Chapter 24 

The early morning sun filtered through the window, casting a warm glow on the room. Ava awoke, her senses stirred by the warmth of George's fur against her. She stretched gently, realizing that Kael, ever the diligent partner, was already gone—likely out hunting. It was just her and George alone.

As if sensing her gaze, George shifted, slowly transforming back into his human form. The sight of him, bare and vulnerable, took Ava's breath away, and her face turned a deep shade of red. Her right hand, almost on its own, reached out, brushing lightly against the firm lines of his chiseled abs. George responded with a low purr, his eyes darkening with raw desire. In a heartbeat, Ava found herself lying flat on her back, George hovering over her, his warm breath mingling with hers. Their gazes locked, intense and unbroken, the world around them fading.

Ava's hands found their way to the back of his head, pulling him closer as she dotted gentle kisses across his lips, savoring the warmth. George, seeming to have reached his limit, melted into her touch, his restraint vanishing. He ran his hands over her body, mapping every curve, as his lips pressed harder against hers, their kiss intensifying. His hunger was palpable, and Ava matched his fervor, her own passion growing, as their bodies seemed to mold into one.

Outside the door, Kael stood in silence, his heart clenched painfully as he witnessed the scene. A mixture of jealousy and hurt clouded his face. Watching Ava and George together reminded him of his own vulnerability, an aching reminder that he wasn't her only mate and that he might not always be her primary focus. 

Yet, as much as Kael wanted to storm in, he stopped himself. He was aware of the reality of their world; the presence of multiple mates for a female ensured her safety. This wasn't just about love, but survival. The more mates Ava had, the better protected she would be. As his initial wave of jealousy subsided, Kael took a deep breath, reminding himself that his devotion to Ava included respecting her bond with George and any other mates she might choose. It was a bitter acceptance, but his love for Ava was enough to endure it.

He stood silently, drawing strength from his resolve. Kael knew that Ava's happiness and safety came above his own feelings; he would endure whatever it took. Yet, despite his acceptance, a quiet determination stirred within him. "I'll be her favorite", he resolved, a soft pride building as he made his way to the catch he'd brought in earlier: a yellow-bellied sheep, plump and perfect for Ava.

With a sense of purpose, Kael set to work preparing the sheep, his hands deft and sure. He cleaned the animal meticulously, taking special care to prepare it the way Ava liked. Seasoning it with the herbs she'd taught him to gather, he planned a slow roast that would fill the house with its savory aroma. As he worked, his heart steadied, fueled by the simple thought of seeing her smile when she tasted his efforts. He'd give her his best, in every way he could.

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Ava lay limply on the bed, her entire body aching with exhaustion. "Damn beastmen and their extreme stamina," she muttered to herself, feeling a mixture of frustration and amazement. Her mind wandered to the other females in the tribe with multiple mates, some with as many as 20. How could they possibly keep up with that level of energy? she wondered, shaking her head slightly, almost in disbelief at the thought.

Just as she was drifting into her thoughts, the door creaked open, and George entered, carrying a large, armless wooden bucket filled with cool water. He set it down beside her with a warm smile and, without a word, began to gently wipe her down, using a soft cloth to clean her weary body. His touch was tender, respectful, and filled with a certain sense of reverence that made Ava feel surprisingly comfortable. She watched him for a moment, intrigued, and then asked, "George, where did you get that?"

He looked up, a proud glint in his eye. "I made it," he replied. "I thought it'd be useful for you to have something bigger than those bamboo cups so you wouldn't always need to go to the river for a bath." He paused, his eyes meeting hers. "I cut down a tree yesterday after making those cups and thought, 'Why not make an even bigger one?' So here it is."

Ava's face lit up with genuine admiration. "That's brilliant, George! To think you'd make a bucket all on your own."

George tilted his head slightly, intrigued. "Bucket? Is that what we're calling it?"

"Yes, it's a fitting name," Ava replied with a chuckle. It's easier to act as though she was naming it herself rather than explaining how she already knew what it was called. The idea of this "bucket" was already inspiring her. Now that they had a way to bring water into the house, she could ask Kael to build a small makeshift bathroom, somewhere private where she could bathe without trekking to the river each time. And, of course, this means I'll need to start making soaps soon too, she thought with a growing sense of excitement.

Once George had finished cleaning her, Ava felt refreshed, her skin free from the sticky remnants of sweat and sleep. She picked up the clean ash-colored garment that George had set out for her. As she slipped it on, she noticed George's gaze; he was watching her, an expression of quiet admiration evident in his eyes. Seeing her in the clothes he had carefully sewn seemed to captivate him, and for a moment, he looked as though he wanted to pull her back into bed. She could see his inner struggle as he swallowed hard and, in a flurry, turned away, grabbing the bucket of water and hurrying out of the room before his desire could overcome him.

Chuckling to herself, Ava took a deep breath, feeling the familiar comfort of her ash-colored garment. The events of the morning had left her feeling restless and eager to be outside, so she quickly made her way out of the bedroom, barely able to contain her energy. She headed towards the kitchen, wondering if there was something to eat to satisfy her growing hunger. As she entered, she nearly collided with Kael, who had just finished dishing up breakfast. The aroma of roasted meat mingled with spices and honey filled the room, making her stomach rumble in anticipation.

"Oh, good morning, sweetie," Ava greeted him warmly, wrapping her arms around his waist in a spontaneous embrace. The affectionate gesture seemed to catch Kael off guard, but a pleased smile quickly spread across his face. He returned her hug, reaching up to gently caress her cheek before bending down to press a gentle kiss on her lips.

"Good morning, Ava," he murmured back, his eyes softening with warmth and contentment.

They moved together to the porch, where Kael set down the bamboo dishes he'd prepared, laden with succulent roasted meat that glistened with honey and spices. Ava settled herself comfortably on the porch floor, breathing in the cool morning air as she took her first bite. The flavors burst on her tongue, and she sighed contentedly, savoring the meal that Kael had so lovingly prepared. She looked over at him with a grateful smile, feeling a warmth in her heart for this steady, reliable mate who always seemed to anticipate her needs.

As they finished breakfast, Ava began to feel an urge to explore the village. The confines of the house had started to feel too familiar, and she wanted to stretch her legs and breathe in the morning air as she walked around the tribe's territory. She glanced at Kael, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"I think I'll go for a walk around the tribe," she announced, rising to her feet with a stretch.

Kael's gaze followed her, his expression a mix of pride and a touch of concern. He knew she was safe within the village, but a part of him wanted to follow, to protect her even here. Still, he nodded, respecting her desire for independence. "Enjoy yourself," he said softly. "I'll be here if you need anything."

Ava gave him a quick hug, appreciating his silent support and understanding. She felt a surge of gratitude toward both of her mates for their patience, strength, and the space they gave her to feel free.

As she left the porch and began to walk through the village, her thoughts lingered on the morning.

As Ava strolled through the village, taking in the morning sights, she noticed a group of males gathering bamboo stems by the edge of the river. Their arms were full, each carrying bundles of bamboo of various sizes, ranging from thick, sturdy trunks to thinner, more flexible stems. They seemed absorbed in their task, talking among themselves as they worked, their eyes scanning the area for suitable pieces. The rhythmic sound of bamboo clacking together echoed softly as they stacked them into piles.

A little further along, Ava spotted Lily in the company of her mates, who were also busy hauling bundles of bamboo stems over their shoulders. Lily's mates seemed focused, moving carefully to avoid damaging the delicate bamboo as they made their way toward the village center. The scene piqued Ava's curiosity, so she approached Lily with a warm smile.

"What's going on?" she asked, glancing at the bamboo stems piled high in Lily's mates' arms.

Lily looked over with a grin. "Well, it seems news of your bamboo dinnerware has spread," she explained, nodding in the direction of the other males. "Everyone's interested. They want to make their own cups, bowls, and utensils now."

Ava couldn't help but smile at the thought. "It's really catching on, then," she said, satisfaction lighting up her face. There was something fulfilling about seeing an idea she had introduced inspire others. It felt like a small yet significant step forward for the tribe.