Around were wooden benches and storage shelves, with a bed in the corner cushioned by beast skin.
Seraphina Caldwell was startled.
"This is too extravagant, Clan Leader, you’re too kind. A small room would suffice, really, since we’re leaving in the morning anyway."
Caleb Astor, however, wouldn’t budge.
"Don’t decline my offer! It’s vacant anyway, and it would be wasteful otherwise. Besides, we have a celebration tonight, the whole clan will participate, it’ll be lively! If Miss Seraphina is interested, you must join in the fun!"
Seraphina had initially wanted to decline, given they had to travel the next day.
But when she looked up at Caleb, she saw a bright and expectant smile on his face.
Moreover, they were not only being hosted but also provided with a house covered with soft hay and beast skin.
This kindness was not something she could easily refuse.
After considering briefly, Seraphina finally nodded lightly.
"Then... I’ll go for a bit."
In her mind, she was quietly making plans.
She thought that she would just make an appearance, and that would suffice.
As long as it didn’t affect the next day’s journey, everything would be fine.
Seeing her nod in agreement, Caleb’s smile grew even brighter.
Only after confirming she would indeed attend did he leave, satisfied.
Upon returning to his room, he wasted no time and immediately called his son, Miles Astor over.
The wooden door was gently pushed open, and a figure entered from outside.
Miles was tall, with broad shoulders and a strong back.
On his arm was a green beast ring, a symbol of a Green Rank Beast Husband.
"Father."
Miles stood at the doorway.
Caleb reached out and gave his shoulder a pat, the force revealing his excitement.
"A particularly beautiful and gentle female has come to our tribe, you must seize the opportunity!"
Hearing this, Miles blushed instantly.
In fact, he had already noticed Seraphina.
When she first entered the tribe, she was lying on Gideon Larkin’s broad, sturdy back.
That moment, like a painting, quietly imprinted on Miles’s heart.
But when he thought about the five beast husbands following her.
Each with a formidable presence, that secret flutter in his heart was quickly suppressed.
His voice unconsciously softened.
"Dad... she already has five beast husbands, their relationship is surely set, she probably wouldn’t accept another partner."
Caleb saw it differently.
"I’ve observed carefully; there are no masculine marks on her at all, neither beast patterns nor any signs of blended auras, suggesting that those five beast husbands have not been truly accepted by her."
"Besides, among those men, only two are Green Rank, the others don’t even wear beast rings. You have outstanding talent and are the most distinguished hunter among the young in the Deer Clan. With your qualifications, you completely have a chance to compete!"
Miles listened to his father’s words, and a faint glimmer of hope slowly ignited in his heart.
The Deer Clan was hosting a bonfire celebration that night.
According to tradition, everyone would gather to roast meat, sing, and dance.
This celebration was held to celebrate the Deer Clan hunters’ successful capture of abundant game before the rainy season.
Customarily, before the rainy season arrives, each tribe intensifies their hunting.
Stocking up as much food as possible to get through the days when going out would be impossible.
With the rainy season comes frequent flash floods that make it extremely dangerous to venture out.
Therefore, this period’s harvest directly impacts whether the tribe can safely make it through the cold, wet months.
Thus, this bountiful harvest gave everyone immense confidence and joy.
The bonfire celebration naturally became a way to celebrate.
Everyone was invited to attend.
Seraphina was walking while silently pondering.
Judging by the current time, it seemed only a few days were left before the official arrival of the rainy season.
By the time she finally finds her father, the rainy season might have already started.
By then, the forest would be muddy, the beasts restless, and her father certainly wouldn’t risk going out hunting.
Therefore, she needed to make the most of her ability to enter and exit the wild freely now, stocking up supplies from the space within her.
Her head was down, thinking about these things, but her steps didn’t falter.
She was preparing to quicken her pace to gather some fresh berries.
All of a sudden, a warm face came right up to hers.
Seraphina was startled, her body instinctively shivering.
She reflexively stepped back half a step, and upon taking a closer look, she saw it was Gideon Larkin.
He bent down slightly, his icy blue eyes staring directly at her.
"The celebration is about to start, and with so many people over there, and the ground uneven, with many holes and rocks, let me carry you, so you won’t fall."
Seraphina hurriedly shook her head.
"No, no, I can walk by myself, really, it’s not a problem."
She wasn’t exactly incapacitated.
After all, it was just a few hundred meters.
Besides...
This would attract too much attention.
Although Gideon saw her swiftly refuse, his gaze wavered, he didn’t press further.
He didn’t have to carry her by any means.
It’s just that, on such a festive occasion, the two of them being rumored as partners.
At least walking together in front of everyone would reduce some gossip.
Since she didn’t care about those rumors, he was also disinclined to waste more thought on it.
Just when the atmosphere was turning silent, Evan Orwell walked over from beside them.
Before Seraphina could react.
Evan stepped forward and wrapped his arm around her waist, lifting her up.
Seraphina let out an "Ah," instinctively grabbing his shoulder.
"Why... why did you suddenly..."
Evan’s expression remained calm.
"In the tribe, if a female with beast husbands goes alone to a gathering, the other males around might think there’s a problem in your relationship. They’d see you as lonely and vulnerable, easily taking the chance to flirt, or even intentionally cause trouble. It’s unfavorable for your safety and status."
Seraphina was taken aback.
This rule...
She had truly never heard of it.
Although she was aware that she would have to dissolve the contracts with these so-called "beast husbands" sooner or later and return to her original life.
But at this moment in the Deer Clan territory, she was still an outsider.
Thinking this through, she bit her lip and finally gave up resisting.
She lifted her eyes, met Evan’s gaze, and then nodded.
Evan had already prepared mentally.
Prepared to face her resistance.
But unexpectedly, this time, she neither struggled nor spoke against it.
That warm body pressed against his chest.
In that instant, Evan’s heart suddenly froze.
As if recalling a scene from long ago.
But that feeling quickly vanished.
He quickly composed himself, suppressing his emotions once more.
Before they even neared the gathering grounds, Seraphina already caught a strong whiff of roasted meat.
The aroma was rich and enticing, causing her stomach to softly grumble.
The tribe had already set up a dozen sturdy large grills.
Big chunks of wild meat were deftly threaded onto long wooden sticks.
As Evan carried Seraphina into the bonfire area, the previously noisy crowd fell silent for a moment.
Numerous male Deer Clan members’ eyes turned toward her, their gazes tightly fixated on Seraphina.
After all, in this world, females are exceedingly scarce.