Story 1. Chapter 4

The evening sun hung low in the sky, dipping below the imposing tree line and settling across the horizon.

The low lighting seemingly freeing the shade to spill out, lazily, pooling shapes and shadows all around the wooded village.

Up in one of the tall treehouse abodes, a winged figure deftly slipped from a nearby branch, in through the entrance hole high off the ground. The sound of rustling feather awoke Naomi from her slumber as she cosily napped, buried under a few layers.

She blearily rubbed her eyes, adjusting to the darkness as she remembered where she was - feeling somewhat better about her new found circumstances after a little food and sleep.

Inhaling the heady scent of the forest mixed with rich wood she felt relieved actually,

'I'm alive. I have a new life, that's all that matters now' she smiled softly in the dark,

'....perhaps a new husband too...' her thoughts trailing off.

Naomi knew it would take some time to adjust to life here. Hopefully she won't have to take on too many mates though, even if it was for a safe and peaceful-ish life.

More mates meant more temperaments, and she did happen to remember most of the male leads in those novels could often secretly be rather covetous.

She pondered what kind of other beastmen existed, and how they could tell the difference from wild animals other than size maybe. Oren's lion form seemed much taller than the lions Naomi had seen in the zoo.

Her thoughts bounced around randomly,

'Will he be my first husband then?' She mused, contemplating his handsome face.

Oren was very attractive there was no doubt about that fact; remembering his firm palms stroking her thighs Naomi's body began to heat.

Biting her lip, Naomi was struggling with her sensibilities - she had enjoyed his fleeting touch, in fact it left her a little yearning- hungry for the sweet sensation of his heated skin on hers.

Lost in thought she still hasn't noticed the looming presence keenly observing her back as she lay; subtly inhaling the gently swirling air above her resting figure. 

The intruders dark outline hovered indecisively, seemingly gauging what action to take.

As Naomi was now awake, the chances of slipping back out the softly illuminated entrance hole undetected would prove difficult. 

Her soft breath was the only sound within the wooden chamber, the grainy wood creaking from time to time. 

Naomi was getting a little uncomfortable, needing to pee now but was too unfamiliar with her dim surroundings. She wasn't even too sure where that little arch was now to begin with (assuming there was a way to relieve herself there).

Feeling mildly perturbed she huffed, could have sworn she heard something when she awoke.

As if sensing her restlessness the figure decided to act, any moment now she might roll over. Time to improvise.

Deftly, the hulking shape crouched down behind her curled figure, sneaking himself alongside her body. This wasn't exactly planned but now his determination drove him to be bold; suddenly slipping his arms around her, eagerly drawing Naomi back into his embrace. 

"Ah!" Naomi half screamed in surprise, "O-oren?!" she stuttered, trying to twist in his arms, shocked at the sudden contact.

In response the arms around her tightened, holding her firmly against his chest before she heard a grumbled response: "Mhhm".

She thought his low timbre seemed a little subdued but put it down to tiredness perhaps? Feeling a bit uneasy at his sudden and stealthy return, Naomi tried to relax her racing heart while ignoring the building pressure in her bladder- he was squeezing her too much!

"Y-you were so quiet returning! Um, actually can you help me to a toilet or outside to pee please? Sorry I really need to go now." she meekly requested of him, a little embarrassed that she needed assistance but she felt a little more comfortable with her soon to be husband too. 

"Please?" Naomi whined, wriggling her lower half uncomfortably, feeling the urgency growing steadily in the somewhat awkward atmosphere.

Momentarily Stunned, the stand in paused before replying with another grumbled, but affirmative mutter.

Silently he could only laugh, inwardly smirking at his predicament; realizing he'd brought this scenario upon himself with his impromptu façade. 

Naomi's scent was tickling his nose, the intruders mind was already beginning to wander... her soft body beneath his hands felt exquisite he wanted to hold her like this a little longer. His hands yearned to wander also, to press and hold her hips against his. 

The pair lay for another moment, what felt like an eternity for poor Naomi still embraced within the vice-like grip. Had Oren been so firm earlier too? A gentle scent filled the air, similar to honeysuckle.

'Is that wafting from outside?' She couldn't help but wonder.

Almost feeling her suspicions growing the stand in decided he would have to move. He would need to do this now instead, and hoped she wouldn't resent him.

Reaching down the figure gathered the edges of the large furs covering Naomi's body, expertly wrapping them under and around her.

Sufficiently swaddled he clasped her further towards him, crouching as he held her close . Deftly he scooped her up princess style firmly against him chest, wrapped rather tightly in the rough and ready blankets.

'Why is he being so....firm? Not quite anxious but... something. ' Naomi wondered as she wiggled slightly, testing her cocoon.

Walking towards the entrance in only a few long paces Naomi thought his stride seemd longer; was she a little higher up?

An unknown feeling started creeping across her skin as uncertainty began to set in- she wasn't entirely sure of what but something about the situation was amiss.

"O-oh is it back down the tree abode? Do I have to go au-natural?" Naomi gently enquired; her heart quickening slightly as her eyes darted around the dim surroundings.

No reply at all this time. What was up with him?

Coming towards the large entrance, the sudden thought of descending the treehouse made Naomi quiver. She felt woozy at the thought, a slight sense of premature vertigo. Closing her eyes she tried to right herself, praying for some kind of vestibular miracle to occur.

Then, a cool evening breeze swept across her exposed cheeks almost invitingly. The mild air carrying the remnants of humid afternoons.

'I really want to look too but...' hesitating for a moment before deciding she needed to steel her spine a bit.

Daring to open her eyes for a moment, curious to see the landscape from up high, Naomi peeked a look at her surroundings.

Releasing a small gasp, eyes adjusting as she took in the wooded twilight view.

Her awe was turned to confusion as she saw a familiar beast approaching fast from a distance, a pang of dread stirring in her stomach. 

'...that's Oren? that's Oren?!Oh god who's HOLDING ME?!' panic struck deep in her heart, spluttering she was momentarily dumbfounded with shock.

Her blood ran cold as she realized her predicament. She was essentially being bride-napped. A lone bachelor had swooped in before Oren and her could seal their relationship together to also stake a claim.

This would definitely take some adjusting, but also just how exactly could one adjust?

Even though she believed she was safe (probably); Naomi was not too excited at the dawning notion that this might be a common occurrence here until a woman was married a few times. 

'What have I gotten myself into?' Naomi thought as tears pooled in eyes, feeling a mixture of confused and overwhelmed.

And she was still absolutley bursting to pee .