Seeing that Theo and Kiro weren't back, Serena headed back over to the campfire where lunch was being prepared. She planned to see what they were making only for Trix and Rebecca to pull her over to the side.
"There you are Serena!" Rebecca exclaimed excitedly, grabbing hold of Serena's right arm. "You disappeared so suddenly when we got back without even a word. Where did you sneak off to?"
Serena's body stiffened at suddenly being grabbed. She was taken aback by the other beastwoman's actions and had to stop herself from grabbing Rebecca by reflex. Thankfully, Trix and Rebecca didn't notice her tension.
With a deep breath to calm herself, Serena replied, "I went to find Kiro."
"Oh right!" Trix mused, grabbing her left arm and pulling Serena to a nearby log with Rebecca so the three beastwomen could sit down. "You left Kiro with those beastmen. Is he okay?"
"He's fine." Serena answered vaguely, wondering what they were up to. "Went to have a bath with Theo before lunch."
They were acting much more friendlier than when they first began traveling together. Was it because they chatted a lot at the river? Serena was mostly doing it to gain more knowledge about this world.
But perhaps they mistook it as a sign that I was interested in friendship. Serena mused to herself. Should I make things clear?
Things would be better if she made a clear line between them, making sure they understood she wasn't interested in any type of friendship. Or relationship for that matter.
"Is Theo the name of that tiger beastman you like?" Rebecca suddenly asked before Serena could figure out a way to draw the line. "He must really like you if he's helping with Kiro."
Trix nodded her head in agreement. "Hmm. It's so good that you found a sweet male like that. Most don't like being around others' cubs unless it's necessary or their mate requested it."
"Theo is his name." Serena confirmed before she added curtly, "Now I should be off. Please don't bother with me again. I think it would be best if we stay acquaintances."
Serena got up as she spoke those harsh words, turning away from the hurt look Rebecca was giving her. She knew that they probably thought she was using them, but it was better than way.
She had always planned to keep her distance from others anyway. It was the one thing she was good at - destroying friendships before they began.
"How-" Rebecca started, when Trix suddenly grabbed her arm, causing her to stop.
Trix then said with a sad smile, "Alright we won't stop you from doing what you need to do."
Serena gave them a small nod, thankful they understood her clear line. She then headed off to the other side of the campfire to complete what she originally planned to do.
When she was gone from sight, Rebecca pulled away from Trix and muttered, "Why did you just let her leave like that?! Didn't you say we should try being friends with her? That we Tribe Beastwomen need to stick together in the city. Why did you pull back so suddenly?"
"Did you not see what she was doing?" Trix sighed. "She's clearly scared to let us in. Matthew and her family's deaths really hurt her if she's putting her guard up this high. It's best not to push it. Otherwise, Serena will close off before we get the chance to get closer."
Rebecca huffed, "I get she's upset about losing her mate and family, but she wasn't the only one that lost someone dear to them. You lost your mates too."
"Which is exactly why I understand how she's feeling." Trix muttered, flicking Rebecca's forehead. "So don't push too much, okay."
"Fine…" Rebecca winced, holding her forehead where Trix had flicked her. She was quiet for a moment before she murmured, "I do hope you're right about this though…"
Trix silently hoped so too. She knew how easy it was to push everyone away when you lost everything. The pain of having your heart torn out made you fear letting another into your heart.
It had been like that when Trix lost her cubs to the cold season five years ago. There wasn't enough food and they were too weak to survive the harsh weather.
Trix lost the will to live when they died and if it hadn't been for some of the older beastwomen helping her out, Trix would've given up on everything. Losing her loved ones still hurt even now, but she had learnt to endure it.
So, when she saw Serena withdrawing the same way she had, Trix couldn't help but want to reach out the same way others had for her. Especially when she learnt Old Mary was selling her to the Forest City, splitting up the siblings.
Trix had seen how Serena was using Kiro as her reason to continue living and while it did help, she also knew it was dangerous. Because if that was her only reason, Serena would become lost when Kiro moved on as an adult.
She wanted to show Serena how precious bonds were that it made the possible pain worth it all. And when she had seen Serena getting closer to that tiger beastman, it had made her even more determined.
Especially because they were being sent off to live in another place. Trix wanted to protect the two younger beastwomen, knowing that the city was much more dangerous than the tribe.
Because while they would compete with each other for male beastmen and resources, at least in the tribe, they were mostly still there for each other. A few caused trouble, but most were good hearted.
But the city was different.
Beastwomen there were much more sinister and would definitely see the three of them as a problem. She had heard plenty of things they had done to each other.
Even had seen it once many moons ago.
So it was better if they stuck together to keep the trouble at bay. Trix sighed. She had to be slow and steady with this. Pushing Serena would only cause more trouble.