The Ugly Duckling Of The Tiger Tribe-Chapter 165: What are we even doing in front of a kid?

"Fenric," I finally said, though I didn’t turn my head.

He practically vibrated at the sound of his name, his gaze shooting up like a found puppy.

"Y-yes, Arinya?"

I didn’t even need to look for me to know the kind of hopeful expression he had on his face. His voice said it all.

"The next time you laugh at another female’s jokes or let them touch you," I said, my voice dropping to a warning whisper, "...the punishment won’t be as gentle as this. You’ll be lucky if I even let you stay in the same space as me for the rest of the day. I’ll take it that you’ve been infected by a vixen and have her scent all over you. That’s enough reason for me not to talk to you for a while, right?"

His shoulders trembled and he bowed his head, feeling the gravity even more now.

"Say something if you understand what I’m saying," I said and he tucked his tail, his ears falling as he responded.

"I understand," he rasped, his face flushed. "I’m sorry, Arinya. It won’t happen again. I promise."

"Then I forgive you," I said, and picked up a piece of meat to commemorate letting go of past mistakes and looking forward. "Come, I’ll feed you."

Seeing this, his eyes glimmered in excitement and relief. He drew closer, his body leaning into mine.

He didn’t even care about the meat in my hand, all he wanted was to be close to me again, rub his skin against mine, and no longer see the anger in my eyes.

"Enough, enough," I said as he rubbed his face against mine. He didn’t stop. He was like a stubborn dog. "Gah! You’re going to be the second swamp monster if you keep this up."

"It doesn’t matter," he said and then looked at me. "I just don’t like it when Arinya is upset with me. I’ll make sure I don’t do anything to make you upset ever again so please, don’t ignore me."

That extremely sad look in his eyes made me pity him. Did I go too far?

I began to wonder.

But then I noticed he was leaning in, planning to steal my lips.

He was trying to be clever, huh? But he can’t do that here.

I looked to the side. Dani was watching with so much focus, like this was the highlight of a thriller movie.

What are we even doing in front of a kid?

Damar hissed from behind, picked up a piece of meat, and shoved it in Fenric’s mouth, stopping him from attempting to steal a kiss.

"You gain forgiveness and the first thing you do is try to steal a kiss? Shameless." Damar hissed.

"What shameless? You think I didn’t see when you were flaunting your superiority while Arinya was mad at me?" Fenric retorted, chewing the meat regardless. No food wasted.

"What’s the problem with that? I am superior to you in every way." Damar hissed back, folding his arms with a proud smirk.

I chuckled, watching as they acted like their usual selves again, bickering.

I picked up a piece of meat and tossed it in my mouth.

They could bicker for as long as they wanted. I’m going to enjoy my meal now that I no longer bear a grudge in my heart.

After their endless bickering, I shoved a piece of meat in both their mouths and said,

"You guys eat up." I got up. "I’m going to walk around with Dani for a bit."

But Damar caught my hand.

"You’re going alone?" He asked and I looked at the worry in his eyes.

If we were on the other side, I’d understand his worry, but this place was filled with so many harmless creatures.

"Should I be scared of being mogged by a group of rabbits?" I asked, chuckling. "Or run over by a stampede of fowls? I don’t think there’s any reason to worry here, though."

"Still, Ari, you never know what might happen."

"I understand," I said, placing my other hand on his. "But I’m going to a place where the rabbits that can’t even defend themselves go every single day. I’m sure I’ll be fine."

"The world is unpredictable, Arinya," Fenric said and I rolled my eyes tiredly.

"Not you too, Fenric." I dropped my hand on my face, the texture of the paste smooth and powdery against my palm. "Fine," I said. "I won’t go alone. But let’s do it like this,"

I pushed Damar’s hand down gently and then walked out of their midst, standing next to Dani.

"I’m going to go ahead. You two, make sure to finish all of this," I pointed at the meat. It wasn’t a lot but I don’t believe they can swallow all of it in one minute. "And then come after me. You can do that, right?"

It was the only solution I could think of and they were both in support of it.

"Fine. Now," I grabbed Dani, threw him over my shoulder, and then made a run for it.

I wasn’t as fast as Damar or Fenric when it came to a race, but I was confident I could get to where we were headed before they would finish the meat.

"Dani, which way to the Crystal Grotto?" I asked but he could barely say anything with the wind blowing into his mouth and his ears flapping endlessly.

I stopped for a second, my feet scraping the ground, and then asked,

"Where?"

He took a second to pick himself up and pointed in the direction.

Then, I took off again, but not too fast this time since the little one was having a hard time.

He looked back, worriedly, and asked,

"Is this okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"Will they be able to find you if you go so quickly?"

"Ha!" I laughed, finding his question more hilarious than my situation. "Those two? They’ll find me no matter where I go, as long as I’m not on the other side of the world."

He looked a bit puzzled and then he asked,

"How come?"

Just then, I felt the heavy strides and marching of two heavy predators coming in hot behind us.

I knew I had run out of time and had no reason to keep running, so I stopped, looking back at the direction I came in.

Yeah, his question was indeed more hilarious than my situation.

"It’s because they can smell my scent from miles away. That’s why they’re my mates."