Haku felt warm like he was in an embrace. He's never felt being embraced before but this must be how it felt like. Was he in the afterlife? After being brutally beaten he doubted that he could survive.

Haku felt something move around him, he slowly opened his eyes. Someone was holding him, he slowly looked up and his eyes widened...it was a female! He trembled. What caught his eye was the fact the female was dark skinned, her clothes were unusual 'I've never seen a female with such dark skin’ Females did everything to make sure their skin is as white as possible with the help of their beastmen Was this female abandoned?'

Haku tried to wiggle his way out of her arms but she wrapped her arms around him tighter. He tried again for a few minutes but gave up, he took a deep breath and decided to relax. Since he was injured he doesn't have his usual strength and it takes longer for him to heal. 

'This will be the last time and first time I feel a female's embrace.' He thought, drifting off to sleep.' 

A few hours passed and Amara woke up, to find herself cuddling the man like a stuffed toy. She gently removed her arms off him, making sure not to wake him up. She knew she put the bag between them 'When did I move my bag?' she questioned. 

Amara shrugged her shoulders, nothing happened so it was fine.  It was morning, she stepped out and took a deep breath in feeling the morning sun hit her face. 

Her stomach grumbled and the moment was ruined. 

Amara rummaged through her bag and took out an apple, she didn't want anything heavy plus she was a bit lazy to make herself anything. From the corner of her eye, the blanket moved, she turned her head. She locked eyes with him, he looked like a deer in headlights. He quickly backed up to the wall trembling in fear.

Amara crouched down slowly, to not look threatening. She slowly walked up to him, he watched her every move "I'm not going to hurt you," she said softly. 

Haku's back was against the wall, his back shivered in contact. He couldn't help but tremble, he could be eaten or killed at any moment. He watched her crouch down 'The female must be preparing to pounce'

"I'm not going to hurt you," she said softly. He tilted his head in confusion, females are never kind or maybe she was just acting innocent. He looked into her eyes and all he saw was kindness, she sounded very sincere. 

He observed her, she was dark-skinned. Chubbier than the females back in his tribe, not only that her hair was braided down but he didn’t know what beastman she was. Her lips were full and she wore something on her face like clear stone. Nevertheless, the female was beautiful. 

Amara turned around, rummaging through her bag she pulled out baby carrots and placed them in a bowl. She made sure to be slow, so as to not frighten him. Amara slowly approached him with the bowl, as he tried to move back more as if the wall could swallow him whole. 

Placing the bowl close to him, she backs up far enough to make him comfortable. 

Haku watched the female closing, he looked down at the bowl.  He looked at the weird, his stomach grumbled. He slowly reached out for the carrot and nibbled on the carrot.

His eyes lit up and sparkled, he shoved the rest of the carrot in his mouth. He shoved in more and chewed happily. 

Amara couldn't help but chuckle 'He's absolutely adorable, he looks like a hamster with those puffy cheeks'

Once he was finished his eyes met her, Amara took the chance and approached him. He didn't move, she was now in front of him.  

She lifted his arm, on reflex Haku closed his eyes and flinched. He felt a soft hand on his head and he opened his eyes to see her smiling at him 'Does the female want to mate?' Haku's heart was racing, his pale skin turned a dark shade of red.

When a female pat a male's head it meant they wanted them to be their mate. Haku has never had a female show him affection like this. He covered his face in embarrassment. 

"You're so cute," Amara gushed, she wanted to pounce on him and shower him with kisses

Haku was shocked "I-I-I'm cute?" Haku questioned quietly. 

Amara tilted her head in confusion 'was this bunny boy blind, he looked like an angel.' 

"You're the most beautiful person I've ever met."

Haku's face burst red, smoke was coming off his body. 

Amara panicked "Are you okay," she quickly got him a cup of water and handed it to him. He took it and quickly gulped it down.

"I-i'm good. I've never been called beautiful before," he said shyly.

She patted his head again "Well those people are blind," she placed her hand on his cheek "What's your name? "

Haku leaned into her touch "My name is Haku." 

'Does this female not see my beast's marks, maybe she doesn't care and wants to mate. I can finally have a mate'

"My name is Amara," she introduced herself. "Can I ask you a few questions?" she asked. 

Haku nodded,  Amara sat crisis cross in front of him while he was still against the wall.

"What happened to you?" she asked "You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to," she quickly said. 

"It's okay, to ask. Well as you see I only have one beast mark, making me the weakest of the clan. No one wanted to train since those with one mark never get to their second beast mark, so they saw me as useless," Haku's eyes started to tear up "I was lost in thought and I didn't realise I was staring at a female. The female was disgusted by me and had her mates beat me up and throw me in the forest to die, or hope I get eaten by a rogue. I know the female did it as revenge since I did not want to mate with her during her estrus," tears were now falling down his cheek.

Amara wrapped her arms around him, Haku was stunned, it was the first time someone had ever hugged him. He hesitated but eventually wrapped his arms around her and placed his head at the crook of her neck.

She gently rubbed his back, they both quiet aside from Haku sniffling. They stayed like this for a while, Amara wanted to say something but she always thought it was better to let a person cry it out. 

Haku sniffed, he pulled away from her and wiped his tears. His face and eyes were red, his whole face felt puffy. His face turned red from embarrassment, he's never cried like that with anyone and no one has embraced him like that before. His heart was pounding, he looked up at Amara. He's never felt safe or comfortable before 'Was this love?' he thought. 

Amara gently ran her hand through his hair till he pulled away and calmed down. For some reason his face turned red 'He's probably embarrassed from crying. He still looked cute though.' she thought, she retracts her hand from his head 'Oh God I sound sadistic.'

"I'm sorry about what happened to you, we just met and I don't think you're useless. So no more negative thoughts about yourself," she said quietly "I'll protect you and keep you safe" she cupped his cheeks with her hands and gently kissed his forehead. 

A tear ran down Haku's cheek, Amara wiped his cheek "No more tears okay." Haku nodded and wiped the rest of the tears off his face.  

Amara wanted to ask more questions about the world she was in but it wasn't the right time. She now had to worry about food and water. Now there were two of them, her supplies won't last unless they find a place with people.

She turned and looked through her bag, there were a few changes of clothes and one was for the photoshoot that was going to happen. There were two packets of shortbread biscuits, seasoning for cooking, a pot, 4 packets of noodles, 2 packs of vegetable soup, two bottles of water of two litre bottles, medicine and a first aid kit. All the things she carried were eco friendly so she could throw these anywhere and will decompose. 

Amara sniffed the air, something reeked and it was her. Her face felt warm from embarrassment, she hadn't bathed in two days counting the day she went climbing. She always took two baths a day. 'Rabbits have a great sense of smell, to him I probably smell ten times worse'

Amara calmed herself down, she needed to bathe and so did Haku. However, with his injuries, he'll need help if she had a bucket she could have wiped him down but she didn't have one. She turned to him with a towel and soap in hand "You need to bathe so I can change your bandages. I'll help you."

Haku frantically shook his head "I can't let a female do that, I can do it myself," he protested. 

"With those injuries, I doubt you can walk that far."

"I can walk," Haku exclaimed, he stood up quickly and took a few steps forward. Something snapped in Haku's leg and he started falling to the ground, he closed his eyes and waited for the impact.

Haku fell on something soft and bouncy, he opened his eyes to see he had fallen in Amara's eyes and his face planted into her breast. His face boomed red, he moved away quickly but fell back into her arms. 

"Calm down, it's okay," Asteria said helping him up, she wrapped one arm around his waist and held his other arm that was around her neck. 

Haku took a deep breath "Okay," he mumbled. 

Asteria guided Haku out of the cave and led him to the waterfall. She sat him down on a large boulder that was close to the edge of the water. 

"If you don't want me to do this, tell me okay?" Amara said. 

Haku didn't look her in the eye but nodded. 

She carefully removed the bandages and she noticed how most of his injuries have already healed 'Must be because he's a beastman'. The small cuts were almost gone but the gashes on his back will need about a week'

Asteria started from the top and made sure to wipe around his cuts and bruises. She carefully made her way down, as she made her way down she felt shy. The only thing standing between her and his ding dong was an animal skin cloth that had string at his waist. 

The feeling of Amara gently wiping his body made him feel a certain way, he watched as she got lower and lower. He felt a throb between his legs and he quickly closed his legs. He looked down embarrassed "I can do that myself," he stammered. 

Amara nodded, she walked behind him and turned around. 

Once she turned around, Haku looked down at his situation. He remembered the sensation of Amara's hands on his body, his pale skin was now a crimson red. Thinking about this wasn't helping with his problem at all, it even made it worse. 

Haku didn't know what to do, this only happened during his heat but with a certain herbs, it can make it go away. 'I can't let Amara see this, she'll be disgusted and abandon me' he whimpered from the thought. As these thoughts ran through his mind, he noticed that his problem went away. 

"Are you finished?" Amara asked.

Haku flinched when he heard her voice, he started feeling ashamed of his thoughts to a female he just met. Within the time he was panicking, he hadn't done what he was supposed to do. "I'm done," he said as he quickly finished bathing. 

Amara turned to him and picked up the new bandages and disinfectants. Being as gentle as possible, she cleaned and wrapped up the wounds. Once she was done, Amara helped him up and led him back to the cave.

She sat him down at the wall and wrapped him up with a blanket. She made sure he was comfortable despite the injuries. 

Because they both slept for half the day, the moon was peeking out. "I'm going to take a bath, then I'll make you dinner. Okay," Amara said, she petted his hair gently. 

Haku gave her a gentle smile that made Asteria's heart flutter. She held back the urge to squeeze and cuddle him to death, his rabbit ears made him even cuter 'He was really beautiful'.

Amara stepped out of the cave and placed her towel and soap on a bolder. Surprisingly the night air was warm, the river was crystal clear, so clear that fishes could be seen swimming freely in the water glistening. 

Amara found the shallow end of the river and stripped, then slowly walked into the river. The feeling of the cool water on her skin made her muscles relax. 

After getting used to the water, she seriously scrubbed herself. Amara felt a sense of relief as she bathed, going days without bathing made her body feel weird. 

Amara enjoyed the cool water sprinkled on her body, taking a bath was probably one of the best things that had happened besides meeting Haku. She looked up at the moon, it illuminated the sky. Amara smiled, she started to hum 'fly me to the moon'

Agnar walked through the forest, he had ventured out deep in the woods hoping to find a bigger prey for his clan. He made his way to the waterfall as it was a landmark, the place was a day walk from his clan and it made it easy for him to find his way home. Beyond that point was a good place to go hunting for bigger animals. 

The smell of blood lingered in the air, he looked down and there was a pool of dried up blood. 'It must be at least a day old,' he thought as he analysed it. He looked up and there was a trail of blood, like they were carried away.

Agnar stared off into the direction, it had nothing to do with him and whoever it was, was dragged off by a rouge. He ignored the trail of blood and walked in the direction of the waterfall. 

His ears twitched, he heard splashing of water and a beautiful voice. He walked forward realising it was at the waterfall he usually went to drink.

He stood behind a tree and peeks to look in the direction of the river. His eyes widened in shock, this female was the most beautiful female he had ever seen. 

Agnar was in his estrus and his body was hot already. He wanted to jump into the water to calm down but he didn't expect to meet a female. Especially deep in these woods. 

He shamefully stood there and watched as she played around in the water. His eyes followed her as she was now standing under the waterfall, her hands ran over her plump breast. 

With the mix of water and the moonlight that gently fell on her it gave her an ethereal glow. The man's heart jumped widely 'This must be the feeling father was talking about when he found his mother’

After swimming for a while, Amara got on the shore. She had placed her towel a few distances away. Out of nowhere, a man came out from behind the tree.

Their eyes met and Amara was stunned. She grabbed the towel and held it in front of her body, in shock she only covered the front of her body. 

She however couldn't see his face due to the shadows of the trees but his body was large and ripped with bulging muscles. He had tanned skin and looked to be about seven feet, he had five golden stripes. Two on each side of chest and on his neck that could be mistaken as a choker. 

Her eyes travelled lower, layers of animal skin were wrapped around his waist.  The skirt reached mid-thigh, showing off his muscular legs. 

The man stepped forward, giving Amara a full view of the man's face. She was amazed by how handsome he was. He had pure golden eyes that glowed under the moonlight. He had facial hair that made him look mature and intimidating.  His lustful gaze made Amara's breath hitch in her throat. 

"Who are you?" Amara asked, taking a few steps back.

"My name is Agnar from the bear clan," he stated, he stepped forward but Amara put her hand up

"Please leave," Amara looked at him with pleading eyes. 

 Agnar stopped and nodded, any female in this situation would be cautious being around a male that was in there estrus. 

Amara watched as his figure disappeared into the forest, she sighed a sense of relief. She quickly put on her leggings and shirts, then ran back to the cave to find Haku passed out asleep wrapped up like a cacoon. 

Amara stared in awe, looking at him made her worries float away.  A cold wind blew causing her to shiver, she hadn't yet set up a fire. She was unsure whether she should go out, the man could still be out there. 

The firewood that she had was not enough to last all night. She sighed and ignited the fire, she added any twigs she could find in the cave. 

With her back turned to the cave entrance, she didn't see who entered. 

Agnar walked into the forest, far enough to not be seen but still had a view of the female.He watched as she put on strange clothes and ran back to the direction of his cave. 

He walked back to the spot where she stood and sniffed the sweet fragrance that lingered in the air which made his knees feel weak. His heart felt like it had been implied by a claw! He had fallen in love with the fierce female at first sight!

He contemplated whether he should go to his cave or not. He didn't want to frighten the female but they were in the woods and the female needed protection. He couldn't live with himself if he found her dead and he could have done something about it.

He looked at the discretion she went and smiled, he was going after her no matter what and he was going to become her mate. He picked up the sword he had dropped to not scare the female when he approached her and picked up giant pieces of firewood. 

He made his way to the cave to see the female bent over placing sticks into the fire. His breath hitched in his throat, he took a step forwards and stepped on a twig. 

Amara jumped up startled, she turned around to see the man Agnar. This time he was carrying a giant stone sword and wood. She backed up to the wall where Haku was passed out asleep. 

Agnar walked in and placed his sword on the ground opposite Amara and Haku. He walked to the fire and placed in the large firewood. He sat directly opposite from Amara with his sword in hand.

Agnar observed the female and the other beastman beside her. When he caught the scent of another beastman he thought he was going to have to fight for the female but the scent was the same as the blood he found. 

The beastman was from the rabbit clan known for the speed and sweet fruit they grow. However this beastman seemed weak, there was a scent of blood and something else he couldn't make out. 

Agnar looked at the female, they were now closer than before and he now had a better look at her. When he saw her again, he almost forgot to breathe. He took a leaf from a Lyra plant and ate it to calm himself down. They are rare and are used for when beastmen go into estrus and have no mate, they can also be used as a calming herb. Angar not wanting to scare the female, her fragrance was making his mind go blank. 

Amara felt anxious and awkward, Agnar was staring at her hard. 

Agnar broke the silence "I want you to be my mate."

"W-what?" She was taken a back..

"I see you have no mate marks so be my mate."

"I..."

Agnar got up from his position and walked up to Amara. He kneeled on one knee and gently took her hand. "You are the most beautiful female I've ever seen and I want you to be mine before another beastman takes you away. I'm the top warrior of my clan. I can protect you and provide for you and our future cubs, let me take you back to my clan."

Amara looked up at the man that towered over her, he was intimidating before but now he was gentle. It made her heart flutter. This man she met a few minutes ago that saw her bare was now here asking for her hand in marriage and it was sincere. 

She retracted her hand back "I can't, you don't know me and I don't know you and I can't leave Haku behind."

Agnar lips formed a line, he wasn't the type to force a female into a relationship but he couldn't let a female stay out here alone "Then let me take you to my clan where you'll be safe with the injured beastman. We can make you a hut for the both of you and you can live in my clan as one of us."

Amara glanced at Haku, she had no idea where she was and staying here with someone injured is dangerous. She could defend herself but looking up at Agnar, would she be able to defend not only herself but Haku? It probably won't even be much of a fight. 

She was still sceptical but what other choice did she have. Who knows if the next person would be as kind as him. Whether it was an act or not, she had to take the risk. 

"If you promise you'll do as you say, then I agree."

Agnar gave her one of his rare smiles "I promise under the god Sexeyr eyes, that I will take you to my clan and keep you safe," he hesitated but he reached out and caressed her cheek "Go to sleep little one, I'll keep watch."

As Agnar made his way out the cave, he added more wood into the fire. He sat by the entrance of the cave with his sword in hand. 

Amara watched him as he sat but at the cave entrance, she gently touched the cheek he had his hands on. 'For a man this huge intimidating, he was very gentle and cute...in his own way'

She got into the blanket with Haku, she wrapped her arms around him making sure to avoid his injuries. Her thoughts wander off to Agnar, she wasn't the type to get flustered easily but who wouldn't with a man built like some Hercules god asking you to marry him and how he'll protect you and your future children.  

Her mind then popped back to the moment they first met, she almost squealed in embarrassment. 'I'm going to be up all night contemplating my life. I need to forget. I need to forget that it ever happened. Oh God, now I’m thinking about our future children.'