The cold season went by quickly with the board games and yoga that Shelly introduced. Also her fish recipes helped the guys to keep from starving. They were not picky eaters and now they had lots of different ways to prepare the fish.
The Ape king was planning ways to use the Tiger king and Rosa against Shelly and Winston. He talked to Rosa and fueled her jealousy. He said, " I spoke with Shelly and Winston recently and they seemed happy together. Have you heard of Shelly's prophecy? She even came up with new recipes for her mates to enjoy fish in the cold season." He figured the more he 'praised' Shelly the more jealous Rosa would become. His plan worked. Rosa instantly got jealous and said, "Her prophecy is ridiculous! We have lived in the City of Beasts all my life and we have never had any disasters. The city is the safest place to live. We should make her leave and live with the ferals since she is so good at finding new foods." The Ape king thought, good feel the jealousy and let your hatred grow.
He said, "We can't kick her out for no reason, but maybe she would want to leave if something happened to one of her mates." Rosa had a thoughtful expression and she said, "My father has warned me to stay away from her and her mates, but I might be able to convince a few suitors that the city would be in danger if she stays." The Ape king said, "Maybe if she stays the prophecy will come true. She could be a doomsday prophet."
Rosa looked confident in what needed to be done. Her father would thank her after Shelly left the city. She couldn't go after Winston because he was a 4 striped beastman, but maybe one of her less advanced mates like Harvey. Or better yet, just get them to kill Shelly! Then the mate bond will break and she could finally have Winston! She would have to make him work for it after all the grief he had given her. She was happy with her plan. The Ape king watched her thought process by her changing facial expressions. He didn't know her exact plan but knew Rosa would try her best. He wouldn't be implicated because he didn't directly tell her to go after Shelly.
The Ape king said, "The cold season is coming to an end, I will distribute seeds for all the females. I hope to see you there." He left her with an opportunity to attack Shelly. Rosa thought the seed distribution would be the perfect opportunity. It was held in the Ape king's castle, so she wouldn't be blamed if Shelly was attacked. She would just make sure the suitors did not mention her name. She could watch the whole thing from afar. She cackled out loud as she left the Ape king. He smiled and thought to himself that Rosa was an idiot. He would kill the Tiger king during the confusion and blame it on Winston. Then he could take the Tiger king's gems and use them to level up. Once he was a 3 striped Ape beastman he would be able to make prophecies and would prove Shelly was a fraud. There was no way she could predict the future. He was sure that Shelly just wanted attention and to divide the kings. He thought maybe Shelly is planning to have Winston take over the Tiger kingdom and try to take the city for herself. He smiled and shook his head. She would not make it that far and he would make sure of it!
A few days later the cold season was coming to an end and the Ape king called for all females. Shuu heard the call and told Shelly, "The Ape king will distribute seeds to all females today. Would you like to go? It should be safe in the big crowd. The ape king won't be able to try anything in a crowded area." Shelly knew what the Ape king had done in the book and thought of ways to circumvent his plans. She knew he would rile up Rosa and get her to use her suitors to try and kill her. That is what she did to Bai. This time, Shelly would not leave alone and would have the protection of all of her mates. She would have Harvey gather the flowers as an antidote to the poison just in case someone did get poisoned. She had also prepared some pepper spray just in case she needed it. She would just carry it as water and only use it in case of emergency. She would just get the seeds and get out.
Shelly had an emergency kit already packed in case they needed to flee in a hurry. She could replace most of the things, but she wanted to bring her phone and clothes so she packed her leather hobo bag and had Harvey bring his bag of herbs and supplies. Before they left to go to the Ape castle, Shelly decided to tell David about herself. She told him that she was not from this world and he was her husband from her past life. He didn't really believe her but was happy she loved him so much to invent a backstory. She told him she was infertile from a sickness in her past life. He was a little upset that she didn't tell him this information before they mated. He was still thinking about all the new information when they headed to the Ape castle. Shelly and her mates lined up and received the seeds. She even noticed the wheat seeds and asked for some. The Ape king generously gave her extra 'wild seeds' and said if anyone wanted some they could have some. No one else likes the wild seeds and they thought Shelly was strange for wanting them. Only Shelly knew how to prepare the wheat and what it could be used for. As she was leaving, the Ape king reached out and put his hand on her shoulder. She secretly took a loose hair that had fallen on her shoulder
Shelly turned around and saw the Ape king's hand on her shoulder. He smiled and said, "Since you like the wild seeds, take some more. No one else wants them." Shelly smiled and happily accepted the extra seeds. She knew they were easy to grow and she had so many uses for flour. She even knew a faster way to remove the husk. She would teach Winston the techniques when they got to the new village. As they turned to leave the Ape king said, "Wait, you should stay and hear the growing tips." He didn't want Shelly to escape Rosa's planned attack. Shelly knew he was up to something but couldn't come up with an excuse to not look suspicious. She didn't need their tips, but would stay anyway.
They sat close to the back and were prepared to leave as soon as the lecture was over. Rosa's admirers made eye contact with Rosa and she nodded towards Shelly. They started to head outside to wait for Shelly. They were planning ways to lure her away from the group so they could kill her without getting caught. The Ape king had given them spears dipped in poison. Rosa was starting to get impatient watching Shelly and waiting for her to leave. She saw the cup of water Shelly had and was waiting for her to go to the sand pit. It would be the perfect opportunity to ambush her alone. Shelly finally got up to leave and Rosa was excited, but then Shelly's mates also stood up to leave with her and Rosa's excitement turned into disappointment.
Shelly knew what Rosa was planning. Shelly had seen eye contact between her and those males who suspiciously went outside. She looked at Winston and sent a message with her eyes to be prepared. She motioned for them to head outside and tried to go the other way the males had gone. There was no way she would make it easier for them to attack her. She wanted to avoid it at all costs if possible.
The males who were waiting outside were surprised to see Shelly with her mates. They debated with their eyes if it was worth it to attack Shelly. They saw Harvey and scoffed to themselves. They could take a stripeless beast. Next Shuu came out and they paused. Two beasts and one was a 3 striped beast would prove to be a little bit of a challenge, but they were still willing to try it. Next David and Winston followed and they decided to wait until she wasn't surrounded by 3 high striped beasts. They were disappointed that they would miss this opportunity, but they weren't willing to die for the chance to impress Rosa.
The Ape king looked on from a distance with anger. He would have to create another opportunity, but at least he got a strand of Shelly's hair.