My Beastly Fertility System Chapter 116: At the Gates of Grimstone

Claire couldn't collapse, not when she was this close!

Her hard work paid off. Her fingers brushed against the cold, solid stone of the city gate.

Grimstone was surrounded by a massive stone wall. Each block weighed hundreds of pounds, cut neatly with claws and stacked tightly together. Even without cement, it was incredibly strong.

Claire stood in front of the gate, staring at the tightly shut entrance in frustration.

The gate itself was made of two huge stone slabs—each about 30 feet tall and 15 feet wide, weighing several tons. They were pressed together so tightly that there wasn't even a crack between them.

She had no idea if there were guards on duty. If she screamed, would anyone even come to open the gate?

Claire pressed her hands against the gate, her chest heaving. Her breath came out in thick white clouds that vanished instantly into the freezing air.

The stone gate was so tall. There was no way she could push them open. All she could do was stare helplessly.

Then footsteps sounded behind her again.

Claire panicked. She started pounding on the stone gate, shouting, "Open up! Please, open the door! Let me in! I know someone's inside! Don't just ignore me!"

She kept banging on it again and again, but there was no response.

Her cries were swallowed by the falling snow and the oppressive silence of the dark night.

Claire grew more and more anxious. She felt that any second now, in the darkness behind her, Jeffrey's eerie face would suddenly appear, grinning hideously, and swallow her whole.

Between the exhaustion, the fear, and the sheer adrenaline of it all, she finally hit her limit. Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.

The moment she collapsed, a faint light began to rise from the distant east.

Dawn broke.

The sun rose, chasing away the darkness.

Warm sunlight fell gently across Claire's pale, delicate face.

As the sun rose, the gates of Grimstone slowly creaked open.

Near a cluster of bushes in the distance, a hand jerked back into the shadows.

Two beastfolk, strong as oxen, walked out of the city. When they saw the beautiful female collapsed at the gate, they rushed over with concern and picked Claire up.

...

Inside Grimstone. In a tall, solid stone house, Claire woke from a nightmare. Her forehead was covered in sweat.

"You're awake!"

A bright, cheerful voice sounded beside her.

It was clear and warm, like the morning sun, full of energy that seemed to chase away the lingering cold.

Claire turned toward the sound and saw a young man sitting nearby. He looked young, no older than 17 or 18, and was smiling in her direction.

His eyes were round, his lashes long and curled. His nose was straight and small, his lips soft pink, pressed together lightly as if nervously waiting for something.

His skin was smooth and flawless—almost too perfect—except for a faint scar on his chin that stood out sharply.

There were three beast marks on his face, making it clear he was strong.

Claire noticed his eyes were stunning, like a night sky scattered with brilliant stars.

But his gaze couldn't focus, drifting aimlessly toward a spot in the empty air.

Claire waved a hand in front of his eyes. No reaction.

He's blind!

What a pity!

"Why aren't you saying anything? You're awake, right? Little female, what's your name?"

The boy kept his sunny smile as he asked.

Claire steadied herself before answering, "Sorry, I zoned out for a second. My name's Claire Harris. I'm from the fox clan."

She moved her arms a little. The soreness had eased a lot. The scrapes on her hands had already been treated with crushed herbs, giving off a faint, grassy scent.

The boy tilted his head slightly toward her. A faint blush appeared on his face as he smiled.

"It's okay. Other females react the same way when they see me for the first time. I'm used to it."

He spoke as if it didn't bother him at all, showing no sign of being offended. Then, he introduced himself.

"I'm Marcus Holland. But I don't know what my beast form is yet."

"Huh?"

Claire was confused. He looked young, but still old enough to be an adult. How could he not know his own beast form?

"Yeah! You can tell, right? I can't see. So even when I shift, I have no idea what I've turned into."

"Didn't your family ever tell you?" Claire asked.

Marcus's fur tunic was neat and spotless.

The stone house was just as tidy. Valuable hides hung on the walls, and even the floor was covered in soft pelts, making it comfortable to walk on.

This household was clearly loaded!

There was no way he lived here all by himself!

At her question, Marcus lowered his head slightly. His voice softened. "My family has already gone to see the Beast God..."

"I'm sorry."

Claire hadn't expected him to be all alone in the world, without a single family member left.

"Then... who takes care of you?"