Su Lian barely had time to scream before icy water swallowed her whole. The last thing she remembered was tripping into a river while trying to save a stray kitten. But when she clawed her way to the surface, gasping for breath, the air smelled wrong—rich with wild earth, damp moss, and something distinctly primal.
She wasn't in the city anymore.
The trees stretched impossibly high, their trunks thicker than any she'd ever seen. Sunlight streamed through the canopy, casting golden streaks across the strange, alien-like flora.
Where am I?
A rustling noise behind her made her heart slam against her ribs. She spun around—only to freeze in place.
A massive white tiger, its icy blue eyes locked onto her, stalked toward her on silent paws.
Panic set in.
She turned and ran.
But she had barely taken two steps before a force slammed into her from behind. She hit the ground with a cry, her body caged beneath something warm, strong… and inhumanly powerful.
When she dared to look up, the tiger was gone.
Instead, a man—tall, dangerously beautiful, and exuding raw dominance—was pinning her down. His silver-white hair cascaded over his shoulders, his toned, bare chest rising and falling steadily. A pair of glacier-blue eyes peered down at her, filled with something fierce.
"Mine."
His voice was deep, rough, and filled with unshakable certainty.
Su Lian's breath hitched.
"W-What?"
The man's lips curled into the ghost of a smirk.
"I am Rhen. You are my mate."
--- The Laws of the Wild---
Su Lian's mind whirled. Mate? What was he talking about? This was some kind of mistake!
"I think you have the wrong person," she said, struggling against his iron grip.
Rhen tilted his head, amused. "You are female. You have the scent of a mate. That makes you mine."
"What kind of caveman logic is that?" she snapped, kicking at him.
Before she could fight back further, a low growl rumbled through the trees.
Another presence emerged—a towering beastman with long, black hair and golden, slitted eyes. His muscles rippled under his tanned skin, and unlike Rhen, he wore a dark robe that barely concealed his toned physique.
"I thought I smelled something new," he murmured, his gaze sweeping over Su Lian with predatory interest. "A human?"
Rhen's body tensed, his grip on Su Lian tightening. "Back off, Vael."
The golden-eyed man smirked, his sharp fangs flashing. "She isn't marked yet. That means she's fair game."
Su Lian's stomach dropped. Fair game?
Just what kind of world had she landed in?
---
World-Building Elements:
The Beastmen Races:
White Tigers: Royalty, possessive and dominant. Rhen is their leader.
Serpents: Cunning and deadly, known for their hypnotic eyes and venomous strikes. Vael is their prince.
Wolves: Fiercely loyal and protective. Kael, the wolf warrior, will soon enter the fray.
Falcons: Free-spirited and fast, the trickster Zyren is one of them.
The Rules of the Beastmen World:
Females are exceedingly rare—making Su Lian highly desired.
Males fight for the right to mate, and once a female is claimed, her mate must protect her from challengers.
A female can have multiple mates, but only the strongest may stay by her side.
--- Prey or Predator?---
Su Lian's heart pounded as Rhen and Vael squared off. The tension between them was almost tangible, like a storm brewing on the horizon.
She wasn't some prize to be fought over!
Summoning all her courage, she shoved Rhen's chest. He barely budged, but his cold blue eyes flickered with surprise.
"I am not yours," she snapped, glaring at both beastmen. "I don't belong to anyone."
Vael smirked. "Bold words for a defenseless female."
Rhen growled, stepping in front of her. "She's not defenseless. She's mine."
Ignoring them both, Su Lian scanned her surroundings. Dense forest. No clear path. No weapons. She was outmatched in every way—but she refused to roll over and accept this ridiculous fate.
She whirled to face them. "If this world is as wild as you say, then strength matters, right?"
Rhen and Vael exchanged wary glances.
"What are you suggesting?" Rhen asked.
Su Lian folded her arms. "If you want me, then prove you deserve me. I won't be claimed like some pet."
Vael chuckled. "You're an interesting one, human."
Rhen's eyes darkened. "Fine. Then you'll see why I deserve you."
She had just thrown herself into a dangerous game. But if she wanted to survive, she had to play by their rules… and win.
---The Hunt Begins---
The beastmen had their own rituals for courtship, and Rhen, being from the dominant white tiger tribe, declared that Su Lian would undergo a mating challenge—a test to prove she was worthy of being claimed.
She scowled. "Why do I have to prove myself?"
Rhen's lips curled. "Because only strong females can stand beside an Alpha."
Vael, lounging lazily against a tree, smirked. "And if you fail, you'll be given to the strongest male. That's how things work here."
Su Lian refused to be some helpless prize. If she was going to be in this world, she'd play to win.
The rules were simple:
1. Survive the forest for three days.
2. Outrun the beastmen hunting her.
3. If caught, she must submit.
Easy? Not at all.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Rhen and Vael gave her a head start. Su Lian ran for her life, her heart pounding.
Branches tore at her clothes, and the cool night air stung her lungs. But she wouldn't stop.
Somewhere behind her, the hunt had begun.
And Su Lian refused to be easy prey.
---