Felicity's Beast World Apocalypse-Chapter 93: Pumpkin

The highway narrowed as they moved, the broken lanes tapering into a service road choked with weeds and abandoned vehicles that had long ago become part of the landscape. Snow Team did not travel in a loose formation anymore. After the horde and the black mist withdrawing like a thinking thing, they tightened instinctively. Voss and Victor alternated point. Sarge held rear. The rest filled the gaps in disciplined silence.

Pope walked close to Tommy.

Not casually.

Deliberately.

Sam kept pace on Tommy’s other side. Kai drifted just ahead. Ash lagged half a step behind. The formation looked accidental until one noticed how every time Tommy veered slightly, one of them corrected him without speaking.

Tommy noticed.

"I am not going to defect," he muttered under his breath.

Pope’s expression remained serene. "Temptation thrives in unguarded minds."

Tommy stared at him. "I was talking about tripping over debris."

Sam cleared his throat. "We are merely ensuring structural integrity."

"Of what?" Tommy demanded.

"The Light," Ash replied solemnly.

Tommy blinked. "I regret everything."

Legend, walking a few paces ahead, glanced back at the strange procession. "Why are you all orbiting him like he’s about to detonate?"

"He is spiritually vulnerable," Pope said calmly.

"I am spiritually exhausted," Tommy shot back.

Damien handed Pope another log without breaking stride.

Legend stared at the wood now stacked awkwardly in Pope’s arms. "Why is he collecting those?"

"For tonight," Damien replied.

"For what tonight?" Legend asked.

Damien’s mouth curved faintly. "You will see."

Legend studied the steadily growing pile of wood, the determined set of Pope’s jaw, the intensity in Ash’s gaze as though they were escorting a holy relic instead of a rhino with a concussion.

He opened his mouth.

Closed it.

Then lifted a hand in surrender. "Never mind."

Behind the main formation, Emma kept her distance she did not attempt to join their line.

She followed.

Far enough to pretend it was coincidence.

Close enough not to lose them.

Robert walked beside her for a while, arms folded, expression dark "They didn’t even look back," he muttered.

"They didn’t need to," Emma replied quietly Her gaze stayed fixed on the shape of Felicity in Ivan’s arms ahead of them.

Still carried.

Still shielded.

Robert scoffed softly. "They treat her like glass."

Emma said nothing.

Up ahead, Ivan slowed slightly.

He had been carrying Felicity without visible strain, but now he shifted his weight differently, setting her carefully on her feet for just long enough to step off the cracked asphalt and into a narrow stretch of overgrown median where weeds brushed against his boots.

"Stay close," he told her quietly.

She frowned. "You’re not tired."

"No."

"Then what are you doing?"

He did not answer.

Instead, he exhaled slowly, and the shift rolled through him in a controlled surge of muscle and fur and bone. The change was smooth now, practiced. His lion form settled into place with powerful certainty, golden mane catching what remained of late afternoon light.

Felicity’s breath caught.

Even after everything, the sight of him like that tightened something in her chest.

Ivan lowered himself slightly in front of her.

"Up," he said.

Her brows lifted. "Again?"

"Yes."

"I can walk."

"I know."

She hesitated only a second before climbing carefully onto his back, fingers sliding instinctively into the thick warmth of his mane. Her legs settled along his sides, and she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Ivan stood.

The sensation of her weight along his spine was not burdensome.

It was grounding.

Her fingers twisted into his fur. Her thighs tightened slightly for balance.

His throat tightened in response.

her body adjusted closer, instinctively trusting him to hold her steady.

He simply walked.

She leaned closer to speak near his ear. "You’re enjoying this."

His voice, when it came, was low and resonant even in this form. "Yes."

She huffed a small laugh against his mane.

Behind them, Damien’s gaze flicked briefly to Victor. Victor did not look back, but one corner of his mouth shifted almost imperceptibly.

Draco smirked openly. "Lion privileges."

Shadow elbowed him lightly. "Focus."

Ivan’s ears twitched at the sound of Felicity’s breathing near his ear.

He angled his head slightly, brushing his cheek briefly against her thigh in what looked like a practical adjustment for balance.

It was not.

Her fingers tightened reflexively in his mane he felt that too.

"You are safe," he murmured quietly enough that only she heard it.

"I know," she replied, softer still.

Behind them, Emma watched the exchange with a tightening jaw.

Robert’s gaze lingered on the logs in Pope’s arms. He stepped closer abruptly and reached out "You don’t need that many," Robert said, attempting to lift one from the stack.

Pope’s expression did not change, but Sam’s hand intercepted the motion instantly.

"I would advise against that," Sam said evenly.

Robert’s brow furrowed. "It’s wood."

"It is purpose," Ash corrected.

Kai shifted slightly, blocking Robert’s second attempt before it happened.

Robert stared at the small wall of bodies between him and Pope.

"This is insane."

Pope inclined his head gently. "Faith often appears so."

Legend, walking just ahead, muttered, "I should have stayed in the city " They continued another mile before Voss raised a hand.

The sun had dipped low enough to stain the horizon amber. Ahead, a cluster of low industrial buildings offered partial shelter and elevation.

"We camp there," Voss said.

Snow Team moved efficiently.

Sarge and Marx cleared the interior of the nearest structure, boots echoing against concrete. Shadow took height along the roofline. Draco circled once overhead before landing.

Ivan lowered himself slowly to allow Felicity to slide down from his back. She did so reluctantly, brushing her hands along his mane before stepping away.

He shifted back into human form with controlled precision.

"Temporary," Voss said. "We leave at first light."

Damien handed the collected logs to Pope, who arranged them with careful symmetry near a sheltered section of wall.

Legend watched the arrangement. "You’re building an altar."

"I am building warmth," Pope replied serenely.

Tommy dropped heavily onto an overturned crate. "If this becomes chanting, I’m leaving."

Ash grinned faintly. "You already belong."

Felicity stepped into the open space near the logs and clapped her hands once.

"Everyone sit," she said.

For one heartbeat, no one moved.

Then Voss’s shoulders dropped a fraction. Tommy’s fingers uncurled. Ash’s eyes flicked to Felicity, then back to Victor. As one, they stepped aside, clearing the path.

She smiled faintly and began unpacking Pumpkin, Dried chilies. A handful of herbs, soft sour dough bread.

"Spicy Thai pumpkin soup," she announced.

Draco blinked. "In the apocalypse?"

"Yes."

Shadow exhaled slowly and settled against the wall. "I could get used to this."

Even Voss did not object.

Felicity worked efficiently, chopping and stirring with practiced motions. The scent of simmering pumpkin and spice gradually replaced the metallic tang lingering in the air.

As the soup thickened, warmth gathered around the makeshift camp.

Even Emma, who remained at a distance near a separate patch of rubble with Robert and two others, felt the scent drift toward them.

Felicity noticed.

She did not hesitate.

She filled an extra tin bowl and walked toward the edge of the invisible boundary between camps.

Ivan’s gaze tracked her instantly.

"Careful," he said.

"I am."

She held out the bowl, steam rising in tendrils that carried the scent of honey and spice across the distance between them.

Emma’s nostrils flared. Her lip curled, revealing one sharp canine, but her eyes tracked the movement of the spoon as it clinked against the rim. Her stomach growled, betraying her.

Then back at the steam curling upward from the surface.

For a moment, something conflicted flickered behind her eyes.

She took it.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

Felicity nodded once and returned to her camp.

Snow Team ate in near silence at first, the heat of chili biting pleasantly against the cool evening air.

Pope raised his bowl slightly. "The Light provides."

Legend stared at him. "It’s soup."

"It is nourishment," Pope corrected gently.

Laughter rippled softly through the group, tension easing by degrees.

Night settled fully.

Ivan stood up.

She looked up. "Where are you going?"

"Up," he said simply.

Before anyone could comment, he lowered himself and she climbed onto his back again, more naturally this time.

Victor’s gaze flicked toward them.

Damien’s mouth curved faintly.

Draco smirked openly.

Voss said nothing, but his eyes tracked the perimeter automatically.

Ivan moved toward the nearest building, muscles flowing smoothly beneath fur. He leapt lightly onto a low ledge, then another, ascending with quiet power.

Felicity clung to him, laughing softly under her breath as they reached the rooftop.

Ivan padded toward the highest point of the structure and paused, tail flicking once as he glanced back at her over his shoulder.

"Hold tight," he murmured.

When they reached the rooftop’s edge, Ivan drew Felicity against him, his mouth finding hers with urgent hunger. "When you clung to me earlier," he murmured against her lips, his voice rough with need, "I could barely control myself." His hands slid lower, pulling her hips firmly against his unmistakable arousal.