My Beastly Fertility System Chapter 47: A Promise in the Sky

Claire hadn't flown in a long time.

It felt exciting—her heart even raced a little—but she still worried about the baby in her belly.

"Rufus, slow down a bit."

If she weren't pregnant, she would've told him to go faster.

Rufus let out a low snort, his chest rumbling. Still, he slowed down. He also dropped lower, flying just a few feet above the forest.

Claire could tell he wasn't in a good mood. She wanted to say something but didn't know how to start.

So they stayed quiet.

After a long while, Rufus finally spoke.

"What you said last night, does it still count?"

His heart pounded as he asked. He had been thinking about it for a long time, nervous the whole way.

There had been so many males back there. Even if they were only Level 1, they were all charming in their own way. What if Claire liked one of them?

And last night, he hadn't exactly handled things well. He had panicked and run off. It was embarrassing.

What if she changed her mind?

While he was lost in his thoughts, Claire spoke, "What do you mean?"

She knew exactly what he meant. She was just teasing him. He had hesitated for so long; he deserved a little push.

Rufus got flustered.

"What else? I mean... you and me. The bonding..."

"Oh, that?" Claire smiled. "Of course it still counts."

In an instant, all the gloom disappeared from Rufus's face. His mood lifted. He couldn't stop smiling.

Claire wrapped her arms around his slim waist. It was firm and strong, not an ounce of softness.

"Rufus, have you decided?"

"Yeah. I've decided."

If he waited any longer, someone else might take his place.

Rufus landed on a thick, ancient tree branch. The wide branches crossed together, forming a natural platform. Four people could lie down side by side without a problem.

He carefully set Claire down.

She took a deep breath. The air felt fresh and easy here.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting soft patches of light. A gentle breeze carried the scent of grass.

Rufus stood in front of her. Somehow, her hand ended up pressed against his chest.

She gave it a little push. Firm, but still soft.

Rufus took her hand and guided it up and down a few times.

"Had enough?" he asked.

"Yeah, yeah, that's enough!"

He raised a brow.

"That fast?"

Claire blinked. Was that the wrong answer?

She quickly corrected herself with an awkward smile.

"Maybe... not quite enough."

Rufus nodded seriously.

"That's fine. You can touch anytime you want. But only me. No touching other males."

Claire laughed. "So you're agreeing to be my mate?"

"Yeah, I agree. But can I be the first mate?"

He leaned closer and spoke softly near her ear.

"I'm Level 2. I'm stronger than Zane, even if it's only by a little."

Claire didn't budge.

"Zane is the first mate. You can be second. Second isn't bad."

Rufus frowned. Being under Zane didn't sit well with him.

But Claire shut him down with one sentence.

"First come, first served. You showed up too late."

In this world, the first bond usually meant first mate. Sometimes it depended on strength, but Claire didn't care about that.

Zane was too good. He would always be her first mate.

Rufus leaned down, his lips almost touching hers. When he saw her distracted, he frowned slightly and kissed her.

"Don't think about anyone else..."

The first time he met her, she hadn't bonded with anyone yet.

He was just one step too late.

If he had acted back then, Zane wouldn't even be in the picture.

Regret hit him hard.

By evening, Zane had finished cooking. He tidied up the yard.

The wind had picked up again. Anything light had to be moved inside the cave. The rest he secured with heavy rocks.

Tomorrow, he planned to leave the clan to trade, so he also cut and prepared several days' worth of meat. With the colder weather, it would last longer.

Worried that Claire might have trouble moving around, he even made a large water tank and placed it at the cave entrance.

Still, he figured Rufus would return with her this time. With him around, Claire should be safe.

Earlier that day, outside the clan, Zane had already guessed Rufus would come back.

When he saw Rufus carry Claire into the sky, he only felt a small sting of jealousy. Because he knew the truth. As a Level 1, he couldn't protect Claire on his own.

Letting other males pursue her had been part of his plan.

And it had worked.

Outside the cave, Rufus walked in, carrying Claire in his arms.

At the clan entrance, the guards caught the scent on them—those two had slept together. They let Rufus pass without question.

After all, he was now Claire's mate.

One of the guards muttered under his breath, full of envy.

"Being Level 2 must be nice. When will I ever reach that level?"