Reborn As A Beast Queen with Too Many Husbands to Pet novel Chapter 4

He reached out, hesitantly, toward Annelise.

When she didn't swat him away, he inched his head closer.

No slaps. No scolding.

He was almost in tears from joy.

"Ms. Crawford, it's okay if you hit me, really. Just… don't hit too hard. As long as I have a home, I'll be happy."

He drooped his red fox ears and explained that he'd grown up in the clan. His parents had many children, all white except him—he was the only red.

Because of that, he was never favored.

He didn't look like his parents, didn't look like his siblings.

He was bullied constantly.

Years later, the tribe faced repeated famines. The land barely produced anything, and with so many children, the adult shifters were assigned to females.

It was like the mothers in the tribe no longer provided for them—the matriarchs would take over.

A few of his brothers were assigned to relatively well-off females, but he was left behind… until Annelise traded three baskets of wild greens for him.

"While waiting to be chosen, I was always scolded for being useless. So here, with you as my matriarch, I'll work hard. You can hit me if you want, Ms. Crawford, just… just don't abandon me."

Annelise felt her heart tremble at his words.

Red fur wasn't a flaw—at least it wasn't green.

She pulled him into her embrace, stroking his back gently. "You've already been an important part of this home."

She told him she had really changed; last night's fall had been a wake-up call. If the fox still doubted her, he just needed a few more days to see for himself.

Then Annelise lifted Hudson's tail, blowing gently on it. "I'll help the medicine from the wild greens soak into your wound."

Hudson stiffened at first, then felt waves of cool air.

His tail was even more sensitive than his ears.

A warmth spread through his belly.

It was the first time he had ever been treated like this.

Not a single slap or harsh word all day. Even if Evan insisted it was the matriarch's "new trick," she had gone longer than ever without feeling the urge to punish her mates.

Annelise asked softly, "Feeling better?"

"Yes… much better." Hudson hesitated, then asked, "Then… tonight, do Evan and I move out of that nice room?"

"No need, you'll just have to squeeze a bit since the rabbit shifter will be living with you. Don't worry—I'll make sure the third room is ready before winter."

When she looked up, Hudson's eyes sparkled like stars.

"What's—"

"Ms. Crawford, I'll work every day, from sunrise to sunset. Even if it's bitter, stinky wild greens, I don't mind. After all, you dug them up yourself. I'll eat every bit!"

Good grief.

Then Hudson nudged his tail against her face.

"I know what you want—you want to kiss my tail. Come on, go ahead."

Annelise couldn't contain her delight. "How did you know?"

"You've been staring at it this whole time… and drooling a little too."

She quickly wiped it away.

Just as she was about to bury her face in his fur, savoring it, a shout rang out from outside.

"Peacock! What happened? My God, where did you fall from? You're covered in wounds!"

Hudson and Annelise rushed out.

Evan was curled on the ground beside a broken water jar, blood at the corner of his mouth, his face pale as death.

Hudson went to him. "Evan! Evan!"

Evan's fingers twitched. Slowly, he opened his eyes and coughed up a mouthful of blood.

But the look in his eyes was pure disappointment.

Evan, in a daze, stared at Annelise, lips moving silently. Why… are you saving me?

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