Chapter 103: The Summons And Soren’s Plans!
After Soren’s words, the absolute authority of his declaration hung in the air for a moment.
Then the crowd started to disperse slowly. People began talking about random things that had happened today. The de-fanging. The punishment. Bella’s downfall. But most of all, they talked about Neve’s pregnancy.
"Did you hear? The red panda is pregnant!"
"A male carrying cubs! That’s insane!"
"I wonder how many he’ll have!"
"This changes everything for the tribe!"
Most of them even talked about other things. Things that made Neve uncomfortable when he heard them.
"I wish someone else was our chief."
"Yeah, Soren is not doing a good job."
"Cael would be a better chief. He’s stronger. He’s smarter."
"He actually cares about the tribe."
Neve swore that he heard it clearly. Even Cael did. The leopard prince’s ears twitched as he caught the words being spoken about him.
"They better not say that in front of Soren," Neve whispered, turning to Cael with concern in his eyes. "He could get really grumpy. They want you to be chief."
Cael did not even hesitate.
"Too bad, I’m not interested," he said simply. "I’m only interested in you and my cubs."
He leaned down and kissed Neve’s face multiple times. Soft kisses on his forehead. On his cheeks. On the corner of his mouth.
"That’s enough public affection already!" Popi said loudly, putting her hand on her waist. She looked exasperated. "Neve is tired and in pain. You need to get him back to the cave. Now."
The others behind them agreed enthusiastically.
"Yeah, get him home!"
"He needs rest!"
"The pregnancy is going to be hard on him!"
Cael suddenly seemed to realize something.
"In pain?" he asked, staring directly at Neve with sudden concern. "You shouldn’t be here at all. You should have been resting at the cave."
"It was an urgent announcement," Neve said, trying to justify why he had come. "I had to be here. And also, Soren didn’t know I was pregnant so I needed to announce it myself. I couldn’t just..."
But he did not get to finish his explanation.
Cael scooped him off the floor without warning, lifting him up into his arms like Neve weighed nothing at all. The leopard held him carefully, mindful of the pregnancy, cradling him against his chest.
"Let’s get you back then," Cael said firmly.
He was about to take the first step toward the leopard tribe territory when a girl walked toward them.
Everyone recognized her immediately. It was Doris. One of Bella’s lackeys. But unlike Bella’s other girls, Doris had actually been kind sometimes. She had a soft quality to her that suggested she was not entirely corrupted by association with Bella.
"Hello, lord Cael," she greeted with a warm smile that seemed genuine. "The chief has asked that you come meet him in his cave immediately. He said it’s urgent."
Neve frowned.
Not just Neve. Everyone around him did. They all exchanged looks of disapproval.
"Can’t he read the room?" Kelly asked.
"Cael is carrying Neve. Obviously this is not the time," Ryker added.
"He’s definitely not a good brother," Sorin said quietly.
Cael just laughed softly, shaking his head.
"I’m sure my brother doesn’t know how things work since he’s been in a coma," Cael said, his tone carrying no real anger, just mild amusement at the situation. "He probably doesn’t understand priorities yet."
He turned back to Doris, keeping Neve secure in his arms.
"Tell the chief, I’ll visit him once I’m done," Cael said. "I need to get Neve home first. That’s my priority right now."
But Doris looked hesitant.
"But he said immediately," she said, her voice uncertain. "He was very specific about it being right now..."
That was when Cael shot her a glare.
It was not an angry one. It was just a cold look that carried finality. A look that said there would be no negotiation and no further discussion.
Doris immediately froze where she stood, unable to speak. She took a step back, intimidated by the force of his presence.
"I said," Cael said slowly, emphasizing each word, "I will see. Him. Later."
He turned around and left without waiting for a response. The others followed behind him. Popi walked beside him to make sure Neve stayed warm. Kelly and Ryker flanked them protectively. Sorin brought up the rear.
Neve looked back one more time and saw Doris standing alone in the square, frowning as she watched them leave.
.
.
Doris went back to the cave where Soren was waiting.
She found him sitting on his stone chair, looking out at the village through the cave entrance. He turned when he heard her footsteps.
"Did he come?" Soren asked, though his expression suggested he already knew the answer.
"I’m sorry, but he didn’t come with me," Doris said, walking over to him. "He said he would visit you later. He wanted to take Neve home first."
Soren nodded slowly, like this was exactly what he had expected.
"It’s fine, Doris," he said. "I knew he would say no. He never said no to father when father was chief. I guess he thinks I’m lenient because we’re brothers."
Doris sat down beside him, taking his hand gently.
"What do we do?" she asked, worry clear in her voice. "I’m scared they might try to take your title from you, just like they did to Ryker with the tiger tribe. I heard the villagers talking. They want Cael to be chief instead."
Soren frowned for a moment, then his expression shifted.
"No one would dare," he said confidently. "The chief position in the leopard tribe isn’t determined by selection or by who is the strongest. Here in this tribe, it’s handed over from generation to generation. It goes from parent to child. It’s a bloodline thing. Except one has no heir in the case of Bella’s father."
He paused, thinking about something.
"I thought my cubs would be the next chief," he continued, a slight smile appearing on his face. "And now, Cael is going to have cubs before me?"
He suddenly laughed. It was a laugh, full of genuine amusement at the irony of the situation.
"Only I can make it impossible for that to happen," he said, his voice carrying something dark and determined underneath the humor.
He was staring outside the cave, looking at the snowy landscape beyond.
"Maybe the outcasts coming for Neve won’t be so bad," he said quietly. "In a twisted way, it could work in our favor. But first, we have to find a way to protect the rest of the beastmen. We have to make sure that if the outcasts attack, they don’t hurt innocent people."
Doris hugged him from behind, wrapping her arms around him.
"Yes, Soren," she said softly. "Please protect them. Including my family. They have no one else but you. You’re their only hope."
Soren placed his hand over hers where it rested on his chest.
"Yes, Doris," he said, and his expression shifted into something gentle and protective. "Including your family."
He grinned, and it was a grin that suggested he had a plan. A plan that involved protecting his tribe and dealing with the threats that were coming their way.