After Giving Birth, All My Beast Ex-Husbands Suddenly Want Me Back-Chapter 74: Timing

"We’re heading somewhere else. We’re only stopping here temporarily to rest," Nina replied calmly.

"But traveling during the peak of the rainy season is dangerous. It rains every day, and the roads are hard to walk. Would you like to stay in a tribe first?" the young male asked, a hint of hope flickering in his eyes. "Our tribe isn’t far from here."

"There’s no need. We’ll take it slowly. It won’t be a problem," Nina declined.

She preferred to head toward a safer region, settle down first, and wait until the cubs were older before making further plans. Mino had mentioned that mutated beasts seemed more active in this area lately.

The young male looked disappointed. "Alright then."

They chatted casually for a little while longer. As expected, the rain soon lightened considerably.

The group of males said their farewells and left.

After running some distance, however, the young male suddenly stopped.

"You go on ahead. I have something to take care of."

The others stared at him in confusion. "Kerry, why aren’t you coming back? What else do you need to do?"

"I... just go back first. Don’t ask."

Before they could press further, Kerry turned and ran back alone.

The others shook their heads helplessly and returned to the tribe.

Kerry circled back toward Nina’s cave. He found a large, dense tree nearby and climbed into a hollow in the trunk, settling in to hide.

***

That night, Nina bathed the little white tiger cub and held him close, gently stroking his soft fur.

The milk tiger was warm, fluffy, and smelled faintly sweet. Nina kissed and petted him enthusiastically, utterly addicted to the soft sensation.

Mino and Sal watched with unbearable envy.

It had been a long time since Nina had given them massages.

Without a word, the two exchanged glances, then transformed into a small kitten and a little leopard and scampered over to rub against her.

Nina, we want massages too.

The little white tiger, Yinny, saw the two grown males trying to compete for his mother and immediately puffed up. He opened his tiny mouth and gave a fierce yet adorably squeaky roar.

"Waa-woo!"

Go away, stinky males!

Mino and Sal widened their big eyes and looked at Nina pitifully.

Seeing the two fluffy forms, Nina’s heart softened.

She scooped them both up along with Yinny.

"Fine, all three of you."

Who would ever complain about too much fluff?

Yinny, squeezed in the middle, grew displeased and kept swatting the two shameless big males with his tiny paws.

Trying to steal my mother? I’ll beat you!

Mino and Sal, however, wore blissful expressions as she stroked them.

Off to the side, Yanai stared in disbelief.

What... was this?

It was the first time he’d seen Mino and Sal transform into cub forms just to be pampered. It felt like a door to a new world had opened.

So this was how males and females could interact?

Now he finally understood why Mino occasionally slipped into Nina’s room before bed and returned blushing. This was what had been happening!

Yanai felt indignant.

Damn Mino. With something this good, he didn’t even call me.

He had once looked down on their tactic of turning into cubs to curry favor, but now... he felt a twinge of envy.

He wanted Nina to hold him too.

Determined, Yanai trotted over and transformed into a small snow-white wolf pup.

Nina looked at him in surprise.

Yanai met her gaze—and suddenly lost his nerve.

She immediately realized what he intended.

"You... maybe not," she said awkwardly.

Given Yanai’s earlier dangerous remarks, Nina still kept a sliver of caution around him. She preferred to maintain a certain distance and didn’t want to grow too close.

Yanai froze.

Why not?

He looked at her with big, watery eyes, utterly pitiful.

Mino and Sal shot him smug looks.

Yanai felt wronged and furious. He pouted like a scolded spouse, cast Nina one wounded glance, and shuffled to the corner to face the stone wall.

Wuuuu... Nina is biased.

Why don’t you want the little snow wolf? Am I not cute enough? Is my fur not soft enough?

What’s so good about that stupid cat and leopard? Am I not better?

Why don’t you want me?

So sad...

Nina noticed Yanai’s small body trembling as he faced the wall, making faint whimpering sounds.

She felt thunderstruck.

Was he... actually crying?

"Yanai, are you okay?" she asked cautiously.

Mino scoffed. "Don’t mind him. He’s pretending."

Yanai turned and glared at him, his eyes shimmering.

I’m genuinely heartbroken, okay?!

Nina cleared her throat, releasing Mino and Sal.

"That’s enough for today. Let’s sleep."

She felt slightly overwhelmed.

She lay down with Yinny and the egg cubs.

Mino transformed back into human form, grabbed the still sulking wolf pup, and tossed him toward the cave entrance.

"Stop pretending. Go stand guard."

Yanai landed and immediately grew back to full size.

I’m not pretending.

Still, he obediently stationed himself at the entrance, though he cast Nina one last aggrieved look before settling down to guard the night like a proper wolf.

***

The next day, they packed up and continued traveling.

On the road, Dahn and his group reappeared.

"Leave the little female behind, or we’ll keep following you!" Dahn shouted, trying to sound fierce despite obvious cowardice.

Before anyone could respond, another male suddenly leapt out from nearby.

"Don’t be afraid, little female! I’ll protect you!"

It was Kerry—the same young male from the cave.

Nina frowned.

Another one?

She turned to Dahn. "Why must you keep following us? If you don’t stop, we won’t be polite anymore."

They never stayed close enough to be caught. Every time Mino and the others moved, they fled at lightning speed—and always left behind some kind of unbearable stench.

It was infuriating.

"We’re following because... because I like you! I want to be your mate!" Dahn declared.

"I don’t like you. Stop following us," Nina replied flatly.

"No! You’re my once-in-a-lifetime love! I won’t give up!" he insisted passionately.

Nina pressed her forehead.

"What do you like about me? I’ll change."

"I like that you’re beautiful. How would you change that?" Dahn asked sincerely.

Nina was speechless.

She turned to Kerry. "You didn’t go back yesterday? You’ve been following us too?"

"I... my name is Kerry. I like you too," he stammered, cheeks red.

Nina suddenly felt that being too pretty was really a burden.

In the end, Sal chased Dahn’s group off again and firmly rejected Kerry.

***

By evening, Mino had gone to hunt, and Yanai had gone to gather fruit.

Sal seized his opportunity.

Yinny had fallen asleep after playing. Nina placed him gently in the nest and sat on the mat, lost in thought.

Sal transformed into a little leopard and rubbed against her.

"Nina, we didn’t finish yesterday. Let’s continue."

She laughed softly and pulled him into her arms, stroking his fur.

As she petted him, he suddenly transformed back into human form—completely unclothed—now sitting squarely in her lap.

Nina blinked.

What was he doing?

Sal wrapped one arm around her waist and guided her hand with the other, pressing it against his chest.

"Nina... do you like how it feels?"

Her fingertips brushed warm skin. Heat rushed to her ears.

"Y-you should put some clothes on first."

He smiled lazily. "I’m showing you on purpose. Why would I wear clothes?"

He tried to guide her hand lower.

"Don’t go further," she protested, cheeks burning.

He released her hand, tilted her chin gently, and gazed at her with smoldering eyes. His fingers brushed lightly over her lips as he leaned closer.

Their breaths mingled.

Just as the space between them vanished—

Crack.

A sharp sound split the air.

Nina’s eyes lit up.

She shoved Sal aside and rushed toward the egg nest.

Behind her, Sal lay sprawled on the mat, his expression dark.

These cubs really know how to pick their timing.