Ari (Child of the Beastman Goddess)

Dylan brought me back to the land and we found everyone in the Rabbit Tribe located in the nearest forest near the shore where we last met.

Everyone was so relieved seeing me as they all screamed my name, “Ari!”

I ran towards them while asking, “How long have I been gone?”

Everyone was baffled, but Tora hugged me and answered, “You’ve been gone for almost a year-the spring is almost over. Thank goodness you’re alright! You don’t know how worried we were.”

I was surprised and felt guilty upon realizing that I missed everyone’s birthday though I only spent a few days in Dylan’s palace due to Jala’s illness. I couldn’t bring myself to tell them the reason I was away for a long time.

Gurion also joined as he hugged me tightly while crying, “Mommy… I miss you so much!”

“I miss you too… Sorry for not going back immediately… It’s my fault for letting everyone worry for a long time,” I responded while hugging Tora and Gurion tightly.

Dillon, Lowell and Macan were quiet, though they were looking at Dylan with hostility.

“Ari, what is he doing here?” my brother asked while pointing to Dylan’s direction.

I looked at Dylan briefly and told everyone, “Can we all talk in his place? There are things you need to know.”

They all nodded hesitantly and started to pack up our belongings.

“Dylan… Can you help them with our belongings? Please..,” I pleaded.

“M-My goddess? M-Me?” he asked with a flustered look.

I suddenly realized that I was asking an Immortal and an alpha to do menial work.

“Oh! Right! I forgot… Never mind. Wait for us, I’ll help them prepare our belongings,” I sighed in embarrassment.

“N-No! I’ll do it… Please rest for a while,” he replied instantly.

He helped the others despite the hostility they were showing towards him. I can’t blame them because of the way Dylan and his group behaved the night that they took me away.

After they’ve prepared, we immediately head out to the shore where Dylan’s people were waiting patiently. They created a huge bubble like shield to prevent my group from drowning once we started to dive in the ocean.

Upon our arrival at the palace, Dylan had his people prepare a feast in the dining hall for everyone.

We all sat in our designated seats. Dylan, me and Gurion were seated at the center of the dining hall, which was the seat of the alpha and his partner-it was slightly elevated compared to the other seats. Gurion was considered as my son so he could choose whether to sit with me or with the others. Dillon and Lowell were seated at the right side of the dining hall while my brother, Tora and Macan sat on the left side.

The tables were all low so there were no chairs-we all sat on a cushion made of silk and feathers as we crossed our legs following the custom of the Sirens.

I asked Gurion if he wanted to meet his mother, but he insisted, “You are my mother! Not any other female!”

I was surprised that he can already speak properly, but I couldn’t praise him because he looked distressed and didn’t want to let go of me. I know he wouldn’t like the idea since he’s still too young to understand the complexity of the world, but I need someone who will look after him. I can’t bring him with us anymore-it’s too dangerous.

“Gurion, she’s your real mother. No matter how bad you feel about her, she didn’t want anything that happened and she didn’t mean to leave you. When you grow up, we will explain to you everything in detail. Okay? For now, I need you to stay with her so that I can finish my task and go back to you safely. Do you understand?” I explained.

He nodded quietly while crying and clinging to me tightly. I looked around, saw that everyone looked pained so I explained everything in detail including Jala’s illness and the things that I learned from Dylan. They were all still quiet, even after my explanation except Tora and my brother-they both smiled at me and seemed to understand the situation.

“Do you mean that the time here is slower than the land?” my brother asked.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Yes, Brother. I only stayed here for a few days because I was treating Gurion’s mother,” I explained.

“We were extremely worried, Ari! You don’t know how desperate we were looking for you for a long time. We had no idea where to find you,” Dillon cried in a tone of frustration and agony.

“DILLON!!!” my brother roared, looking furiously at Dillon.

Lowell remained silent but he didn’t look at me. My heart was filled with guilt, making tears stream down from my eyes.

I stood up and lowered my head and said, “I sincerely apologize for worrying everyone once again.”

Everyone was all surprised, especially Dillon. He was about to stand up, but Dylan suddenly stood up and held me trying to pull me and stop me from bowing while saying, “My dear, please don’t lower your head. It’s my fault-I was selfish. Please sit down…”

“Mommy..,” Gurion cried as he hugged my legs.

I looked up and saw Dillon’s frustrated look as he went back to his seat while looking away.

“It’s not your fault, Ari. Sorry for lashing out,” he mumbled while clenching his fist.

“Sorry… H-How were the females the Dylan’s people left that night?” I asked as I sat back down with Dylan’s help.

My brother answered, “Every female that the Sirens lured that night were all escorted safely to each of their families.”

“W-What about the baby bunny- I mean the Rabbit hatchling?”

Macan chuckled and answered, “He’s doing well, thanks to you. He was already reunited with his mother. It turns out that he accidentally wandered outside their territory and was attacked by some wild beasts. Also, you don’t need to rephrase your words all the time-it sounds so awkward every time you do that.”

I was baffled because the word “baby” was not known in the beastman world-it only applies to humans, but there’s no human in this world. I looked at him with confusion and suspicion. He laughed hysterically, but Tora suddenly pulled his ear.

He suddenly complained, “Aw! What did I do?”

They argued on their own while my brother was trying to stop Tora. I felt relieved seeing them doing alright after the incident.