Surrounded by Five Beast Lords novel Chapter 22

“Great.” Mindy clapped her hands. Then it’s settled. Once you’re set up, we’ll sit down together to talk it through.

“Oh, right, Dora, you’re still living in a tent, yeah? Need a hand? Jaxsen’s good with tools, Building a whole house might be a stretch, but putting up a sturdier temporary shelter is no problem.”

“Thanks, we’re good. You’re so sweet, Mindy,” Dora said.

After a few more exchanges and a promise to contact each other later, Dora and Clive said goodbye and left.

Behind them, Mindy leaned against her doorframe and watched the two figures walk away, one tall and one smaller, their vibes completely different yet somehow strangely matched.

She smiled at Jaxsen. “Dora is really cute. She said she wants to invite us over for dinner. She clearly likes us.”

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Jaxsen pushed up his glasses and looked at Clive’s back thoughtfully. “That Clive… His presence is strong. He might make a good ally and neighbor.”

When Dora and Clive returned to their own home, Elmer was setting up the new tent. Clive walked over in a few quick steps and helped with clean, efficient movements. Not far away, Lioren lay lazily on the ground, watching them.

The new tent Clive had bought for Dora was soon set up. Elmer grumbled, “Dora, I need to go home. I left in a hurry yesterday and didn’t bring my valuables. I’m going back to get them.”

Dora shot Elmer a strange look. “Weren’t you kicked out? Can you still go back?”

Elmer flashed a proud smile. “Don’t worry. I’ve got my ways”

With that, he ran off in a flash, yet he still turned back to wave at Dora. “Dora, wait for me.”

Dora watched Elmer disappear into the distance, then turned toward her own tent.

It was still a tent, but her sense of safety had instantly gone up by several levels.

She turned back, picked up Lioren, and prepared to go inside to carefully think through her next plans.

Clive was standing at the tent entrance, holding something that looked like a control panel and adjusting it. When he heard movement, he turned his head.

What greeted his eyes first was Dora. Then he saw the dirty, skinny, smug–looking kitten in her arms[

Clive’s brows knotted. His eyes instantly grew darker, and his sharp gaze swept over Lioren like a probe.

The moment Lioren felt the pressure from Clive, his fur puffed up on instinct, but he forced himself to relax almost at once. His amber eyes met Clive’s scrutiny without the slightest fear.

Lioren retorted inwardly, ‘What? Never seen a handsome male down on his luck before?‘

Clive and Lioren locked eyes in silent conflict, one cold and probing, the other proud and guarded.

Dora pretended not to notice the tension between them and quickly changed the subject. “Fuzzball is hurt. I’ll treat his wounds first.”

At that, Lioren’s annoyed gaze shifted to Dora.

3:33 pm p pp.

Chapter 22-

cafe thought, I never agreed to use that stupid name. How could you give me a random name?

Clive stared at Dora for a few seconds, then glanced at the kitten, who was clearly weak despite his puffed–up fur. A trace of disdain entered his eyes. “Fuzzball? What a special name.”

“Cute, right? I came up with it.” Dora didn’t hide the pride on her face and was about to carry Lioren inside.

“Wait.” Clive stopped her, his gaze landing on Loren again. “Where is he staying?”

Dora answered without thinking, “In my tent, of course. He’s so small right now, and he’s injured. It’s cold outside.”

Clive’s gaze instantly turned several degrees colder, and the pressure around him dropped

He said, “No way. He’s not sleeping on the same mat as you. I prepared a separate mat for him. He can sleep by the entrance of your tent and protect you,”

His tone was natural, but deep in his eyes churned obvious possessiveness and a cold warning.

Lioren turned his head away in disdain and snorted internally, “Who cares? I don’t even wanna live with this weird female.

Dora flashed a sly smile. “Okay.” Then she casually rubbed Lioren’s fluffy head.

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Lioren went stiff under her hand. He wanted to hiss, but her touch didn’t feel annoying. It even felt comfortable.

He stayed frozen, but his ears twitched on their own.

Clive took in the whole scene, and his dark pupils contracted slightly.

He said nothing more, but the air around him turned even colder. The way he looked at Lioren now carried real chill and calculation, as if he were considering the easiest place to bite.

In the end, he stepped aside and let Dora through, though he left her with one cold warning. “Keep my warning in mind. A badly injured beastfolk of unknown origin is usually where trouble starts.”

Dora pushed open the entrance flap and looked back at Clive with a bright smile. “Easy. Trouble is the one thing I’m least

afraid of.”

To her, trouble often meant opportunity and challenge. That was basic investing logic.

Dora carried the awkward, half–resistant Lioren into the tent.

The space inside was not big, but it was functional, with a simple sleeping area, a wash corner, and a

(mall

storage area.

Dora took out the simple med kit she had bought yesterday and found the wound spray and bandages. Then she pulled out two common nutrient drinks.

She said, “Come on, Fuzzball. Let’s treat your wound first, then you can eat.”

Lioren looked at the crude medical supplies and the grayish nutrient drinks, feeling like rejecting her.

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