The sun hung high in the azure sky, casting its warm rays over the pristine beach. The gentle waves lapped against the shore, the air was filled with the sound of laughter and the distant call of seagulls.

Rhea stood at the water's edge, the cool waves washing over her feet. Her dress fluttered gently in the breeze, and she wore a wide-brimmed hat to shield her eyes from the sun.

Take a deep breath.

She took a deep breath, trying to clear the stuffy feeling in her chest that didn't want to go away.

"Mummy!"

She watched as Harley, her energetic little girl, splashed around in the shallow waters with boundless enthusiasm.

Harley's laughter was infectious, her blonde hair glistening in the sunlight. She wore a cute little swim dress that Curtis had made especially for her, adorned with seashell patterns that matched the beach perfectly. Curtis, ever the doting father, was right beside her, making sure she stayed safe while having the time of her life.

Rhea joined them in the cold water, laughing as she picked up the little girl. Her hat covering her vision of the girls face. Harley squealed in delight as she was lifted up effortlessly. She was swung up and caught by Rhea, who then took her out of the sea since it was getting too cold.

Korrin was in charge of the food, he had set up a fire and was getting lunch ready, Nik was sunbathing uninterested in whatever else was happening, he planned to thoroughly enjoy his day off.

Winston came up to Rhea covering Harley with a towel so she wouldn't get chilly and then putting one on Rhea.

"Thank you Winston." She said softly, before drying the little girl and going where the straw mat had been set up.

"Are you guys sick of the ice water yet?" Nik asked looking at them. "It's so cold there."

"You're just scared daddy." Harley said laughing at Nik's extreme cold aversion.

"Harley, daddy is hurt." He feigned heartbreak and Harley fell for it.

Rhea let her go to him and she found her towel being lifted and placed on her head to dry her hair.

"You should also stay warm, you can't catch a cold."

"Ah, thank you Curtis."

"I'll go keep an eye out." Winston said going on security duty, Rhea knew Curtis felt a bit uncomfortable and so did Winston. They hadn't done anything because she was still conscious of Curtis. He was unhappy.

"I want to go find coconuts."

"What are coconuts?" Curtis asked after drying her off.

"Well, it's a hairy hard ball that grows on trees, you should come with me, you can climb better than I can."

"Alright." Curtis said as he braided her hair down in on elarge braid. "There, we can do now."

She reached back to touch her hair, he was always the best at doing her hair.

They both of them set off into the forest again.

As they walked into the dense forest, the sounds of the waves grew fainter, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. Rhea led the way, her steps light and eager, while Curtis followed closely behind, his eyes ever-watchful for any signs of danger.

Rhea glanced back at Curtis, her heart warmed by his presence. "Thank you for coming with me. It's been a while since we had some time alone."

Curtis smiled, his eyes softening as he looked at her. "I'm glad to be with you, Rhea. You know I'll always be here for you."

They continued their walk, the forest around them gradually thickening. Rhea's eyes scanned the treetops, searching for the telltale signs of coconuts. She spotted a tall palm tree with clusters of coconuts hanging high above.

"There they are!" Rhea pointed excitedly.

Curtis looked up, assessing the tree. "Those are pretty high up. But don't worry, I'll get them for you."

Rhea watched as Curtis approached the tree, his muscles flexing as he prepared to climb. With a fluid grace, he ascended the trunk, his strong arms and legs working in perfect harmony. Rhea admired his strength and agility, feeling a deep sense of appreciation for him.

Curtis reached the top and carefully plucked a few coconuts, tossing them down to Rhea, who caught them with a delighted laugh. "Got them! Thank you, Curtis."

Curtis climbed back down, landing softly beside her. "You're welcome. Now, what do we do with these?"

Rhea chuckled, handing him a coconut. "First, we need to crack them open. Watch this." She took a nearby rock and demonstrated how to hit the coconut's hard shell until it split open, revealing the sweet, refreshing water inside.

Curtis followed her lead, easily breaking open a coconut. He handed it to Rhea, who took a sip and sighed in contentment. "This is perfect. Just what I needed."

Curtis took a sip from his own coconut, nodding in agreement. "It's good. Refreshing."

As they sat on a fallen log, enjoying their coconuts, Rhea's thoughts wandered to the conversation she had been meaning to have. She looked at Curtis, her expression serious. "Curtis, there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about."

He turned to her, his brow furrowing slightly. "What is it, Rhea?"

She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "I've been thinking a lot about our future, and... I've been considering taking another mate."

Curtis's expression tightened, his eyes flickering with a mix of emotions. "No."

"What?"

"I don't want you to take another mate, you have three strong mates, that's enough."

She felt her heart tighten. "But Curtis Winston is also quite strong.."

"Rhea remember you promised me, if I don't want you to take anymore mates you wouldn't. I was fine with you taking the scorpions since you promised not to sleep with them but then you slept with Korrin."

He was right.

"You said you were ok with just me, but it's starting to feel like you are not."

He was right.

"You promised me, if I didn't want to, you wouldn't."

She choked, she did promise that, she had said these things to him she should keep her word right? Her chest felt tighter, she took a few deep breaths.

"You're right Curtis, I'm sorry I won't take him as my mate."

His tail wrapped around her, her favourite tail now felt like scorching flames against her skin, like chains.

"I love you Rhea I don't want to have to share you all the time. I am ok with just you."

She couldn't speak, she could only nodded, he leaned down to kiss, her his hands peeling off her clothes. She didn't want this anymore, but she owed it to him right?

He was faithful she was not, he was hurt by her taking in more mates and neglecting him. She should just put up with this, just to make him happy.

Rhea stared at the bright blew sky above the canopy of trees and Curtis spread her legs apart. Her eyes watered and a tear slid down her face followed by another.

.

When the both of them returned Rhea didn't speak to anyone, she opted to go to the water to wash off. Her body felt different, she felt different, like something was wrong that she couldn't put her finger on.

Harley squealed running back to the water since her mother was there.

"Mummy, throw me up!"

Rhea saw the little girl clinging to her leg, like a ball of steel. She smiled stiffly, struggling to breath.

"Mummy just need some time right now, is it ok if mummy throws you later?"

"Eh, no fair." Harley whined innocently, "pleaseee."

Rhea couldn't breathe, she was struggling to keep herself up right now.

"Alright, just three throws ok?" The little girl nodded excited.

Rhea picked up the girl, she was heavier than Rhea could handle, but she threw her up.

"Weeeeee!" She screamed, Rhea watched her, she looked so happy, her happiness lasted even when Rhea set her down again. She ran back to her fathers who happily doted on her.

Rhea stared absentmindedly, her father was a good man too. He was doing his best. Her mother was a good person, she did what she could. She was a normal person, how could Rhea expect her to help? What could she have done?

A hand wrapped around her leg and she was dragged into the sea.

"... Where's Rhea?"

The group looked up to Winston, their eyes scanning the beach, she was gone.

She couldn't do it, was she always this weak? It felt like she was swimming in tar, everything was too heavy.

'You are meant to save us all, Rhea.'

Were her father's last words.

Happiness is for good people, happiness is for people who are loving and kind.

Someone like her.

Someone like me.

"Jean? What's wrong?" She couldn't hear who was talking to her, her body was curled up her chest hurt so much. Everything hurt.

"Hang on Jean!"