Chapter 264: Not A Monster

Chapter 264: 264: Not A Monster

Ayra finally intervened, tilting her head as she waved a hand in front of him. "Hello? Are you okay...?"

Nyx blinked himself back to reality and stared at her. "I don’t mean that... I..." He turned and continued moving as he explained, "For a female who is pregnant, they’d usually be scared of coming here."

He added, "They’d rather enjoy the comfort back at the tribe while their mates worked..."

He hesitated before continuing, "But you’ve been so different from all that..."

Ayra smiled. "I guess it’s a compliment, then. I’ll take it." She smiled as she added, "As long as it’s something I can do and want to do... why not do it?"

Nyx stared at her again, watching her smile and getting lost in it before quickly looking away.

"I guess so..."

The two of them continued moving quietly for a while before finally arriving at their destination. They stood at a distance, close to a cave with light coming from within.

"Is that it?" Ayra asked as they looked ahead.

Nyx slowly nodded. "Yes. That should be it..."

Ayra smiled. "That’s good. It’s not so far off. Let’s go already."

She was about to walk forward when Nyx suddenly pulled her back by the hand.

Ayra turned to meet his eyes. "What’s wrong...?"

Nyx stared at her for a while before asking, "Are you sure you don’t want to go back now? It’s not too late."

Ayra smiled as she responded, "Don’t worry. I’ll be fine."

Nyx nodded with a sigh before turning around.

"Okay, then. Let’s go."

And so, he led the way. The two of them made their way toward the cave before them, and when they arrived, they walked inside without giving any prior notice.

---

Commander Lynn and his team of around twenty beastmen were sitting inside the cave around a fire. They were discussing among themselves when they suddenly heard a sound coming from outside.

Something—or someone—was coming inside.

This immediately alerted them. Without hesitation, they all got up, pulled out their weapons, and prepared to strike.

But almost immediately, they caught sight of Ayra and Nyx standing at the entrance. Ayra was flashing them a warm smile while waving at them.

"Hi, no need to worry... It’s me," Ayra said with a smile. "I’m not a monster."

"Oh, it’s Ayra," one of them said with a smile.

They lowered their weapons, relieved but also confused to see her there.

"And also Nyx..." another pointed out as they watched the two of them make their way inside the cave to stand with them.

"But what are you two doing here?" another asked.

"Did the tribe lords send you with some message or anything?" one asked.

"Or did Ayra come with some delicious food for us?" another added as they curiously stared at her.

Ayra smiled and shook her head. "Neither of that... I wish I came with some delicious food for everyone, but..."

She couldn’t bring any food with her in the situation she had left the tribe.

The men sighed, looking disappointed, while Nyx folded his arms.

"We came to pay you a visit," he said, staring at Commander Lynn. "She’s been worried about you all day and desperately wanted to see how you’re doing."

The warrior beastmen immediately smiled and turned toward Commander Lynn, teasing him.

"Oh, she’s here for you. I see..." one said with a grin.

"The female sure does pay close attention to her mate," another said, folding his arms.

Another sighed dramatically. "We’re not her mates, so she isn’t here to see us... Too bad."

Ayra smiled as she stared at them. "What are you saying? I’m here for everyone, so don’t overthink it."

She smiled as she looked at Commander Lynn, who was still confused about why she had come all the way there.

"It’s dangerous here. Why are you here?" Commander Lynn inquired.

Ayra smiled as she walked up to him. She ran her hands over his face, checking to make sure he was okay.

"You should be happy that I’m here. Don’t ask too many questions."

Commander Lynn stared at her with concern. "But it’s dangerous here... and you’re pregnant." His gaze dropped toward her stomach. "You should have stayed back and gotten some rest."

Ayra smiled. "I guess I couldn’t stay back. I missed you so much that I had to come and see you. How’s that?"

The beastmen around them felt shy at the statement. They exchanged awkward smiles as they looked at one another.

"Well, I’m fine, so you should get going now..." Commander Lynn said. "It’s really not safe around here. You can’t predict what might happen."

Ayra smiled and shook her head. "I can’t believe my dear mate is kicking me out already. Tsk, tsk, tsk."

"I’m not kicking you out. I just..." Commander Lynn tried to explain.

"It’s okay. I understand. I’ll leave when I’m done staying, okay?" Ayra smiled as she ran her fingers gently along his cheek.

She knew her words sounded more like she was saying she would leave once they were done with what she had come there for, which wasn’t completely a lie.

[Ding!]

[Host, You have roughly 3 hours to complete the task.]

Ayra stared at the system for a while.

She guessed she would have to get things rolling naturally and blend them with the plan she had made on her way there if she wanted to complete the task.

Commander Lynn was in good condition so far, which relieved her at least.

But while she stood there checking on him, running her fingers along his cheeks and body, a loud sound suddenly interrupted them.

Nyx’s stomach grumbled.

It was so loud that everyone turned and stared in his direction, falling completely silent.

Nyx stood there with both arms folded, watching Commander Lynn and Ayra getting all flirty and close.

He couldn’t stop himself from feeling jealous.

He didn’t even understand how it was possible, but Nyx found himself growing jealous from the scene before him. He had already been feeling strange whenever he saw Ayra getting all clingy with her mates these days.

And he didn’t understand this feeling at all.

But right now, that same feeling had returned.