Chapter 279: Little Ones.

Chapter 279: 279: Little Ones.

"I have a question..."

[And what is it, Host?]

"Can I see the tab for the affection levels of my mates?"

[Sure, Host.]

[Loading Mate Stats: Affection Levels...]

[Here it is, Host.]

[Wolf Husband: 95%]

[Red Dragon: 70%]

[Silver Snake: 80%]

[Fox: 95%]

[Wild Cat: 60%]

Ayra remained quiet for a while as she went through the stats. After a moment, the system inquired:

[Host, is there something you’d like to ask about these stats?]

"I was curious to know why the stats haven’t reached 100% yet." Ayra paused before continuing, "I mean, for the Dragon Lord and Silver Snake, we’ve already officially bonded as mates, have cubs together, and are on good terms and all..."

She frowned slightly. "So why aren’t their affection levels higher? Is there anything else that needs to be done?"

[Oh, good observation, Host!]

[And yes, there are other things that might need to be done.]

Ayra raised an eyebrow. "So they don’t like me enough to reach a hundred percent?" She was genuinely shocked by the thought.

[No, Host. They already love you very much.]

[But for wild beastmen with such tragic pasts and experiences, these levels represent the highest degree of trust and love they can currently offer you...]

Ayra blinked. "So it can’t go any higher than this?"

[It certainly can. It can even reach 99.9%.]

Ayra tilted her head. "So how does that happen?"

[Host has already scratched through their surfaces, gotten them to fall in love with Host, and had cubs with them, strengthening the bonds between you.]

[But to move beyond this, Host will have to scratch through their depths and heal their personal scars. Only then will Host be able to break through that barrier and reach 99.9% or even achieve a full 100% affection level.]

Ayra slowly nodded as she listened. It made sense.

She had fallen in love with them and grown closer to each of her mates, but she didn’t truly know their deepest scars and secrets. She guessed that helping them overcome those painful experiences would be what finally allowed their affection levels to reach the highest point.

"So, when do I do that...?" she asked curiously. She wanted to get closer to her mates and help them through whatever they were facing.

[When the time comes, the system will let Host know!]

Ayra blinked before nodding. "Oh, okay, then..." She sighed. As she sat there staring at the tabs, she heard someone walk into the room.

"Look who’s finally awake!"

Ayra turned to see Lord Vale and Lord Zark making their way into the room.

"We thought you’d sleep for another day or so," Zark said as they approached her bed.

Ayra smiled at them. "I guess I’ve slept enough."

"That’s good, because we brought the little ones for you." Lord Vale smiled as he turned towards the entrance.

They all watched as Commander Lynn and Nyx entered the room, each carrying one of the cubs in their arms. Lord Ash, Ally, and Zay followed behind them, making their way towards the bed where Ayra lay.

Ayra smiled broadly at the sight of the little ones. She gazed at the tiny, adorable cubs in their arms, her heart fluttering with affection.

"They’re so pretty... just like you," Commander Lynn said with a smile, his cheeks flushing slightly.

Lord Vale and Lord Ash exchanged glances, smiling and shaking their heads at his words.

"You can carry her..." Commander Lynn said as he handed Ayra the female cub.

The little girl was already in her human form, smiling and kicking happily as Ayra held her. Ayra smiled warmly, gently running her hand through the little girl’s fluffy hair and feeling her soft ears. The cub giggled happily, occasionally struggling to babble out a few words.

"She’s already so energetic," Ayra remarked with a smile.

"Yes, just like me!" Ally chimed in happily, her eyes fixed on the little girl.

Lord Ash shook his head with a smile. "Ally has been staring at the little girl ever since she arrived. I bet she’s happy to finally have a little sister."

Ally nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Of course I’m happy! I can’t wait to teach her everything!" she declared, making everyone laugh.

"Teach me too..." Zay said, turning towards Ally.

Ally smiled and patted his head. "Don’t worry. I’ll teach both of you together," she assured him.

Ayra smiled as she gently patted the little girl’s hair. "So cute... so tiny..." She then looked up at the other cub Nyx was holding.

The little black wolf pup was quiet in Nyx’s arms. He was awake but simply lay there, staring at everyone as though he were a philosopher pondering something important.

Ayra smiled mischievously. "I guess the little black wolf cub is comfortable with Nyx." She glanced at him teasingly. "This is your sign to become a father too."

Nyx instantly grew shy at her words. His cheeks flushed as he looked away without responding, prompting the others to laugh at him.

"Let me carry him..." Ayra requested.

Nyx carefully brought the little one over, allowing Ayra to hold him alongside the female cub.

The male cub remained in his beast form, sitting quietly in Ayra’s arms as he stared curiously up at her, as though he were trying to memorize her face for the future.

Ayra smiled and gently patted his head. "So cute..."

She stroked his soft fur, and the little pup let out a quiet groan before melting comfortably into her arms.

Ayra smiled again as she gazed at the two little ones she held. The female cub was clearly the more energetic of the pair, squirming and struggling to move around in Ayra’s arms while even attempting to climb up her hair.

Meanwhile, the little black male pup remained quiet, lying comfortably in Ayra’s arms as he relaxed against her warmth.

Ayra chuckled at the contrast between them. "I guess we have a playful little girl on our hands," she joked, holding the female cub securely to keep her from wriggling free.

But just then, the little black wolf cub lifted his head and stared up at Ayra. His tiny mouth moved as he slowly murmured a word.

"Mama..."

"..."

Silence fell over the room.

Everyone looked at one another before turning their gazes back to the little cub. They stared at him in disbelief, wondering if they had imagined what they’d just heard.

But then, it came again.

"Mama..."

This time, they heard it loud and clear.