Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Counting Tail Hairs

The sky gradually darkened, and in front of Luna Sutton’s cave, a stone pot on the stove bubbled with deer meat, exuding a tempting aroma.

She sat in front of the stove, holding a wooden stick, occasionally poking at the firewood inside the stove.

Rhys Blackwood, Zeke Veridian, and Malachi Arcanus had long finished the bone and mushroom soup, leaving even the bowls spotless and clean.

They stood beside her, all eyes fixed on her—or more accurately, on the deer meat in the stone pot.

Their eyes glowed, their Adam’s apples bobbing up and down. Despite having just drunk such a large pot of soup, they now looked like three hungry wolves.

But the deer meat had just been put in to stew, so it wasn’t ready yet.

Luna’s mouth twitched slightly in a smile, pretending not to notice as she lowered her gaze to the fire, scoffing internally.

You all despised me before, each one of you showing nothing but disgust.

Just wait until you fall head over heels for me, then see how I deal with you by making you count the hairs on your tails in the corner.

Only once you’ve counted them all can you eat what I’ve cooked.

She happily thought to herself while continuing to poke the firewood to prevent the flames from burning the deer meat.

Malachi watched the slight curve of her mouth and, seeing the glint in her dark eyes, knew she was feeling quite pleased with herself.

However, he said nothing and turned his gaze back to the stone pot, knowing that even though he hadn’t tasted it, the smell permeating the air indicated the deer meat inside would be delicious.

The bone and mushroom soup he’d just had was incredibly tasty, addictive even.

Now smelling the aroma of the deer meat, he realized any previous roasted meat he’d eaten paled in comparison.

Simultaneously, he became even more eager.

Rhys and Zeke felt similarly, their eyes fixed on the bubbling stone pot, eagerly awaiting the deer meat to finish cooking.

Luna saw them standing idly around, wasting the time.

So she thought of giving them something to do.

With that in mind, she said to the three of them: “The deer meat still needs more time to stew. You’re just standing there, so why not make me some wooden bowls? Make them similar in size to the stone bowls, along with five or six plates like the stone ones over there. Also, two larger soup bowls, about the size to hold three bowls of water.”

The stone bowls were heavy and rough, not polished, naturally less handy than wooden bowls.

Although Rhys, Zeke, and Malachi weren’t too keen on moving, thoughts of the deer meat in the stone pot ultimately kept them from refusing.

Quickly, they left the cave to craft the things Luna wanted.

…

By now, the sky had completely darkened, stars dotted the heavens, and the bright moonlight spread over the earth, clothing the entire tribe in a silvery veil, mysterious and enchanting.

Under the night sky, a blazing bonfire was lit at the Tribal Square, shadows dancing across the faces of the Beastmen and women, creating a warm atmosphere.

Corbin Crowley sat alone to one side, his silver eyes reflecting the firelight, but none of its warmth reached the shadows in his heart.

He held a tree branch in his hand, mindlessly scratching at the ground, a swirl of irritation inside.

That aroma, that damn aroma, lingered at his nose as if mocking his patience.

He knew it was Luna Sutton cooking, the tantalizing smell permeating the entire tribe.

Wafted continuously from noon till now, never ceasing.

“Is she a pig? Eating so much without fear of getting fat.”

He muttered curses under a sullen face.

Though he knew inside, Luna Sutton was cooking for Rhys, Zeke, and Malachi.

Yet he cursed her anyway, as if doing so made him feel a tad better.

At the same time, he had to admit that the damned woman’s cooking was good, good enough that even someone who abhorred her like him couldn’t help but be tempted.

But being tempted didn’t mean he’d beg that ugly woman.

Corbin’s irritation grew, looking down only to find the branch in his hand had been crushed to bits.

He frowned, tossed it to the ground, dusted off his hands, and rose to leave the square.

Just as he’d taken a couple of steps, Mia called out to him.

“Corbin, what’s the matter? You look terrible.”

Corbin paused his steps, glanced sideways at Mia approaching him, a hint of disdain flickering in his silver eyes before ignoring her and walking away.

In his view, Mia had a pretty face but an unappealing, haughty, and greedy personality.

Despite having seven Beast Husbands, she wasn’t satisfied, wanting even them, not considering if she’d be too busy at night.

Mia’s face turned sour when he didn’t respond, watching him walk off directly.

“Damned Corbin, how am I worse than that ugly woman, really now?”

She glared in the direction Corbin left, angrily stomped her foot, and cursed quietly.

Yet soon, smelling the meat aroma lingering in the air, her face turned even sourer.

The smell drifted from noon to now, uninterrupted, leaving her mouth-watering.

Even made her lose appetite for roasted meat dinner; foods she once savored now tasted bland.

Thinking of Quinn Morgan, her eyes showed some displeasure and complaint, believing she could have scored some of the ugly woman’s food with the Matron.

But evening came without news.

She didn’t know if the ugly woman hadn’t sent any to the Matron, or if the Matron hid to eat alone, not sharing with her.

Either way, her mood soured further, seeing everyone as unappealing.

Tribal women, naturally, smelled the aroma too, knowing Luna Sutton was cooking again, but felt embarrassed to ask for food.

So they sent their Beast Husbands to fetch stone pots, wanting to try cooking themselves.

Meanwhile, Corbin just left the Tribal Square, passing by Luna Sutton’s cave, spotting Rhys transform into his giant black python form, his tail raised high before crashing down heavily.

A series of loud “thumps” split the thick logs on the ground into segments.

Zeke and Malachi both turned into Azure Moon Wolf and Nether-dark Wolf, respectively, each clutching a piece of wood, crouched down, scratching at the wood with their paws.

Seemingly trying to carve it into some shape.

Corbin felt puzzled, initially unsure what they were doing.

Watching for a while, until the objects took shape did he realize they were making wooden bowls.

He was stunned, surprised that these three guys would work so hard just to eat that fat woman’s food?

With anger boiling inside him, feeling isolated.

Snorting coldly, he turned to leave.

But then he saw Luna Sutton standing at her cave entrance, looking his way, shouting loudly, “Corbin, if you want, you can pitch in too, work together and we’ll finish faster.”

Corbin paused, his expression strange as he looked at Luna Sutton.

She wanted him to help? What a pipe dream.

Staring at her for a while, unsure if it was a trick of the light, but her buck teeth seemed less prominent, even her mouth appeared smaller.

He frowned, confused but didn’t think deeply, attributing it to the darkness of night.

Recalling her earlier words, he replied coldly, “Why should I help you?”

Luna Sutton wasn’t surprised by his reaction; this dogged man abhorred her completely, it’d be strange if he agreed easily.

She smiled faintly and said, “Of course, you can choose not to help, but…”

She deliberately stretched her voice.

Corbin couldn’t help frowning, somewhat displeased as he looked at her.

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