My Beastly Fertility System Chapter 129: The Third Mate

Marcus turned back. Without warning, he leaned in and kissed her cheek with perfect accuracy.

Claire's two beast marks were fully visible now—last night's soak in the pool had washed away the powder she used to conceal them.

"Let me stay by your side, Claire. If I can't be your first mate, I'll be your second. Whatever you'll have me."

Marcus planted a soft kiss as he spoke.

Claire coughed awkwardly.

"Ahem. The second-mate spot is also taken."

Aside from his sight, Marcus's other four senses were razor-sharp. He'd known from her scent that she already had mates. Claire had never tried to hide it.

So, when Marcus said what he said, Claire wasn't surprised.

Just a little sheepish.

Marcus didn't falter. He smiled.

"You must be beautiful, Claire. And a wonderful female—that's why you have so many mates. It's fine. I'll be third, fourth, whatever. As long as I can be near you, I'm happy."

His voice was soft. Every word landed like a caress.

A mate like this. What more could she ask for?

Marcus's tone shifted, a flicker of worry.

"It's just—I haven't met your other two mates yet. If I bond with you without their blessing, will they be upset?"

Claire pinched his cheek. Baby fat. Slightly squishy. Excellent texture.

"Marcus, you're wonderful. My first two mates are good men. They won't mind. Don't worry."

And just like that, Marcus became Claire's third beast mate.

He stepped out of the room, thoughtfully giving Claire her space.

Claire sat on the bed, dazed. Images of Marcus's smile kept flashing through her mind, intercut with last night's scenes playing like a slideshow. Gradually, she accepted the reality: she now had a third mate.

"Master, the system has detected something extraordinary about this pregnancy."

"Extraordinary how? Pome, spell it out."

Claire was intrigued. She'd only just taken the fertility pill—could the system already detect something?

If so, this pregnancy was no ordinary one.

"Master, this litter contains at least 50 beastlings. And their levels are remarkably high."

Claire nodded.

She'd just reached Level 2, and Marcus was Level 3. The offspring of two powerful parents were bound to be exceptional. But for the system to detect it this early was still startling.

"How long is the pregnancy?"

"One month, same as before."

Winter still had two months left. By the time the beastlings were a month old, the season would be over, and traveling with them would be much easier.

Claire acknowledged the information, then gingerly eased her aching body off the bed.

"Marcus looks so thin, but how is he that strong?"

She'd barely finished the thought before remembering—Marcus was a panda beastfolk. The species was literally called "iron eater." Extraordinary strength came with the territory.

She was the one who'd paid the price.

At the start of last night, she'd been the one in control. But at some point, the dynamic had flipped entirely.

"Next time, I am staying on top. Non-negotiable."

Claire's trembling hand reached for her fur tunic. Before she could put it on, she spotted the small snake coiled beneath it—tiny head raised, tongue flicking directly at her.

Its eyes were open.

"I—"

Claire shrieked and yanked the tunic over herself.

"D-Davy! You were awake this whole time? Did you see everything?"

Her body. Her dignity.

Granted, that dignity had already been shared with three beast mates, but she still felt violated.

She had no idea when Davy had woken up—or how much he'd seen.

Which meant last night, she and Marcus had essentially performed live.

Claire's face cycled between red and white. Her toes curled against the floor hard enough to drill through it.

She reached out to grab the little snake, but Davy was shaking his tiny head back and forth like a stubborn mule, refusing to be caught.

He looked... angry?

Claire blinked.

Davy lifted his little snake head. His voice, hilariously deep for something his size, rumbled out with maximum absurdity.

He said, "I didn't see anything."

Claire was about to exhale in relief when Davy continued.

"But I heard everything. Last night, you yelled 'oh God' 137 times. You said 'faster' 29 times. And you also—"

Claire's face was on fire. She reached out with two fingers and pinched his upper and lower jaw shut.

"Enough! Stop! Not another word!"

If she heard any more, her ears would combust.

She was equal parts furious and mortified.

"Why didn't you say something when you woke up?"

"Mmf mmf mmf—"

Claire was still holding his mouth shut. All he could manage were muffled protests.

She released him. Davy immediately explained.

"I tried! But right when I was about to say something, you pulled me off your wrist and threw a fur tunic over me. I was pinned. I couldn't get a word out."

Claire remembered. In her haze last night, she'd stripped off everything—restraints included.