The Ugly Duckling Of The Tiger Tribe-Chapter 81: Emotions did not control him

The moment felt like a dream to me.

It happened so fast that I couldn’t register exactly how it happened but being in Damar’s arms, seeing him protect me even at the expense of exposing himself, I couldn’t help but get emotional and shed more tears.

Damar’s tail coiled around me like a protective shield, trying to soothe me, even as I cried.

He probably assumed I was crying because of Kaelor so his anger grew even more livid.

"You..." Kaelor, who regained himself quicker than an average beastman, stood to his feet, a bit shaky but he was on his feet.

He stared at Damar with blood red eyes, his anger baring fangs and his body ready to lunge at him.

But when he saw me right by his side, sniffing and sobbing, he paused.

He couldn’t attack while I was there, because then I might get caught in the crossfire. Worse, the vile snake that took me ’hostage?’ could use me as a shield to control him.

"Get away from her." Kaelor barked at him but Damar stayed silent, the anger on his face slipping into a cold silence.

It was at this point that he began to use his head, having intervened without thinking.

Would this get Arinya in trouble? If I kill this beastman, will Arinya be banished?

These questions read loud and clear on his face.

"Damar," I called, placing a hand on his tail and he turned his head to me.

I had finally calmed down after sobbing my heart out and could think rationally now.

"Why are you here? I mean, how did you get here?"

How did you know I was in trouble?

"I was watching you," Damar answered coolly. "I saw that dumb–" he paused and rephrased his words. "I saw Fenric,"

He was just about to call Fenric a dumb cub, wasn’t he? But to think he would call him by his name, it was a first.

"He was heading out and you were not by his side. I was worried that you would get in trouble while he was away. And..." His eyes rolled away a little and then landed on Kaelor. "I was curious what you were doing. So, I followed the track he was walking on, back to your tribe. I planned to be as quiet as possible so no one would spot me and you would not worry."

He gazed at Kaelor.

Hostility burned in his gaze, but he was terrifyingly calm. The flicker in his

Unlike other beastmen who let their instincts lead them, both in rage and excitement, he was the opposite.

Emotions did not control him, he controlled them.

That was why even beastmen feared him.

That was why he was a dangerous predator.

"And then I saw this beastman."

"He... He’s my brother." I said, but even at that, Damar’s gaze did not change.

He saw him as an enemy, despite his identity.

"He made you cry," he said.

That was all that mattered.

"Was he trying to hurt you?" He asked me. "Was he trying to force you to do something you didn’t want to do?"

"I..."

"You’re one to talk," Kaelor spoke up, cleaning his mouth with the back of his palm. "What did you do with my sister?"

"Everything besides forcing her," Damar said, looking down on him like he was a disgusting bug.

"What? You expect me to believe that?" Kaelor swung his hand in disbelief.

There was no way he would believe the words of a snake. No one would.

"You’re a beast who only moves on your selfish interest." He claimed. "You must’ve threatened Arinya, that’s why she let you mark her. There is no way my sister would let a feral beast like you touch her, let alone mark her. She hates snakes."

Ah, did Arinya also hate snakes?

Before meeting Damar, I did hate snakes but it changed with Damar. I don’t hate Damar. I like him, even if he is a big terrifying snake.

He has a handsome face, is caring, and has a great body too.

Plus, he’s the first person I met in this world who actually made me feel like I wasn’t a complete outcast. As Stephanie, and Arinya, he made me feel wanted... Told me I was pretty, that everyone else could fuck off, not his exact words but close... And that they were blind for not seeing my brilliance. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

How could I not fall for someone like that, whether he is a snake or a man? It doesn’t matter.

"You took advantage of her," Kaelor snarled. "You knew she was vulnerable and used it against her."

Why was he so sure that that was the case?

It was as if he was convinced that, except for him, no one would love me for me, no one who would genuinely care for me.

Without his help, I was nothing.

This left a sour feeling in the pit of my belly.

The feeling that Kaelor wasn’t just a possessive brother who had eyes on his sister but he was also controlling. He wanted my life to go exactly as he willed it.

He wanted it that without his help, without him, I could do nothing.

This was the feeling that was suddenly coming off him, and I sure as hell know that my sixth sense wasn’t wrong.

I had broken out of the chains Arinya’s old self bound me down with because of her feelings towards Kaelor and was now free to make my own decisions, feelings wshy I want to feel and judge for myself.

Who exactly is the villain?

"I’ll make sure to free Arinya from your clutches right this moment." Kaelor barked and wanted to take action but I couldn’t let that happen.

I have to speak up

I have to defend Damar and let everyone know that I accepted him, despite knowing what and who he was.

I make my own choices, I build my own life, so everyone else can just fuck off with their opinion.

And that includes you, Kaelor.

I stepped forward, spreading my arms wide to shield Damar.

Damar looked at me and asked,

"What are you doing?"

"I’m doing what I should do as your wife," I said.

Even Kaelor was confused.

He looked at me with shaky eyes, wondering what I was up to.

"A-Arinya," he called. "If he’s threatening you... You don’t have to worry, this big brother will definitely protect you."

"No, you won’t," I said, and this shot an arrow to his heart. "Damar isn’t the one I need protection from. It’s you."