Chapter 64 - 064: First flame

64 The celebration had barely reached its most important stage when Anaria and her three mates stood before the main den.

Villagers gathered around the area, watching as the final part of the First Den ceremony began. The den had been beautifully decorated with leaves, flowers, woven vines, animal furs, dried grasses, carved wooden ornaments, colorful stones, and scented herbs. Everything had been arranged with meaning, creating a place meant to bless Anaria, her mates, and the child she carried.

The first phase of the custom was completed with all four of them together.

From outside, the villagers cheered and threw flowers and other traditional items around the den while offering their blessings. Anaria couldn’t help smiling as she watched them.

She had never experienced anything like this before.

For once, she wasn’t thinking about the system, the strange world she had found herself in, or all the responsibilities that came with it. She was simply enjoying the moment.

When the first phase ended, Kenai, Rylan, and Kai were instructed to leave the den.

Rylan hesitated. "You’re sure you’ll be fine?"

Anaria smiled. "I’m not going to disappear."

Kenai gave her a doubtful look, but eventually stepped back.

"We’ll be right outside."

"I know."

One after another, her mates left, leaving her alone to complete the remaining part of the custom.

Anaria carefully lowered herself onto the ground. Her stomach had become heavy enough that even sitting required effort, but she eventually found a comfortable position and relaxed.

For a while, everything remained peaceful.

Then she smelled something strange.

Smoke.

Anaria frowned.

Maybe it was coming from the kitchen. There had been plenty of food prepared for the celebration, so she didn’t think much of it.

But a few minutes later, the smell became stronger.

She opened her eyes.

Another wave of smoke drifted into the den.

Anaria coughed.

This wasn’t normal.

Outside, the villagers were beginning to notice it too.

"What is that?"

"Is something burning?"

Kenai turned toward the den, his expression changing immediately.

"Rylan."

"I smell it."

Kai looked toward the back of the structure.

Smoke was rising behind the den.

Something was wrong.

Suddenly, flames appeared.

Someone at the back of the crowd shouted, "FIRE!"

Panic spread instantly.

"Move away from the den!"

"Alert everyone!"

Kenai, Rylan, and Kai rushed toward the entrance.

"Get Anaria out!"

Kenai grabbed the door and pulled.

Nothing happened.

His brows furrowed as he tried again.

"It won’t open."

Rylan joined him. "Move."

They pulled together, but the door barely moved.

It was strangely tight, almost as though something had been done to keep it shut.

Kenai’s heart sank.

"This shouldn’t be happening."

"Break it!"

Inside, Anaria was struggling to breathe.

Smoke had filled the den, making her eyes burn and tears run down her face. She pushed herself up, but her legs were weak.

She looked toward the door.

Then she hesitated.

The custom wasn’t finished.

What if leaving halfway brought bad luck to her child?

She tried to convince herself that the fire would be put out soon.

But the smoke only grew thicker.

Anaria coughed violently.

No.

She couldn’t stay.

She turned toward the back and saw the flames had grown dangerously large.

Panic finally settled in her chest.

She dropped to her knees and crawled toward the door, trying desperately to breathe.

Her vision blurred.

Then, through the smoke, she saw someone.

A female figure stood nearby.

Anaria blinked.

She couldn’t make out the woman’s face, only her black hair and female clothing.

But she could see one thing clearly.

The woman was smiling.

Who was she?

Before Anaria could figure it out, her vision blurred again.

The system suddenly chimed.

<Host.>

Anaria coughed. "What?"

"Give it to me!"

The pill appeared immediately.

Anaria swallowed it without hesitation.

Within moments, her breathing became slightly easier.

She continued crawling toward the door.

Outside, Kenai and Rylan were still struggling with it.

"Again!"

They pulled with all their strength.

Nothing.

Kenai’s expression hardened.

"Someone trapped her inside."

Rylan’s eyes darkened.

The two men transformed into their beast forms and slammed into the door together.

Crack!

The wood finally gave way.

Kenai rushed inside.

"Anaria!"

He found her lying near the entrance and immediately lifted her into his arms.

"Get her outside!" Rylan shouted.

Kai moved with them as they carried her away from the burning den.

"Everyone move back!" Kenai ordered. "Give her space!"

The villagers quickly stepped aside.

Kai looked at Anaria.

"I’m getting the herbalist."

He transformed into his dragon form and flew toward the area where the herbalist was treating injured beast people.

The moment he arrived, the herbalist climbed onto his back, and Kai brought her back as quickly as possible.

She hurried to Anaria.

"Give me room."

Everyone stepped aside.

The herbalist checked Anaria’s breathing and pulse before placing a hand against her stomach.

The three mates waited anxiously.

Finally, she looked up.

"She is safe."

Kenai’s tense expression eased slightly.

"And the baby?"

"Safe too."

Relief washed over them.

The herbalist shook her head in amazement.

"The Beast God must be protecting her. With the amount of smoke she inhaled, this could have been much worse."

The villagers murmured among themselves, relieved that both mother and child had survived.

But Kenai’s relief quickly turned into anger.

Someone had caused this.

He turned toward the servants responsible for preparing the den.

"Who prepared it?"

Several servants stepped forward.

"Did anyone notice anything unusual?"

They all shook their heads.

"No, Leader."

"We don’t know anything."

Before Kenai could question them further, the guards appeared, dragging someone with them.

Kenai immediately recognized her.

"Suzzy?"

One of the guards bowed.

"We caught her trying to escape through the back door."

Kenai stared at the bunny servant.

"Why were you running?"

Suzzy said nothing.

Kai returned from checking on Anaria.

"The herbalist says she’s safe."

Suzzy suddenly laughed.

"She has a strong will to live. I knew a common fire wouldn’t be enough to kill her."

Silence fell.

Kenai’s expression hardened.

"What did you just say?"

Suzzy looked directly at him.

"I knew she wouldn’t die that easily."

"You knew?"

She laughed bitterly.

"What does it matter?"

Kenai stepped closer.

"Answer me."

Years of resentment finally spilled from her.

"We grew up together, Kenai. We were together for years. Why didn’t you ever choose me?"

Kenai stared at her.

"You were my friend."

"Exactly!" she snapped. "Your friend."

Her eyes shifted toward Anaria.

"Then she appears, someone who barely knew you, and suddenly she’s your female. She’s carrying your child while everyone treats her like she’s the most important woman here."

Kenai’s anger deepened.

"You were never promised to me."

"You never even looked at me as a woman!"

"And that gives you the right to threaten Anaria?"

Suzzy’s face twisted.

"Maybe you ignored me because I was only a servant. Maybe if I had her position, you would have looked at me differently."

Kenai’s voice hardened.

"What did Anaria ever do to you?"

Suzzy remained silent.

"What did she do to deserve this?"

Finally, Suzzy pushed against the guards holding her.

"I wanted her gone."

The words stunned everyone.

"I started the fire. I hoped it would kill her."

Kenai’s fists clenched.

"And if she wasn’t protected?"

Suzzy looked at him.

"I would have tried again."

Rylan and Kai stepped forward, furious, but neither struck her.

Kenai wasn’t as restrained.

Smack!

The slap sent Suzzy’s face to the side.

"Lock her away," he ordered the guards. "Make sure she cannot escape."

He looked at Suzzy coldly.

"I’ll deal with you later. And Anaria will have a say in your punishment."

The guards dragged Suzzy away.

Kenai then turned to the villagers.

"Everyone, go home."

The villagers remained quiet.

"I apologize. You came here to celebrate, and instead you witnessed this. Please return home. The celebration is over."

Slowly, the crowd dispersed, followed by the servants.

Once the area became quiet, Kenai looked at his mates.

"I should have noticed."

Rylan shook his head. "We didn’t know how far her resentment had gone."

"But she nearly killed Anaria," Kai said quietly. "She needs to be punished properly."

Kenai nodded.

"She will be."

His gaze moved toward Anaria.

"And I’ll make sure nothing like this happens again."

Later, Anaria lay sleeping, exhausted from the smoke.

Kenai knelt beside her, his hand resting near hers.

"I’m sorry," he whispered. "I should have protected you."

Rylan and Kai remained nearby.

The herbalist returned one final time and checked Anaria again.

"She is only sleeping. The smoke exhausted her, but she will recover."

She gave them instructions about Anaria’s food and medicine before leaving.

The three mates stayed beside her in silence.

The celebration that had begun with laughter and blessings had ended in fire.

But as Kenai watched Anaria sleeping peacefully, one thing was certain.

None of them would allow anyone to put her or their child in danger like that again.