Orrin stared at the frightened Pearl, lowering his head in guilt. "I hurt you," he admitted.
Pearl was confused until she looked down at her chest and exhaled softly. "You didn't hurt me. It's normal for my body to react like that. After all, you slept for so long without changing position," she explained.
"Is that so?" Orrin asked quietly.
Pearl nodded. "Yeah, it's not a big deal. Are you hungry? Will you eat an apple?" She offered him one.
Orrin accepted the fruit and glanced at her. "She's really kind, so different from all the females I've ever seen," he thought, before suddenly appearing before her and pulling her into his arms.
Pearl was already getting used to his embraces. "Can this handsome guy stop being addicted to hugging?" she sighed inwardly, patting his back.
"Pearl," he murmured.
"Yes?" Pearl responded.
Orrin gazed at her for a moment before sealing her lips with his.
Her mind went blank, eyes wide in shock. Even though the kiss had ended, she could still feel the coldness lingering on her lips.
"You… you… you—" she stammered, her face flushing red.
"Ding! Congratulations, host. You've earned 200 points randomly. Your balance is now 220 points."
Pearl blinked twice. "Getting 200 points at once from just a kiss—seriously!" she almost choked on her own thoughts.
"Don't be angry, Pearl. I… I just felt like kissing your lips. I couldn't control myself," Orrin confessed.
Pearl sighed. "Err…" She couldn't finish before the stone door at the cave entrance banged open. A male stepped inside, his lower body wrapped in a skirt of leaves.
He was extraordinarily handsome, his clear eyes shining, long blonde hair cascading down his back, and a pair of foxlike ears atop his head.
Pearl's eyes widened. "Damn it, are all the men here equally handsome? This is extraordinary—perfect for my taste, haha!" she cheered inwardly, smiling.
"Come out here, Orrin! In what way did I offend you that you had to steal my herbs?" the handsome stranger bellowed. "You dare come to my house and take things without my—wait a minute, is that a female?!" His voice rose in shock.
Orrin's gaze turned cold instantly. He stepped in front of Pearl, shielding her, his eyes narrowing with murderous intent. "Someone else took your herb. I didn't touch it. You can leave," he declared icily.
But the handsome beastman wasn't listening. His attention was fixed on Pearl. "Orrin, she's a female! She looks so smooth, so soft, and very beautiful!" he gasped, rushing closer.
"Take one more step and see if you're still breathing," Orrin's voice sharpened like steel, his deadly aura spreading.
"What's wrong with you? She's a female—she can have as many mates as she wants. Do you intend to hold her back?" the beastman retorted, his own aura bursting forth, ready for battle.
Pearl stared at them both, bewildered. "What the hell is going on?" she wondered
"Ding! Question cost: 10 points. Answer: His name is Zerai, the fox beastman, neither a friend or enemy of Orrin. He fell in love with you at first sight."
Pearl nodded blankly, but her expression froze. "Love at first sight—you've got to be kidding me!"
"Get out of here. I don't want to fight you," Orrin warned coldly.
Zerai hissed, brushing past Orrin. He knelt before Pearl and gently held her hand. "Please accept me, female. I want to be your mate," he confessed earnestly.
Pearl was dumbfounded. "Can anyone be so straightforward?" She opened her mouth to reject, but Orrin suddenly grabbed Zerai by the throat and punched him hard in the face, sending him flying.
"Since you want to die, I'll grant your wish!" Orrin roared furiously, moving closer. But Pearl clung to his arm, stopping him.
"Stop fighting, okay? Please, just stop!" she pleaded quickly.
Orrin clenched his teeth, then finally calmed down. His lower body shifted back into legs. Closing his eyes, he turned and walked out of the cave.
"Orrin!" Pearl called, but he didn't respond. "Did he have to be so angry? Don't tell me he wants to abandon me now," she muttered, her gaze drifting to the bloodied Zerai.
"Damn, if you want to punch, punch the body. Why the face?" she cursed inwardly, crouching down, though the ground was freezing.
Zerai noticed and stepped closer. "I'm fine. You don't have to worry," he reassured gently, brushing his fingers across her cheek.
Pearl shook her head lightly. "I'm very sorry," she whispered, staring at his wound and wiping away the blood with her hand. "Better to tend his injuries first". She murmured but strangely, the blood on her finger vanished. "What's going on?"
Zerai's smile glowed with indescribable joy. He clasped her hand. "Thank you. Don't worry—by tomorrow I'll be healed," he assured before hugging her.
"Eh?! Why are you hugging me?" she blurted.
"You're my mate now. Isn't it natural to hug?" Zerai replied softly.
"Wait a minute—when did I accept you?" she asked, completely lost.
"You saved me when Orrin tried to kill me just now. And… you made a blood bond with me," Zerai explained.
"WTF!" Pearl almost coughed up blood. "Are you kidding me? What's a blood bond?"
Zerai's eyes shimmered with tears. "It means I'm your mate now. Please don't abandon me—I want to be with you forever." He hugged her tighter, sobbing.
Pearl was utterly speechless. "Are you freaking kidding me?"
Ding! Congratulations, host, on gaining Husband No. 2. Point reward: 200 points. Please accept him to claim the points.
Pearl's head spun. "In just two days in the Beast World, I already have two husbands? Is this for real?!" She screamed inwardly before taking a deep breath.
"It's… it's fine. Don't cry, okay? You're my mate," she consoled gently.
Zerai smiled warmly at her, his face miraculously healed.
"You're healed already?" Pearl's eyes widened in amazement. "So fast!"
Zerai touched his cheek in surprise. "So quickly… could it be she healed me? My mate is not only beautiful and kind-hearted, but powerful as well". His smile deepened with warmth.