My Beastly Fertility System Chapter 97: A Den Claimed in Blood

After Rufus's mother and the two beastfolk left, Fiona stepped forward with a sway in her hips.

The past few days in the rogue beastfolk's den had slimmed her down somewhat, though she was still soft and plump, particularly in the face, which had lost all its former smoothness and delicate color. She looked nothing like she used to.

Yet she moved as though none of it mattered, confidence clinging to her like perfume. Stopping before Rufus, she tilted her head slightly, her voice turning soft and coaxing.

"Rufus, sending everyone away like that... were you hoping for something from me?"

"Don't flatter yourself."

Rufus cut her off before she could finish. He crossed his arms and took a deliberate step back, his frown deepening.

"Zane says you know where Claire is."

Fiona's face fell. For a moment there, she'd actually thought he was interested.

But at the mention of Claire, her composure slipped. Her gaze flickered, uncertainty flashing through her eyes.

Rufus caught it instantly. His eyes narrowed, a quiet danger settling into his tone.

"You... lied to him?"

He had already doubted it. Zane could be sharp when it mattered, but sometimes, his trust ran deeper than it should.

Fiona panicked. If Rufus decided I had no value, he might just throw me back out into the wilderness. She squared her shoulders and forced herself to sound confident.

"Why would I lie to him? I spent quite a while with Jeffrey. I know every single place he uses as a hiding spot."

"Really?"

"Of course." Her chin lifted slightly. "Those places are well hidden. Without me, you'd never find them. My condition is simple. Take me as your mate, and I'll tell you exactly where she is."

Fiona had already figured out that this was Rufus's territory. Look at how those two beastfolk jumped at his command.

If Rufus became her beast mate, she'd eat well and live well right here.

"Not a chance. Try something realistic."

Rufus didn't even bother masking his disdain. When she didn't answer immediately, his patience wore thin. He turned and headed for the door.

"I see you're not going to talk. That's fine. Our clan has plenty of ways to loosen a stubborn tongue. After one meal's worth of time, you'll be begging to tell me everything."

Fiona's courage crumbled. She scrambled after him, blocking his path.

"Wait, wait! I'll talk! But you have to promise me one thing. Don't worry, I'm not asking you to be my mate."

They spoke for a long while inside the wooden cabin. When Rufus finally stepped out, a crude map rested in his hand.

Elsewhere, Zane continued his search. Centering on the hot spring, he had already combed through every inch within a hundred-mile radius. Not a single trace of Claire remained.

As time slipped by, even her lingering scent faded into nothing.

Now, all hope rested with Rufus.

Just as the thought crossed his mind, a shadow swept overhead.

Rufus descended swiftly, landing beside him before handing over the map.

Zane studied the simple lines. Several red crosses stood out, stark and unmistakable.

"Those marks are Jeffrey's hiding spots. Claire should be in one of them."

"Good work. You did well this time. Let's move. We'll search them one by one."

They set out again, this time with real confidence burning in their chests. They would find Claire before she gave birth.

...

Far away, deep beneath the earth, in a damp and shadowed cavern, Jeffrey stood with Claire restrained in his grasp, facing off against a group of rogue beastfolk.

There were more than a dozen of them, varied in form, young and old alike. Every pair of eyes fixed warily on the intruder who had appeared without warning.

The one at the front was a toad beastfolk, his face covered in weeping blisters. He stammered as he tried to sound threatening.

"D-Do you have any idea where you are? This is my territory! Leave now, or I'll make sure you don't walk out alive!"

Jeffrey laughed.

"I've heard a lot of jokes, but that one might be the best one yet."

Before the last word had fully faded, his tail lashed out. It struck like lightning. The toad beastfolk barely had time to react before he was sent flying.

That poor thing was only Level 1. The toad beastfolk slammed into the stone wall, leaving a wide spray of blood behind him. He stopped breathing almost instantly.

The remaining rogues shrieked and scattered, clutching their heads. All except a weasel-faced creature who scurried forward with an ingratiating smile.

"A great and powerful Level 3 warrior! Now that you've defeated our king, we are all yours to command. Every last one of us."

Just like that, Jeffrey gained a new den and new followers.

With Claire still in his grasp, he strode deeper into the damp cavern, surveying his surroundings with open satisfaction.

The cave wasn't large. All the rogues together numbered no more than 20 or 30. But it was warm enough. It would serve as a temporary shelter.

Claire's belly felt heavy and tight. She forced herself to breathe through the stench that filled her nostrils and studied the creatures before her.

The dozen who had been standing with the Frog King at the cave entrance had already submitted completely. They stood at the front of the ragged crowd, waiting for Jeffrey's orders.

The rest were weaker, mainly the elderly, the injured, or those burdened with young children. Though they shared the same blood as the others, the violence in them had dulled, worn down by survival rather than sharpened by it.

Three or four younger females, though, had better spirits. And every single one of them was looking at Claire with undisguised contempt.

Claire had no idea why. She'd never seen them before in her life. No quarrel, no bad blood. So why did they glare at her like she had personally ruined their lives?

Jeffrey, after inspecting the space, selected a section of the cave as his own. With a careless flick of his hand, he ordered the young women to clean it. They moved at once. But as they passed Claire, Jeffrey suddenly spoke.