As a tiny spider tiptoed over her eyelashes, Samaya gently brushed it away, slowly stirring from her sleep. The soft morning sunlight filtered through the window, casting a warm glow across her face. However, her peaceful morning was abruptly interrupted by the sound of a lively symphony of rustling leaves and chirping birds outside. Curious, she blinked open her eyes, her gaze drawn to the source of the commotion. To her surprise, a family of squirrels was frolicking in the branches just outside her window, their playful antics echoing through the crisp morning air. The sight of their nimble movements and cheerful chattering brought a smile to Samaya's lips as she watched them darting from tree to tree, seemingly without a care in the world. Stretching out her limbs, Samaya found herself enveloped in Hyo's embrace, the warmth of his presence adding to the comfort of the morning.
Overwhelmed by a whirlwind of emotions, Samaya's gaze drifted to Hyo's peaceful slumber. The rhythmic rise and fall of his chest captivated her, a silent lullaby that echoed through the room. As she observed him, a soft smile graced her lips, highlighting the tenderness of the moment, drifting her eyes down to find him completely nude, Samaya's cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and fondness. It was evident that after tending to her needs, Hyo had drifted off to sleep beside her.
Taking a mental snapshot of the intimate scene, she felt a rush of warmth flood her senses, memories of their shared experiences from the previous night flooding back to her. With delicate care, Samaya extricated herself from Hyo's embrace, mindful not to disturb his peaceful slumber. As her fingers brushed against the fabric of her clothes, Samaya felt a sudden presence looming behind her. She glanced over her shoulder to see Hyo, his gaze fixed on her with a playful gleam dancing in his eyes.
"Good morning, my dear, did you have a sweet nighttime? Thanks to you, I enjoyed mine greatly," Hyo greeted her with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
Samaya's cheeks flushed crimson as she comprehended his words thanks to the ability bestowed upon her by her new leopard tattoo.
Hyo's voice resonated with a deep, sultry timbre, sending shivers down Samaya's spine. Each word he uttered added to the captivating atmosphere, drawing her deeper into their shared moment. Despite the new day unfolding around them, the lingering desires of the night remained palpable in the air.
Drawing her back into his embrace, Hyo's playful smirk hinted at his insatiable appetite for their shared pleasure.
"I thought we were done for the night," Samaya protested, her voice tinged with a mixture of surprise and excitement.
"Not yet," Hyo replied, his gaze smoldering with desire.
He was unwilling to let the night end so soon, craving more of the intoxicating sensation they shared.
***
Sleeping beside her for several more days, he made sure to feed her well enough so she wouldn't lose weight and could endure the tossing and turning of their shared moments.
As a supreme beast, his power, and endurance seemed endless, a fact that Samaya couldn't help but grumble about to herself.
"Is he trying to wear me out completely? I can't even feel my feet anymore!"
With pleading eyes, she conveyed her discomfort to him. Sensing her distress, he gently caressed her hair before rising to help her dress.
Transforming into his beastly form, he laid down, knowing Samaya found his animalistic appearance appealing. Glancing at her from the corner of his eye, Samaya felt a magnetic pull drawing her closer.
Slowly, she crawled towards him, unable to resist the allure of his fluffy fur. As Samaya approached, her fingers delicately traced patterns through his soft fur.
Hyo, reveling in her gentle touch, flipped onto his back, exposing his furry belly. His eyes gleamed invitingly, and Samaya, sensing the invitation, extended her gentle strokes to his vulnerable underside. A sense of joy filled the air as she continued to stroke his fur, his tail swaying behind her with untamed enthusiasm.
Captivated by the rhythmic dance of Hyo's tail, Samaya couldn't resist the urge to join in the playful spectacle. With a gleam in her eyes, she turned around and reached out to grab the swaying appendage. However, as her fingers closed around it, her touch sent an unexpected electric jolt through Hyo's body, startling him into a sudden leap into the air with surprising agility.
His majestic yet amusing display of his legs stretching out in the air, left her laughter echoing in the air.
Hyo's expression flickered with a mix of surprise and slight apprehension as he glanced towards Samaya, trying to free his tail from her grasp. Despite his efforts, their playful struggle persisted, and her hold only tightened with each attempt.
Unaware of the sensitivity of his tail, Samaya's actions proved unwise as she aroused him even more.
Sensing his discomfort, she swiftly released him, prompting him to pounce at her, knocking her onto the soft animal skin.
As he hovered over her, a moment of intensity passed between them. Sensing her discomfort and realizing she might not be ready for more, his rapid breathing gradually slowed. After sharing a lingering gaze, he stepped back, distanced himself and settled down with his back turned.
Samaya realized she might have overstepped, and cautiously inched closer towards Hyo's side, bridging the gap between them. Despite Hyo remaining turned away, his posture unyielding, Samaya sensed his need for space and offered a heartfelt apology.
Though he wanted to teach her a lesson, Hyo secretly relished the attention. Exhaling softly, Hyo extended a paw towards her, silently inviting her back.
Her eyes sparkled with delight as she reached out to play with his soft, velvety paws. As she gently traced the contours of his paw pads, a sense of warmth enveloped them, bridging the gap that had momentarily separated them.
Feeling a surge of affection, Hyo leaned closer, his fur brushing against Samaya's arm. The gesture was subtle yet meaningful, conveying a sense of forgiveness and understanding.
Samaya's heart swelled with gratitude as she nestled closer to him, basking in the comforting presence of her companion.
As the days passed, the temperature gradually rose, coaxing the snow to melt away. A symphony of nature emerged, with cheerful melodies of birds singing in the awakening forest.
On the day of the snake's return, an unspoken tension hung heavy in the air. Leviathan, returning after a prolonged absence, found the group dynamics altered. The once-familiar atmosphere had shifted, replaced by an electric undercurrent of challenge between him and Hyo.
Upon noticing the washed-off paint, Leviathan's fists involuntarily clenched. The realization that Hyo was actually on his level left him grappling with unexpected doubts.
Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.
"How did I overlook this?" he murmured, his expression darkening. "Nevertheless, he remains inferior to me."
Inside the house, a palpable sense of anticipation lingered as the trio stood in silence. Outside, the forest whispered with the gentle sounds of nature, unaware of the brewing turmoil within the makeshift family.
Leviathan, cognizant of the developments during his absence, exuded an aura of authority, while Hyo, emboldened by his connection with Samaya, stood his ground with confidence.
Caught in the middle, Samaya observed the unfolding tension with growing unease. The struggle for dominance within their family teetered on the brink of eruption.
Both Leviathan and Hyo transformed into their beast forms. The air crackled with primal energy as the two formidable creatures faced off outside the house, muscles coiled, and eyes filled with determination.
Samaya, fearing they would harm each other, rushed after them. Emerging into the open, she beheld a scene of intense confrontation. The forest bore witness to the clash of scales and claws, the dance of two powerful beings vying for dominance. The fight unfolded with a ferocity that echoed through the trees. Leviathan, with his sinuous and massive snake form, grappled against Hyo, the agile and sleek snow leopard. Each powerful movement in their battle spoke of a struggle not only for territory but for Samaya's attention.
Samaya, torn between her loyalty to Leviathan and the bond she had formed with Hyo, could only watch with a heavy heart. The surrounding forest seemed to hold its breath, the rustling leaves and distant calls of animals silenced by the intensity of the confrontation.
As the battle waged on, the outcome remained uncertain. In the midst of the fierce confrontation, Samaya couldn't bear witness to the escalating violence between them anymore. Tears streamed down her face as she sprinted between the battling creatures, desperate to put an end to the fight.
The moment Samaya stepped between them, the atmosphere shifted. The clash came to a sudden halt.
Both Leviathan and Hyo, momentarily stunned, turned their attention to the tearful female who stood between them.
Emotions filled Samaya's eyes as she looked from one to the other.
In that intense moment, Hyo, realizing her distress, transformed back into his human form. He raised his hand and signaled to Leviathan that he conceded, a silent acknowledgment that the fight had reached an impasse.
Leviathan, still in his snake form, regarded Samaya with concern. A tentative truce that carried the weight of uncharted territory. Still, they would continue the fight later when she wasn't around.
She cast her gaze downward, avoiding eye contact with both Leviathan and Hyo.
As she retreated into the house, she couldn't lift her head out of shame. "How could I allow myself to have another spouse, shameful!"
The flickering firelight within the cozy interior seemed to cast shadows on the strained atmosphere. Samaya, grappling with her own emotions, felt a profound sense of guilt for allowing the conflict to unfold.
Hyo, sensing Samaya's distress, approached her with a reassuring presence.
In a calm and understanding tone, he explained, "Samaya, in every family of beasts, establishing a hierarchy between males is a natural process. It's common for conflicts to arise, especially when a newcomer joins. The fight was a way for Leviathan and me to determine our positions within the family."
Samaya, still grappling with the aftermath of the fierce confrontation, looked up at Hyo, her eyes reflecting a mixture of emotions. His words seemed to offer a perspective she hadn't considered.
Hyo continued, "Now that the hierarchy is established, we won't have such intense conflicts. It's a way for us to coexist peacefully and understand our roles."
***
As the night descended and the cold lingered, Samaya chose to share the night with Hyo. While Samaya asked Hyo to turn into his beast form, he mercilessly declined; he wanted to hold her in his arms as they slept.
Leviathan, observing the scene with a fierce gaze, transformed into his beast form and curled up nearby, knowing that his cold skin temperature would be uncomfortable for her now.
The next morning, Leviathan left before Samaya woke up, heading out to hunt as he had noticeably grown thinner.
Awakened by the early morning light, Samaya found herself nestled in Hyo's embrace. His watchful gaze met hers, but an unexpected sensation drew her attention downward. Swiftly standing up, she discovered the hard object what had been poking her belly.
"Hyo!" she exclaimed, blushing.
Hyo chuckled, amused by her reaction.
"Good morning to you too," he said with a teasing grin, watching her as she dressed.
Tired of their meat-heavy diet, Samaya expressed her craving for fish pizza to Hyo.
"I really miss fish pizza. Can we try to find some ingredients to make it?" she asked hopefully.
"Fish pizza?" Hyo echoed, intrigued. "What do we need?"
"Tomatoes," Samaya began, describing them with enthusiasm. "They're vibrant red, with smooth skin, and they burst with freshness when you bite into them."
Moving on to herbs, she painted a picture with words, detailing the aromatic symphony of basil, oregano, and thyme.
Hyo nodded, taking in her descriptions.
"And nuts," she added, explained the concept of nuts, emphasizing the need for them to press oil.
Amidst their exploration, Samaya and Hyo stumbled upon something that, while visually distinct from the familiar tomatoes, emitted a tantalizing aroma. The discovery was a white vegetable with a spiky, hard shell.
"What's this?" Samaya wondered aloud, examining it closely.
Hyo shrugged, "I've never seen it before."
Intrigued, Samaya decided to open it, she asked Hyo for help and as he broke the vegetable into two pieces, it revealed an unexpected interior. To her delight, the aroma that wafted out was a symphony of fragrances.
"Smells amazing," Samaya chimed, her eyes lighting up.
But as she intended to bite into the juicy meat, Hyo took the vegetable from her.
He swallowed a bit of the juice to make sure it wasn't poisoned, then handed it back to her.
"It's safe," he assured her.
Samaya took a bite, her face lighting up with a delightful surprise. "It's even more aromatic than the tomatoes I know!"
Hyo grinned. "Looks like we've found something special."
With their discovery of the aromatic white fruit, Samaya and Hyo continued their foraging journey, successfully gathering the other ingredients needed for the fish pizza.
Samaya filled the basket she had woven from willow branches with the unique white fruit, herbs, and nuts for oil. They then made their way back home.
As they walked, Samaya shared a bit of her past.
"I learned to weave baskets as a child," she began. "Growing up in a world so different from this one, my upbringing and education didn't prepare me for surviving in the wild. I used to work inside a bank, but those skills seem pretty useless here."
Upon arriving home with their gathered ingredients, Samaya realized she needed to craft a mortar to crush the grain into flour.
Turning towards Hyo, she explained, "We need granite, a hard igneous rock with a crystalline texture, to craft the essential tool."
Understanding her request, Hyo ventured into the forest searching for suitable granite.
Meanwhile, Samaya, left alone in the cozy interior, began preparing the other ingredients for the fish pizza. Her nimble fingers worked with the aromatic white fruit, and herbs, but to separate the oil from the nuts she still needed help.
As Hyo ventured through the forest, the task of finding the right granite proved challenging. The search took him to various locations, each rock scrutinized for its suitability. Finally, he discovered a promising granite formation, its crystalline texture standing out amidst the surrounding rocks.
Returning triumphantly, Hyo presented the granite to Samaya.
She nodded her head with approval.
Using his bare strength, Hyo began the meticulous process of shaping the granite, guided by Samaya's instructions.
Samaya observed Hyo's efforts, appreciating the strength and precision he brought to the task. As the mortar took shape, Samaya couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. The flickering firelight within the house illuminated their makeshift workshop, casting shadows on the walls as they focused on their task. Once the mortar was completed, Samaya's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
Next, they needed to grind wheat into flour. The mortar they had crafted would now serve a crucial role in this process.
"We need to grind the wheat into flour for the pizza and future culinary experiments," Samaya explained.
After listening to her request, Hyo stood up and walked towards the grain storage, returning with a bowl full of peeled wheat.
Placing the wheat in the mortar, Samaya indicated to Hyo the need for a consistent and thorough grind.
Hyo, with his strength and agility, began the process of grinding the wheat.
Samaya watched with a keen eye, ensuring that the grains were gradually transformed into fine flour. The mortar, crafted with care, served his purpose well. The wheat, once a simple grain, underwent a metamorphosis under their hands, becoming the foundation for future meals.
Once the grinding was completed, Samaya inspected the flour with satisfaction. The fine texture and the aroma of freshly ground wheat filled the air.
***
As evening fell, Samaya felt excited to experiment with different recipes using the fresh flour. However, she decided to wait until the next day to begin her culinary experiments.