The hut was quiet after the joy of Yunxi and Rayna becoming mates, but still Rayna's heart remained unsettled.
As her eyes moved around the hut, the weight of the day returned. Ezra's muscles still ached, the Village Chief still winced when she shifted, and Soren's breathing carried strain.
They all were carrying pain and were injured.
She sighed softly. I can't just sit here and watch them hurt.
Since her blood could hasten recovery, Rayna got to her feet.
"Guys... let me heal you too."
Ezra raised a hand gently. "Oh, it's alright, Rayna. We're not on the verge of death like Yunxi was. It'll take time, but we'll heal." He glanced at Soren and the village chief, who both gave small nods.
Rayna shook her head. "No. I want to heal you too. Why suffer when you can recover quickly? Please don't stop me."
Her gaze drifted to the other villagers outside. They were hurt too. She didn't want to play the saintess who swooped in to save everyone, but... this village was her home now. Many were expecting cubs, dreaming of joy and laughter, of starting new families. And after all the tears she had seen, she couldn't just ignore them.
"In fact..." she turned to the village chief, her voice steady. "I want to heal everyone in the village."
The chief's eyes widened, as did Soren's and Ezra's.
"Wait, Rayna—"
"No." Her voice was firmer this time. "Please. This is my home too."
The village chief studied her. "Are you really sure? You'll need to use your blood."
Rayna nodded. "Yes. It's not like I'm giving gallons. A drop for each would be enough, right?"
The chief hesitated, then gave a slow nod.
"Great, then." Rayna smiled faintly.
But Soren stepped forward. "Rayna, not like this. It's better to mix it with a concoction or herbal paste..."
Rayna nodded. "Fine."
Ezra turned to Yunxi. "Can you help make it?"
Yunxi gave a small nod. "I'll prepare it in my hut."
"But Rayna's blood... can it really heal everyone?" he asked quietly.
Rayna glanced at Yunxi, her expression softening. "Yunxi... I have a lot I want to say to you. But for now, let's go to your hut. We'll mix the herbs, make the concoction, and distribute it together. After that... we'll talk, alright?"
Yunxi met her eyes, then nodded. "Alright, Rayna."
The concoction was prepared.
Rayna first gave her blood to Soren and Ezra. Soren's bleeding arm sealed, the pain ebbing away, and the swelling on Ezra's face faded until his features returned to normal. Strength returned to both of them, steady and sure.
After that, the three of them worked together. Soren and Ezra gathered herbs and water, while Yunxi ground and mixed them into the paste. Rayna, careful and calm, added drops of her blood to the mixture.
By the time they finished, Rayna's hand was carefully bandaged by Yunxi. She stayed behind in the hut, resting, while Soren, Ezra, and Yunxi carried the prepared concoction across the village. From the injured hunters to the weeping mothers, even to the village chief herself—everyone received the healing.
It was decided quietly that the credit would go to the chief and Yunxi. The chief, for saving Yunxi without tending to her own first, and then Yunxi for preparing the concoction with his skills and knowledge. No one needed to know the intricate details. Together, they would be remembered as the ones who healed the entire village.
That night, they all gathered in Ezra's hut. His home was larger than the rest, warm enough to fit them all. Tomorrow, they would return to their haven by the riverside.
Dinner was simple, little more than roots and broth, but after the day's chaos it felt like a feast. When the bowls were empty, they sat together in a circle. The fire cracked softly between them. Rayna leaned back against Soren, his fingers absently combing through her hair, and let her gaze linger on Yunxi.
"Yunxi..." she began. Her voice was soft, hesitant. "I've been meaning to tell you something."
Yunxi blinked, curious. "Something?"
Rayna drew in a slow breath. "You saw what my blood did today. How it healed you all, how it healed the village."
Yunxi nodded.
Rayna's voice softened. "That's because... I'm not just any ordinary beast or reptile. I'm...a dragon."
Yunxi's eyes widened with awe. "A dragon? Really?"
Rayna gave a small nod. She shifted forward, turning her back to him as she loosened the edge of her dress.
"Rayna—what are you doing—?" Yunxi stammered, flustered.
Soren's calm voice cut in. "Look. She wants you to see the mark."
Yunxi's gaze fell upon the symbol etched into her skin. It wasn't just a mark—it pulsed faintly, alive with something ancient.
His lips parted in wonder. "I've never seen anything like this."
Ezra leaned closer, his tone thoughtful. "None of us have. Not even the village chief could explain it. All we knew was that it used to burn... used to hurt her. She'd wince in pain without warning. That's why we wanted to take her to the Beast City—to find answers, to stop the burning."
Rayna quietly fixed her dress again, facing them. "Yunxi, you were unconscious and injured at that time... but after you fell, something inside me snapped. Rage, fire, power—I don't know what to call it. It felt like something hot surged through me. When the scorpion and spider came at me, I just wanted them gone. And then..." She pressed her lips together, remembering. "I broke their bones without touching them. A red sphere of energy burst out of me. And after that—I lost control."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with memory. She killed them. Their blood stained on her hands.
Soren's voice interrupted her dark thoughts. "But Rayna... it's because of you that we were saved. This whole village is alive because of you." He looked at her with his sincere piercing golden eyes.
Yunxi nodded firmly. "You shouldn't feel guilty. You saved us. You saved everyone."
Rayna blinked, her throat tightening.
Ezra leaned back with a grin. "And I... I was so proud. That's my mate. My sunshine." His eyes glowed with quiet adoration.
Yunxi added. "Not to mention, you healed us all too. You're so awesome, Rayna."
Before she could respond, Yunxi suddenly wrapped his arms around her. "My strong and brave mate," he murmured into her shoulder.
Rayna stiffened in surprise, then melted into the hug, squeezing him tightly back.
Soren's eyes narrowed, though the corner of his mouth twitched. Ezra chuckled, wagging his brows. "Well, well. This shy panda is getting bolder."
Yunxi flushed crimson but—just this once—didn't pull away.
Soren's gaze darkened. "And what about that pathetic mantis?"
Ezra's grin widened, sharp as ever. "Oh, him? Don't worry. I wrung him out like a rag. Tortured him with a few of the other males until he spat out his plans." His eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "He admitted he was plotting for a long period of time since he attacked last time."
Rayna pulled back from Yunxi's hug, her brows furrowing. "Attacked last time? What do you mean?"
Soren nodded grimly. "You remember when we told you some half-beastmen had been lurking near the borders? Ezra and I caught the scorpions and the mantis was one of them. It was that mantis. We beat him half to death, but he managed to slip away."
Rayna's lips parted in shock. "And now... he came back?"
Ezra shrugged. "Yeah, and this time he wasn't the weakling we faced before. He's made himself their leader—stronger, faster, more ruthless. Planned everything down to the last detail."
He flashed a cocky grin, flicking his hair back. "Still, speed always wins. He was no match for me."
Soren rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath. "Always has to brag..."
"Don't blame me." Ezra grinned.
Rayna's brows knit as she thought back to the fight. Some of them ran away...
"Hm, what about those half-beastmen that escaped?" she asked softly, her gaze turning to Ezra.
Ezra's jaw tightened, his amber eyes flashing with determination. "I'll find out," he said firmly. "Most probably, they've crawled back to whatever hellish place they came from. Once that mantis spits out everything, I'll take a group and raid their nest. But I'll need help from the other villages too. If we unite, we might finally finish them off—once and for all."
Soren gave a sharp nod of approval, his arms crossing over his chest. Yunxi, quieter but equally serious, inclined his head in agreement.
Rayna hesitated for only a heartbeat before speaking. "Yeah... and if you need help, I can come too," she offered, her voice steady despite the weariness lingering in her body.
Ezra's eyes softened immediately, a slow smile spreading across his face. Soren's expression mirrored his—pride, amusement, and affection all mixed together. Both of them leaned a little closer to her, warmth in their gazes.
"Our mate is so strong and powerful," Ezra said with a teasing lilt.
Soren chuckled lowly. "But we don't want to tire you out, Rayna."
Their smiles, their words—it wasn't just teasing. It was protectiveness, admiration, and the unspoken promise that they'd stand beside her no matter what.
Both of them shifted closer until Rayna found herself caught between their warmth. Yunxi, quiet as always, edged nearer too, his gaze flickering between her and the floor as if debating whether he had the right.
Rayna lay in the center, tucked safely between them. Ezra stretched out on her right, his arm draped across her waist protectively, his forehead resting lightly against her hair. Soren settled on her left, one hand laced with hers, his body angled just enough to shield her from the cool night air. Yunxi, still shy, hesitated before curling up behind her, his arm sliding carefully around her middle until Rayna caught it and pulled him close with a smile.
Pressed together, they formed a warm cocoon — her heartbeat steadying as the three of them surrounded her with their warmth. Ezra's steady breathing, Soren's warm scent, and Yunxi's gentle presence lulled her into calm.
"Now let's go to sleep. You need some pampering," Soren murmured as he pressed a gentle kiss to Rayna's forehead.
Ezra brushed his lips over her shoulder, while Yunxi—shy but sweet—leaned in to softly peck her cheek. Rayna couldn't help but smile, warmth flooding her chest. Hehe... after all that storm, finally some peace. She was relieved, but also so very tired.
They all gathered near Ezra's bed. He patted the mattress with a grin. "Don't worry, the bed can fit all of us—and it's sturdy. Still, I wouldn't mind if you guys want to sleep in the next room," he teased, his amber eyes flicking toward Soren and Yunxi.
"Not at all," Soren said firmly, folding his arms.
Yunxi pouted, his expression softening into something almost childlike. "Yeah, I don't want to go to that room to sleep either."
Rayna laughed softly, caught between the three of them. "You guys are hopeless," she said, though her cheeks flushed at their closeness.
Ezra leaned in, smirking. "Hopeless for you."
Rayna giggled at the sight of them, shaking her head. "Come on, you three."
They settled into the bed together, finding comfort in closeness. Ezra lay on one side, strong arms curling protectively around Rayna's waist. Rayna nestled against his chest, her face resting just beneath his chin. On her other side, Soren stretched out, draping an arm around her shoulders so she was cocooned between them, safe and warm. Yunxi hesitated for a moment, then shyly slipped to the foot of the bed. He curled up near Rayna's legs, resting his head lightly against her calves as if anchoring himself to her presence.
With Rayna wrapped snugly between Ezra, Soren, and Yunxi, the four of them formed a tangled, comforting embrace. The exhaustion of the day finally gave way to peace as they drifted off together.
But outside the silence of that room, whispers had already begun to stir in the village. Whispers Rayna did not yet know would rise with the dawn...