After Giving Birth, All My Beast Ex-Husbands Suddenly Want Me Back-Chapter 43: Running out of patience

"Nina, I’m going out hunting in a bit," Mino said as he picked food for her. "Stay home and don’t wander around. If anything needs doing, don’t do it yourself—wait for me to come back, understand?"

"Got it," Nina replied obediently. "I’ll stay at home and won’t go out."

Hearing her say that put Mino more at ease. There were guards in the tribe, so it should be fine—but he still planned to return as soon as possible.

***

After struggling with himself for two more days, Aji finally couldn’t hold back and sneaked over.

He approached the stone house and called softly, "Nina."

Seeing him, Nina was pleasantly surprised. "Aji? What brings you here?"

"I came to see you. Have you been well lately?" Aji’s eyes were full of longing.

"I’ve been fine," Nina said with a smile. "What about you? Have you been busy? You haven’t come by in a while."

"I’m doing okay too... just a bit busy," Aji replied, his smile slightly forced. Then he added apologetically, "Nina, about what my mother did—pulling off your veil in public—I’m really sorry. I’m apologizing to you on her behalf."

"It’s alright," Nina said gently. "I don’t mind anymore."

She had been upset at the time, but Aji had helped her a lot before. He was her first friend in the beast world—she wasn’t going to hold a grudge over something like that.

"My mother was misled by Dora back then," Aji explained. "She’s not a bad person at heart. I hope you won’t hate her."

He didn’t want Nina to dislike his mother because of that; it would put him in a very difficult position.

"I won’t," Nina replied.

As long as Miye didn’t come looking for trouble again, Nina was happy to let the matter rest.

"That’s good," Aji said, finally relaxing when he saw she truly wasn’t angry.

Then he turned to Mino. "Mino, go hunt without worrying. I’ll stay here and look after Nina until you get back."

He didn’t want to do the task his mother had assigned him today—he just wanted to spend a little more time with Nina.

Seeing Aji stay behind actually reassured Mino.

Although he didn’t like other males being close to Nina, for her safety, he was willing to tolerate it for now.

"Nina, I’m heading out," Mino said. "If you need anything, let Aji handle it. Don’t do things yourself."

"Alright. Be careful."

"Mhm."

Mino finished his food and left without delay, heading out to hunt.

Aji stayed behind, sitting with Nina and chatting. He told her amusing stories from his hunts, and the atmosphere was warm and relaxed.

Meanwhile, one of Dora’s mates—who had been secretly keeping watch on Nina—saw Mino leave and immediately went to inform Sano.

When Sano received the news, he was thrilled. He quietly slipped into the tribe and headed toward Nina’s stone house.

At the same time, Miye somehow found out that Aji hadn’t gone to do the task she’d assigned him. Furious, she stormed over to Nina’s place.

"Aji!" Miye scolded angrily. "You didn’t go gather fruit for me and instead ran here? Didn’t I tell you not to come?"

Aji jumped to his feet when he saw her. "Mother, why are you here? You should go back. I’ll go get the fruit for you in a bit."

"Why should I go back?" Miye snapped. "You’ve really lost your mind over this fox-like female—ignoring my words and disobeying me!"

She shot Nina an unfriendly look.

Nina hadn’t realized Aji’s absence all this time was because of Miye. Not wanting to put him in a difficult spot, she said, "Aji, if you have things to do, go ahead. I’ll be fine on my own."

"No," Aji insisted. "Until Mino comes back, I have to stay and take care of you."

"Take care of her?" Miye scoffed. "You’re not her mate—what right do you have? Come back with me, now."

She stepped forward and tried to drag Aji away.

Aji didn’t budge. "Mother, I promised Mino. A male must keep his word. I can’t leave."

Slap!

A clear handprint appeared on Aji’s face.

"So you’re willing to defy your own mother for an outsider?" Miye shouted, grabbing him again. "You’re my child—you have to listen to me. Come with me, now!"

Aji shook off her hand. "I’m not going."

Seeing she couldn’t move him, Miye turned her anger on Nina. "Just as I thought—some shameless seductress. You already have so many males chasing after you. Why do you still cling to Aji? Do you enjoy having all the males revolve around you?"

Nina felt utterly baffled. "I’m not clinging to Aji, and I haven’t seduced anyone. And Aji can choose where he stays and who he’s with—that’s his freedom. He’s an adult male with his own thoughts. Even if you’re his mother, you shouldn’t interfere like this."

"He’s my child—he should listen to me!" Miye said stubbornly. She turned to the male behind her. "Neel, take Aji away."

Neel sighed helplessly. "Aji, come back with us. Don’t make your mother angry."

"Father Neel," Aji said firmly, "I’ll go back on my own later. Please take Mother home first."

Neel was weaker than Aji and knew he couldn’t force him. He tried to persuade Miye instead. "Mistress, maybe we should go back first. I—"

"Useless," Miye snapped disdainfully. "I’m not leaving."

She turned back to Aji. "If you still acknowledge me as your mother, come with me right now."

Aji lowered his eyes and remained silent.

Seeing that words didn’t work, Miye suddenly clutched her chest and began acting pitiful.

"Ow... it hurts," she groaned, frowning in pain.

Nina could tell at a glance it was fake—the acting was so clumsy she almost couldn’t bear to watch.

Who would even believe this?

Yet Aji and Neel both did.

"Miye, are you alright?" they asked anxiously, supporting her.

Nina could only sigh.

Are the males in this world really this naïve?

"My chest hurts," Miye complained. "You’re about to anger your mother to death."

Aji was filled with guilt. "I’m sorry, Mother. I didn’t mean it. Let Father Neel take you back to rest."

Miye grabbed his wrist. "You have to come back with me. Only then will I feel better."

Aji was torn, but he still wouldn’t give in.

Miye hadn’t expected Nina to matter so much to him—so much that even pretending to be ill didn’t work. She was so furious that her chest genuinely started to ache.

The situation fell into a tense stalemate.

Watching from hiding, Sano was growing anxious. Why won’t these people leave already?

He had arrived when Miye did and had stayed hidden because others were present. When he heard Miye wanted to take Aji away, he’d waited, planning to act once no one else was around.

But he hadn’t expected Aji to refuse to leave, with everyone still tangled up there.

Sano was running out of patience. If Mino came back, he’d lose his chance—and who knew how many more days he’d have to wait? He couldn’t keep lingering like this.

He recognized the two males there. Neither seemed stronger than him. After a quick assessment, he figured taking them both on wouldn’t be a problem.

His eyes narrowed. Decision made, Sano burst out from the shadows.