Chapter 25: George is Mine

As she looked around, watching the men carry bamboo with newfound purpose, Ava felt a quiet sense of pride. She could almost see the change beginning to ripple through the village. The simple act of creating bamboo dinnerware wasn't just about convenience; it was inspiring a shift in thinking. These beastmen are learning, she thought, adapting to using materials around them in more creative ways.

For so long, the tribe's lifestyle had been survival-focused—hunt, gather, and rely on the most basic resources. But now, she imagined the possibilities that lay ahead. With a little encouragement and imagination, they might soon transition from a primitive way of life to something resembling the early stages of a Stone Age society. Ava could envision them crafting simple yet practical tools from bamboo, stone, wood, and even bone, allowing them to create a richer, more comfortable life.

She could imagine the tribe learning to carve stone into tools, shaping bones into sturdy implements, and utilizing wood in even more sophisticated ways. The possibilities thrilled her. This tribe could evolve to use these materials to enhance their daily lives, she thought, envisioning shelves, containers, and more advanced implements, each piece a testament to their growth.

Lily watched the spark in Ava's eyes and nudged her playfully. "I was wondering if you could send George over to guide the other males a bit," she asked.

Ava smiled as she nodded, feeling that Lily understood the importance of this small but meaningful development.

Ava was enjoying the morning with Lily, the two of them sharing laughs and exchanging stories. They discussed the spread of bamboo dinnerware and how quickly the idea was catching on, each amused by the ways small innovations were making waves in their community. The morning was sunny, and Ava felt warmth both from the sun and from Lily's companionship, savoring the simple pleasure of friendship.

But just then, a shadow fell over them, breaking the serene moment. A huge, plump, dirty-looking female with ashen-brown hair appeared, looking furious. Ava and Lily both glanced at each other, confused, as the female stomped toward them. Her unkempt hair was suffering from obvious patches of alopecia, and her skin was speckled with grime. She had an air of anger and frustration about her, and her voice came out in a harsh, accusing tone.

"So, you're the one who snatched my mate!" she sneered, eyes narrowed at Ava.

Ava blinked, taken aback. She was sure she had never seen this female before. Lily leaned in close and whispered to her, "Her name is Emily. She's been pursuing George for a while now, trying to get him to be her mate, but he's rejected her every time. I heard she was off visiting her father—the leader of a nearby tribe. Looks like she's back today, though."

Ava felt a surge of shock and disgust at the thought. The image of this filthy, grumpy-looking female chasing after George filled her with revulsion. The mere idea of George, her beloved George, enduring such a forceful, unappealing suitor was almost too much to bear. She was deeply grateful she had met George first.

Her attention shifted to the crowd forming around them, and she realized Emily had brought along eleven males, each one looking tense and ready for confrontation. They were likely her mates, loyal and ready to defend her—even if Emily's cause wasn't exactly honorable.

Taking a deep breath, Ava stepped forward, her voice calm but unwavering. "George was never yours to begin with," she replied firmly, meeting Emily's gaze with an unyielding stare.

Emily's eyes blazed. "You think just because you're new here, you can waltz in and snatch away my chances?" she spat, her voice venomous. "George was meant for me! I've been pursuing him for ages, and you come along, thinking you're so special?"

Ava narrowed her eyes, matching Emily's intensity. "I didn't 'snatch' anyone," she replied. "George made his choice—one he's free to make. Perhaps if he's avoided you, that's on you, not me."

Emily let out a mocking laugh. "Oh, you're a smooth talker, aren't you? Think you're clever?" She looked Ava up and down with a sneer, dismissing her. "But we'll see how long that lasts. Males may like a shiny new thing, but once I'm done with you, there won't be much shine left."

Ava's expression hardened. "Your problem isn't with me, Emily. It's with the way you approach people. If George isn't interested, maybe that's a sign you should consider why."

By now, a sizable crowd had gathered around them, murmuring among themselves, eyes darting between Ava and Emily. Sensing the gathering attention and realizing she was losing face, Emily's expression twisted into one of fury and humiliation.

"Enough of this!" she barked, her voice filled with rage. She turned sharply to her mates. "Take her down. Disfigure her face—let's see how easily she can lure males after that," she sneered with cold satisfaction.

At Emily's command, four of her mates immediately transformed into their beast forms—three wolves, a dog, and a bear—all snarling as they lunged toward Ava, claws ready to strike. Ava braced herself, heart pounding, feeling the tension in the air. She closed her eyes, preparing for the impact and the pain, thinking of her mates, Kael and George, and hoping they'd forgive her for getting into such trouble.

But just as the beasts neared, a loud, resounding smack filled the air, followed by startled howls of pain. Ava's eyes flew open, and she saw Kael and George standing protectively in front of her. Kael's tail was still raised, having just swept away the four attackers with a single, effortless flick. The defeated beasts lay sprawled and whimpering on the ground.

Kael stood tall, his presence radiating a fierce, deadly aura. His gaze fixed on Emily, his eyes dark and unyielding, and an unmistakable air of fury emanated from him. His powerful stance and the barely restrained growl rumbling in his chest left no doubt about his lethal potential.

George, too, was tense, his expression a mixture of anger and protectiveness as he positioned himself firmly at Ava's side. The pair of them formed an impenetrable barrier around her, and Ava felt a deep surge of gratitude and relief that her mates had come to her aid.

Emily's mouth fell open in shock, her face pale with disbelief. She hadn't expected Ava's mates to be this strong, let alone have a feral beastman as fierce as Kael. The realization dawned on her that her own mates, despite their numbers, were no match for him.

In a last, desperate attempt, Emily yelled, her voice shaking with frustration, "Don't just stand there! Do something!"

Her remaining mates exchanged nervous glances, each reluctant to step forward. They could sense the deadly intent radiating from Kael, and they understood all too well what it meant. Kael bore four bar lines, a testament to his strength and combat prowess, while most of Emily's mates had only one bar line each. Even the two stronger members of her group—the dog and bear beastmen with two bars—had been sent flying with a single swipe of Kael's tail. They knew they had no chance against him.

One by one, the males backed away, unwilling to face Kael's wrath.

Kael, still seething with anger, stepped forward with a low growl, his gaze fixated on Emily. "You're asking for death," he said, his voice a rumble of suppressed fury. He advanced toward her, and Emily, who had been shaking in fear just a moment ago, let out a small whimper. But before Kael could get any closer, Ava reached out and grabbed his arm firmly.

"Stop," Ava said, her voice calm but unyielding. "This is a fight between females."

Emily, who had been quaking like jelly, immediately perked up when she saw Kael halt. A triumphant grin spread across her face, and her confidence returned in a burst of arrogant, mocking laughter.

"That's right," she sneered, her eyes glinting with renewed malice. "Keep your feral beast on a leash, Ava. As a female, you can't kill me without risking banishment." Her face contorted into a smug, delighted expression. "I'd love to see you try."

But Emily's taunting was short-lived. She barely finished speaking before she felt a powerful blow land against her midsection, almost knocking the breath clean out of her. Ava had lunged forward, delivering a fierce punch to Emily's soft, doughy belly, hitting her right in the solar plexus. Emily doubled over in shock and pain, clutching her abdomen as she gasped for air, her smirk replaced by a look of horrified surprise.

Before Emily could even process the first strike or cry for help, Ava struck again. This time, she drove the palm of her hand into Emily's nose with surprising force, sending her sprawling backward. She fell flat on her back with a muffled thud, the crowd of onlookers gasping as the once-arrogant Emily lay on the ground, blood seeping from her nose.

Emily's mates stirred as if awakened from a daze, moving toward her, but Kael's tail flicked up sharply, casting a dark, threatening shadow over them. "This is a fight between females," he growled, his gaze daring them to interfere. The warning was clear, and Emily's mates, intimidated and reluctant, stood frozen in place.

Ava, towering over Emily's crumpled form, fixed her with a cold, piercing stare. Emily was clutching her bloodied nose, her face wet with tears of pain and humiliation, as she looked up at Ava, a glimmer of fear in her wide eyes.

With a voice that cut through the air like steel, Ava issued her warning. "Emily," she said evenly, "George was never yours. He's mine now, and the sooner you accept that, the better it will be for you. Try anything again—sneakiness, accusations, anything—and it won't end with just a broken nose." Her words hung in the air, a stern promise that left Emily visibly shaken.

After a pause, Ava added, "Stay away from George. You're outmatched, and you know it." She looked down at Emily with finality, her gaze resolute.