(Yaya’s POV)
The owl beastmen’s chests were bare, with leather belts hanging around their waists, and feather cloaks draped over their shoulders. They had painted their faces with white and black patterns.
Scouts’ faces had the left side painted black, while the healers had the left side white. The patterns differed from one owl to another, but they all had the same color scheme.
Their voices came out in hushed tones, barely louder than the rustle of leaves, yet my keen hearing caught every word as if they spoke directly in my ear.
"Is that the one who chose a cold-blooded as her mate?" one of the owl beastmen whispered. "The rumors were true then."
I walked by Noodle’s side, unbothered. He, on the other hand, tracked every twitch, every shift of their weight on the branches, but their whispers, they didn’t reach him.
The owls knew it by the way they stood motionless as stone statues.
"His female mate is said to be ugly," another whispered. "I thought they were exaggerating."
"But even an ugly one deserves better than a cold-blooded one. If only she had chosen one of us..."
They didn’t care about my looks. They would be fine with any female who would give them a chance. The twenty to one male and female ratio really had them desperate.
I didn’t need any of them to play hero and get an idea about rescuing me, or think they were a better choice.
Crushing their hopes further would do the trick. I thought as I wrapped my arm around Noodle’s waist.
Noodle scoffed. "No miracle cores."
I tsked and tightened my hold on his waist, making him bulge his eyes out at the force. "Aren’t you happy I’m not interested in the owl beastmen? Smile. Or I will make you smile."
"What’s wrong with you─?" His face scrunched up in a grimace before I forced it into a smile. "─why...are you...doing... this?"
"Hug me back," I demanded, digging my fingers into his ribs, making him yelp in pain.
Noodle lifted me off the branch, and I immediately wrapped my legs around his waist, securing my arms around his neck. His hands held my thighs, my face now at the same height as his.
I rubbed my cheek against his. "Only one male for me. You. You are my only mate. Understood?"
He was confused, but he nodded, still holding me up.
A wave of shock passed through the owls as they realized I wasn’t trying to escape Noodle’s clutches or look for another mate. In fact, I was the one who initiated the display of affection.
"The female is insane." One finally said. "Maybe that’s why she chose a snake. Birds of a feather flock together."
"Is she really a friend of Hale’s mate? Should we warn him? What if she decides she wants a cold-blooded mate too? That would be a disaster."
My presence made them doubt Nivi’s judgment. The whispers grew in number. They had an order not to attack Noodle if the situation didn’t call for it, but centuries of animosity towards cold-blooded ran deep. They couldn’t help but throw more jabs at him and me.
I returned a few, "Do not worry, my mate. I won’t leave you for these soft-feathered males."
"Soft-feathered? Did she call us soft-feathered?" One of them couldn’t believe what he had heard. "Insulting our feathers is like insulting our honor."
The owl beastmen began to get worked up; they changed into their beast forms to show off their plumage. Some were white, others brown, and a few had different colors mixed in. Silently, they were saying, ’look at us, we are strong, and worthy of a female’s attention’.
I gave them an unimpressed side glance and hid my face in Noodle’s neck, who asked me if I was hungry again.
The commotion summoned a white owl with an impressive wingspan. It perched on a branch before us, blocking our way.
It carefully crouched down, allowing the person on its back to dismount. It was Nivi, looking regal in her new outfit, with a crown of flowers on her head. Her hair was braided and decorated with feathers, matching the tribe’s style.
She smiled at me, her green eyes sparkling with excitement at the sight before her. "Did you two have fun last night? It seems you managed to make up with each other."
"We did," I said, hugging Noodle more tightly, and he understood enough to play along. "More than enough."
Hale changed into his human form, bowing slightly in my direction. "I apologize for my tribe’s rude behavior. They are not used to cold-blooded being welcomed here. And with a mate, no less."
"We have a welcoming feast planned for us," Nivi added. "It’s to celebrate our new life, a fresh start."
I glanced at the owls, who were clearly not enthusiastic about the idea of having me and Noodle at their feast. It would only bring trouble to Nivi and Hale. She was fast in trying to make people accept us, and such things never ended well. Popularity was a fickle thing.
"I think we will pass," I said.
Noodle gave a satisfied hum, while Nivi’s face fell.
"How about a small campfire gathering outside the owl tribe?" I suggested instead.
Nivi’s smile returned. "Thank you, Yaya."
Hale turned to the owls, speaking in their beastmen language, which had no sound to it. Noodle’s eyes twitched, letting me know he heard and understood their silent language.
A series of nods and wing flaps later, they dispersed, leaving a few to lead us out of the village.
There were only vines to climb down the trees. Noodles didn’t let the owls carry me, so I decided to climb down myself. He didn’t protest the idea.
The trees had big ridged trunks and thick branches, easy to step on. Noodle followed me, changing into a full snake form, to slither down with my backpack and weapons hanging off his jaw.
He landed on the ground before me and changed back to his hybrid form, waiting for me.
"You have too much energy," he commented as I landed next to him. He wanted to tire me out, so I could rest more and be less of a hassle for him to deal with. The reason was valid, so I didn’t argue.
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The army of owls continued to follow us from the shadows of the trees, using the camouflage their feathers provided. They only dispersed when we were far enough from their territory.
Beast Kingdom’s borders had owl and eagle outposts in every major area, each with a large range to patrol.
This one was the closest to the Crimson Sneika Shore and was called Dreamroot Forest, known for a medical plant that helped induce visions of the future.
One of the most powerful owl beastman used them to predict bad omens and warn the kingdom in advance. Floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.
Though not always accurate, these visions helped him establish the Beast Kingdom and a council of elders, and most importantly, to push the cold-blooded out of their borders.
"Mate." Noodle’s hand waved in front of my face, knowing he would be sent flying if he used a sneak attack. "Do you like boars?"
"No."
"I will hunt one for you."
"I only eat cold-blooded beasts. You, and your kind."
"...Difficult female," he hissed, and offered his tail for me to munch on. He would rather be eaten than let me go hungry.
Ignoring his words, I turned my attention to the forest before us. The sunrise began to paint the sky in its fairytale colors, and as the light hit the forest floor, a shadowy figure emerged from the bushes.
Another noodle?