Exiled Villainess: They Threw Me Out, Now Every Beastman Wants Me novel Chapter 176

Chapter 176: Three Steps Away

Later that evening, Tera found herself resting near the stream, her body a lot calmer now.

Tera had made sure to go well upstream, far from where the animals had been washed that morning.

The pack had washed at the stream earlier, the females and cubs first, then the males after.

Dinner had also been good. The smoked meat she had brought to the wolves as a gift offering was long gone, but she had helped the wolves smoke a fresh batch, this time using herbs and seasonings she had brought along with her.

The result had been a level up from their usual fare, and the wolves had eaten with the quiet, wide-eyed reverence of creatures discovering that food could have layers of flavour.

It had been quite a sight.

Now Tera was full, clean, and lying on the stream bank, as she stared up at a sky full of stars.

She had considered going back home to rest with her family. Her cubs would be waiting, and the thought of falling asleep between Xavi and Ermin with Nadia and Althea’s chubby fists wrapped around her finger was almost enough to make Tera stand up.

But she didn’t.

She oddly wanted some time to herself, and it was nice listening to the sound of the stream while she watched the stars.

She still had months for the farming task. The pen was done, so there was no emergency, and she still had months to develop the farm.

Maybe she would work on that first so she would have some spare time once the work is done before she went on to search for more materials.

From the corner of her eye, Tera noticed Bessier and Olaf engaged in muted conversation nearby.

When they learnt she wanted to take some time to herself, they had stayed behind. And Tera had spent a solid ten minutes trying to chase them off.

"Go rest with the others!"

"We are resting." Bessier had settled against the trunk of a tree with his arms behind his head. "This is a very comfortable tree."

Tera chuckled. "You do not need to guard me. I can tell if any corrupted beast comes close."

"That is reassuring." Olaf sat down beside Bessier. "We will still stay."

Tera had given up with a small smile. If they wanted to sit under a tree all night pretending they weren’t babysitting her, that was their choice. At least they were quiet.

She had closed her eyes, letting the sound of the water wash over her thoughts, when a shadow fell across her face.

Tera opened one eye.

Calis stood above her, looking down with an expression caught between uncertainty and concern. His crimson eyes moved from her to Bessier and Olaf under the tree, then back to her.

"It is not safe to be this far from the pack."

Tera didn’t sit up, but she smirked at him. "Don’t you have wolves stationed around the territory?"

A flicker of frustration crossed his face. "They are scouts. They are trained for perimeter surveillance, not personal protection."

"And my two beasts over there?"

Calis glanced at Bessier and Olaf, who were also curiously looking at the wolf leader.

"They are not enough."

Tera chuckled. "Calis, I am fine. Truly."

He didn’t look convinced.

Calis had returned from checking up with his scouts earlier when he had noticed she was missing from the main group of resting pack members.

"It is not wise," he said again, quieter this time.

Tera studied his face. The moonlight carved sharp lines along his jaw, and his crimson eyes held that restless quality she was learning to read as Calis being worried without knowing how to say he was worried.

And she couldn’t ignore how handsome he was.

Now, she wasn’t sure if Calis coming here like this was even a good idea.

’This stupid mouth!’

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