Chapter 12

                                    

                                          
"It was pleasant to meet you," I stammer, choosing my words carefully.

My formerly confused and frightened eyes are now replaced by a cunning and skeptical look.

'It's not appropriate to reveal personal information to someone I just met. Who does he think he is? His attitude is infuriating. Why not give him a hard time?'

"I'm sorry, but my kind and clan are confidential for now," I reply, my voice composed but firm. I weigh the words carefully, considering if they're the right choice.

"How about we strike a deal?"

"A deal?"

The man sneers, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. His intense gaze sends a shiver down my spine, but I steel myself, refusing to show weakness. I have valuable knowledge and skills that could benefit him and his tribe, even though we've just met.

He scrutinizes me, curious about my origins and hesitant about my offer. "Not every day we come across a small-sized female like you," he remarks, acknowledging the rarity of my presence. I nod, aware of the challenges that come with it.

As I face this enigmatic man, I can't help but feel the weight of my situation. The books I've read back on Earth unexpectedly become crucial to my survival in this world of talking panthers and beastmen.

"I appreciate your help, but my clan's details are private for now," I explain cautiously, aware of the need to protect myself in this unfamiliar world. "I have my reasons, and I hope you can understand."

He seems torn between curiosity and frustration, determined to unravel the mystery surrounding me. I try to be honest without revealing too much, explaining that my clan was attacked, and I had to survive on my own.

His approach becomes more invasive, and he pins me down, leaving me feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable. My heart races as I try to regain control of the situation.

Ignoring the rush of emotions inside him, he struggles to focus on more important matters. He doesn't shift back into his panther form but remains uncomfortably close.

The heat radiating from his body makes me feel trapped. Every part of me wants to break free, but I know resisting his strength would be futile.

Suddenly, he lifts my shirt, exposing my belly button and bra. I feel a rush of embarrassment and anger at this intrusion into my privacy.

My attire, perfectly ordinary in my world, must have appeared peculiar to him. His intense gaze continues to study me, and I flinch as he closely examines my body.

The vulnerability of the situation makes me uneasy, but I also sense he seeks something beyond physical traits.

"Enough," I say firmly, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and determination.

"Stop this."

He appears taken aback by my assertiveness, and for a moment, I fear he might resist. However, to my relief, he releases his hold on me and steps back, allowing me to sit up.

Swiftly, I adjust my shirt, attempting to regain my composure.

"What was that all about?" I demand, my voice tinged with anger.

"You can't just invade someone's personal space like that."

He looks at me, his expression unreadable, and then speaks apologetically, "I apologize. It's just that... Females usually have mating marks, and I was trying to confirm."

I understand his explanation, but it doesn't excuse his actions. "Well, you can't go around checking people like that," I retort, still trying to catch my breath. "It's not acceptable."

He seemed to take my words to heart, his features softening with remorse. "I'm sorry," he repeated, more sincerely this time. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Just... please respect my boundaries," I say firmly. "I've already agreed to go with you to your tribe. That should be enough for now."

"You don't have any mating marks," he observes, hesitating. "Are you unmated? Or are they just hidden?"

The question catches me off guard, and I blush slightly at the directness of his inquiry. I know about mating marks from the novels I've read, and I'm aware that it's a common topic of discussion for unmated individuals, even if he is a talking panther-turned-beastman.

"That's... personal," I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. I don't think it's wise to reveal such information now.

After all, I'm unsure if this world is the same as the stories I've read or if there are other realms that I've never known of.

"And not something I'm ready to discuss with you."