Wanderlust Beastkin, Beauty and the Beastkin

Perla’s Perspective

"It’s unimaginable for anyone to endure such a traumatic experience, especially at such a tender age. You bear no blame for what happened; the responsibility lies with your parents. They were meant to safeguard and nurture you, this was their failure."

He looked at me, his eyes wide and his mouth slightly open, and in that moment, I no longer saw him as a spider beastkin, but rather as a man who had been deeply wounded.

"You’re...a rather unusual female," he said in a slightly gravelly tone.

I smiled at him. "I get that a lot.

"Hmm. Let me prepare this prey for you and then we can eat. You’re an omnivore, I believe you said. I already ate, so I have no need to partake but you can eat all you want and I can dry the leftover meat so you can eat it later if you so desire. I’ve decided to not leave my lair again for some time." He pulled off a sack that had been hidden behind his back and held it out towards me. "For you."

I hesitated before grabbing the brown sack, my imagination running wild with the thought of discovering a severed head inside. But I pushed those thoughts aside and opened the pull-string bag, revealing a delightful mix of wild vegetables and fruits. There were carrots, string beans, potatoes, leeks, and some vibrant leafy greens. The sight of those fresh veggies nearly brought me to tears. I picked up a hefty string bean and took a bite, savoring its crisp, sun-kissed flavor—it was as long as my forearm and utterly delicious. A soft moan escaped my lips as I enjoyed it, and when I glanced up, I caught a glimpse of a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks.

I coughed, almost choking as I noticed the embarrassed look on his face, which somehow made him appear more like an attractive young man than the terrifying monster I knew him to be. I blinked a few times and took a deep breath, reminding myself that he was still a monster. Don’t forget that! He kidnapped me and trapped me in this webbed dome—he’s definitely a monster. I refuse to let this turn into a Stockholm syndrome scenario. If he were a decent person, he wouldn’t have abducted me or tried to force me into having his eggs through violence. Sure, he hasn’t done anything yet, but he would have if I hadn’t convinced him to hold off. Plus, he already knew about the males I had and poisoned them because they were a threat. He’s not a good guy. Not a good guy at all!

It’s truly unfortunate what he experienced right after his birth; such events can leave lasting scars on anyone. And it’s heartbreaking that his sister lost her life, although I can’t help but wish she hadn’t pursued me so fervently when I first arrived. It genuinely terrified me! I was already trying to escape, and her relentless chase only added to my fear.

"I’ll get the meat ready for you now," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty, as if he were seeking confirmation. Unsure of how to reply, I simply smiled softly and nodded.

I watched him as he walked under the dome’s ceiling opening, then pulled out two small black stones from his bag, along with a handful of twigs. The bag appeared far too small to hold everything he had tucked away, and I couldn’t help but furrow my brow at the sight.

"Have you never seen a space bag before?"

"I haven’t"

"Hmm..." He looked at me as if he was seeing something in my eyes that I hadn’t intended to show him and then he gave me a small smile that was oddly different from the ones he’s given me before. Softer somehow.

He built a roaring bonfire and approached the bear, and in an instant, his hand transformed, sprouting long, menacing black claws that curved sharply, turning his fingers into lethal points rather than mere nails. With a delicate touch, as if he were caressing the bear, he pressed those dark talons into its fur, slicing through the massive creature’s flesh as effortlessly as cutting through warm butter. The insides spilled out in a gruesome display.

I found myself swallowing hard, my stomach churning with discomfort as the scent enveloped me. The aroma of raw meat usually made me queasy, but this was something far more intense—fresh carnage. How could he possess such strength?

I turned my gaze away, yet the chilling sound of flesh being sliced lingered in my ears, prompting me to cover them and shut my eyes tight. Moments later, a soft touch brushed against my arm, jolting me into awareness as I opened my eyes wide. Before me stood a man whose beauty eclipsed anyone I had ever encountered in my previous life. His silver hair flowed like liquid metal, and his eyes, a mesmerizing blend of gray, held depths that seemed both beautiful and sorrowful.

Those eyes radiated a profound loneliness, a feeling I recognized all too well. It was the ache of rejection, the sting of hatred, the haunting sense of never truly belonging, of being misunderstood. I was painfully familiar with that emotion, perhaps more than I cared to admit, and there it was, mirrored in his gaze.

We locked eyes for what felt like either a fleeting moment or an eternity—I couldn’t quite discern. Then, just as I had, his eyes widened in realization, reflecting the same pain and solitude that resonated within me.

"You...just who are you...really?"

"Who really is anyone? Aren’t we all in a constant state of self-discovery?" I mused.

A playful smirk danced on his flawless lips, and as the firelight flickered, his hair shimmered like spun silver. He tilted his head just enough for his long, lustrous locks to part, revealing pointed ears reminiscent of an elf’s. In that moment, he transformed before my eyes into an elven prince, his complexion flawless and his hair radiant. My heart raced, and warmth crept into my cheeks. What is happening to me? He’s not an elf, Perla! Not even close! He! Is! Not! An! Elf!

"I suppose that’s true. You seem different than I was expecting, different from other females I’ve met anyway."

"You probably haven’t encountered many females, considering that where I come from, I’m just another girl you could stumble upon on any given street. I’m simply myself, whatever that may mean."

"I doubt that, but if that were the case your homeland must be well hidden," he said.

"What do you enjoy doing for fun? Is this your idea of leisure when you’re not busy bringing females to your lair?" I asked with a playful smile, though deep down, I wasn’t really joking.

I was too afraid to confront him directly. Classic me, hiding my anger and frustration behind a veil of humor. I often resorted to quips as a defense mechanism, especially around those who intimidated me, much like I did with my dad when he scared me. It made me feel ashamed. I could easily dish out sass to women or guys who didn’t intimidate me, but when faced with someone who did, I turned passive-aggressive or just shrank back. That instinct to cower only fueled my anger towards them and myself.

One day, I’ll find the strength to overcome that urge to retreat. I have a complicated relationship with my father. "Hate" might be a strong word, but if others truly knew him, they’d feel the same. He’s so charming in public—so kind, so attentive, so helpful—it makes my skin crawl.

"I like to explore caves and dungeons."

"Dungeons?" I asked, my voice tinged with a hint of excitement. I couldn’t resist; I had a bit of a gaming past before arriving in this realm, and the thought of delving into dungeons filled with treasure was both thrilling and a little daunting!

"I suppose you wouldn’t know much about dungeons given that you’re a female and I doubt your parents would have talked much about such things. Every once in a while in miasma gets strong enough, a gateway to the shadow realm opens and a dungeon appears."

I’m curious to learn more about the shadow realm, but his tone suggested it’s something I should already be familiar with. For now, I’ll hold back my questions, even though I’m itching to ask, as I’d rather not get caught up in a web of inquiries that might reveal too much about me. Instead, I’ll focus on listening closely, hoping to pick up clues, or I can wait until I see Elara again—which I definitely will. I really hope the guy assigned to protect her is trustworthy and that she’s safe. Once I navigate through this chaos, I’ll reconnect with her. Who knows, we might even explore one of those dungeons together; she did mention her desire for adventures!

Coming Next Time: Elara Fights Back