Chapter 11
Pearl's POV
Deep in the forest, I kept my eyes on Kai as he moved with precision and caution. Then, he halted and looked at me.
"There's a wild lion a few meters ahead," he said quietly. "I'm going to place you on a tree branch to keep you safe."
Before I could react, he lifted me effortlessly and climbed the tree like it was nothing. He settled me on a sturdy, comfortable branch. The tree wasn't very tall, just high enough to avoid any predators on the ground.
Then, to my surprise, Kai began removing his clothes. I should've looked away out of modesty, but I couldn't. My husband was about to transform—and it was the first time I'd witness it.
Every movement of his was mesmerizing. His transformation wasn't just startling—it was magnificent.
I had never seen a white tiger before. The sheer power in his form demanded attention, awe, and submission. He was enormous—far larger than I imagined, even bigger than Sam in his wolf form. Sam had impressed me with his size, but Kai... Kai was something else entirely.
His fur gleamed a pure white, and his eyes—an icy, almost glowing blue—pierced through the dim forest.
For the first time, I thought... maybe it wouldn't be so bad to mix my bloodline with his. Our children would be strong, beautiful, and undeniably captivating. Just imagining it made me smile—until the thought of the "how" made me blush fiercely.
Kai, in his beast form, prowled toward the distant lion. I watched from the tree, nerves and excitement battling within me. He moved with stealth, ensuring the lion remained unaware. Then, with a sudden surge of power, he pounced—pinning the lion and sinking his fangs into its neck. The lion struggled, claws lashing out and leaving a gash on Kai's arm, but it couldn't escape.
Once certain the lion was dead, Kai remained in beast form, licking the scratch on his forelimb. I carefully slid down the tree and approached him. The way he licked his wound reminded me of a cat grooming itself.
When he noticed me, he shifted back into his human form. Small scratches marred his arm, and panic rushed through me.
"Wait, don't move," I said and rushed to his side. He just smiled and began searching for something on the ground—a specific leaf. I recognized it as the healing herb from the cave.
"Here," I said, taking it from him and gently applying it to the scratch.
"If you're going to keep getting hurt every time you hunt, then don't," I murmured, trying not to sound too emotional.
"I held back from finishing it in one go because you were watching," he explained, "I didn't want to traumatize you. Beast life isn't exactly gentle."
"I'm not that weak, you know," I said with a playful huff.
He smiled. "I know."
Kai carried the lion on his shoulders as we made our way back. I noticed some leftover wood stacked to the side—gathered, perhaps, by the beast males. My mind sparked with ideas: carving spoons, forks, chopping sticks, even wooden plates.
After dinner, which consisted of roasted lion meat, I finally used the toilet and felt immense relief. I had held it in far too long—too shy and unsure where to go or how to ask Kai about it.
But just as I was getting comfortable again, I felt it.
That shift in my body.
"Oh no," I whispered. "It's that time of the month."
My cheeks burned with embarrassment. I could either lock myself in the bathroom, go bleed at the waterfall... or approach Kai.
I chose the least humiliating option—barely.
"Um... Kai? Can I ask you something?" My voice cracked with discomfort.
He looked at me, his expression attentive.
"You know... I'm female," I began, wincing. "And sometimes, we naturally bleed... I mean, during that time of the month. Do your females bleed too? And if so, what do they use to prevent stains—on their clothes or the places they sit?"
Kai didn't respond immediately. Instead, he sniffed the air, then suddenly turned and walked away.
Wait—did I say something wrong? Did he misunderstand me?
Before I could chase after him, a familiar sharp pain struck my stomach. I gasped, crumpling to the wooden floor, clutching my abdomen. The pain was intense—far worse than usual. Was it because of Pearl's weakened body?
Not long after, Kai returned with bundles of cotton and a large green leaf. He also brought a small seed in his hand.
"This helps with energy and reduces post-heat pain," he said softly, guiding me toward the fur-covered bed.
"I'll stain the bed," I protested. "Let me bathe and put this on first."
Thankfully, there was something nearby that resembled a wrap or cloth—close enough to act as underwear. I didn't resist as he helped me walk.
"Do you need help?" he asked gently once I was soaking in the warm water.
I shook my head. "No... I'm okay."
He didn't go far, hovering nearby in case I needed him. After eating the seed, the pain slowly began to fade.
"What did you mean by post-heat?" I asked, my voice low and tired.
"Before our marriage, I was trained to understand females—how to care for them," he said. "I learned about this condition. It's called post-heat. When you're in heat or pre-heat and don't mate, the eggs in your womb expect sperm. When they don't get it, they become blood."
His explanation was oddly scientific... yet adorably off-mark.
I didn't correct him. Maybe he was right in his world. I'd always known it as ovulation, menstruation... and this pain? Menstrual cramps. But the beast folk had their own understanding of things.
I looked at him again. He was worried.
"I'm not dying," I reassured him.
"You're bleeding a lot," he said, concern etched across his face.
"It's normal," I replied with a tired smile. "I've always gone through this. After some rest, I'll help you with the chores."
"Don't you dare," he said sternly. "You're not stepping outside while you're sick. Besides... you smell sweet. It'll attract others."
"Seriously?" I groaned amused, "sweet???.
My husband was overprotective—and clearly misunderstood almost everything when it came to me. But somehow... that made it even sweeter.