Leo's room was cool and comforting. Light purple curtains covered the open arches, and the summer breeze filtered in steadily, bringing in the sweet scent of blooming flowers. Rhea sat picking at the grapes on the low table, her mind distant as she recounted her recent experiences.

"I think I love him," she said finally after narrating her encounter with Bluepool, the merman.

Leo raised an eyebrow. "I could have told you that for free. Why go to a fish?" He looked at her like she had done something embarrassing. If she were any lighter, her blush would have been too obvious.

"It's hard to tell your friends stuff like that, ya know?" She tried to justify her actions, but even she knew it sounded weak.

He hummed in understanding, leaning back on his cushion. "That's why shit like Omegle exists."

"Omg Omegle! What a throwback," she said, laughing. "Funnily enough, it doesn't exist here anyway."

He gasped dramatically, his hand flying to his chest as if he was shocked to his core. "No way! Why?"

"Predators," she replied, her tone serious for a moment before they both sighed.

"Oh yeah," he said, nodding. "Shit, I miss our world."

"Who doesn't? But I think I am okay with staying here now," she admitted, her voice softer, more contemplative.

He looked at her for a moment, studying her expression. "What Curtis did..." He hesitated, not knowing how to broach the subject delicately. He was aware that Curtis was hiding, listening, but unable to face Rhea directly. Leo was the middleman, trying to probe her feelings.

She waved him off. "It's fine. You get used to stuff like that. It's just how men are sometimes."

Leo's eyes darkened at her response. That's not normal, he thought but didn't say aloud.

She noticed his subtle change in expression and added, "I forgive him, Leo. It's fine."

Leo nodded apprehensively. He wasn't okay with it, but if she didn't want to push it, he wouldn't either. "You know, if you want to leave the Black Wind Tribe, you can always leave. I will take over for you."

Her heart warmed at his words, knowing he meant it sincerely.

She beamed at him. "No, I love this place. I know I can leave, but I want to do my best for them. And I want to make a place for Harley to grow up well cherished. A place she can run wild and be a spoilt little princess. I want this place to be her home."

Leo's heart softened. "So, what are you going to do now with Curtis? Are you going to confess?"

Her face heated up. "I think I will. He is my husband. If he doesn't feel loved, I'm doing a bad job."

Leo nodded in understanding. "And Winston?"

"I'll have to apologise to him. I can't take him as my mate if Curtis is unhappy with it."

Leo remained quiet for a second but then turned to the curtains blocking the sky from their view. "Do you hear that?"

Rhea was confused for a moment before a figure moved behind the curtains, and Curtis stepped inside.

"Curtis?"

He looked guilty, his eyes avoiding hers. He walked to Rhea and hesitated, unsure if she would let him touch her. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice trembling. "I shouldn't have forced you..."

She looked at him, her gaze softening as she saw the vulnerability in his eyes. Her hand cupped his face, and he finally met her eyes. Her touch was warm, filled with the tenderness he felt he didn't deserve at that moment.

"I'm sorry, Curtis. I neglected you, didn't I?"

He hadn't expected an apology. His eyes stung as tears threatened to spill. He didn't want her to see him cry, but he couldn't help it. He placed his hand on hers, rubbing his face against her palm. She used her other hand to wipe his tears away.

"Rhea," he choked out, his voice breaking. "I missed you."

"Hmm, I'm back," she whispered. She glanced up to see Leo with a satisfied smile on his face. 'Thank you,' she mouthed, and he nodded.

"Let's go, okay? I don't want to inconvenience Leo."

Leo grinned. "Now you're aware, stop making us single people eat dog food."

She laughed. "Yes, yes. I'll see you tomorrow, Leo."

"Goodnight, Rhea."

Rhea left with Curtis, her hand intertwined with his. She had lost her focus, but now her path was clear. She knew what she wanted.

"Curtis, the moon is beautiful tonight, isn't it?"

He nodded, still composing himself from his tears.

"Do you want to go swimming?"

"Can we? I thought you couldn't swim..."

"Well, whatever my husband wants."

His heart felt so full that it could burst. Rhea's room had a pool specifically because of Curtis, but she never used it because she didn't know how to swim. But did she need to if she had him with her?

They walked hand in hand to her room, the tension slowly melting away. The pool glistened under the moonlight, inviting and serene. Curtis looked at Rhea, who was already starting to undress, a playful smile on her lips.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked, his voice soft and uncertain.

She nodded, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Yes. I trust you, Curtis."

He smiled, the first genuine smile in a long time. They slipped into the water together, Curtis holding her close, guiding her movements. The cool water embraced them, her body kept close to him, his heart beating quickly as he felt her soft mounds against his skin.

They floated together, the world outside fading away. Curtis kissed her gently, his love for her pouring into that one simple act. Rhea returned the kiss, feeling a warmth spread through her heart. His kisses didn't stop, he wanted to kiss her everywhere to show her how much he loved her, how happy he was she was with him. How much he missed her affection. 

"I will always be here for you, Curtis," she whispered. "You don't have to worry about me anymore, I'm not going anywhere."

And in that moment, under the moonlit sky, surrounded by the gentle ripples of the pool, Curtis knew what it meant to love a woman. Rhea was someone he struggled to understand no matter how hard he tried, but since she opened her heart to him he could finally remain in her embrace. 

"I love you, Curtis." Her words set fire to his very being. 

.

"If you want to, you can take him," Curtis said at the end of their rendezvous. His head was resting on Rhea's belly as he hugged her dearly, his voice filled with a mix of resignation and newfound acceptance.

"Hmm?" Rhea murmured sleepily, her fingers running through his hair absentmindedly. Curtis pushed himself up to face her, his eyes searching hers for understanding.

"If you want Winston, you can have him. It wasn't my place to stop you in the first place, as your male..." His voice trailed off, the words hanging heavily in the air.

Rhea looked at him, her eyes softening with love and gratitude. She placed her hand gently on his cheek, guiding his head back down to rest on her belly. "Go to bed," she whispered, her voice soothing.

"I'm serious," Curtis insisted, his voice muffled against her skin. "If you want him... Since I know my place in your heart, I don't mind anymore. You can take him during winter since I won't be there to protect you. I know you don't need it, but..."

"Alright," Rhea interrupted, her tone gentle but firm.

Hearing her agreement, Curtis relaxed. A sense of peace washed over him, knowing that her heart belonged to him. He felt giddy, replaying her earlier words in his mind—'I love you'—she had said that to him.

And no other man alive had heard those words; they were just for him and him alone.

He settled back down, his arms wrapped securely around her, drawing comfort from her warmth. Rhea continued to stroke his hair. 

. 

The next morning dawned bright and early, the sky a brilliant expanse of blue as the sun began its slow ascent. The Black Wind Tribe was already bustling with activity, the air filled with the sounds of preparation and excitement. Today was a significant day—the colossals were being caught.

Rhea stood at the edge of the encampment, watching as the preparations unfolded. Her heart raced with anticipation. The idea of riding a colossal sounded fun enough, and the crystals, she smelt the money.

Curtis, Korrin, Winston and Nik were in the thick of the preparations, their muscular forms moving efficiently as they coordinated the teams. The Leopard King joined in preparation, they couldn't make any mistakes in this. 

"We've fortified the pens and ensured they're secure," Korrin reported, his voice carrying over the din of activity. "The colossals won't be able to break through."

"Good," Curtis replied, his eyes scanning the area. "We need to make sure everything is perfect. One mistake, and we could lose everything."

Nik nodded in agreement. "The teams are ready. We're just waiting for the signal."

Rhea approached the group, her presence commanding attention. "Is everything set?"

Curtis turned to her, a smile playing on his lips. "Yes, we're ready."

Rhea nodded, her eyes shining with determination. "Let's make this happen."

The signal was given, and the teams moved with practiced precision. They spread out, surrounding the colossals' hunting area, their movements synchronised.

Suddenly, the trap was sprung. Nets and ropes flew through the air, ensnaring the colossals in a carefully orchestrated dance. The creatures roared in surprise and anger, their massive forms struggling against the restraints.

The ground shook as the colossals thrashed, their sheer strength a testament to their power. But the tribe was prepared. The nets held firm, and the teams worked tirelessly, securing the colossals and guiding them toward the reinforced pens. Any beasts that managed to escape where promptly killed by one of the five. 

"Curtis is crazy strong." a wolf beastman commented watching him in awe. 

"It only makes sense, the Queen can only have strong mates." Another said with a sigh.

"Imagine having to compete with two tetra-marked beasts." 

"Winston is hanging around her a lot, she might take him too."

Rhea watched with bated breath, her heart pounding in her chest. The sight of the colossals up close was fucking exciting. Their scales glistened in the sunlight, and their eyes, though filled with anger, held a certain majesty. 

"Are you five years old? Are dinosaurs this exciting?" Leo asked rolling his eyes. 

"You don't understand! They are so big.." 

"So you only like big things, that explains why you and Curtis were up all night." 

Whack!

"Respect your elders!" She hissed.

"Fuck that hurt." Her strength was too much for him, he had to concede this time. 

As the last of the colossals was secured, a cheer erupted from the tribe. The hard work had paid off. The colossals were caught, and the process of breeding them could begin.

Korrin approached Rhea, his face flushed with excitement. "We did it!"

Rhea smiled, her eyes alight with pride. "Hohohoh! We will be fucking rich!" 

Nik joined them, his face reflecting the same sense of accomplishment. "The pens are secure, and the colossals are settling in," he reported.

"Good," Rhea said, her mind already racing with possibilities. "We need to ensure their care and start the breeding process as soon as possible. It looks like there'll be another feast tonight!" 

The hunters cheered! Alcohol and meat! Just what they needed to motivate them. 

Rhea was elated at the prospect of money, but out of the corner of her eyes, she saw something strange. Was that...Rosa?  

A/N: Will make an original arc with a merman prince. It'll be cute.