Chương 85: 85 - A Humble Abode (2.8k words)
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Part 1/2
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Mitchell's POV
I came all the way to this steamy hellhole to demand my parents, just to be told they didn't have them, so they couldn't release them. I knew they were lying, so I decided to take it out on their female, but having spent almost a moon here, there was still no sign of her.
Except for Skaris, they were all present, and they were putting their all into managing the construction site.
Thousands of mermen worked in unison, their speed insane. Once it was done, the structure of their new abode would be breathtaking. Part of it was built into a hill, and the rest extended into the forest.
The resort was a few hundred feet away, and they made sure a wall of trees separated the two areas. I expected the resort to be larger, but Vick said they would expand it later, depending on the number of guests they would receive.
Countless waterways and tunnels were being dug beneath the ground, together with a sewage and filtration system made out of glazed clay tubes. This was to ensure waste was properly removed and filtered before returning to the environment.
The mermen didn't seem bothered by our presence. Some even asked if the scorpions came to help out with the construction, which we didn't plan at first. Then, I started thinking that maybe I should build an underground passageway from the resort to the city, so the scorpions would be able to come and go safely.
My thoughts were interrupted by the rustling of bushes. I looked around. I felt something heavy press against my chest, and my breathing quickened. It was her, she was here.
Finally! My chance to kidnap her has arrived! I rushed toward her, not letting Skaris by her side deter me. Just when I was about to throw her over my shoulder, she swatted me away like a fly, her hand smacking my face, and my body slamming against the nearest tree.
What the?! I groaned, rubbing the sore spot, and glared at the foul female.
She didn't spare me a second glance, and outstretched her arms, inviting the boys, who had been running in her direction.
Vick and Curtis were the first to arrive. They hugged her tightly, lifting her up and squeezing her between them. Skaris' tail wagged excitedly as he joined the group hug. Muir appeared next, taking Gold and Bart with him.
"Are you alright?" I heard someone ask, and noticed an unfamiliar male approaching me. His skin was white as snow, his hair black as coal.
"It's a nasty bump," he commented, and placed his hand on my cheek, "Does it hurt a lot?"
"Who are you?" I asked, mesmerized by the stranger. He looked nothing like the other males. It was as if the beast god decided to pour female pheromones all over this male, causing others to get attracted to him despite having no feminine traits.
"Me?" he blinked, as if surprised by my question. He turned toward the group, "How should I introduce myself, Princess? Your lover, your future husband, your partner in crime, or something else entirely?"
The others stopped their affectionate display and turned to stare at the newcomer, their eyes full of suspicion.
Gaining everyone's attention, the newcomer stood up and straightened his back, "I'm Zeus," he greeted, "I'm here to pursue the woman I love, and to get to know the ones she cherishes. I don't know the limit of males you plan to take in, but if you can make an exception for me, I'll do my best to fit in."
(A/N: Zeek + Lucius = Zeeus)
I frowned as Zeus covered me with his shadow, hiding me from their line of sight. Did he view me as a potential rival?
I got on my feet, and stood before him. Limit of males? What was this fool talking about?
"There are no more empty spaces. We are full," Vick said, causing me to flinch.
"What?" I exclaimed, looking back at him, "I thought you said you are open to new members."
"That was before." Vick said, staring at the newcomer.
"Before what?"
"We are already full," Vick repeated, causing the foul female to chuckle, then snort. Her laughter echoed through the forest as she wrapped her arms around his neck in approval.
"Yes, full," she confirmed, "No more space."
My heart thundered, the feeling foreign and unpleasant. I didn't like it. Not one bit.
Get a hold of yourself Mitchell. Like their words could affect you, hah! You didn't even try to pursue her! They must be saying it just to mess with you. You are close enough for these types of jokes, right?
I joined their group and faced the newcomer smugly, "See? No empty space left," I repeated as if I was part of their group, "Go look for another female."
Zeus followed my actions and joined us, stopping next to me, "The process of joining your circle is quite unique," he commented, a mischievous smile gracing his features as a pair of wings grew out of his back, "Shall we celebrate our union by getting wasted tonight? My treat."
"..."
What type of beastman was he?!
"..."
I've never seen someone with this type of wings before.
"..."
"Let's go get drunk," Vick declared, his arms still around the foul female, his shoulder pumping against Zeus' as he passed by him, "Don't disappoint me. The boys can hold their liquor. I'll have you know we can drink an ocean dry."
"Hey!" I yelled as Zeus grabbed me and Skaris, then flew toward the clouds. Muir changed into his eagle form. The rest mounted him, and he flew after us.
"We are going to have so much fun!" Skaris howled, his voice carried by the wind.
"Don't drop us," I warned, clinging to Zeus's shoulder.
"Don't worry," Zeus chuckled and landed on an invisible platform. I looked around, there was nothing under us. Just the endless sky.
An entrance appeared before us, the surface solidifying, and Zeus walked in, leading the group inside. I've never seen anything like it before.
"Where are we?" Bart asked, fascinated.
"My humble abode," Zeus answered, "Make yourselves at home. I have a lot to share, so don't hold back. We have the whole night ahead of us."
The corridor led to a spacious living area with a low table surrounded by couches and pillows. The interior was warm, decorated in shades of brown, gray and gold. The floor was carpeted, making it seem more cozy.
The group settled down on the soft cushions, looking like village fools who just saw a big city for the first time. The boys touched everything in their vicinity, the items fascinating them.
Zeus poured an amber liquid in a glass and handed it to Vick, "It's good stuff," he promised, then poured more, handing it out to the rest of the boys.
Vick took a sip and hummed in appreciation, the rest of the boys following suit, "You have good taste," he said, his voice carrying a hint of respect.
"Likewise," Zeus replied, settling on the cushion in front of the foul female, "It's a pleasure to finally meet a colleague from a different branch. I hope we can join hands and turn The Empire into a Family run business."
Vick chuckled, and they tapped their glasses, both grinning mischievously, "Precious has mentioned that you were taken, so how come you're here pursuing her?"
"I was told I'm too nice and too good for her," Zeus answered, resting his chin on his hand, "She thought she didn't deserve me and told me to find a better woman, one that wouldn't drag me down. One that would make me happy."
I choked on the liquid, the bitter taste making me cough. The others laughed, not only at my expense but also at the foul female. We all looked at her, waiting for a response.
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Part 2/2
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She was quiet as always.
"Precious," Vick called, and she looked up, "What is your opinion about it?"
We didn't expect her to actually say something, so when she did, we listened closely.
"Zeus's got a good eye for the kindest souls. The ones that will go an extra mile just to help someone in need," she explained how because he was too perfect, he gave no impression of being in need of help, "He makes sure his lovers are safe and sound until they start to take him for granted. They think he will always be there for them. Too bad, he won't. I bet they are all regretting their decision right now."
Zeus chuckled, "Is that how you see me, Princess?" he asked, "I didn't know you cared."
"Don't push it," she answered, "These boys here can easily compete with you in terms of spoiling their mates. You are not that special, I bet you're not even that nice."
"..." Zeus coughed, covering his mouth with the back of his hand, looking quite embarrassed. Vick poured him more, and he downed the glass, not minding the taste.
I took the opportunity to get closer to the foul female, "I'm here just because I want to be part of the group," I confessed, "Not because I want to be your mate."
"I know."
"Good. So, it's alright for me to be here, right?"
"I guess."
"Then, we are good." I grinned from ear to ear, the foul female's words making me feel giddy inside. It almost made me forget about the fact that she kidnapped my parents. Almost. The hit could be forgiven, but the kidnapping... Never.
She outstretched her hand toward my face and touched my swollen cheek, the gesture making me wince in pain, "Why are you not angry? Don't tell me you enjoy being treated like this?"
"Who would enjoy such a thing," I retorted, glaring at her.
"Yet, you keep coming back for more." She replied, retreating her hand and leaned against Vick's side, ending the conversation.
I huffed and returned to my cushion on the ground, downing another glass, the taste growing on me.
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The low table was soon filled with various dishes, the smell enticing our nostrils. The boys immediately started eating, not caring whether it was poison or not.
The mood began to turn ambitious when they began to play with the empty bottle after sweeping all the food.
They each spun the bottle, and whoever the top pointed at had to kiss the person it landed on or down a shot of drink.
When I spun the bottle and it pointed at Curtis, I had the urge to hide beneath the table. I couldn't get worse luck.
Curtis leaned forward and cupped my face, his lips pressing against mine. The kiss was over as quickly as it began. He hated the taste of spicy drink, and preferred not drinking it.
The boys booed, teasing us for making the kiss too short. The female didn't seem to like the drink, so whenever she spun the bottle, the other person would get a kiss.
We all started getting tipsy, and the atmosphere turned playful. We would chat about anything, the topics ranging from serious to plain silly.
It was my turn to spin the bottle, and it stopped at the foul female.
"..."
"..."
"..."
I gulped, my mouth dry. Would she let me? Or would she force me to take a shot.
"Go on," she urged, and I looked at the boys, their faces flushed and eyes glazed. They were all in a good mood, and no one objected.
Screw it. I'll just blame it on the alcohol later. I leaned over the bottle on the carpet as she lifted her veil ever so slightly.
I pressed my lips against hers, savoring the taste. She opened her mouth, her tongue licking the roof of my mouth, making my toes curl.
My breathing hitched as I pressed myself closer, deepening the kiss. My tongue rubbed against hers, and I was afraid to swallow, not wanting to part.
She retreated first, pulling away, and wiped her mouth, "Your teeth are a real menace," she mumbled, "They almost ripped my lips apart."
I touched my mouth, feeling my pointy teeth, "It's you who agreed to a kiss," I muttered, not knowing what else to say.
I sat back and stared at the carpet, avoiding everyone's gaze. Nobody commented on the erection straining against my pants and resumed their chatter.
My heart was beating erratically, and I had a hard time following the conversation.
Most started to get a handle of swinging the bottle and the following rounds turned into full-on kissing sessions with the foul female.
When she had enough, Zeus asked if she wanted some privacy with the boys, and she nodded.
"Come," he beckoned, "I'll show you where you can get comfortable."
After a while, he returned and took a seat next to me and Bart, the three of us the only ones left. We weren't her official males (like official enough to mate with her).
I've got what I wanted. I was now part of their group. They even allowed me to kiss their female. What more could I ask for?
The kiss. I couldn't stop thinking about it as I dropped on the couch. The thought of her being intimate with the boys right now had me grinding my legs together. They must be having fun without me.
Bart and Zeus seemed to be in a similar state. I knew it was just a matter of time before they would be able to join, not like me, who lost the opportunity because of my pride.
I had to do something about it. Anything. But what? I couldn't just knock on the door and beg to join. What should I do?!
My body moved before my mind could register what was happening. Zeus' hand wrapped around my waist, stopping me, and he whispered in my ear, "Let them have their fun. We can go in when they finish and see whether the Princess will allow us to join."
I nodded and sat back down, watching as Bart curled up. He looked sad and lonely.
"Bart, do you want a hug?" Zeus asked, and Bart's eyes lit up, nodding.
"Come here," Zeus patted his lap, and Bart immediately climbed on him, straddling him.
They were hugging so close, and Zeus' hand was rubbing circles on Bart's back, comforting him, "What happened? Did something upset you?" he asked, his voice soothing.
"It's just..." Bart muttered, "I wish I could leave a spousal imprint on Yaya, but I already lost my chance," his voice broke, and he hid his face against Zeus' chest, "I want us to share a spousal bond. I want to feel the bond tingling whenever she's happy or sad, or scared. I want her to have my strength when she's weak and my warmth when she's cold. I want her to always feel me near her. But I can't. I won't ever have a spousal bond with her, so I'll never be able to be a part of her like the rest of you."
I didn't realize Zeus was holding me in his arms as well until he started caressing my hair, his fingers gentle and calming, "I'm sure she will find a way to make you feel included. Trust her," he reassured, and Bart nodded, relaxing a bit. His tail was still twitching sadly, his ears flat against his head.
It's been a while since I saw Bart so devastated. Was he really that unhappy because of a spousal bond?
"If it's any comfort," I said, trying to make Bart feel better, "I can't leave a spousal imprint on her either, so at least you're not alone. We can be miserable together."
Bart lifted his head and glared at me, "How does that make me feel better, you idiot!" he huffed, his tail thrashing, hitting my legs, "How can she still tolerate you?! You don't deserve a speck of her attention. You're lucky she still allows you to hang around us."
"What did you say?!" I yelled back, the two of us getting riled up, "It's me, who is tolerating her abuse. Do you think just anyone can hurt me and I'll let it slide?"
"You are not tolerating anything. You're just a coward who refuses to confront her."
"How about I give you a good beating and then we see how tolerant I am?!"
We began to bicker. Bart was not letting go of Zeus, so I grabbed him and tried to pull him off, but Bart wouldn't budge, clinging to Zeus for dear life.
╔═══ Author's note ════╗
Zeus used to be like a second male lead, who never got chosen. 🤭
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