The Ugly Duckling Of The Tiger Tribe-Chapter 63: It was too risky

I worried about how we would take the squirrels back since there were a lot, but all of that worry melted as soon as I saw the net Fenric had woven with vines.

My man was so handy and was skilled in many crafts.

Was this also a part of a beast warrior’s skills?

"You’re amazing," I said, my eyes twinkling at this craft.

I should probably learn it as well.

Hearing my praise, Fenric’s pride shot through the roof.

"This is nothing." He said, touching his nose. "I can do a bunch of other stuff."

"Then you’re very amazing."

"Not as amazing as Arinya, though." He said, looking at me lovingly and I blushed, looking away.

He doesn’t have to flirt like that if he wants to get my attention. He already got it with his craft and his body and his... Ahem, focus.

"Ari," Damar called just before we started leaving and I turned my head. "I’ll always be here... Waiting for you. So, come to me whenever you miss me."

At that moment, the wind blew and I felt my heart fluttering even more with the waves of the wind... I smiled at him and waved.

"I’ll definitely come back soon." That’s because, I’m always missing you and wondering what you’re doing.

If only I could take him with me to the tribe.

It was unfortunate, but it was just for the time being.

Once I’ve settled all I can, I will definitely leave this place with Damar and Fenric. Then, we can be together all the time.

"Just wait for me," I said and he nodded.

"I’ll be waiting."

Fenric said he was going to transform into his beast form, and asked me to ride him.

Of course, I was reluctant.

I’ve never ridden a horse before, not to mention a tiger. What if I fall?

"I’ll walk very slowly so you don’t fall," Fenric said, as if reading my mind but I grimaced. This idea...

"How will I even get on?" I asked, quite a lame excuse.

"I’ll—"

"I’ll help you up!" Damar cut in.

Of course, he knew Fenric could just lie on his belly, and I would be able to climb up with no fuss, but he wanted to do this.

"I’ll help you up," he said. "And I’ll even walk by your side as far as I can go, to make sure you don’t fall."

"Ah, you don’t have to go that far," I said, waving my hands, worrying that something would go wrong but Damar smiled at me, taking my hand and pressing it on his chest to feel his heart beat.

"I want to do it, Ari. Please let me do it."

When he asks with such a sincere tone and that soft gaze of his... How can I say no?

I pressed my lips together and then gave in.

"Alright. You... You can walk with us. But you need to be careful not to get caught, alright?"

It’s still daytime, so there must be a few tribe folks hunting around this time. I worry that he’ll get spotted and then hunted.

No, I worry for those who would dare hunt him more. They could very much say their early prayer, but then that means his existence in the forest will be known and then others will try looking for him.

It was too risky.

But I’ll trust him this time.

If anything does happen, I’ll just take it as my plans shifting forward and then reveal him as my spouse

Don’t worry, Damar. I’ll protect you.

I watched Fenric take off his skirt first, and then transformed into his beast form, and once again, I beheld that mighty beast.

He was so big.

I hope a day won’t come when I have to mate with him in his beast form. Just saying.

I picked up his skirt and then began to tie the net around his waist with Damar’s help.

When we were done, it was time for me to climb Fenric.

I gulped but then felt a pair of hands sliding around my waist. I turned to look at Damar.

"Are you ready?"

I nodded. It’s not like I can change my mind at this point.

He lifted me effortlessly and dropped me on Fenric’s back.

The view from his back was not so different from down there but what really caught my attention was the softness of his fur.

I lay my head, wishing I had a pillow that was just as soft and a comfy bed too. Ah, he was so soft...

I think I’ll make Fenric my bed from now on. It’s way better than sleeping on the hard ground.

Wait, will his entire body be able to fit into my cave? It should, right?

I don’t know anymore but I hope it can.

If it doesn’t work, I’ll have to meet my father and tell him that it’s time for me to have a hut, since now I have a spouse.

Though that seems to be a waste since we’ll be leaving sometime soon.

But this fur is heavenly. I could see myself sleeping and not knowing when or how it happened.

Just like that, I closed my eyes and—

"Are you comfortable?" Damar asked, snapping me out of the sleep that was silly creeping in.

"Ah, y-yes." I answered, my face heating up as I felt embarrassed.

I almost fell asleep just now.

"We can start heading out now," I said and he held my leg.

"Don’t worry. I’ll stick very close by."

Yes, but... Are you going to hold my leg the whole time?

Not that I’m uncomfortable with it but... Once you let go, I’ll end up missing you even more.

I looked at the way he smiled at me and then the gentle graze of his thumb against my skin. He was trying to ease my concern but it was only making my heart go ’pitta-patta’ again. Softly, warmly, and smoothly.

And secretly, I didn’t want this moment to end.

I wanted this moment where three of us walking down the forest in silence and feeling each other’s presence so well, would last for a bit longer.

But while I swelled with these thoughts, the time went by so fast that before long, we were already close to the tribe’s fortress and Damar slowly let go of my leg, taking his warmth with him.