After Giving Birth, All My Beast Ex-Husbands Suddenly Want Me Back

Nina stayed with Zena until her emotions finally settled.

A genuine smile appeared on the female’s face. "Nina...after saying all of this out loud, I feel so much lighter."

Nina smiled back. "That’s good."

When it was time to part, Zena stepped forward and gently embraced her.

"Nina... I hope your journey is safe. And if...if you’re not certain you can succeed...then don’t come back."

Even if she herself could never leave this place... It didn’t matter anymore.

She only wanted Nina to live well.

Nina returned the embrace. "Zena, take care of yourself. If I survive...I’ll come back."

She meant it.

Zena was a good female. If she could help her, she would.

But she also knew—the Sky Star Forest would not be a safe place.

There was no guarantee she would return unharmed.

Zena’s eyes grew moist. "Mm. I’ll wait for you."

May the Beast God protect you.

Nina left with Sal and the others, while Zena stood there, watching until their figures disappeared.

***

Back at Nina’s residence.

Aron pulled Yanai into a room, his expression excited.

"Yanai, tell me honestly—is Shushu really your cub?"

Yanai nodded, joy rippling through his eyes. "Yes. He’s mine and Nina’s."

"Really?!" Aron was overjoyed.

Shushu...was truly his grandson.

Wonderful.

Now he finally had a grandson of his own—no one could show off in front of him anymore.

"So when are you going to form a bond with Nina?" he asked impatiently.

He could hardly wait to hear her call him father.

The light in Yanai’s eyes dimmed slightly. "I...I don’t know."

Even though he now knew Nina was the female from that night...

He had treated her so badly before.

Did he even have the right to become her mate? 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Did Nina refuse you?" Aron asked.

Though, if it were him, he wouldn’t forgive so easily either.

Yanai shook his head. "It’s not her. It’s me. I...I haven’t dared to tell her how I feel."

Aron sighed. "Why don’t you try? Tell her honestly. Nina is gentle and kind—maybe she’ll accept you. Don’t you want to be her mate?"

"Of course I do," Yanai said quietly. "More than anything."

His voice grew strained.

"But what if she doesn’t want me? What if she drives me away?"

His gaze lowered.

"Being able to stay by her side like this...I’m already satisfied."

He didn’t dare gamble.

Not when the cost of losing was too high.

Hadn’t that lion already been driven away?

Aron felt a headache coming on. "But if you don’t say anything, how will you ever know?"

"Father," Yanai said softly, "I can’t afford to lose that gamble."

Aron released a long sigh. "The truth is...you just can’t get past your own guilt."

Because deep down... He believed he didn’t deserve her.

He patted Yanai on the shoulder. "This is something your father can’t help you with. You’ll have to rely on yourself."

Yanai lowered his gaze. "I know."

"Yanai, if you truly want to be with Nina, then you need to move her with the heat of your love—not hide away like a coward. If you keep being this weak, she’ll never fall for you. Not in this lifetime." His father’s tone was earnest, heavy with meaning.

This useless brat—if he doesn’t take initiative, does he expect Nina to make the first move?

"Father... give me a little more time," Yanai said quietly.

He knew his father was right. But still, he felt he needed more time—time to steady himself, to gather the courage he lacked.

Aron shook his head and turned away, heading off to find Shushu.

Better to go dote on his sweet little grandson and soothe his own frustration. This hopeless son of his was truly useless. Hmph—when more and more outstanding males start pursuing Nina and he finds himself completely outmatched, then he’ll know what regret feels like.

Left alone, Yanai absently rubbed the crystal Nina had given him, the cool surface pressed against his throat. His thoughts drifted, tangled and heavy.

. . .

Outside, Kith and Finch were directing the others, urging them to pack quickly. Everything had to be ready. The moment Odian broke the barrier sealing the city, they would leave without delay.

Inside his room, Odian worked in silence.

He sliced open his palm without hesitation. Blood welled up, dark and vivid, and he let it drip—drop by drop—onto a blue crystal.

The crystal absorbed each drop greedily.

Only when his face had turned pale did he finally stop.

At once, the crystal flared with a soft, luminous glow.

Afterward, he gathered Ridan and the others and slipped out quietly to set up the formation.

***

When Nina returned, she sought out Ming and the others to learn more about the Sky Star Forest.

"The Sky Star Forest is extremely strange," Ming said gravely. "There are all kinds of bizarre and dangerous things inside. We have to be very careful."

"Yes," Taru added. "I’ve heard that even the plants there are dangerous. Flowers, grass, trees—they can all devour beastmen."

"And it’s easy to lose your way," Aron said. "Some who entered were never able to find their way out. They’re still missing to this day."

Nina frowned slightly. "Then where is the altar?"

"It’s said to be in the very center of the forest," Ming replied.

"As far as I know," Taru continued, his expression serious, "the altar is the most dangerous place in the entire forest. Many powerful beastmen have coveted the Star Source before—but all of them died there. Not a single one has ever succeeded."

Nina’s expression grew solemn.

So it truly was that dangerous.

But if she didn’t go, she wouldn’t be able to break the curse. And if the curse fully awakened, she would likely fall under the control of that mysterious being—reduced to nothing more than a puppet.

Worse still, with the curse suppressing her, even attempting to kill Yosan would be far riskier.

In that case... she might as well take the gamble.

Better to risk everything in the Sky Star Forest than wait helplessly for her fate.

"Then we’ll prepare as much as we can and come up with a solid plan," Nina said.

Later, she intended to purchase more defensive tools from the system store—anything that might improve their chances of survival.

Ming and the others nodded. Soon, they all gathered together, discussing strategies late into the night.

. . .

The next day, Odian activated the formation.

The air trembled as the array came to life, its power spreading outward as it began to tear at the barrier surrounding the city.

Almost immediately, Yosan sensed it.

His expression darkened.

Within moments, he mobilized a group of beastmen and headed straight toward Nina and the others.