My Beastly Fertility System Chapter 28: Sour Cravings

Rufus had soaked in that cold, shadowy pool for most of the day. It wasn't until nightfall that the discomfort in his body finally faded.

The first thing he did was fly to the small clan to thank Claire in person.

That was when he saw the intimate scene between her and her beast mate.

Zane carefully studied the Level 2 beastfolk in front of him. Based on his sharp judgment of character, Rufus seemed fairly reliable.

He wasn't a bad person, and he was the strongest in the area. Even Zane was slightly weaker.

Zane nodded in satisfaction.

"In that case, I'll need you to help protect Claire. The cold season is coming. I have to focus on gathering food."

The next morning, when Claire woke up, the space beside her was already empty.

"Master, Zane already went hunting. Before he left, he roasted some meat. It's still warm by the fire. Zane is such a good beast mate. I'm so jealous of you, Master!" Pome chirped.

Claire listened to Pome's endless praise of Zane. She shifted her sore legs and picked up the roasted meat. The moment she brought it to her mouth, nausea hit her.

She sniffed it carefully. "It's not spoiled. Why does it make me want to throw up?"

Pome spoke at just the right moment.

"Congratulations, Master. You already have a little cub in your belly."

Claire froze, then burst into joy. She placed a hand over her flat stomach.

"I'm really pregnant? Really? That's amazing!"

It must have happened last night.

With this body, once she was pregnant, Pome would know immediately. The previous times, Pome hadn't said anything. So it had to be last night.

Claire's cheeks flushed, her heart sweet and full.

"I wonder how many."

"I don't know that yet. We'll only know when you give birth in a month. But don't worry. Your body is strong, and I'll protect the cubs."

Pome sounded just as excited.

After all, the number of cubs was tied to its performance goals.

Claire was from the fox clan. The pregnancy only lasted one month. At the very least, she would have three or four cubs at a time. That meant 30 or 40 in a year.

Just thinking about it made Pome thrilled.

Claire wished she could tell the father right away, but he had gone out hunting. He would probably only find out when he returned in the evening.

With a baby inside her, Claire moved cautiously, so careful that even Pome couldn't help laughing.

"You don't need to be this careful. Beastfolk are very strong."

Hearing that, Claire relaxed a little.

She forced herself to take a few bites of the roasted meat despite the nausea, but she couldn't eat anymore. She turned and walked toward the edge of the clan.

"I really want something sour. And peppercorn steak bites..." she muttered, listing the foods she used to eat.

As she passed a corner, she heard the sound of a stick striking flesh.

Thud. Thud. Each blow was followed by a muffled groan.

In the corner, Nina was pinned down by two strong females, one on each side. Fiona stood behind her, whipping her back with a wooden stick.

Nina's thin animal-hide top barely covered her. It did nothing to block the blows. Soon her back was covered in bloody welts.

"Fiona, I was wrong! I'll be more careful next time. Please stop hitting me!" Nina begged.

Fiona's face twisted with resentment. She paused, gripping the stick tightly.

"Remember this. If you mess up, this is what you get. If you hadn't been so useless, I would've already gotten that Level 2 beastfolk. And Gavin ... weren't you supposed to stay near me and protect me? Where were you when I got knocked out and Gavin forced himself on me?"

Nina was trembling, barely able to speak.

"Didn't you tell me to leave..."

Fiona lashed down hard.

"You dare talk back? Looks like I didn't hit you hard enough!"

Several more blows followed.

"I won't do it again. I swear!"

After a while, Fiona grew tired and finally stopped. She left with the two strong females, abandoning Nina on the ground.

Claire stepped forward and looked at Nina, who lay there weak and bloodied.

"Nina, was being Fiona's lapdog fun? Look at you now. Why don't you ever fight back?"

Begging only made people like Fiona worse.

Nina had helped Fiona bully Claire more than once before. Back then, Zane had protected her, so she had never been beaten this badly.

"I'm sorry ... Claire ... I shouldn't have..." Nina fainted before finishing her sentence.

Claire stood up and quickly walked out of the clan.

Rufus, who had already spotted her, circled in the sky a few times before diving down and landing in front of her.

Claire looked at him. His wheat-colored skin looked healthy and vibrant, and his usual arrogant expression had returned.

"Female, wherever you're going, I'll take you," he said.

Claire asked, "You're better now? Does your body still hurt?"

"Better than ever." After a pause, Rufus added awkwardly, "Thanks for helping me."

Claire waved it off.

"It was nothing. Don't worry about it."