The morning air was crisp, the scent of earth and wildflowers drifting through the open windows of Leo's new hut.
Laying back against the soft furs, savoring the rare moment of peace.
Zyra and Lira were still curled around him, their bodies pressed against his in the aftermath of the night's events.
Zyra, once proud and defiant, now rested her head against his chest, her breathing slow and steady, her arm draped over his waist possessively.
Lira, the ever-mischievous fox, had one of her tails wrapped around his leg, her fingers idly tracing patterns over his stomach.
Leo smirked to himself.
They were his now.
Fully tamed.
And judging by the way their bodies instinctively clung to him, they knew it too.
But the peace didn't last long.
Zyra stirred first, stretching with a soft growl. "I'm going hunting," she murmured, sitting up.
Leo raised an eyebrow, enjoying the sight of her bare figure in the morning light. "Already?"
She nodded. "You need fresh meat. A male shouldn't eat scraps."
Lira yawned, shifting beside him. "Zyra's way of saying she wants to show off her hunting skills."
Zyra shot her a glare. "A male needs real food, not just berries and bread."
Leo chuckled, reaching up to stroke her silver hair, surprising her with the gesture. "I'll be waiting, then."
Zyra's ears flicked slightly, and for a moment, she looked almost.....pleased.
Then, she threw km her fur cloak, grabbed her weapons, and left the hut.
As soon as Zyra was gone, Lira stretched like a cat, then turned to Leo with a playful glint in her golden eyes.
"Well, my dear mate," she purred, "how about a little adventure?"
Leo smirked. "What do you have in mind?"
Lira grinned, tugging on his arm. "Let's take a walk. You should see the village properly."
Leo glanced at the doorway. "Isn't it bad for a male to wander around?"
Lira laughed. "You are not just any male anymore, Leo. You are ours."
Leo sighed, throwing on a fir-lined cloak before stepping outside with her.
The village was vast, much larger than he expected. It was stretched across rolling hills, surrounded by dense forests and towering mountains.
Beastkin women moved about with effortless grace and power—some sharpening weapons, others weaving fabrics, tending to children, or patrolling the borders.
But as soon as they noticed him, everything paused.
Dozens of eyes turned toward him, filled with curiosity, admiration.... and hunger.
Whispers spread quickly.
"The new male..."
"He's even more beautiful up close...."
"Lucky Zyra and Lira...."
Leo felt heat rise to his face as Lira smirked beside him.
"Enjoying the attention?" she teased.
Leo sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I feel like an exotic animal on display."
Lira chuckled, looping her arm around his. "That's because you are."
As they walked through the village, Leo finally noticed the other males.
They were few—he counted only nine others besides himself.
Some were standing beside their mates, chatting casually, while others were surrounded by adoring female warriors and sexy beast women, clearly enjoying the attention.
Lira led him towards two of them, who were watching him with interest.
One was a rugged-looking male with golden fur covering his arms, his amber eyes sharp.
The other was slimmer, with fox-lime ears, his emerald eyes studying Leo carefully.
Lira stopped, gesturing toward them. "Leo, meet Kay and Ren."
Kay, the golden-furred male, crossed his arms, giving Leo a once-over. "So, you are the famous newcomer."
Leo smirked. "Guess so."
Ren, the fox-lime male, chuckled. "You certainly made an impression. Zyra and Lira? Impressive."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "And you two?"
Kay grinned. "I belong to the Lioness Queen and the Owl Queen. Two mates."
Ren shrugged. "Just one for now, but I'm in no rush."
Leo frowned. "Only ten males in the whole village?"
Lira's playful expression softened slightly. "That's right. Our numbers are low. Very low."
Leo felt a strange weight settle in his chest.
"How low?"
Lira exhaled. "We have...two child males in the entire village. Just two."
Leo's eyes widened. "That's it?"
She nodded. "Most beastkin women give birth to females. Males are rare. Even when a male is born, it's never guaranteed they'll survive."
Leo glanced at the other males, realizing how truly valuable they were.
That wasn't just a harem fantasy —it was survival.
Lira watched his expression carefully. "Now you understand why you are so important."
Leo took a deep breath.
He was not just a man in a village of beautiful women.
He was part of something bigger.
And whether he liked it or not, his presence here....changed everything.
As Leo absorbed this revelation, he felt a strange sensation —a tingling at the back of his neck.
He turned his head slightly.
In the distance, sitting on a high edge of a tree, was a tall,blue-haired figure.
Raika.
She was watching him.
Her storm-gray eyes were unreadable, her arms crossed, her presence tense....but intrigued.
She had no reason to be there.
But she was.
And in that moment, Leo knew—
Raika wanted him, too.
She just wasn't ready to admit it.