∘∘∘∘

A month and a half has now pass since cold season has arrived and we are currently playing chess in the living room.

Tora, Kei and Kali were in their beastform and laying close to me, providing me warmth even though I was wearing a couple of layer of cloths and a blanket was wrapped around me.

"Ugh... You guys are getting good at this that I can't even win now" I muttered as Carlos and the others laugh.

"Don't feel bad little mate, you can win against your newly accepted mates in the future" Archie said as he moved his chess piece which made me groan as I had lost for the third time in a row.

"Dang it" I grumbled with a huff which just made them laugh. "How are you getting so good at this" I whined out as I started at the chess bored.

"Because when you take a nap or go to sleep everytime, we play. And considering how competitive we are it always ends up in a draw and we strive to just get better at the game" Rio explained, earning a few nods which made huff.

"Fine, maybe I can win against Xavier when he comes here tomorrow" I grumbled which made them raise their brow. "Are you finally gonna accept him?" Lucas asked and I hummed in response.

"Yes, after all he started courting me before the cold season even arrived. It's now a month and a half, his been waiting to long" I shrugged as Archie restarted the game again.

"Well it is true that he is the longest male that has been courting you. Even Carlos needed to wait just one week before you accepted him" Rio commented making the others nod in agreement.

"But that's kinda okay. Most males had to wait several months before being accepted by their females. And then wait a few more months before mating with her" Carlos said, which again earned some nods.

"Well, I'm different. I don't want my future mates to wait that long" I said and they all nodded. "But of course, I need to know them before I accept them.

Just to ensure their marks won't end up on my wrist or feet" I said which made then smile. "Your really considerate of us males. Your too precious for this world" Carlos said which made me chuckle.

"That's why she needs more mates. She's too precious to be harmed" Tora said as he shifted to his human form.

"Hmm, I agree" Carlos nodded and so did my other males. "Maybe we should go look for some males next time. We need to bring strong males for her" Lucas said and the others immediately agree.

"Well, the Blackwood city holds a contest every start of the drizzle season. A week after drizzle season arrives they hold a contest for females to participate in, which means many males from the city and nearby villages will go there in hopes of finding a female.

With how smart and beautiful our mate is she's bound to have countless males lining up to court her" Archie said, gaining our attention.

"That's a great idea. But what's the contest about?" Rio asked making Archie shrug. "It depends sometimes. Last year it was a beauty contest, and the other year was who has the most cubs" he explained making us nod.

"And I heard there was a contest that whoever ate the most wins" he added making me nod as I did recall reading it.

'Blackwood city, like most cities, would hold a contest every year after a week has passed since drizzle season started.

Sometimes it's about beauty, sometimes about a female's fertility or in other cases how much she can eat.

I mean the healtier the female is the better I guess? I really never understood that part of the contest' I thought as I continued to listen to my males.

"So? What do you say little mate? Do you want to go there?" Archie asked making me nod. "Yes, like you said many males from the city and nearby villages will be there.

It's a good opportunity for me to look for strong males and maybe a healer mate who also has three stars or above but I don't expect much" I shrug making them nod.

"It's decided then, your going there" Tora said and the others agreed. 'Hmm, looks like I'll be meeting Cassie there then. After all the goddess did say she was staying there' I thought with a sigh.

'I'll just have to avoid her then' I groaned as my mates continued to talk about who should come with me when I go there.

As I continued to discuss it, me and Kei, who shifted to his human form, played chess.

∘∘∘

"Xavier, hi" I smiled as I greeted him by the door. "Come in, let's go inside it's too cold here" I said making him smile as he nodded.

"I had already discussed this with my males yesterday and I finally decided that I will be accepting you. You can move here if you want or you can stay in your house till drizzle season" I said as we sat down on the cushions on the living room.

"No, I'll move here. I'll bring my things later, which is not much. Most of it are just meat and furs" he said making me nod before he took a pouch from his side.

"Here are my crystal that I always bring with me. I still have more in the house" he said making me nod as I accepted his crystals.

'I'm rich!! Haha bitch I'm rich!' I thought with a smile as I remembered that I still have countless crystals that came from Carlos.

"You look happy" Carlos laughed which made me huff. "Of course. Who wouldn't be, I'm rich. I still have countless crystals from you then if you add this pouch of crystals from Xavier then yes, I'm rich" I stated proudly which made them laugh.

"And you'll be more richer once you have more males. What are you gonna do with all that crystals after?" Lucas asked which made me hum and think.

"Well maybe buy a house, and use these crystals for you guys. I heard that crystals can help you boost your energy to level up" I said and they all nodded.

"Yes it is true, but it's still not advisable that we rely on crystals to level up or gain more stars as it had have it's own backlash or consequences" Xavier said and I nodded in understanding.

"Of course. I'll just use them to balance out your training and help you gain more stars in the future. It's better that you gain a star through experiences rather than rely on crystals which can harm you" I said and they all argeed.

"Your really smart huh little mate" Archie chuckled as he pinched my cheeks making me swat his hand away and pout as I sent him a playful glare.

"Stop" I huffed as returned my attention to Xavier who was watching us with amusement.

"Don't mind him, and them when they act like that. They're usually like that" I said as he nodded with a chuckle. Indeed he picked the right female to court and dedicate his life to.

Seeing on how she acted with her males on her first day here, he knew she was the one who he wanted to court and risk his life in order to protect her.

"Can you wait for a few days before we mate? I just want to get to know you more. That way I can ensure your mark doesn't appear where it shouldn't be" I smiled at him as he nodded with a fond smile.

"Don't worry, I can wait even months. I'm happy that you've already accepted me as your mate" he said which made chuckle and shake my head.

"I don't want you to wait that long" I laughed before adding. "I only need a few more days to know more about you. That way I'll ensure your mark won't end up in my feet or wrist" I smiled and he nodded in response.

"Now, Rio can you and Kei help him get his food? Since we have an additional person I'm not sure if our food will last. Considering how the seven of you eat" I laughed which earned some huff from my males as Rio and Kei went out with Xavier to get his food and things.

"Now I have someone to play chess with! The one I know I can win!" I cheered happily which made my males chuckle.

"We'll see about that little mate" Archie said which made me huff as I stared at the chess board.

∘∘∘

"Ugh.. I really can't win" I groaned as my males laugh as they watch me lose to Xavier for the second time. "Just how can you guys be this good!" I huffed and crossed my arms with a pout as I glared at chess board.

"It's okay Sera, you can try again next time" Xavier said, trying to comfort me even though he was the reason I lost twice.

I look at him with a pout and a huff which just made him chuckle as he organized the board again.

"That's enough for tonight little mate. How about you continue this tomorrow?" Tora said, just in time as a yawn escaped my lips. "Alright, let's continue this tomorrow" I said as he carried me upstairs.

"Rest well little mate" Tora said as he kissed my forehead and layed me down and put a few blankets over me. "I'll bring the cubs over in a bit" he said which made me nod as my eyes closed and I slowly drifted to sleep.

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