The third torrent of the rainy season struck without warning.
The grass hut was washed away by the downpour.
Fortunately, Beastmen had incredibly potent regenerative abilities. In just a few short days, his wounds had already healed, allowing them to leave the simple grass hut ahead of schedule and return to their wooden house.
Thunder boomed outside, and the torrential rain slammed against the windows. An Jin, dressed in a thick fleece robe, was curled up inside, weaving baskets to pass the time.
Suddenly, she felt a weight on her thigh as something cool and smooth slid up her leg.
"HISS~"
The black and red python raised its upper body, its gaze fixed on her intently. Its bright red, forked tongue flickered rapidly in the humid air.
Instinctively, it coiled its tail around the female’s waist, rubbing against her affectionately. Its entire body radiated an intense scent of arousal.
An Jin... She feigned indifference, quickly turning her gaze to the downpour outside.
The dense fog and darkness had already swallowed the world outside, obscuring everything from view.
"I just steamed some egg custard. It should be ready soon."
An Jin looked back at him and set down her basket. She gently patted his smooth head. "I know it’s the rainy season, but your... ahem... you need to show some restraint!"
"I’m going to get you something to eat. Stay here and don’t move, okay?"
She practically fled, quickly vanishing from the python’s expectant gaze.
Gu Yin had been clinging to her like this for days. If it kept up, she’d be completely drained dry sooner or later.
’Do all Beastmen have this much stamina?’
An Jin couldn’t fathom how females with multiple male partners managed to survive all their mates’ mating seasons.
An Jin had never been so desperate for the Great Cold Season to arrive. If Gu Yin would just hibernate for a few months, she could finally get some peace and quiet.
She brought a large bowl of steamed egg custard from the kitchen. It was a little hot, so she set it on the table to cool.
The custard looked soft and jiggly. She had sprinkled a little salt on top. She took a small bite to test the temperature.
It was perfectly soft and tender.
It tasted just right.
Once it had cooled, she placed the custard in front of the snake. "Go on, eat up," she urged. "It’s your favorite steamed egg custard. I added a little salt this time. See if you like it."
"HISS~" The python flicked its tongue, nudging the bowl cautiously, but refused to eat. Instead, it raised its beautiful red eyes to look at her expectantly.
"Alright, alright, I’ll feed you."
An Jin saw right through Gu Yin’s expectant little heart. She scooped up a spoonful of custard with a wooden spoon. Just as she was about to offer it to him, the man leaned down and caught the bite with his thin, crimson lips.
His red eyes crinkled in satisfaction.
"It’s delicious. I love everything you make." Gu Yin pulled the petite female into his embrace, savoring the soft pressure against his chest. He tilted his head, resting it on her neck and nuzzling her gently.
He accepted his mate’s feeding without a hint of shame; in fact, he found himself becoming uncontrollably addicted to the sensation.
—The feeling of being cared for and cherished by his female.
This was something Gu Yin had never experienced before, something he had never even dared to imagine.
A sudden clap of thunder cracked outside the darkened window, momentarily illuminating the sky. It was followed by the clamorous shouts of other Beastmen.
"What’s happening outside?"
An Jin struggled out of his embrace, went to the window, and peered down. She could faintly make out a few figures on the ground below, drenched to the bone and waving their arms.
’Are they asking for help?’
An Jin threw on a heavy cloak and opened the door to run outside. "I’m going down to check," she said. "It looks like people from another tribe are asking for help."
Gu Yin didn’t stop her. His red eyes, sharp as blades, glanced mockingly out the window before he followed the female downstairs.
She was surprised to see it was the same group of long-armed apes from before.
They were in bad shape; some were bruised and swollen, while others were riddled with Poison Needles.
The commotion had woken many of the tribe’s Beastmen, who threw on their cloaks and came out to see what was happening.
When they saw it was the apes, they all glared furiously. "What are you doing in our tribe? Looking for more trouble? I’ll bite your necks off!"
"We’re not here to cause trouble! We came to ask your tribe for help!"
The long-armed ape beastmen hurriedly stated their purpose.
They glanced fearfully at the Snake Beast standing behind the female. Their faces paled, and their lips began to tremble.
The memory of that night was seared into their minds, and the blood ran cold in their veins at the thought.
"We are deeply sorry for our previous actions. We’re willing to compensate your tribe, but please, you have to save our tribe’s beastmen!"
"We can’t get the Poison Needles out of their bodies. They’re stuck deep in their flesh, and they’re dying..."