Ves's small movement drew the attention of the crowd. Her sudden rise, despite her injury, caused a ripple of murmurs to spread through the gathered beastmen.
It was shocking for a female to put her safety and comfort behind in worry for a male, more so she had yet to mate or accept.
Jeremy heard her low whisper and was even more surprised than the rest as he had never seen a female core about a male so much that she let herself feel pain.
Her concern was evident to everyone present. This led all beastmen who had lost today feel further sorry for themselves to have lost a chance to belong to such a beautiful, caring and selfless female.
The tiger noticed her movement and smirked, his confidence emboldened by what he perceived as weakness. "Your little female seems worried for you, panther," he taunted, his voice dripping with mockery. "Too bad she'll watch you fall."
Luca's gaze flicked to Ves for the briefest moment, his features softening upon seeing her care for him. This was uncommon in the beastworld and his heart warmed realizing that it was not just him who cared for his little female, but his little female also cared for him.
That single glance seemed to reignite his resolve. Without a word, he lowered his center of gravity, his body coiled like a spring ready to unleash its power.
The tiger charged, aiming to capitalize on the distraction. His claws swiped in a wide arc, but Luca sidestepped with grace, pivoting to deliver a bone-crushing punch to the tiger's ribs. The impact resounded in the quiet arena, followed by a sharp growl of pain from the tiger.
Every move Luca made seemed calculated, his strategy a stark contrast to the tiger's brute force.
Jeremy watched intently, his expression unreadable but his approval evident as the victor was becoming clear, and the tribe leader seemed satisfied with what he was witnessing.
The crowd began to shift their cheers, the tide of support moving unmistakably toward Luca as he began to dominate the fight.
Finally, Luca closed in on the tiger, delivering a final, decisive blow that sent his opponent crashing to the ground. The crowd erupted into cheers and howls; the arena alive with exhilaration.
Ves could barely hold herself back as she rushed down to Luca without a care of the world and people around her. She just wanted to make sure Luca was safe and not badly injured.
The moment Ves rushed to Luca, disregarding the pain in her leg, the air in the arena thickened with a quiet, almost reverent stillness. The sight of her unshakable concern for Luca, her willingness to place his well-being above her own, was something entirely new to the beastmen.
They had always known females to care for their own safety first, but here was this new and beautiful, demonstrating an entirely different kind of loyalty and love.
What was even more disturbing was the blood that now stained the stage, the remnants of the brutal combat that had just unfolded. The sight would have been repulsive to any female that she wouldn't want to even be near it, much less rush to their male standing on such filth.
The blood from the fierce struggle of the beastmen was something no female would ever willingly associate themselves with. In their eyes, such a mess was a mark of savagery, one that would forever taint their purity.
Yet here was Ves, who rushed onto the arena barefooted, staining her feet with what other females considered filth, just to ensure the safety of a beastman she had only just met. These actions of hers defied everything the tribe knew.
Luca's eyes softened but his face carried a frown as he, too, rushed to Ves upon seeing her run to him, scooping her into his arms. "You have to be careful with your leg," he gently chided her, his tone both affectionate and stern as he cradled her close.
The crowd and even the tribe leader watched in silence, their earlier cheers now replaced with whispers of awe and their eyes filled with envy. They hoped to also be recognized by the beautiful, petite female in the near future.
After giving the two of them some time to check each other's injuries, thought mostly for Luca to check if Ves's leg was not further hurt, the tribe leader address the crowd for one last time-
"The rite has now come to an end, with Luca, our tribe's most formidable warrior, emerging as the victor. His strength and resolve have been proven beyond doubt. Also, it is clear from the female's actions and the trust she has placed in him, that she has chosen him as her protector."
The tribe leader's words resonated with weight, signaling not only the end of the competition.
Some of the beastmen, whose pride had been wounded in their defeat, could only watch as the new female, who was more beautiful and caring any other they had come across, chose Luca over them.
As the crowd began to disperse, Ves and Luca remained in each other's arms, the weight of the ceremony's meaning settling into their hearts.
Luca had already known he would do anything for this little female from the moment he had laid his eyes on her. He did not care about anything in the world now except for the one he was cradling his arms. This ceremony had only strengthened his resolve.
Ves also understood that Luca might not just be someone she temporarily relied on in this world to save her own skin. Luca meant more to her even in such a short duration. The devotion he had shown her had clearly won her heart.
Furthermore, she had been secretly wishing that Luca is the one to win her tonight. This further cleared any doubt she may have had about Luca. She was willing to give this panther, who not only saved her and gave her shelter, but also protected and cared for her, her heart and soul.