"They can," Ava said, her voice steadying. "The Lemon juice can fight against infection. I've seen it being used before, it works"
Torren, a young male with a scar across his cheek, joined them, his eyes bright. "Ava, you're full of surprises. First the fire, now this? My brother's leg wound could use it." His admiration was clear, and he grinned, leaning closer. "You're making us all look lazy."
Ava laughed, a lightness easing her tension. "Just trying to keep up with you hunters." Her glance flicked to Amon, who was watching from a distance, his gray eyes soft but intense. Their eyes met, and a spark shot through her, making her look away quickly. Why does he do that to me?
Odette approached, her steps slow but deliberate. "Ava," she said, her voice gruff but less hostile. "This lemon… how do you know it's safe? We don't need more trouble." Her eyes searched Ava's, seeking reassurance.
Ava met her gaze, her tone calm but firm. "I've tested it on small cuts. It stings, but it works. I'd never suggest something dangerous. Besides don't we females eat this sometimes?" She paused, softening her voice. "Try it on a small wound first, Odette. See for yourself."
Odette nodded slowly, her skepticism easing. "Maybe I will." her expression held a ion of respect which symbolizes a crack in her resistance.
Mara, lingering nearby, muttered to another female, "She's too bold. Emily was right—outsiders bring trouble." Ava caught the words, her stomach tightening. Emily's still a threat, even while facing her punishment, she still had the time to spread rumours, she thought, her resolve hardening. It seems she's not working hard enough.
Amon, overhearing Mara, stepped closer, his voice low but firm. "Ava's ideas save lives. I'd trust her over anyone." His defense was swift, and Ava's heart skipped, their eyes meeting again. His blush was faint, but noticeable, and Torren chuckled, nudging him. "Careful, Amon. You sound like her mate."
Amon's ears reddened, and he mumbled, "Just stating facts." The awkward moment drew laughs, but Kael, nearby, coiled his tail tighter, his eyes narrowing at Amon. George, his eyes sharp as a blade, shot Amon a competitive glance, his hand tightening on Ava's shoulder. They're jealous, Ava realized, her confusion deepening. But Amon's just a friend. Isn't he?
As the fire's glow faded, Ava sat, her mind a storm. I'm changing things, but it's making enemies. And Amon… why does he make me feel this way? She glanced at him, his quiet strength a comfort amidst the tribe's whispers. I need to focus. Survive. Prove myself. But the spark between them, subtle and unspoken, promised to linger, a thread weaving into her nearest future.
Ava was about to coax her mates, but before she could continue, a sharp cry pierced the air. A young cub stumbled from the shadows, clutching his arm, blood seeping between his fingers. "Snake!" he gasped, his eyes wide with fear.
The tribe froze, eyes turning to Ava. Mara's lips curled, her voice low but cutting. "Another snake? Right after Ava's 'incident'? This is no coincidence." Her accusation hung heavy, and Ava's heart sank, her gaze locking with Kael and George's. His hand tightened on his spear, ready to act. Was this Emily's doing, a new plot to undermine her? The tribe froze, eyes turning to Ava. Mara's lips curled, her voice low but cutting. "Mara's accusation hung heavy, and Ava's heart sank, her gaze locking with Kael and George's. Kael's serpentine tail coiled tighter, his dark eyes flashing with suspicion, while George's hand tightened on his spear, ready to act. Was this Emily's doing, a new plot to undermine her? Or something else lurking in the forest's shadows?
The cub, a young pup named Tiko, Sira's youngest, whimpered, clutching his bleeding paw. His wide eyes darted between Ava and the crowd, his small frame trembling. The bite mark was shallow but angry, the skin around it reddening amidst the furs. Ava's stomach churned—she recognized the snake's markings from her own encounter earlier. Another green viper, she thought, her mind racing. It's too similar. Too close.
"Why's everyone staring?" Ava whispered to Oma, her voice tight. Oma's eyes narrowed, scanning the crowd. "They think you brought this on us," she muttered. "Mara's been whispering since you got here—says your ideas anger the Beast God."
Ava's fists clenched, her gaze flickering to Mara, who stood smugly among Emily's allies and allies, these were males who were Emily's admirers or were wooing her. Emily's in the punishment pit, but her reach lingers, she thought, recalling Mara's earlier skepticism about her flower paste. The tribe's eyes bore into her—some curious, others accusing—amplifying her outsider status. They think I caused this? Her heart pounded, but she pushed down the anger, focusing on Tiko. He's hurt. I can help.
"Tiko, let me see," Ava said, kneeling beside the cub. His mother, Sira, hovered anxiously, her hands wringing. "He was playing near the riverbank, where you were today," Sira said, her voice trembling. "He said the snake came out of nowhere."
Ava's brow furrowed. The same spot as my incident? The coincidence gnawed at her, but she focused on Tiko's arm, inspecting the bite. The snake had struck from a pile of leaves, likely disturbed by Tiko's play, but the precision of two attacks in one day felt wrong. Someone could've placed it there, she thought, her eyes flicking to Mara, who avoided her gaze.
Amon crouched beside her, his presence steadying. "It's the same kind of snake," he said, his voice low, his gray eyes meeting hers. His hand brushed hers as he steadied Tiko, sending a spark through her. She pulled back, her cheeks warming. Focus, Ava, she scolded herself, but his closeness made her pulse race. Recently He's always around when I need him.
Why do I keep doing this? Amon wondered, his heart tightening as Ava's worried eyes met his. He'd rushed to her side without thinking, just as he had earlier. She's not mine, he reminded himself, but the urge to protect her, to ease her fear, was overwhelming. I can't let her face this alone.
Kael and George flanked Ava, their protectiveness palpable. Kael's tail twitched, his voice sharp. "This isn't Ava's fault. Whoever's stirring trouble needs to answer." His eyes locked on Mara, who flinched but held her ground. George's jaguar claws flexed, his voice gruff. "Ava, do what you can for the cub. We'll handle the rest."
The tribe's murmurs grew louder, a mix of fear and suspicion. Odette, the older female, stepped forward, her gnarled hands on her hips. "If Ava's flowers can help, prove it now," she said, her tone challenging but curious. "Tiko's hurting."
Ava nodded, her resolve hardening. They're watching, judging. I can't fail. She pulled a pink flower from her pouch, crushing it with lemon juice from a nearby gourd. The sweet, sharp scent filled the air, drawing curious glances. "The sap will make sure the wound doesn't go bad," she explained, her voice steady despite the weight of eyes. "But we need something for the pain." She reached for a bundle of spiked horned grass, a plant she had once used to on George, and ground it into a fine powder. "This numbs the wound."
Sira's eyes widened. "You're sure it's safe?" she asked, her voice wavering.
Ava met her gaze. "I've tested it. And the snake—it's not poisonous, like Kael said. The bite's painful, but Tiko will be fine." She applied the flower paste to Tiko's bite, the cub wincing but calming as she sprinkled the powdered grass over it. Within moments, his trembling eased, his breathing steadying.
Sira exhaled, tears of relief in her eyes. "It's working," she whispered, clutching Ava's hand. "Thank you."
Torren, the young male, grinned. "Ava, you're a wonder. First fire, now this? We're lucky to have you." His admiration was clear, but Mara's scoff cut through. "Lucky? Two snake attacks in one day? She's cursed, or worse, she's bringing it on us."
The accusation stung, and Ava's heart almost burst with anger. Shes clearly sabotaging me but is she working alone or with Emily? She glanced at Amon, whose jaw tightened, his hand hovering near his spear. "Enough, Mara," he said, his voice low but firm. "Ava saved Tiko. You're just stirring fear." His defense was swift, and their eyes met, a spark passing. Ava's cheeks flushed and the anger she felt melted away, and she looked at Amon again, her heart racing. He keeps protecting like am his mate…
Oma nudged Lily, whispering, "Look at Amon, all protective. He's got it bad for her." Lily giggled, her eyes darting between them. "He looks like he would fight a whole nest of snakes for Ava."
Kael's tail lashed, his eyes narrowing at Amon. "Let's focus on the cub," he said, his voice clipped. George squeezed Ava's shoulder, his glance at Amon competitive. "They're jealous," Ava realized, "i don't really blame them as Amon is not exactly hiding his feelings as well as he thinks…. Wait, what am I thinking.." she shook the thought out of her head.
Her mind churned as she cleaned Tiko's wound. I'm changing things, but it's making enemies. Mara's words, Emily's allies… this wasn't an accident. She recalled seeing one of Emily's mates near the riverbank earlier, his movements furtive. Did he plant the snakes? The thought chilled her, but she pushed it down, focusing on Tiko's recovery. I'll figure it out later. I have to.
The tribe watched, their murmurs softening as Tiko sat up, his pain eased. Odette nodded, her skepticism fading. "Maybe your lemon fruit idea has merit," she admitted, her tone now soft and respectful. "But be careful, Ava. Not everyone trusts you."
Mara turned away, her eyes glinting with malice. Ava's stomach twisted. "She's working with Emily". I know it. The tribe dispersed, but the tension lingered, whispers of "cursed" and "outsider" trailing Ava like shadows, it wasn't like this before, someone was working behind the scene and now she knows who.. "I'm helping, but it's not enough, they'll still doubt me at any slightless mishap, she thought, her heart heavy. And Amon… why does his support make me feel this way?" His steady presence, his shy smile, replayed in her mind, stirring gratitude and something deeper. "I have Kael and George. I shouldn't feel this." But the spark between her and Amon smouldered, undeniable.
As night fell, Ava lingered by the fire, her thoughts a storm. Two snakes in one day. Emily's reach is long, even from the pit where she now lives in. She glanced at Amon, his silhouette strong against the flames, his eyes meeting hers briefly. He believes in me. But can I trust anyone here? A rustling in the bushes nearby made her freeze, her hand tightening on her knife. A faint hiss echoed, too close, and Amon's head snapped up, his spear raised. Was another snake lurking, or was it a signal of a deeper plot? Ava's heart raced, the Beastworld indeed is always full of dangers, one can't just be at peace without having a near death experience.