Despite living in the beast world for eighteen years, Sera remained modern. Her thoughts, her values, her quiet defiance of tribal norms. She taught the young ones to read, introduced new farming methods, and even helped Avie restructure food distribution. Her brilliance didn't just help the tribe. Everyone was charmed.
And Lukas was no exception.
He had watched her grow from a clever girl into a strong woman. Many had tried to court her, but she turned them all away. She was too young then, and too focused on her goals to entertain romance. Lukas took comfort in that. It meant no one owns her. It meant she could be his.
But when word spread that Sera had returned from her journey with a man, a tiger beast man. Lukas felt the ground shift beneath him.
Their exchange had been brief, but Aiden's tone was sharp, his gaze unwavering. Lukas had mocked him, expecting submission. Instead, he received quiet defiance. That alone was enough to ignite Lukas's fury.
He would never accept Aiden into the tribe. Not as a warrior. Not as Sera's companion. Not as anything.
So, during the night, Lukas summoned the council.
The council has five members. Each are respected and each are assigned to different roles. Avie is the only female Leopard in the council. Avie manages the food and oversees the distribution of resources to each families. Kanny, is a middle aged beast man, he handles homes, buildings and all creation of infrastructures in the tribe. Kanny also ensures cleanliness to prevent diseases. Levi and Bruno are twins, they are in their young adult phase and considered to be the tribes strongest fighters. They keep the tribe at peace and mediates conflicts. If anyone want's to challenge the chiefs decision, they must face the two first. Lastly, Devon, the oldest in the council. Devon writes the laws and enforces them. Even, Lukas cannot break the written laws of the tribe. Lukas stood before them.
"We should think of another way to test him." Lukas started, "That tiger beast man. He is obviously strong and it's pointless to let him fight."
Avie see's no problems with Aiden joining them. In fact, she thinks it would benefit the tribe. "Didn't he offer to help us fend those hyenas?" Avie asked.
Kanny nodded. "He seems decent as well. You know, he could've thrown a fit of rage earlier."
Lukas looked at them coldly. "You forgot what he is. Tigers are selfish! We cannot coexist!"
Devon, the oldest and one who can also influence Lukas decisions, remained silent for a moment. He find it odd that Lukas is acting in his emotions. Devon thought that Lukas would agree and encourage him to write a treaty to collaborate with the Tiger clan, but no, He was surprised that Lukas seems eager to kick the Tiger beast man out.
"If you don't want him to fight then we can just give him other tests that would test his loyalty." It was Levi who spoke. Levi and Bruno oftentimes don't want to be actually involved in any politics. They were tired of fighting and they hate council meetings.
Lukas was silent for a moment. Then as if he thought something brilliant, he smiled. "Yes, it doesn't have to be bloody."
---
Three days later
The day has come for the test. Aiden was escorted to the coliseum. Aiden carefully observed the coliseum. It was well crafted, made from concrete and not just clay. The way it was designed was immaculate and fully supported the entire building. There was no doubt that it would not easily fall apart. As he entered, there was about a hundred beast men watching him. He was expecting that his test would be simple a fight. Aiden was confident in his strength.
Lukas stood above the coliseum behind him we're five beast men clad in a robe that Aiden assumes has respectful significance.
"State your name," Lukas demanded.
Aiden stiffened. The urge to snarl rose in his throat, but he swallowed it. As a Tiger beast man, bowing to a Leopard grated against every instinct. His pride throbbed like a fresh wound.
He clenched his jaw. Once I find out who's behind their sudden rise, I'll drag that person back to Tiger City myself.
"Aiden," he said curtly.
Lukas's smile was cold, almost amused.
"To test your loyalty, and to see if you're truly worthy, you'll face three trials."
Aiden blinked. Three? He'd been told it would be a fight. A straightforward challenge. Not this.
"Three tests? That's not what you said before."
Lukas's smirk deepened. "What's wrong? Afraid you can't handle it? Then you don't deserve to join our tribe." He leaned in slightly. "If we let you fight, you'd win too easily. Where's the challenge in that?"
Aiden's fists curled at his sides. He couldn't do anything but agree to Lukas decisions.
"Fine," he growled. "What are these tests?"
Lukas's eyes gleamed with quiet confidence. He clearly expects Aiden to fail.
"First, a test of loyalty." He gestured, and a bag was placed in Aiden's hands. "You'll sow these seeds. The food you harvest will be given to the tribe. We're facing a shortage, and this will show whether you're willing to serve before you join us."
Aiden stared at the bag. Something felt off. He couldn't pinpoint it, but his instincts screamed sabotage.
"Why farming?" he asked, narrowing his eyes. "Leopards are carnivores. You won't eat this."
He'd heard of beast men adapting to plant-based food, especially in lean seasons. Still, he needed to understand the trap.
Lukas shrugged, smug. "They're potatoes. Starchy, filling. We've adapted." Then, with a mocking tilt of his head he asked "Your city doesn't have these?"
Aiden lifted his chin. "Unfortunately not. Tiger City is so vast and wealthy, we've never needed alternatives to meat."
It was a lie. Winter hit them hard. But he wouldn't give Lukas the satisfaction of knowing that.
"Then I'll plant my own seeds," Aiden said, voice firm. He refused to play into Lukas's trap. If this is a test of loyalty, then let it be on my terms.
"I know where to find better ones, deep in the jungle, or hidden in the forest. I'll gather them myself."
Lukas's gaze turned icy. "That won't be allowed." His tone was final, clipped. "You'll use the seeds we provided. No substitutions. No exceptions. We can't risk cheating."
Aiden's jaw tightened. Cheating? The irony stung. He could already feel it, these seeds felt wrong. Dead. Sabotaged.
They won't grow, he thought grimly. And Lukas knows it.
From afar, Sera had been watching their little interaction. She felt a bit guilty. Two days ago, Lukas had come to her with a request, seeds that had been stored too long, out of season, and long deemed useless. They were typically ground into feed for birds. No one even knew what kind of crop they'd once been.
And now, he was handing them to Aiden.
Sera's fingers curled at her sides. He's sabotaging him. She knew it with certainty. Lukas didn't care if the seeds grew, he only cared about making Aiden fail. And she was the only one who knew the truth.
She glanced at Lukas. His expression was unreadable, but his posture radiated control. Cold. Calculated.
I can't let this happen, she thought. Raised to value fairness and integrity, Sera couldn't stand by and watch someone be set up to fail.
She stood up from her seat, ready to speak.
But Lukas cut her off.
"You'll begin planting immediately," he said, loud enough for her to hear. "Once the crop grows, you'll return for the second and third tests."
His timing was deliberate. He knew she was about to interfere and he wasn't going to let her.