My Beastly Fertility System Chapter 22: Something's Off

Anyone could see something was wrong at a glance.

There was no question that Nina worked with Fiona.

Claire had no intention of letting her slip away.

When her name was called, Nina stiffened. She forced herself to look over and met Hazel's anxious and severe eyes, which made her tremble.

Drugging a male was nothing honorable. Hazel had caught her once before and forced Fiona to accept that male as her mate to settle the matter.

Back then Hazel had warned them never to repeat it.

This couldn't reach Hazel's ears, or she would be the one punished while Fiona remained untouched.

With that in mind, Nina swallowed and stepped forward.

"Mrs. Miller, I truly don't know where Fiona went. Oh, yes, when she left the gathering team, she said she was heading to the east side of the creek to collect."

"The east side? Everyone, go search! If she's not found, don't return!"

Hazel panicked. Darkness would fall soon, and once night came, wanderers would roam the forest. If they discovered Fiona first, the consequences would be terrible.

Hazel led a crowd toward the clan's edge.

They had just crossed the boundary when they ran into two beasts.

Fiona staggered forward, supported by a male beast.

His name was Gavin Marrow, known as a rogue within the clan.

Even the Beast World had its scoundrels.

Gavin had grown up alone with his mother, and he resembled her in every way, lazy and sly.

As a child he already peeked at bathing females, and over the years he had harassed many, yet none agreed to bond with him.

Now Fiona, delicate as a blossom, leaned weakly against him while his thick belly pressed to her waist as if she might break.

The instant Fiona saw Hazel, she rushed over and collapsed into her arms, crying bitterly.

Her sobs pierced Hazel's heart.

"Don't cry, my child. Tell me what happened. I'll handle it."

Before Fiona answered, Gavin strode over with a grin.

"Mrs. Miller, Fiona and I are already bonded. I'm her sixth mate now. From today onward, we're family."

Gasps spread through the onlookers as they stared at Gavin in disbelief.

He was unpleasant to look at, even in human form, with a coarse face that disgusted many.

No one understood how someone like Fiona could accept him.

Claire observed quietly, pleased that events unfolded exactly as she expected.

Had Fiona not been chasing after Zane?

Now she had another mate to occupy her.

If Fiona continued, Claire wouldn't show mercy. There were many troublemakers like Gavin in the clan who would eagerly claim Fiona.

It was no accident that Claire had disguised herself as a messenger of the Beast God and guided Gavin to where Fiona had collapsed.

Fiona only buried her face and sobbed.

Hazel leaned close and inhaled. The scent of a completed bond lingered on them both.

With no alternative, Hazel spoke.

"Gavin, Fiona is my treasured daughter. If you wish to remain her mate, prove yourself. Within two days, hunt twenty wild deer. Do this, and I will acknowledge the bond."

Fiona cried out hoarsely.

"I won't bond with that hideous man! Please, Mother, help me! I don't want him as my mate!"

Gavin replied smoothly.

"On the grass earlier, you weren't saying that, Fiona. You kept calling me Gav and clinging to me. Why change now? The Beast God won't be pleased."

The surrounding beasts murmured agreement.

"If they're bonded, he is her mate. That's our rule."

"So this is Fiona's taste?"

Claire stood at a distance, covering her mouth as she laughed softly.

She failed to notice when the beast beside her shifted into Zane. He pulled her close and bent to whisper near her ear.

"If you want to laugh, hide in my chest. Don't let Hazel notice, or more trouble will follow."

His tone was gentle and teasing as he looked at Claire.

She rested against him and whispered back.

"How did you know it was me?"

"I knew at a glance."

"Did I go too far?"

"Not at all. I'm honestly delighted. Claire, are you upset that she kept clinging to me?"

Claire blushed but answered openly.

"Yes. You're my mate. No other female is allowed to touch you."

Joy filled Zane from head to toe.

Ahead of them, Gavin continued bargaining with Hazel, hoping to reduce the number of deer.

Hazel ignored the murmurs around her and refused to yield.