Today, there was an intruder.

Well, not much of an intruder, but a leopard beast man 'searching for herbs' all the way in Curtis's territory.

"What are you doing here, Harvey? Do you want Curtis to kill you?" It was a teasing question on Rhea's part, but Harvey took it seriously. His body was literally shaking, but he mustered up the courage.

"I want to go with you!"

Curtis had his arms around her, like he was petrified she would decide to pick Harvey over him. His grip tightened slightly, his eyes narrowed as he stared at Harvey.

"Why did you suddenly decide to go with me?" Rhea asked, genuinely curious about his sudden boldness.

"Well, you're pretty," Harvey replied earnestly, his eyes fixed on hers with an intensity that made her uncomfortable.

"Thank you, but what else?" She probed, needing more than just flattery.

"And you don't despise me," he added, his voice almost pleading.

Rhea felt a headache coming on. Was that really all? Curtis, behind her, was visibly tensing up. Despite talking big the previous night, the prospect of another male actually terrified him. His jealousy was palpable, radiating off him in waves.

"I'll be honest, Harvey. I cannot promise you my heart. Are you okay with that?" Rhea asked, trying to gauge his seriousness.

Harvey paused, then nodded. "I am okay with that. You treated the Feral so well, I don't believe he has your heart, so why couldn't I?"

"Alright, let me talk with Curtis."

The two sat by the pond inside the cave. The water was still and reflective, mirroring their troubled expressions. Curtis looked a bit down, and she knew what he was thinking. He picked at the moss beside the pond, avoiding her gaze.

"I won't abandon you, Curtis," she said gently, placing a hand on his. "I know we haven't done anything yet, but you need to trust that I will maintain my promise to take you as my mate."

"I know... I am being unreasonable, not wanting to share you with anyone," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

"No, that's not unreasonable at all. Truthfully, I do not want any other mate. I am okay with just one."

"But you need someone to help you during winter," he protested on Harvey's behalf. His concern was genuine, his eyes pleading for her to understand. He was a kind man. If she were in his place, she would not be so willing.

"Curtis, are you sure you want Harvey to come with us?" she asked. "If you say no, I will not take him. I am okay with just you."

"I—" He hesitated, his brows furrowing in conflict. Was it okay to be selfish just this once? But what if his selfishness puts her in danger?

"Do not worry about my safety, Curtis. Truly think about how you feel about this," she urged, squeezing his hand reassuringly.

Harvey waited anxiously outside the cave, pacing back and forth. His ears twitched with every sound, his tail flicking nervously. The wait seemed to stretch on forever, the minutes ticking by painfully slow.

Soon enough, Rhea emerged with Curtis holding her hand. Curtis's face was set in a resigned expression.

"Alright, Harvey, you can come with us. If you want to leave at any time, I won't mind. You can get to know me more than just how you see me superficially," Rhea said, her voice steady and kind.

Harvey was overjoyed. His face lit up with a broad smile, and he rushed up to hug her. Curtis stood still, his eyes following Harvey's every move, but he did not interfere. Harvey's embrace was warm and sincere, and Rhea patted his back awkwardly. So much physical touch was new to her, but she would learn to get used to it. 

"Thank you, Rhea. I know I am not strong like Curtis but I will not let you down," Harvey said, his voice filled with gratitude.

"The both of you don't need to protect me, I have no requirements from you, Harvey. It's ok to just be yourself." 

As they prepared to leave, Rhea noticed Curtis's silent struggle. He was still uneasy about sharing her, but he was determined to protect her happiness. 

She felt conflicted; should she have just said no to Harvey despite Curtis's protests? 

"Harvey, is it okay if I ask about pregnancies?"

He was a healer so he would have the most accurate information. She did not want to get pregnant in this weird wilderness jungle place. She didn't even know if interspecies pregnancies were a thing here. 

Curtis's tail was her seat since the rocks were too uncomfortable for her. 

"Are you wanting to get pregnant, Rhea?" Curtis asked a bit excitedly, "Is your cycle coming?"

"I mean, I can get pregnant anytime; that's why I'm worried. If we're travelling, it would be a bad idea to get pregnant; I probably want some contraception." 

"You can get pregnant anytime?" Harvey asked, confused. 

"Yeah?" Why was he asking? Was he really a quack doctor?

"How many times a year do you have your cycle?" Harvey asked seriously, his tone was so serious it made her anxious. 

"I get it every month, is something wrong?"

The two of them looked at each other, their faces dark. Rhea felt out of the loop. 

"Females here get their cycle once a year, if other Ferals found out about this, they would kidnap you and make you breed." Curtis explained. 

That sounded terrifying. 

"Ok, so let's not tell anyone about this? Is there a way to stop my cycle for now? Until I am ready for children?"

"It is not something I can do right now, but I can figure that out for your safety Rhea." 

"Do you not want children?" Curtis asked. 

Rhea looked at him, she wanted to see if her words would be hurtful. "Well, I don't... Do you want children?"

"Most females like to have children, I thought if we had some snakes you would like me more." 

What kind of logic is this?

The idea of snakes slithering around in her womb creeped her the fuck out, or was it eggs?

Ew. 

"I don't want children, I just want to live my life peacefully. Are you both fine with that?"

 "I am fine with that." Harvey said, nodding.

"I don't mind either way." Curtis said. 

"Then it's settled!" The idea of mating was not so scary anymore.

.

The village of sheep was quiet when they arrived. Rhea realised it was probably due to her having a carnivore on a leash. 

"We should hurry and get out of here, seems they're all afraid of you." She told Curtis. 

"Of course, I'm a tetra-marked beast and they're just weak herbivores." He puffed his chest out as if he was getting a compliment. 

That's not something to be proud of! 

"Rice and salt, please." Rhea asked, placing a crystal on the market table. 

"Yes, of course." The sheep selling to them said, his whole body trembling under Curtis's gaze

"Is there anything you need, Harvey?" Rhea asked the leopard. "We'll get some herbs too."

"I'll go get them; don't worry about it, Rhea!" He scurried off. He was cute. He was quite shy around her, which is something she didn't understand considering how bold he was to come to Curtis's cave alone. 

The sheepmen watched cautiously; wondering what type of beast Rhea was. Since she had a leopard with her as well she couldn't have been kidnaped right?

"Curtis, can we get some jewellery? They look pretty." Rhea and Curtis shopped idly while waiting for Harvey. She didn't expect to get a rich boyfriend in a primitive world. How lucky.

"This one looks the best on you," Curtis said, raising a set of gold bangles and placing them against her skin. "Let's get these, Rhea!"

She thought about it and then bought multiple sets. Since they were all in some kind of poly relationship, they might as well have a symbol of that.

When Harvey got back, she slipped a gold bangle onto his wrist and then did the same with Curtis.

"What is this for?" Curtis asked curiously. Rhea lifted hers on her hand.

"Well, we'll be a couple eventually, so this is to show we're all a family. Isn't that good?"

"Thank you, Rhea..." Harvey looked delighted, and Curtis only stared at his silently. She didn't expect him to be grateful, but she wanted to at least see him smile. Since this morning, he had been tense.

The three left the village to give the sheepmen space to breathe. Rhea rode on Harvey's back, so they got back much quicker since she wasn't the one setting the pace.

Since they had salt this time, she got to cooking.

"How can you let Rhea cook! Rhea, let me do it." Harvey was appalled.

"No way, shoo. I'll call you both when dinner is ready." She chased them out of the cave directly.

"No way, she's actually cooking..."

Curtis let out a chuckle, laughing for the first time that day. "Harvey, I truly don't think you are good for Rhea... You will not be able to protect her if something happens, but I cannot deny, I feel more at peace having you with Rhea. I do not mind being the family's protector."

Harvey clenched his fists. The feral had hit his weak spot immediately. He was not strong.

"I want to be strong. Can you train me?"

"You might die if I train you," Curtis said curtly.

"I do not mind dying."

Curtis took in Harvey and decided he was not so bad. She could have chosen someone insufferable.

"Do you hear that?" Harvey suddenly said.

"Fighting, on my territory..." Curtis growled under his breath.

.

Close by, a beastman was fighting a blue-haired beastman.

"It's too strong!" A beastman with grey hair said, bloodied and struggling.

"You are too weak!" The blue-haired beastman said, laughing. It was a Feral, more specifically—a scorpion.

Its tail was out and ready to sting Miur if given the chance.

"So you're the crazy Feral fighting in my territory!" Curtis's voice drifted through the trees as he attacked the scorpion.

Harvey took Miur away from the battlefield. "Are you alright?" he asked, looking at Miur's bloodied cloak. "Were you stung by that scorpion?"

Miur coughed and spat out black blood.

"Curtis! He's poisoned! Kill that thing quick! Don't let it get away!" The only way to find an antidote was to use the animal's scales.

"Easy for you to say!" Curtis grumbled.

.

"Boys! Dinner is ready!" Rhea peeked out of the cave to look for them; there was no answer. "Where could they have gone?"

Then she heard Harvey's voice from quite far off, and... fighting?

"I literally turned my back on the two of them for one second and they are fighting?"

Her face darkened, and she walked to where the fight was taking place. She wanted to see if they dared fight in her presence.

A/N: I don't think I appreciate weak FMCs at all, unless I'm reading a horror novel. Because that is very scary.