Chapter 189: The King’s Coronation And Maren’s Mark!

Neve had barely dragged himself out of sleep when Popi bounced into the cave, practically vibrating with energy.

He was still drowsy, his eyes half closed as he tried to sit up. His body felt heavy from sleep. He wished he had slept more. His whole body ached after everything that had happened yesterday.

"Wake up! Wake up!" Popi yelled, practically bouncing into the cave. "You won’t believe what happened at the competition!"

"What happened?" Neve mumbled, his voice gravelly and thick with sleep. He scrubbed a palm over his face, squinting against the dim light filtering through the cave mouth.

Popi started talking fast, describing everything that had happened at the snake beastmen competition. Neve tried to listen but his brain was still foggy from sleeping.

"Popi... just give me a minute," Neve yawned, his jaw almost cracking from the effort.

Taking in his pale, exhausted face, Popi instantly softened. She darted over to the stone storage ledge and pulled out a armful of fresh fruit—ripe mangoes, tart guavas, and sticky passion fruits. She set them down right beside his lap.

"Here, eat these while I make you some roasted meat," Popi said, handing him the fruits.

"Thanks, Popi," Neve murmured, picking up a slice of mango and taking a sweet, messy bite. The natural sugar helped clear a little bit of the brain fog.

Popi moved to the fire pit and started preparing the meat. She seasoned it with salt and some herbs, letting it roast slowly over the flames. The smell filled the cave quickly.

"So anyway," Popi continued, flipping a piece of meat. "The trials were crazy. Different beastmen had to show their strength and intelligence and leadership skills. There was one of them who was really impressive. He beat everyone in combat. He won the trial of strength and the trial of strategy."

"Who won?" Neve asked between bites of mango.

"That’s the crazy part!" Popi smiled, turning back to him. "He wasn’t even from one of the elite noble bloodlines. Just a random warrior. But he was so strong and fair that Varek officially crowned him as the new king right on the spot. Even Varek admitted he was the best man for the job."

"That’s good," Neve said, nodding. At least Varek had made a fair choice.

Before Popi could reply, heavy footsteps sounded at the entrance. Skarr strolled into the cave with Cael following right at his heel.

"Hey," Skarr said casually, walking over to the fire where Popi was cooking.

"We need to finalize our travel plans for tomorrow," Cael said, his sharp eyes instantly finding Neve to check on him.

"Right," Popi chimed in, adjusting the meat. "We were planning on an early morning departure, but Neve wants to check on Maren’s mother one last time. So we shifted it to the evening instead. We’ll head out once the sun starts setting."

Neve nodded, his mouth full of mango.

"That works for me," Skarr said smoothly. "Gives everyone enough time to get ready."

"Speaking of leaving," Neve said, swallowing and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He looked up at the reptilian beastman. "Skarr, can you actually use Zyreth’s teleportation ability? It’d save us from having to trek through all that deep snow and sand on foot."

Skarr smirked at the question.

"Let me try it," he said simply.

Before anyone could respond, Skarr suddenly disappeared from where he was standing.

Neve shrieked and almost fell off the stone chair he was sitting on. But Skarr appeared right next to him, catching him before he could crash to the ground.

"See, I’m able to use it," Skarr chuckled, setting Neve back upright on his seat.

Neve clutched his chest, clutching his stomach with his other hand as his heart hammered against his ribs. He glared up at him. "Nice presentation," he said sarcastically.

Cael clapped his hands together loudly.

"That’s amazing! That’ll make traveling so much faster," Cael said. "Listen, I need to go inform Aldric and Sable that we’re leaving tomorrow evening. We need to gather some things from the outcast territory since it’s still snowing back in our homeland. There are skins that could replace warm clothes and blankets for the journey."

Cael stepped closer to where Neve sat. Leaning down, he pressed a slow, tender kiss against Neve’s lips, his warmth seeping into him.

Neve felt the system ding in his head.

[Bond Point: 10]

"Get some rest," Cael said, pulling away. "I’ll see you in the morning before we leave."

Cael turned and walked out of the cave to find Aldric and the others.

Skarr stretched his long arms over his head, leaning against a stone pillar. "Just so you know, I’m only dropping you guys off in the leopard territory. It’s way too cold for me up there during winter, so I’ll be crashing here in the outcast territory until spring rolls around. I’ll pop in to visit regularly, though."

"That sounds fair," Neve said, nodding.

Skarr gave a brief nod of farewell and slipped out into the fading light to take care of his own preparations.

Popi finished roasting the meat and brought it to Neve on a stone plate. The meat was perfectly cooked, still steaming hot.

"Here, eat this while it’s hot," Popi said, handing it to him.

"Thanks, Popi," Neve said, taking the plate.

Just as Neve took his first bite, that was when Maren walked into the cave.

He was still dripping wet from the water, his shark form having just shifted back to his beastman form. His blue hair was wet and clinging to his face.

Popi cleared her throat softly, taking one look between the two of them and immediately standing up.

"I’ll go prepare some things with Varek," she said quickly, understanding that Neve and Maren probably wanted some privacy. "See you later, Neve!"

She slipped past Maren before Neve could even utter a word of protest, leaving the two of them alone in the quiet warmth of the cave.

Now it was just Neve and Maren.

Neve continued eating his meat as Maren walked closer to him.

"My mother is doing well," Maren said, sitting down across from Neve. "She’s already asking about you. She wanted to thank you again."

"I’ll treat her one more time in the morning," Neve said between bites. "After that, we’re leaving in the evening. Vaelthorn relieved us of the punishment, so your tribe is free now. I’ll announce it to everyone in the morning after I treat your mother."

Maren nodded, understanding the plan.

Finishing the last strip of savory meat, Neve set the stone plate aside and looked directly at Maren.

"You should just go ahead and mark me now," Neve said bluntly. "That’s the main reason you came over here anyway. We don’t need to do any of the romantic stuff or kiss, since you’re not actually into guys. The mark is all that really matters for the bond."

Maren smirked at that statement.

"What if that’s what I want to do?" Maren asked, his voice lower and more intense.

Neve laughed and shook his head.

"These people aren’t controlled like you are," Neve said. "The system can’t force you to fall in love with me since you are truly an earthling. You have free will. You’re not bound by the system’s programming like the other beastmen."

Maren smirked as he took Neve’s hand. It was covered with bond marks. Different marks on his arm from Cael and Aldric. Even his neck showed the dragon mark from Vaelthorn.

He let go of Neve’s hand and went down on his knees in front of Neve.

Maren took Neve’s knee gently. He dragged his nose across Neve’s skin, sniffing it like he was memorizing the scent.

"Perfect," he said softly.

"Maren..." Neve called his name, his voice uncertain.

Relax. I already asked the elders how the marking works," Maren whispered. "I know what I’m doing."

Sinking his teeth into Neve’s leg, Maren bit down firmly. It was not painful like Neve feared. It was intimate and claiming.

Neve threw his head back as he felt it. The same sensation he had felt with Aldric. A light blue bond mark appeared around Neve’s ankle. And another matching mark appeared around Maren’s ankle.

They were now officially connected. Officially bonded.

Maren pulled away, looking at the matching marks on both their ankles.

"So, this is what it feels like," he said quietly.

Neve nodded, trying to answer before he dozed off. His body was so tired from everything that had happened.

Maren leaned forward and held Neve, catching him before he could fall over on the mat.

"Goodnight, Neve. See you tomorrow," Maren said softly.

Neve collapsed on Maren’s body, his eyes closing immediately.

Maren helped him lay down on the mat properly, making sure he was comfortable. He rubbed his thumb gently across Neve’s lips while the red panda slept.

"Goodnight, Neve," Maren said again.

He leaned down and planted his lips on Neve’s forehead. Then on his cheek. Soft kisses filled with emotion and affection.

He suddenly pulled back, his cheeks flushed red.

"Oh Maren... Pull it together," he muttered to himself under his breath, thoroughly flustered as he turned and quickly walked out into the cool night air.