The Ugly Duckling Of The Tiger Tribe-Chapter 131: What does she want to early in the morning?

The subtle morning breeze came and I breathed in before letting it out.

I placed my hand on my chest, feeling my heart thump and beat so warmly in want that it brought a smile to my lips.

As someone who was never desired before, being desired this much makes me so happy that I can barely contain it.

"Alright," I said, and reached for his face, caressing it softly, then touched his ears, rubbing them.

I saw him squint his eyes as I pinched his ears and then I laughed.

"I’ve heard your response, Fenric."

"Don’t you think it’s weird?" He asked and I stopped.

"Not at all," I said. "If anything, I appreciate that you feel that way. It just means you like me that much, haha."

He watched me smile and blushed, looking down as he tried to hide his shyness.

"Ari," Damar called and I turned to him.

"What is it?"

"You... Won’t you ask me too?" He asked and my eyes widened in cheerful disbelief.

He could be so childish at times.

I laughed and then pinched his cheeks.

"I don’t think I have to," I said. "I already know you can get quite jealous. So, there’s nothing to inquire."

"Yeah, you basically wear your emotions on that pale face of yours," Fenric said. "It’s too obvious that Arinya doesn’t even need to ask."

Damar glared at him and I felt a spark lighting up between them.

To end the conversation there and not let the spark ignite any further, I changed the topic.

I clasped my hands together and said,

"I want to get out of here as soon as possible." They both looked at me. "Let’s start packing. I don’t want to stay in this tribe for a moment longer."

Just staying longer would only invite unnecessary trouble.

My sixth senses were telling me that trouble was brewing where I couldn’t see.

So, to avoid coming across that trouble, it was best to leave as quickly as possible.

They don’t need us for anything anyway. And I’ve already explained the salting process to them. It was up to them to find more rock salt and get on with their lives.

I hope to never come across them again.

Just when I was standing on my feet, I sensed someone approaching. My ear wiggled lightly in the air and I raised my head to find Solin coming from a distance.

"Ah," I exclaimed and waved my hand.

The other two looked in her direction, wondering what she was coming here to do so early in the morning.

"What does she want so early in the morning?" Fenric asked, disgruntled that our moment had been ruined.

Not like we weren’t already planning to head in to start packing anyway.

"Maybe she just wants to see me," I said and began walking towards her.

The subtle morning breeze came again, cooler this time, brushing against my neck and I flipped my hair gently behind my shoulder.

I exhaled slowly, steadying the warmth still lingering in my chest.

"Solin," I said, stopping in front of her.

"Arinya," her face lit up and she grabbed my arm. "I didn’t expect you to be up already." She said and looked at my hand that felt cold. "Did you... Sleep outside?"

Ah, how did she know?

Solin was quite intuitive. Just like Fenric. I guess snow tigers were born smart, not like the disgrace of a tribe Arinya grew up in.

"Well, yes. It was quite hot, haha." I said and she nodded.

"I also slept outside. The hut wasn’t very comfortable and I kept thinking of what I wanted to do with you today before you leave tomorrow." I flinched.

She came for that?

I darted my eyes away softly and then brought them back to her, feeling a little guilty.

I promised her I’d spend time with her, but we’ve not been able to do anything since Fenric and Damar are always by my side and I’m focused on sewing in Taruna’s place at times.

I knew I should’ve just taken her to Taruna’s place so it’d be like three females spending time together, but I thought I could make time separately for her.

Solin seemed to have noticed the guilt in my eyes and asked,

"What’s wrong?"

"Well," I tilted my head, wondering how to bring it up. "I’ll be leaving today."

Her face froze for a few seconds and then she laughed softly, as if she misheard me.

"Already?" She asked and I nodded. "But wasn’t it supposed to be tomorrow? My people are planning to leave tomorrow too, so I thought..."

"Sorry, Solin," I said and then hugged her. "I knew I promised to spend time with you but I’m very uncertain about staying for another moment. I don’t think it’s safe for us to stay any longer."

Her smile dimmed—not dramatically, but enough for me to notice.

Solin was someone I trusted. If I were going to say it out loud to anyone, it would be her. She wouldn’t tattle.

Solin hugged me back and patted my back with no words.

I pulled back and smiled faintly. Though, she did not smile back.

She fiddled with her fingers and looked down at her hands. She rubbed her thumb against her palm, rolling her eyes about as if the words she wanted to say were too embarrassing to let out.

She was always one to be straightforward, so for her to hesitate about the words she was about to say, I couldn’t help but wonder what it was about.

"It’s about Veyra, isn’t it?" She asked and I nodded. "I wonder, why does your sister hate you?"

"I wish I knew the answer to that," I said and the breeze blew again, brushing my hair aside.

"I thought..." Solin began, then stopped. "I thought we might have one more day together. Just us."

The words felt heavy as she said them.

"I’m sorry," I said. "I didn’t mean to—"

She waved it off with a huff, though her shoulders slumped.

"It’s fine," she muttered and then looked past my shoulder at Fenric and Damar. "Your mates always steal you away anyway, that’s why we barely even got time to talk like friends."

I smiled awkwardly, the truth of it pressing uncomfortably against my chest. I couldn’t even deny it.

After a moment, Solin straightened, looking past the disappointment and a new idea settling into her eyes.

"Then I’ll come with you."

I blinked, my body shuddering at her sudden words.

"What?"

She was going to what?