With unbreakable determination strewn on his face, Kael asked "When should we go get revenge?"
"Excuse me?" Exclaimed Ava in surprise
"Revenge" Kael repeated, "when should we go and attack them to avenge the cruelty and betrayal, because I don't think I can sleep well knowing that the people who did this to you are alive and well, probably living happily and acting like they didn't stab you in the back"
"I know, I have thought about it for a while and I don't think revenge is really worth it, after I met you both and got closer to you both, I decided that I want to continue living a quite and peaceful life with you guys, as for those people I don't believe they will be happy for long" Ava explained.
"After experiencing death, I realized that there weren't many happy memories in my life. After I escaped and survived, I decided that from now on, I will live my life freely, without suppressing myself for others' sake. I want to fill my life with lots of happy memories," Ava said, her eyes glowing with resolve as she smiled warmly at Kael and George. Her desire to survive in this world and live a joyful life was clear, but so was her reluctance to seek revenge. She understood that pursuing vengeance for the original Ava could cost her everything, including Kael and George. The thought of losing either—or worse, both—was unbearable.
As Ava spoke, her genuine affection radiated from her. Her honest eyes and lips, red as roses, captivated both Kael and George. so much so that the both felt that they had to agree to her demand, They were deeply moved by her words and the sincerity behind them. Her decision to live with love, rather than hatred, touched them deeply. Both of them felt an overwhelming need to protect and support her.
The realization that Ava already considered them her family filled Kael and George with gratitude. Having a mate so kind, loving, and emotionally open felt like a gift. In that moment, both were struck by the depth of her affection and the strength of her will, making them even more determined to stand by her side. They felt honored to be part of her life and knew they must do whatever it took to ensure her happiness.
Kael and George felt that perhaps Ava was right, they should focus on their new found life, as long as those traitors don't cross path with them, they won't go looking for them.
George once again rushed into Ava's arms to hug her, "alright, we won't go looking for them since thats how you feel, we will follow your wishes"
Ava placed a kiss on Georges forehead illiciting a flush on Georges face, it didn't take long for Ava to feel something hard pressed against her body.
Before Ava could respond Kael had already dragged George away from her saying that they need more fire wood for the kitchen as he dragged George out of the house. Ava seeing this couldn't help but giggle.
Few moments later Kale came back and suggested "Are you bored, let's take a walk around the tribe, maybe even visiting the female Oma" he wanted to brighten Ava's day but was clueless as to how.
It was a beautiful morning, the sun shining brightly overhead, casting soft light over the land. Birds chirped happily, and the gentle breeze swayed the trees as Ava was carried by Kael in a bridal style, his strong arms effortlessly holding her as they made their way to Oma's home. Ava smiled, feeling relaxed as they trekked across the familiar paths.
Before reaching Oma's territory, they encountered Jack, Oma's first mate and a wolf beastman, standing guard or maybe inspecting or remarking the territory. His tall, muscular figure was hard to miss.
"Hello, Jack," Ava called out with a wave. "Is Oma around? I'd like to see her."
Jack grinned warmly, his yellow eyes gleaming. "Yes, she's home. She's been talking about you lately. Come, follow me. She'll be thrilled to see you."
Ava and Kael followed Jack into the territory, moving deeper into the shaded woods where the trees stood tall and ancient. Soon, they arrived at a large tree, its towering trunk creating a commanding presence. The large tree had an entrance hole on the body of the tree, one can only enter by climbing the tall tree or flying into it.
Ava's attention was drawn to the to another entrance hole at the base of the tree,
From within, she heard Oma's cheerful voice emanating from the inside, already aware of their arrival. Jack must have informed her as she could no longer see him.
Climbing down from Kales embrace, Ava smiled, stepping closer as Oma emerged from the tree.
"Ah, Ava! I'm glad you visited today, I was about coming to you" Oma greeted, wiping her hands on her fur cloth.
"We were just about to head into the forest to gather fruits. Would you like to join us? The other women are already preparing, and the men will come along for protection, of course."
Ava felt a spark of excitement at the invitation. "I'd love to. It's been a while since I've been outside the tribe."
Oma's grin widened. "Perfect! It'll be like old times. Let's met the others and head out."
As Ava and Oma in the company of their mates made their way toward the village center where the shamans and tribe leader's home were located, Ava's mind buzzed with questions. She wasn't sure what to expect from this fruit gathering. She turned to Oma and asked, "What exactly will we be needing for the fruit gathering?"
Oma, still cheerfully leading the way, glanced over her shoulder with a warm smile. "Oh, nothing much really. Just bring your males along for protection and to help out with carrying stuffs. The truth is, the fruit gathering is more of a fun activity for us females. It's not like we're desperate for food. Our males provide everything for us—they hunt, they protect & virtually do everything for us, we usually end up not having any reason to venture out the tribe, and we can't go exploring on our own due to dangers of being kidnapped, Honestly, it's more about alleviating boredom."
Ava listened intently, curious about the dynamics of the tribe's social activities. "So, it's not just about collecting fruit?"
Oma chuckled softly. "Not exactly. It's a chance for the females to bond and foster good relations among ourselves. Plus, the single males in the tribe use it as an opportunity to impress females. At the end of the gathering, there's often a bit of a ritual where single males try to confess their feelings or offer a gift to the females they like and they might be accepted by the female. It's a way for them to show their strength and worth."
Ava nodded thoughtfully. It made sense, given how important mating was in their society. Still, the idea of such structured activities was new to her. Her thoughts drifted toward the single males she'd seen, some of whom were undoubtedly looking for mates. Before she could ponder the matter further, Oma stopped suddenly and gave her a once-over, her gaze lingering on Ava's chest.
Ava blinked in confusion, unsure of why Oma was examining her so closely. Finally, Oma grinned mischievously. "Congratulations on being mated to Kael," she said, her voice teasing. "I can see you must like him very much since his spousal mark is so close to your heart."
Heat flushed Ava's face instantly. She instinctively raised a hand to cover the mark on her chest, though it was mostly concealed beneath her clothing. "It just happened, okay? No need to make a big deal out of it," she stammered, embarrassed by the sudden attention. "I've decided to accept both Kael and George."
Oma's grin widened. "Well, I'm happy for you! And for George, too. He's lucky to have a female like you. Many would have abandoned him when he got injured."
Ava's blush deepened, but she smiled softly. "Thank you," she said. Oma's words touched her. George had been through so much, and she couldn't imagine leaving him behind.
"Well," Ava added, changing the subject, "lead the way to the gathering."
Oma linked her arm with Ava's, and the two women walked side by side toward the village center, the males following behind. The sunlight filtered through the trees as they moved, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The air was filled with the sounds of distant chatter and the hum of activity. Ava felt a mixture of anticipation and curiosity. She wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but the idea of spending time with the other females piqued her interest.
As they walked, Oma leaned closer to Ava, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Ava, since you now have two mates, you should know that two isn't really enough."
Ava raised an eyebrow, puzzled by the remark. "What do you mean?"
Oma gave a playful smile. "You need more males who can protect you. It's a dangerous world, after all. You should use this gathering as an opportunity to find a strong male to take in... For example, Amon. He's still single, and he's almost as strong as George. He'll be earning his next stripe soon."
Ava smiled awkwardly at the suggestion, unsure how to respond. "Amon? I haven't really thought about adding another mate..." she said, trailing off. The idea of seeking another mate felt overwhelming, especially since she had only recently accepted Kael while George was still pending.
Meanwhile, Oma's mind was racing. "Ava is such a good female, and her future is bright. I have to make sure she takes in my dumb brother," she thought, determined to help Amon. "If I leave him to his own devices, he'll be single for life. Females are scarce, and Ava's perfect for him, but he's too shy to make a move."
Ava, still processing Oma's words, thought to herself, "Did she just try to pimp her brother off to me?"