Chapter Twelve: The First Night
Back in the cave, it was already night time, but the dwelling had no light. The fire had completely died out, leaving only the faint, cold glow of the moon filtering through the cave entrance.
Lin Wan sat on the edge of the large stone bed covered in thick hides, her heart hammering against her ribs. She was incredibly embarrassed. She and Wang were mates now, but the reality of sharing such a small, confined space, and likely the same bed, made her feel shy and completely stuck on what to do.
Wang, who was preparing to lay down on the bed , noticed her hesitation, He knew his new mate wasn't like other females and he needed to take things easy with her
If it had been another female that saw a phantom beast, she'd be too afraid to struggle, But Lin wan fought hard, she didn't freeze up, although it wouldn't have made anything change
She still fought for her life, and unlike if it was another female, he'd have turned his back and left, but he couldn't bring himself to let her die,
And her clothing, he was sure he had never seen it, not in his inherited memory, not from his actual memory, so her identity is definitely special
Regardless of the secrets surrounding her, he still wants her, and he'll definitely have her to himself, at least until it was time to find more couple brothers, but, right now, he'll take his time in unwrapping her.
Wang stopped and looked at her in the dim light.
"Wan'er," he said, his voice calm and deep. "You can have the stone bed. It is softer. I will sleep on the floor."
Lin Wan looked at him, feeling a surge of relief mixed with a little disappointment. "Are you sure? It might be cold."
"I am a beastman, I do not mind the cold, and I have enough hides to keep me warm if need be," he said simply, settling down onto the hide he placed on the hard ground.
She hesitated, then slid under the covers. The bed was surprisingly comfortable, yet the silence between them was heavy. She felt embarrassed to be occupying the only comfortable spot, and her mind was racing about the social expectations of being 'mated.'
Just as she was trying to calm her racing heart, a mechanical voice echoed in her head.
[Ding! System Notification]
[Mission Initiated: First Night Ceremony]
[Objective: Complete the first night as a wedded couple with Wang.]
[Reward: Basic Knowledge of Herbalism, 50 Experience Points]
[Warning: Refusal to complete the mission will result in a penalty to your physical health.]
Lin Wan almost jumped out of the blankets. Weiwei? She thought, recognising the system, A mission? Already?
[That is correct, Host. You have been in this world for over 24 hours. To fully integrate into the tribe, the system requires you to cement your bond with your mate. Do not be shy, Host. He is quite handsome, is he not?]
Lin Wan looked over the edge of the bed toward the dark shape on the floor. She thought about his intense, protective gaze earlier, his strength, and his sheepish expression when he asked her name. Weiwei was right, she wasn't losing out. She had already decided she needed to survive here, and that meant accepting her life with Wang.
Alright, Weiwei, Lin Wan thought, taking a deep breath. But how do I just... ask him to come up here?
[System suggestion: Use your words, Host. He is waiting for you to lead.]
Lin Wan looked over the edge of the bed toward the dark, muscular shape on the floor. She thought about his intense, protective gaze earlier, the way his muscles moved under his skin, and his sheepish expression when he asked her name. Weiwei was right, it wasn't like she's losing out. She had already decided she needed to survive here, and that meant accepting her life with Wang.
Alright, Weiwei, fine, Lin Wan thought, taking a deep, shuddering breath. But how do I just... ask him to come up here?
[System suggestion: Use your words, Host. He is a predator; he is waiting for you to invite him into your territory. Lead.]
Lin Wan braced herself, the embarrassment turning into a warm, heavy flush that spread to her fingertips. "Wang?"
She heard him shift on the floor immediately. "Yes? Are you cold? Do you need more hides?"
"No... it's just..." She paused, struggling to find the words. It felt ridiculous to be this nervous. "It's... it's a big bed. And... you are my mate."
The words hung in the air, simple and loaded with meaning. She didn't need to explicitly say, "Come up here." The silence, thick and expectant, did the talking for her.
Wang stood up. He didn't say a word, his movements measured and deliberate as he walked toward the stone bed. He climbed up, the heavy hide bedding shifting and rustling around them. He didn't act with the awkwardness she felt; instead, he was smooth, his presence dominating the small space.
He sat down, his face dangerously close to hers in the dark, the scent of raw earth and cedar clinging to him.
"Is this what you want, Wan'er?" He asked quietly, his voice vibrating, showing a rare, vulnerable moment of insecurity.
" Are you sure. . . I don't want you to regret it in the morning."
" No I won't, and I'm sure."
Lin Wan felt her face burning, her heart pounding a frantic tattoo, but she nodded to affirm her words, closing her eyes and leaning slightly toward him.
[Ding! Mission progress: 50%. The scent of the female is inducing positive hormonal responses in the mate. Good luck, Host.]
Wang smiled, a rare, faint expression that was both tender and possessive, and leaned forward. The cold night, the strange system, and the fear of this new world were instantly forgotten, replaced by the warmth of her mate and the promise of a new life.