Surrounded by Five Beast Lords novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Lioren grew even angrier upon hearing what Clive had said. He didn’t want to live with Clive at all.

Furious, Lioren kicked all four paws wildly in the air, using his fiercest face to protest.

Dora quickly took him back into her arms and aid to Clive, “He’s still a kitten, and he’s injured. He can stay in my tent for

now.”

Clive withdrew the hand that had been holding Lioren. Then he turned and gently set down the thick, high–end tent bag he had been carrying.

The bag was olive green. The material looked tough. It wasn’t large, but anyone could tell at a glance that it was far sturdier and more reliable than the tent Dora was using now.

Clive’s voice was low but carrying his usual cold, unquestionable edge, sounding especially clear in the cramped space. “This is the new tent I bought for you. The moisture–proofing, insulation, and wind resistance are good enough for now.”

Dora was stunned. She stared blankly at the strange tent bag on the ground, then looked up at Clive’s expressionless face, unsure how to react.

She felt unexpectedly warm in her heart. She mused, So this is what it feels like to have the safety of a beast mate?

Across two lifetimes, this was her first time experiencing it.

Before she could fully process that sudden sense of security, Clive continued in the same flat tone, “We should return the neighbor’s tent now.”

It didn’t sound like a suggestion. It sounded like a statement.

His eyes

settled on Dora’s face, waiting for her to act.

Dora finally snapped back to herself. She thought, He’s right. Mindy borrowed it for me. I really should return it as soon as possible.

In the past, she had made every decision alone. Now, someone was forcefully making arrangements for her. It felt strange, but she had to admit, she kind of liked it.

She thought, ‘And he used “we“? Is he going with me?

Dora pressed her lips together. She still wasn’t used to having a beast mate, and she instinctively glanfed down at Lioren by

her feet.

The kitten’s eyes were half–closed, looking lazy, but his amber pupils stayed locked on Clive the whole time. The tip of his tail tapped lightly against the ground now and then, betraying his unease.

*I… Dora tried to find her voice, but it came out a little dry. “I can go by myself. It’s right next door, really close…”

“I’ll go with you,” Clive cut in. His tone was calm, but it carried a quiet insistence.

His deep eyes looked at her as he added, “I don’t feel good about you going alone.”

He sounded so natural, as if it were only obvious, but Dora’s heart still skipped a beat.

She thought. Is he really worried about me?

1/3

3.33 pm p p p.

Chapter 20*

fore she could think too much about it, Clive had already bent down. With clean, efficient movements, he removed the dew mat, new blanket, and small storage rack from the old tent, folded them, and placed them aside.

Then he lifted the emptied of rent bag, swiftly took down the borrowed tent, packed it up, and looked at Dora. “Let’s go.” Under his calm but oppressive gaze, Dora found it hard to say no.

Besides, what he said did make sense. The tent was heavy. It was not something a weak female like Dora could carry easily. Dora bent down to pick up Lioren, but Clive spoke before she could, “He’s injured. Let him stay here and rest.”

His tone was still flat, but it carried the weight of a decision already made.

Lioren looked up. His amber eyes met Clive’s, and a low warning rumble sounded in his throat.

Clive only looked back at Lioren calmly. He didn’t release any pressure, but that still, unreadable gaze somehow made him seem even more unfathomable.

Dora looked at Clive, then at the kitten with a gloomy face. In the end, she could only say to Lioren, “Have some rest here. I’ll be back soon.”

They she added, “The new blanket is really soft. You can lie on it”

Lioren glanced at the new dark–gray blanket, then at Clive. Finally, he turned his head and slowly walked to the corner. He curled up on the soft blanket, closed his eyes, and left only his ears twitching slightly.

Only then did Dora relax a little and follow Clive toward Mindy’s place.

Elmer was crouching at the entrance of his beige tent, staring eagerly in their direction.

He thought, ‘What is Clive doing? Why did he take down Dora’s tent? Is he trying to make Dora live with him? No way. I don’t agree. But what position do I have to stop?

While Elmer was still overthinking, he saw Dora about to leave and immediately stood up. But the moment he saw Clive, the excitement on his face turned into wariness and a trace of hurt.

“Dora, where are you going?” Elmer couldn’t help asking, his gaze moving back and forth between her and Clive.

“To return the tent to Mindy,” Dora said with a smile.

Clive didn’t spare Elmer a glance. He only said to Dora in a low voice, “Lead the way”

r

Dora could only nod at Elmer, then take Clive toward the neighboring place.

She could feel Elmer’s stare burning into her back, along with Clive’s powerful, silent presence beside her.

The walk was only a few dozen yards, but by the end of it, her palms were already sweating.

Clive’s sudden, forceful kind of care and involvement had left her mind a complete mess.

Back when Dora was on Blue Planet, she hadn’t even had a real boyfriend.

Now she had to face three guys at once. She honestly didn’t know how to handle it.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify