Chapter 206: After him!
After two days of rest, Nina began the bonding ceremonies with her mates.
Kith went first, followed by the others in the order they had come into her life.
That day, Odian inscribed the bond mark for Nina and Kith. That night, Kith took her away alone. By the next morning, a faint golden mark had appeared on his forehead.
Then it was Finch’s turn.
As Odian finished carving the mark between him and Nina, Finch stared at his fingertips, his heart trembling.
After tonight... he would truly become Nina’s mate.
He glanced toward Taru, silently seeking confirmation. Taru gave him a small, reassuring nod.
"Nina, let’s go." Finch took her hand, unable to hide his excitement.
"Let’s go." Nina let him lead her into a small grove nearby.
There, he brought her to a simple but beautifully decorated shelter he had hastily built.
"Nina... I’m sorry," he said softly. "There wasn’t enough time to prepare something better."
He had wanted to give her a perfect bonding night—but he couldn’t wait until they reached Phoenix City. He needed this certainty now.
So this was the best he could do.
Nina looked around the carefully arranged little shelter and smiled. "It’s already wonderful. It’s very beautiful."
Relief flickered in his eyes. "I’m glad you don’t mind."
He carried her inside and gently laid her down on a bed of soft furs. Then he pulled her into his arms, resting his head against her shoulder.
"Nina... I’m finally your mate."
He had once believed this moment would never come.
Nina stroked his hair lightly. "You are."
After a pause, Finch lifted his head, a hint of shyness in his gaze.
"Nina... would you like to see my tails?"
He suddenly remembered how Mino had dressed on his own bonding night.
Nina’s eyes lit up instantly. "Yes! And your ears too."
With his already stunning features, paired with fox ears and tails... he would be breathtaking.
"Then... I’ll change into that outfit."
He took out a set of clothes and, without hesitation, began changing right in front of her.
Nina’s cheeks flushed.
Broad chest... defined abs... and—
She cleared her throat with an awkward cough. Up close like this, his physique was... impressive.
She turned her gaze aside slightly, her blush deepening.
Once dressed, Finch revealed his fox ears and tails.
Nina froze, utterly captivated. He was already strikingly beautiful—but with the soft, pointed ears and the elegant tails swaying behind him, he seemed almost otherworldly.
Like a spirit born to enchant.
Seeing her stare so intently, Finch felt a quiet joy bloom in his chest.
So... she liked this.
But then he noticed the flush on her face.
"Nina... why are you suddenly so red?"
"I’m fine. Just... a little warm," she said.
"Warm? Then let me help." He gently removed her outer layer. "Is that better?"
Nina shook her head, flustered. That wasn’t the kind of heat she meant.
Realization slowly dawned on him.
"...Do you like me like this?"
Nina bit her lip and nodded. She reached out, brushing her fingers over his ears, then lightly grasping one of his tails.
Soft... unbelievably soft.
Her touch sent a ripple through him.
Finch’s gaze deepened, turning almost liquid with emotion. He drew her closer by the waist, quietly savoring the moment.
But soon, his breathing grew uneven.
His voice dropped, roughened. "Nina... have you... had enough?" He swallowed, his ears twitching faintly. "I... can’t hold on much longer."
Nina’s movements stilled. She slid her arms around Finch’s neck, and the moment he felt her acceptance, he pushed her gently down onto the furs.
His kiss came hot and urgent, sweeping her away almost instantly. Nina was quickly drawn into a different kind of pleasure, one that blurred thought and time.
Behind him, nine tails swayed restlessly, then wildly, throughout the long night.
By morning, Finch carried Nina back.
He went straight to Taru, grinning like a fool, touching his forehead. "Father, does my bond mark look good?"
Taru glanced at him, a little speechless. "It looks fine."
Why did it feel like his son had gotten dumber overnight?
"I think so too." Finch beamed, then wandered off, proudly showing it off to anyone who would look.
Odian and the others rolled their eyes. As if any of them didn’t have one.
Aviel and Dian scoffed quietly, what was there to show off? It would be their turn soon enough.
Only Yanai watched in silence, a trace of envy hidden in his eyes. He would probably never have one of his own.
At noon, Nina and the group prepared lunch on an open stretch of grass.
Far in the distance, Yosan and his people watched.
They were too far away to approach, and Nina’s group hadn’t noticed them yet. From this distance, they could only make out faint figures.
"Master, we can’t get close. How do we take the cubs?" Gian asked.
"We wait," Yosan said calmly. "Find a moment when their guard is down and strike."
Night would be best.
"Yes, Master."
Yosan pulled several small mice from his robes and released them onto the ground.
"Go."
He couldn’t get close, but these little creatures could. They would be his eyes.
By evening, Nina’s group had set up camp. Smoke curled into the darkening sky. Firelight flickered near the cave as night fell.
The cubs ran off to play in a nearby grove, with Ming and the others watching over them.
Seeing everything calm, Nina slipped into her system space, browsing the newly upgraded shop, checking for anything useful.
Aviel and Dian stayed by her side.
Through his spies, Yosan had already grasped the situation.
A cold, sinister smile spread across his face. The opportunity had come.
He gave a few quiet orders, and his people moved.
Not long after, Viann and the others spotted Gin’s group and immediately engaged them in battle.
Pado rushed back to report. "Nina, those Black Crow clan members are here again!"
Before he could finish, panicked shouts erupted from the forest.
The cubs had been playing when a thick black mist suddenly spread around them, swallowing everything in darkness.
Invisible hands reached out from the shadows.
The cubs screamed in terror. "Mom!"
Ming’s pupils shrank. "Save the cubs!"
Taru and Aron reacted instantly, lunging toward the nearest children, Didi and Shushu, grabbing them and driving back the shadowy hands.
Linny reacted fast, grabbing Yinny and running. Before the hands could reach them, they had already burst out of the mist and thrown themselves into Nina’s arms.
Ming, Yanai, and the others rushed into the darkness, searching for Momo and Sunny.
Mimi was safe in Sal’s arms.
Momo tried to fly, but a massive shadowy hand seized him midair.
His terrified cry rang out. "Mom!"
Then it vanished.
Nina rushed forward immediately, unleashing her power, sending vines tearing through the darkness to search and disperse the mist.
The vines found Sunny.
But Momo...
She heard his voice and directed the vines toward him
Too late. They grasped nothing.
When the black mist finally cleared, Momo was gone.
A sinister laugh echoed from above.
"Nina, if you want your cub back, come to Barbarian City."
Yosan raised his hand, revealing the unconscious Momo in his grip.
Then he vanished.
Nina’s eyes burned red with fury.
"After him!"