Jonah let out a snort, his nostrils flaring and his lips curling into a disdainful scowl.
"Since when does the patrol care about things here? Don’t dream about it. They only care if the powerful and influential are unhappy—they won’t bother with an orphan girl getting beaten. These few little ones today—I’m taking them. Whoever stops me will see what they’re in for."
A few little bunnies shrank in Claire Joyce’s arms, trembling all over, their ears pressed tightly against their heads.
Their small bodies huddled together, eyes watery and full of fear.
They couldn’t understand why the atmosphere suddenly became so dangerous.
"Mom..."
Claire Joyce felt a surge of warmth explode within her chest.
She straightened her back.
"Did you hear that? They’re calling me Mom. They’re my children. You can’t touch them."
"Now, can you let us go?"
She lifted her eyes, staring directly at the domineering female across from her.
The female opposite furrowed her brows, full of confusion, scratching her head.
"Wow, is that really a beastman? I thought it was some tribe’s mongrel."
She eyed the few small figures up and down.
She hesitated for a moment, her initially playful tone suddenly hardening.
"These little ones are lame and crippled, struggling to walk, clearly won’t live long. I’m doing a good deed by cleaning them up, saving you from future burdens."
She let out a cold laugh.
"If those beast husbands of yours really cared for you, would they let you wander the streets with kids? They should’ve dealt with them long ago."
Claire Joyce was shaking with rage, her fingernails digging deep into her palms.
She took a step forward, shouting furiously: "I said it! They’re my own! I carried them for ten months and gave birth, risking my life! I dare anyone to touch them, I’ll fight them to the end!"
Her voice tore through the air.
Actually, Jonah never really wanted them.
She had always scoffed at those "impure" bloodlines.
But in front of so many people, she couldn’t back down.
To retreat now would be to admit fear of a lowly female?
She sneered with a cold laugh, lips curled with disdain.
"I want them, so what can you do? I see how you’ll protect them."
She raised her hand, her sharp nails pointing toward the small beasts huddled in Claire Joyce’s arms.
"Go, grab those brats! Don’t spare a single one!"
Several beast husbands stepped forward at once, their heavy footsteps synchronizing as they responded in unison: "Yes, Female Master."
Their faces expressionless, their eyes detached.
Claire Joyce felt a sudden panic.
Her instinct was to turn back into a fox and flee.
It was her most familiar form and her only escape.
But with the little ones in her arms, letting go would mean they’d fall to the ground or be trampled.
She could only watch helplessly as the tall figures closed in.
Tears streamed out, rolling down her cheeks, dripping onto her clothes, soaking in a patch of wetness.
"Give them back! Give them back to me! He’s my child! By what right?!"
Jonah pinched the bunny’s neck with disdain, frowning.
"Sigh, what’s the point of talking? Still not purebred, mixed blood, even the meat is sour. Can’t eat, can’t fight, what’s the use keeping it?"
She casually tossed her arm, flinging it away.
The little white rabbit was thrown into the air like a piece of useless trash.
"What’s the point of keeping waste? Let it die. Saves space."
Claire Joyce was pressured down, her arms twisted behind her, knees heavily on the ground.
But her stubborn head remained up, defiant.
Tears streamed down, falling from her chin, hitting the dust, raising small droplets of mud.
"Don’t touch them! They’re my children! No matter their condition, broken, weak, mixed blood, I love them! No one can take them away!"
The little bunnies were grabbed by their ears like goods being carried, ears nearly being torn off.
Their eyes watery, like water-soaked glass beads, staring unblinkingly at Jonah.
Jonah felt somewhat embarrassed under the stare.
She originally only wanted to assert dominance, not be intimidated by a little brat’s gaze.
She wanted to let go, feign indifference and toss them aside.
But suddenly, a few small figures dashed at her from the side.
"Bam," like a cluster of fearless young beasts, they crashed against her side, knocking her to the ground!
"Who the hell dared crash into me?!"
Jonah, caught off guard, hit the back of her head on the stones, pain fogging her vision.
The beastmen holding Claire Joyce panicked and let go, rushing to help Jonah.
"Female Master! Are you alright? Stand up!"
Jonah sat on the ground, her lower back aching, grimacing as her face darkened.
She turned her fire onto those beast husbands, roaring: "Are you dead? Didn’t see the brats crash into me? If anything happens to me, none of you will escape! I’ll have you all buried with me!"
A few small beasts instantly transformed into human form, shedding their furry exterior, revealing children around seven or eight years old.
They were all thin and small, ribs nearly protruding from their thin clothes, feet bare.
Their legs shook like leaves in the wind, knees trembling, barely able to stand.
But not a single one retreated, not even an inch.
The leading antelope calf lifted its head, tears still on its face but suppressing the urge to cry.
Upon seeing all around were tall adult males, he instinctively shrank his neck, throat tightening.
Yet he still held his head high, his voice trembling but loudly proclaiming.
"You... you can’t touch our mom! She’s our mom! We’re... we’re not afraid of you!"
"We forbid you to bully sister!"
A few furry little bunnies lightly landed from the air.
As soon as their tiny paws touched the ground, they hopped and bounced toward Claire Joyce’s feet.
Their ears stood straight, eyes filled with anger, circling her.
Claire Joyce’s heart trembled, she quickly crouched and tightly wrapped them in her arms.
Her chest heaving violently, her heartbeat yet to calm.
Jonah cursed as she climbed up from the ground, anger on her face, raising her hand and fiercely striking the beast husband closest to her, the loud slap echoing around.
Caught off guard, the man’s head was violently turned.
But instead of anger, he slowly narrowed his eyes.
He raised his hand, softly grasping Jonah’s still raised hand, leaning down to kiss her palm.
"Female Master, does your hand hurt? This side of my face is still here, hit me more, I won’t dodge."
Surrounding males were instantly stunned, eyes wide as saucers.
Their envy almost overflowed, wishing the slap had landed on them.
Even for a beating, they desired a glimpse of the Female Master’s attention.
Suddenly, a burly black bear roared forward.
His face burly, eyes fierce, nostrils flaring, growling angrily.
"Where did these wild brats come from, daring to touch our Female Master? Tired of living? Looking for death!"