I turned my head and saw Madam following me, so I ran deeper into the woods and hid under the bushes, forcing my breath to become quiet. I peeked over the bush and saw nothing. I was alone.
I wiped the sweat off my face and stood up slowly, not recognizing the trees or the area. I turned to look where I had come from, but there was nothing but more trees and bushes. I turned back around, but there was the same view, "..."
How was I going to get back?
I heard a twig snap and looked behind me quickly. A large tiger was looking at me hungrily, licking its muzzle. I didn't dare move, afraid to provoke it. I couldn't outrun it, and climbing up the tree wasn't an option either.
Sheep like me were the easiest prey, weak and slow. That's why they never leave the towns and villages, always surrounded by the safety of others.
It bared its teeth and lunged forward. I covered my head with my arms, waiting for the pain to come.
Thud!
A gust of wind hit my body, and the tiger was on the ground. I looked up, seeing Madam standing by the fallen animal. She grabbed its tail and pulled it away, not bothering with me.
I followed her quietly, pride and shame forgotten in the face of death.
She took out a sharp blade and skinned it, gutting and washing the fur and meat in the river. She cut it into pieces and placed the meat into a basket, hanging the fur from a tree branch, the blood dripping to the water. Then, she sat on a rock, waiting for the water to wash away the blood.
A few wolf beastmen were on their way for a hunt, unable to pull their eyes from her beauty. Her dark hair hung loose, a little windswept, a little damp, and I could almost hear them gulp.
Madam didn't acknowledge them in any way. Her eyes were on the river and nothing else.
"Female," one of the males called out to her, "Do you have a mate? If not, do you want to be mine? If yes, you could bring me to him and we can make a deal."
"Mates," she corrected him, "Nine mates to be exact."
The male choked on his own spit at her words, clearly not expecting a female to speak with such audacity. He cleared his throat and straightened up, "Lying is not a good trait for a female to have."
Others nodded in agreement. "Having one mate is already a miracle in this world. Having nine? That is an impossibility. But I admire your spirit. I'll let the little lies slide, just this once. You have my permission to court me."
I couldn't see the number of marks on his body, since males used to cover them from outsiders with accessories. But his confidence was high, and his demeanor was calm.
He had to have at least two. His group of three might be strong and scary, but Madam could deal with the owners, who were way tougher than these guys. So I wasn't as scared for her as I would have been.
"Female," another male stepped forward, "I am also willing to let you court me, and if you prove yourself to be a worthy female, I might take you in."
The Madam looked up at the sun as if checking the time.
"They should still be asleep," she spoke to herself before glancing my way.
I was hiding in the bushes nearby, blinking at her, pleading with her not to reveal my position to the males.
"I'd rather court that black sheep than the two of you," she said, dismissing them like they were insects. "Now, leave me alone. I'm busy."
Their laughter twisted into furious snarls. "That hideous thing?! Have you lost your mind, female?!"
They roared, shaking their heads in disbelief, "Looks like we stumbled on a wild one, lads. We should teach her manners. Let's start with the black sheep; let her see what happens to females who defy males."
Oh, no. Oh, no. Why me?
One of the males caught up to me easily, holding me by my neck, "You are one ugly thing, aren't you? A shame to all the beastmen. How come your mother didn't kill you at birth?"
The others laughed as they circled us, mocking my looks and my helplessness.
"That's right," he grinned, "Scream and beg. I want to hear you cry."
I closed my eyes and prayed for it to be over soon. I could only hope they'd get bored after the first two or three kicks, then leave me alone.
"Help! Someone, please, save me!" Madam's voice made me snap my head in her direction, and not only mine.
One of the males held her down to the ground, laughing. "Your skin is so smooth," he said and caressed her face.
I bit the male holding me, and he released me in surprise. I ran to Madam, but the male grabbed me and tossed me in the air like a doll, laughing. I whimpered as he caught me in a painful grip.
Madam cried out again, and I turned to look at her.
Here they were. All nine owners surrounded her from all sides, ready to jump in and protect her from any attack.
"Precious?" Vick lifted the male that was holding onto her in confusion, "Who is this?"
"They…" Madam sniffed a fake sob, "They threatened to teach me manners just... just because I rejected them," she said, and fell into Kurus's waiting embrace dramatically. "I'm so afraid."
The nine males coughed in unison at her performance, before yelling, "Who dares?!"
They played along, their beast auras swirling dangerously.
I was immediately released and fell onto the grass.
Shaking on all fours under the pressure of nine apex beasts, my consciousness flickered in and out. Even though they didn't direct it at me, I was still affected.
I lifted my gaze to see her eyes widen in shock.
Madam dashed toward me, her arms outstretched.
Her fingers almost grazed my skin before I blacked out.