My Beastly Fertility System Chapter 138: Eyes for the Future

They'd never met, but her instincts were clear.

So, she felt something close to admiration for the thief.

Marcus grinned—his big panda mouth split open in a soundless grin.

"I think you're absolutely right, Claire."

His round panda eyes sparkled with mischief.

Claire gazed at the lively street, then back at the quiet, empty courtyard. Just the two of them. She couldn't help wondering how Marcus had survived all those years alone.

"Marcus, do you want to get your eyes healed?"

If he could see, he could go outside, interact with other beastfolk, and have a life that wasn't so lonely.

Marcus tilted his head.

"Heal my eyes? Before, I didn't think about it much. I'd gotten used to the dark. But now I have you, Claire. You're carrying my beastlings. I want to see you. Both of you. Even if it's just for a moment."

Claire must be beautiful. Someone with a soul that warm had to be.

Marcus could only imagine. But something was always missing.

Claire saw his longing and spoke.

"Actually, I might know how to cure your eyes. There's just one herb I'm missing. I've looked all over Grimstone's market. Nobody sells it. Nobody's even heard of it."

Marcus's emotions swung wildly—hope, then disappointment.

Claire rubbed his head.

"Don't worry. I'll find it. I'll fix your eyes."

Marcus said softly, "I believe you, Claire. But don't rush. I've made peace with the darkness. Take your time."

They chatted about small things.

Across the city, Zane sat on a windowsill, one leg dangling, silver-white hair lifting in the wind, long fingers twisting a strand of it absently.

He was watching the guards below when something stirred in his chest. He looked up, drawn instinctively toward the tallest part of the city.

The door slammed open. Rufus burst in, face tight with alarm. He spotted Zane at the window and hauled him back inside, shutting the window.

"Do you have a death wish? The whole city is searching for you, and you're sitting in the window like a portrait."

Beneath the panic, the concern was unmistakable.

Rufus bickered with Zane constantly and got beaten up regularly, but when it mattered, Zane was the one person he took seriously.

Zane was utterly unconcerned. He opened the window again and resumed surveying the streets.

"I was in disguise when I went to the manor. No one saw my real face."

He'd simply pinned up his silver hair, thrown on a beast-skull mask, stuffed his fur tunic with dried grass, and waddled in looking like a potbellied merchant.

Rufus exhaled with relief and poured himself a glass of water.

"You could've told me that earlier! I've been running around all morning covering for you."

Zane's long fingers tapped the windowsill. After a long silence, he said, "Thank you."

Rufus stared. Zane was actually thanking him?

He had no idea how to respond. Flustered, he grabbed the first excuse he could think of and left.

"I'm going to look into the Sky Rites."

Zane committed every street, every patrol route, every timing interval to memory, glancing occasionally toward the city center.

Grimstone was bustling with preparations for the Sky Rites. Workers swarmed everywhere.

Rufus cut through a street and ducked into a crowded shop.

From Marcus's back, Claire caught a flash of movement—a tall, well-built figure whose silhouette looked achingly familiar.

"Hm?" She squinted, trying to get a better look, but the figure was already gone.

"What is it, Claire?"

Marcus heard her and asked immediately.

Claire scanned the street a few more times, found nothing, and gave up.

"I thought I saw someone who looked like my second mate."

Marcus stiffened, then recovered.

"Rufus? Are you sure? Isn't he supposed to be at the eagle clan? That's thousands of miles away. In this weather, even a bird beastfolk would have a hard time making it here."

Claire frowned.

"You're right. He should be with the beastlings. I must have imagined it."

Claire let it go. She was probably seeing things—thinking too much.

Marcus exhaled silently. Crisis averted.

He put on a tired voice.

"Claire, anything else you want to see? I can take you. I can keep going."