Beastmen: She Tames the Land-Chapter 128: Hostage?

Lyra’s face turned different shades of grey when she saw Krag and Chi coming towards her. She staggered backwards, almost falling, before Cato caught her. She looked from them to Cato. A choking sound came from her mouth. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Krag’s face was hard, and Chi’s was impassive. They stood there watching the couple. They were more experienced than Visha, so they knew very well that Lyra was Cato’s mate. But these things aren’t things they should meddle in. Unexpectedly, after being left in charge for such a short time, this kind of thing has happened.

They took in the tears on Lyra’s face. The way Cato held her when she was about to fall. He was clearly very angry, but his instincts would not allow her to be harmed in the slightest.

Krag didn’t ask unnecessary questions. He looked directly at Lyra, "Why did they send you? What do they plan to do?"

Lyra’s eyes went wide when she heard the question. She looked at Cato. He was the only one she had told this to. She couldn’t help wondering how he was able to tell them. Why did he tell them? What was she supposed to do now?

Questions swirled in her mind. She took in the three people and knew there was no way she would be able to leave without them knowing. She had already been caught. There was no telling what they would do to her.

"Answer me," Krag said, his voice flat and cold.

Lyra stumbled back. He hadn’t raised his voice, but it would have been better if he had. The frost in his voice made Lyra freeze up.

"Calm down," came a soothing voice. "We won’t get to the bottom of this with you frightening the girl."

Chi was the one who spoke. She stroked Krag’s chest as she spoke. Her impassiveness broke. She smiled sweetly at Lyra. She didn’t walk up to her, only said, "Take your time. You won’t be leaving until the leaders come back. You may as well get comfortable."

The voice that was supposed to be comforting was even more menacing than Krag’s coldness. When Chi spoke, Lyra felt her body tense and a chill run down her spine.

"They have my parents. I have no choice." Lyra’s words came out louder and faster than she expected.

"Everyone had a choice. Our leaders and priestess saved you. If you had told them there was trouble, they would have helped." Chi continued to talk in that same soft, soothing tone, but to Lyra’s ears it was terrifying.

"I...I couldn’t...my parents..." Lyra stammered.

"I understand. Parents are important. But what about your mate? If you go to the Stonefang Pack and they attack us. Do you think they’ll spare him?" Chi asked, pointing to Cato.

Lyra was silent. Unsure of what to say.

"You don’t understand what a mate is, do you?" Chi asked. "It’s understandable. People here think just having a partner is the best they can do. A mate is so much more."

"But right now, we can’t let you leave. Take the time to think about what you want. If you truly want your mate and you want to be a part of this pack, I’m sure the leaders would be willing to help you."

When Chi finished speaking, she leaned languidly into Krag’s arms.

"Take her home. Don’t let her leave your sight until they come back," Krag stated.

Lyra couldn’t move their aura held her in place. Cato, however, had no problem leaving. He had gotten used to Krag and Chi being around. So, even if they don’t release an aura like that often, the pack bond acts as a buffer.

He quickly picked up the frozen Lyra and left with her.

"Why do kids like to cause trouble?" Chi asked, sighing.

"Because they’re kids," Krag replied.

Chi scoffed and turned in Krag’s arms. "She said her parents have been captured. I want to see if it’s true."

"Don’t meddle," Krag said, gently tapping her nose. His eyes overflowed with emotion when he looked at Chi.

"I’m not meddling. I’m observing," Chi chuckled softly.

The two of them stood together, the wind whispering between the trees. They took a moment to take comfort in each other.

Then Chi laughed and disappeared.

Krag looked at his empty arms and shook his head before disappearing, following Chi.

When they appeared, they were in the Stonefang Pack. People walked past them, completely unable to see the two people standing nearby.

As Krag and Chi took in their surroundings, they noticed how different the Stonefang Pack was compared to the Warm Pack. Not to mention, there were more people. They had a gatehouse, a gate made of two large stones.

It would take several men to open it when it came time for the gate to be opened. There were watch towers. They use strong vines to make bridges connecting each tower. All in all, they could see that the Stonefang Pack was strong.

Krag and Chi strolled through the camp to the prison. They found that the people inside weren’t in cells. They were in pits. Each pit had a small sleeping area and a heavy stone door.

Walking through the prison, they found things they hadn’t expected to see. For one, there were half-shifters. There were also people from other tribes, obviously captured warriors. What they didn’t expect to see were females. Ordinary-looking females, all tied to stone beds.

Some were bloodied and battered, others were wide-eyed and staring at nothing. Then there were the ones who looked like they had just arrived. They were struggling, calling for help.

Chi turned to Krag, and he shook his head. Neither of them knew what these women were doing here. But they were none of their concern. They were there to see Lyra’s parents. But after travelling the entire prison, they couldn’t find anyone.

They were searching based on scent. They had been close enough to Lyra to know what they should look for. They left the prison and decided to try to find Lyra’s home. Following the scent, they were quickly able to find the house.

They expected desolation, but instead they found a couple having sex. Krag and Chi walked into the house, ignoring the two people locked in a passionate embrace. Just as they did in the prison, they searched the house.

When they didn’t find anything, they made sure to take note of the couple’s faces before leaving.

Arriving back at the caldera, they said nothing about their impromptu visit. Only continued to do their work.

What to do with Lyra would be left up to the trio when they return.