Troubles?

"I can't." mere inches away from his meat stick I pulled away.

The face he made then was so heartbroken.

"I'm so sorry Ravin, but it just wouldn't be fair to you. I'm not ready to do anything with you yet. It wouldn't be right to touch you, especially you can't do anything to me." I tried to explain.

"Any type of intimacy with you is a blessing. Honestly." The way he said that, like he was practically begging.

I grabbed his hands instead, "Ravin…just give me some time, please? I promise once I figure out all this in my mind. I'll be much more accommodating to us being together."

Ravin is such a good person, it made me almost sad that I am being so mean to him. However, I wasn't lying. I need to figure out all these things that's happening to me in my head, first. I want to open my heart; I want to accept him but if not sure of what I want I don't want to lead him on.

"I'm doing my best to understand you, Tina. I will work harder to understand the needs of my female." He pulled me into his embrace, hugging me tightly as if he were afraid that I would disappear. I patted his arms, assuring him I wasn't going anywhere. Where can I go? In my other world I'm already dead. I just need to come to terms with everything.

After our talk, Ravin took me out to see the tribe. I was amaze at all the different orcs around us. The baby cubs are so cute too.

"Hey Ravin, do these cubs grow up to change like you do and become beast men and beast women like us?" I asked him.

"Yes, they do. Once they become mature, they will be able to morph and change into this form." He pointed at himself. They are still young, so they need the protection and the nurturing from their parents. When we have our own. It would be the same. We'll have lion cubs. You would love and care for our cubs, feeding and nurturing them until they can fend for themselves. My job would be to teach them how to survive this world." He beamed.

I wonder how birthing a cub would be like. Would it hurt like any regular labor?

"Who helps the female beast with the birthing?" I asked.

Ravin stopped and looked at me, his expression confused, "No one helps… female gives birth on their own." His head tilting to the side, "Has your mother never told you this? All beast women go through the birthing cycle themselves."

I paled at the thought. So, if I were to give birth…I do it alone? There will be no doctors or midwives around. I'm human though…how can I do something so animalistically?

"Are you okay? You've gone pale? Do you want to go rest?" Ravin asked, obviously concerned.

"Ah…yes. I think I would like to lay down right now." I managed to swallow.

Ravin took me back to our room.

"Here, you rest. I will find something for you to eat once you wake up." Ravin said gently, tucking the bear skin blanket around me.

I nodded and he left me to my thoughts.

My mind was racing a mile a minute. Is this how I'm supposed to live from now on? Like animals? Is my body even cut out for it? I feel human. I know I'm human. To live like an animal, can I really do it? I want to. I want to be able to trust Ravin and be with him. but at the same time…I'm scared. There are so many things I still need to learn. Now there is this birthing ritual I have to accept. Can I even do it?

[Author Narrating]

Ravin can't help but be curious, his female is so different from the females he's come across before. She's so gentle and fragile looking. Her white porcelain skin looked like they would bruise if he even so touch it. Sometimes he scares himself when he's near her. When he's embracing her in his arms he holds back, scared that he would hurt her.

He's been so patient; he wants her so badly he aches every time he's near her. but why did she look so scared when he talked about having a cub with her? Did she hate the idea that much? He doesn't know what to think. She won't let him touch her, and she wouldn't touch him even when he practically begged her to. Does she not care for him like he does her? does she not want him at all? When he clearly needs her with every part of his being.

"What has you so lost in thought, big brother?" Ravin turned to look at his little brother, who came beside him.

"Nothing, I'm just trying to figure out what to make for my mate to eat." Ravin told him.

Which wasn't exactly a lie, but it wasn't the full truth either.

"H—How is life now that you've taken a mate brother?" Leon looks a little flush as he asked this

Ravin smiled, his little brother must be ready to take on a mate as well. He's young and handsome. He already gathers a lot of attention from the female of their tribe, Ravin feels that Leon won't lose in that department if he wanted to take a mate.

"Which female are you interested in?" Ravin asked, "I'm sure if you decided to choose one, that female will be happy to take you, little brother."

Leon face turner much redder than it already was, "Stop teasing me brother, I'm not ready yet. It was just a question."

Ravin wished he could tell Leon that it was all rose petal and fluffy clouds, but the truth was, he wasn't sure if he was fully happy or not. He knows he loves his female; he fell for her the moment he saw her real appearance. People can tell him that it was because of her looks…he probably wouldn't deny it. But he knew it was something else when he saw her. His heart squeezed and he couldn't breathe the moment he laid eyes on her; he had already decided to take her as his mate before he even saw her beauty. He loved her voice; it was so soothing that it made his heart skip a beat. He found it pleasant despite the fact that she wasn't really a beauty. However, God granted him a female with not only a pleasant voice, but a beauty that is probably on par with the Goddesses themselves. Without a doubt in his mind, Ravin body and soul, especially his beating heart already belong to his beloved female. Its just…he's not sure if she wants him. He's even scared that she might want to break contract with him if she deems him unworthy of her. That thought alone, scare him to the core. Pressing his fingers to his neck, feeling the invisible thread still tightly encircling his neck made him sure of one thing right now, his mate is still his, and there is time to win her over. He just needs to not give up.

Turning back to his little brother who still wants an answer to his earlier question, Ravin smiled, "At this moment, I'm an incredibly happy beast man. No need to worry little brother."

[End of Author Narrating]

I had time to contemplate a lot of things, sure it's still a scary situation. I'm not sure I even want to have children with Ravin yet. The thought of birthing alone still scares me to no end. However, I realize I'm now in another world. I won't be returning to my world. And I need to learn how to survive in this life that God has given me a chance to live. Ravin is now my mate, I need to adjust to that. He's a good man. I'm sure he will treat me better than how my last boyfriend treated me. Since I'm his first, in everything, I could show Ravin the ropes on how to be the best lover or husband whatever they want to call it. Ravin wants to please me, so I'm sure he would welcome anything I ask of him. but about the sex…I'm still uncertain that I could take that length of his. It's still pretty scary to even think about. Taking things step by step should be the way to deal with all this. Yes. I think I will do that. There's no point in dwelling in the past. I have a new life now. Let's just take things slow. I'm sure we can manage.

"Can I come in? Are you awake now?" came the gentle voice of my mate. My mate. I smiled at that. Yes, he is my mate now, isn't he?

"Come in." I called out.

"Hey Tina, I brought you some food, are you hungry?" Ravin looked at me, his eyes were so gentle.

"Yes, I'm famish." I smiled.

"I brought you some fish, I heard the ape clan like these kind of food? Perhaps its something you'll like as well."

He's so considerate. Remembering when we first met, it was actually comical. The man called me ugly with every breath he took, and now it's the opposite. Judging by the bulge he sported on the day he saw me naked was a fat fact, you couldn't deny that he wanted me.

"Ravin, tonight…" Shit…what should I say? Damn I thought it would be easy.

"Tonight?" He looked at me waiting for me to elaborate.

Suddenly his eyes widened, his eyebrows droop just a tiny bit, and a look of hurt clearly took over his handsome face, "Are you perhaps suggesting that we sleep separately? Was sleeping with me last night that repulsive?" I could see his body trembling, was the thought of merely sleeping together being revoked that heartbreaking to him? Gosh…for someone so manly looking, he can be so childish at heart.

"No, Ravin. It's nothing like that. I was only suggesting—never mind. When night comes, you'll know." God, I hope I'm prepared for this.

I shouldn't have brought it up, now Ravin seemed so anxious. It was not my intentions; I'll remedy that tonight somehow.

"You're highness." A voice from our doorway put a stop to our worrying. Ravin forced himself to take a breather before answering.

"What is it?" His voice now calms and collected.

"Ms. Rina is here. And she's causing quite a commotion.

Ravin flinched slightly, who is this Rina girl?

"Alright…I'll go now." Once the person behind the veil left, Ravin turned to me, "Tina…I'll be back. I have to handle this situation first."

"Who's Rina?" Before I could stop myself, I had already asked the question.

"She's no one just a nuisance." He sighed.

"Let me come with you." I told him.

Fear wash over his face, "No!"

His sudden outburst made me flinch. This was the first time he ever raised his voice at me.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to raise my voice at you. But please, I don't want you to come with me." he said softly.

"Why?" what's so secretive about this girl anyways? I felt a surge of jealousy toward this girl, and I had no idea why I was so irritated that he was meeting another girl, "Is she someone you like?"

"No!" he exclaimed, "Tina, you're the only one I like and want to be with. Please don't misunderstand me." He added.

"So why can't I come?" I asked again.

He sighed, "I want to keep you safe. Rina…Rina is my father's best friend's daughter. You see, my parents always thought that Rina and I would become mates. They made every opportunity for us to find our way to each other. However, Rina is a very pride and selfish person. She uses her beauty to attract the beast men to her side. She doesn't love anyone; she only wants the best. She sees beast men as objects of her desire. She'll take the best of the bunch and doesn't care who she trumps over. Many beast men have perish because of her. Remember I told you us beast men can only love one female? Rina knows this and yet, when she gets tired of you she throws you away without caring. The more you resist her the more adamant she becomes, and she'll use any tricks to get her way if she has to. I've rejected her 3 times already. Since then, any female comes near me gets hurt or dies mysteriously. I know she's the cause of all those incidents. I don't want her to do anything to you. I won't be with you all the time. There will be time when I go hunting or run errands as the next lion beast men's king."

Even after listening to him my curiosity isn't quite quenched. I still want to see this mysterious Rina. Whoever the heck she is.

"I can handle myself Ravin. I know you don't believe that, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Don't worry so much. As your mate. I want to face everything coming your way. Don't hide me. I don't like to feel inferior as your mate." I told him.

"My mate… hearing you say that. Make me feel secure, Tina. That you acknowledge me. But still...I don't think I can risk it."

Damn stubborn man, "Ravin. I'm going."

"You won't let this go, will you?" he sighed in defeat.

"One thing you will definitely grow tired of…is that I'm very stubborn as well." I admitted.

"I highly doubt that." He breathes, "Alright. We'll go together."

Giving in to my stubbornness, Ravin took hold of my hand and grasped it tightly but very gently as well. We walked to the main hall where a loud commotion could be heard.

"How could you allow this? I claimed Ravin already. You can't just let some other female claim him!" You could hear the malice in her voice.

"Rina, Ravin chose for himself. As parents we are there to support our children, as long as they're happy." Ravin mother said.

"Where is he? I will see with my own eyes about this female." Geez, talk about being rude.

"What do you want Rina." We enter the main hall, Ravin still insist on hiding me behind him, it was really hard to peak from behind him since he's so tall.

"Ravin, is it true you found yourself a mate?" Rina asked, her anger barely contained.

"Yes, I have. We became one not too long ago."

"How could you?" she growled, "You knew I wanted you. Did you do it to spite me?"

"I've told you countless time, Rina. I don't want to be your mate. You have plenty of them, that should keep you happy." Ravin stated

"These mates could be replace, I told you this. If you only agree, I could leave them for you."

Wow what a bitch.

"That's the problem, Rina. You don't care for anyone but yourself. How can I even feel secure if you throw beast men like me away like you throw away used linen? You treat them like they mean nothing. I don't want that kind of life, where I'm not sure if I'm secure or not. If I have to fight for my place vying for your attention." I know he's saying it to her, but why does it sound like it's being directed to me as well? He doesn't think I would abandon him, right?

"Who's the female who dare take what's mine." I could hear the hatred in her voice.

Feeling the grip on my wrist loosening, I pulled away from Ravin and presented myself, "I'm Tina, Ravin's mate." I held my head high doing my best to not look afraid, but honestly, I feel really exposed right now for some reason.

Her nostril flare, her eyes glaring straight at me, the next moment happen so fast I could barely even blink. Rina lunged at me, but Ravin was quick, he blocked her and got slash from her claw injuring his upper back with her claw mark. The next minute, Leon came to our rescue and pushed Rina away from us. Both party snarling, tensions filled the air.

"Fine, I'll let this slide. I will let my father deal with your misconduct lion's king. If being my mate is so hard, maybe I should take little Leon instead? He's of age is he not?" Rina smirked.

I could see the horror in Leon's face, mirroring Ravin at the moment as well.

"I will not become your mate. Rina." Leon interjected.

"I won't let you escape me like your brother did. You're both equally handsome. Since I can't have Ravin anymore. I'll just take you little one." She laughed.

"My son will get to decide his mate. Your father will not force my child." The lion's king said.

"We'll see. Won't we? You promised me Ravin. So, to compensate, Leon is the only token I will take. Or there will be conflict between us, lion's king." With that declaration, Rina and her entourage left the main hall and went out of sight.

This girl is ridiculous. I turned to look at Leon, the poor thing looked so stressful.

Ravin looked equally stressed, what can I do to help them. Geez I'm only one ordinary female. What could I do?