingly, there was no marking, despite their intimate position. Upon closer inspection, I noticed the vampire girl making swallowing sounds, with a faint trickle of blood running down the wolf girl’s neck. The wailing echoed from a frightened young female huddled in the corner, her eyes wide as she witnessed the scene unfold.

The guard who had pursued me peered through the bars, his laughter ringing out. "They do that sometimes. The wolf girl lets the vampire bat girl drink from her."

"Why would she allow that? She doesn’t seem in a position to permit someone to feed off her."

"Why don’t you just ask her yourself?" he said, irritation evident on his face as he gestured ahead. "The residences for those involved in the snatching ritual are over there. I could show you, but honestly, I’m not in the mood to wait around. Your house number is seven, so just head that way when you’re ready." With a dismissive wave, he turned and walked away without a second glance.

I sighed and glanced back through the door. "Why are you letting her drink from you?"

"What’s it to you?" the wolf girl shot back, her eyes blazing as she wrapped her arm protectively around the bat girl.

The bat girl pulled away from the bite and licked the wound, which sealed up instantly. "Thank you," she murmured softly to the wolf girl.

"Anytime," the wolf girl replied, affectionately tousling the bat girl’s hair.

I whispered, "I want to help," ensuring the nearby guard wouldn’t catch my words. I was cautious about what I could say, aware that any slip could alert the guards. My goal was to find a moment alone with her, where we could converse freely, and I could hand over the items I had brought for her.

She regarded me with a hint of skepticism, but before she could respond, the bat girl interjected while the wolf girl hesitated. "They’re not feeding me. They think it’s amusing to let me starve because I refuse to take blood from anyone without their consent. Elara offered to let me drink from her, but I despise the idea of taking from her when she’s already hurt and shouldn’t be losing any more blood. I only take what I absolutely need. If you could assist us, I would be truly grateful."

"Ha, and they claim you have a tough personality because you’re a wild beastkin."

She bit her lip and sighed. "They just have a disdain for vampire bat beastkin. I can’t entirely blame them, though; my own clan cast me out for being too soft-hearted, so I’ve become a wandering beastkin. I mean no harm to anyone."

I understand that this situation has been tough for you, but it’s probably for the best that you leave a place that doesn’t appreciate you. This way, you can discover others who will embrace you for who you are. It’s unfortunate that you ended up here, but now that I’m around, you don’t have to worry anymore.

She offered me a hesitant smile as Elara enveloped her in a warm, protective embrace, casting me a wary glance. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of admiration for the little wolf female, who was ready to defend and support another despite her own struggles. The thought crossed my mind that she would make a wonderful mother, and once it did, I couldn’t shake it off. For the first time, I found myself genuinely admiring a female. I blinked, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks. Focus, this isn’t why you’re here.

I managed a small smile, though frustration bubbled beneath the surface at my inability to speak freely. I gestured to the guard nearby, who approached with an air of confidence, as if he owned the world, standing a bit too close for my comfort. "I would like these two females taken to my temporary residence, house number seven."

Two women, huh? He peered into the small one-room shack, and I gestured toward the two I meant.

"Wow! Those two are high-value females. Are you really sure you can afford to buy both? Planning to mark them?"

The two females gasped, and I felt a wave of discomfort wash over me. That was one of the worst things he could have said, a terrible insult to females. When that happens, they’re essentially treated like property. The only time this isn’t frowned upon is when a powerful male emperor has several female mates. Even then, it’s rare due to the scarcity of females, and they often suffer because no single male can provide the care and attention they deserve or generate enough resources for them unless he comes from an exceptionally strong lineage. I sighed and internally winced as a straightforward solution popped into my head. I flipped my visitor’s card over for him to see my details. His eyes widened as he read about my beastkin heritage.

He offered a hesitant bow at the waist before straightening up, a rigid smile plastered on his face. "I will ensure the two of them are cleaned and brought to your residence shortly."

"There’s no need for them to be cleaned up beforehand; they can take care of that once they arrive. Just have someone prepare a bath for them. Also, please refrain from sending any staff; my own will be here soon, and I prefer not to have unfamiliar beastkin in my space. I am quite territorial by nature."

He bowed deeply once more, "As you wish. I will see to it that all your requests are fulfilled."

I turned away without casting another glance at the females, knowing I had to project the air of entitlement expected from a legendary beastkin. Though I despised putting on a façade, it was the simplest way to achieve my goals without encountering any obstacles. I would express my apologies for seeming brusque with them once we were alone. For now, I made my way toward the visitors’ residences, not looking back. Suddenly, Elara’s image invaded my thoughts—her fierce determination shone through despite her injuries and the troubling circumstances surrounding her. I recalled how she held that other beastkin protectively, ready to defend her little bat friend at all costs. She truly was remarkable, and it was no surprise that Perla was so intent on bringing her back.

Coming Next Time: Meanwhile in Duarte Village: Misunderstood and Magic