My Beastly Fertility System Chapter 118: Like Family

Claire didn't know how big this Beast World really was, but from what she had seen so far, it was definitely not small.

Marcus reached out and found her arm with perfect accuracy. He held it gently, trying to comfort her.

"Claire, don't be sad. If you want, my home can be your home! I live here alone anyway. You can stay as long as you like. They found you outside the city gate this morning, right? You must've had a hard time getting here."

Claire nodded. "Yeah... I did. But why did they bring me to your place?"

"I went to the gate to wait for Bertie, and I happened to run into you. So I asked them to bring you here first. The snowstorm during the cold season is brutal. It's especially hard for women to stay outside."

"Thank you."

Claire studied his calm expression and felt that he wasn't lying.

Marcus waved it off, but his throat moved as he swallowed. He sniffed the air, drawn in by the smell of food, and said with bright anticipation, "It's nothing. I told you, just treat this place like your home! You must be a great cook. It smells amazing!"

Bertie had never made anything that smelled this good.

Claire looked at the pot of bubbling lamb stew. She added a little seasoning, then scooped a bowl. After letting it cool a bit, she placed it carefully in Marcus's hands.

In weather this cold, a hot bowl of lamb stew could warm you from the inside out. As the heat spread through her body and a light sweat formed on her forehead, the chill faded away.

Claire let out a soft sigh of satisfaction.

Marcus enjoyed it just as much. After finishing one bowl, he looked at her again with hopeful eyes.

Claire smiled and poured him the rest of the stew.

"This is called lamb stew. Do you like it? Next time, you can ask Bertie to make it for you."

"Why can't you make it for me?" Marcus asked right away. "Bertie's cooking is just okay. It's never as good as yours!"

"Really? That's fine. I can teach him. But you said he hasn't come for two days. Do you think something happened to him?"

Marcus shook his head.

He usually stayed at home all day and rarely stepped outside. For over ten years, Bertie had come every single day to cook and clean.

But for the past two days, he hadn't shown up at all.

Marcus was worried, so he had gone to the city gate early both days to wait for him.

Bertie once said he didn't live in Grimstone, but in a clan not far outside the city.

Marcus had asked him to move in before, but Bertie refused.

Marcus smiled, trying to reassure Claire instead. "Don't worry. Bertie will be fine. He's a Level 3 beastfolk! He's really strong in a fight!"

Claire was surprised.

Since when are Level 3 beastfolk everywhere?

Marcus then kindly led Claire around the house.

The stone house had five large rooms, a kitchen just for cooking, and a big yard. In the yard stood a tall tree.

But now, all its leaves had fallen. Only bare branches swayed in the cold wind.

"Marcus, do you want to walk around the city?" Claire asked.

She wanted to learn more about this beastfolk city. More importantly, she hoped to find some news about Jeffrey.

She needed to know if he was still alive.

That would decide what she did next. If he was alive, she wouldn't feel safe.

Marcus's eyes lit up with excitement. But then something crossed his mind, and the light quickly faded.

"Claire... I can't see. Would that be a burden for you?" he asked quietly. "If it's not convenient, I can stay home and wait for you. I just hope you won't leave without telling me..."

He had already lost his family. Bertie had also been gone for two days. Claire was the first person in a long time he felt comfortable talking to—like family. He didn't want to be alone again.

Claire reached out and took his hand.

"It's no trouble at all."

Honestly, she had dealt with much more trouble before.

When she had her first baby, it was exhausting. And with Zane and Rufus added in, things got even more chaotic. She had always been busy.

This was the first time she met a beastfolk as well-behaved as Marcus.

Without even realizing it, Claire started treating him like a youngling. Every time she looked at him, she wore a soft, motherly smile.

Marcus nodded happily. "Thank you! I've always wanted to go out and look around. Staying inside all day is so boring! Wait for me, I'll be right back!"

With that, he quickly ran toward his room. Surprisingly, he didn't bump into anything at all.

About ten minutes later, Marcus returned.

He had changed into fresh clothes. A brand-new fur tunic fit him perfectly, showing off his slim waist and long legs.

"Claire, I brought one for you too! It was my sister's. She never wore it. I hope you don't mind!"