A/N: srry for updating late been busy writing drafts. The next chapter will come in three days! P.S- I'm going to put some pictures in and more text from now on.
3rd POV
How did he come out of nowhere?! Was it a coincidence he just passed by?
"CAIUS?!" Maxine thought a little speechless to see him here out of all the places he could be.
Maxine's face turned bright red when seeing him in the far distance, staring at her. The only thing she thought of in her head was him knowing that he might have heard or worse seen her and Sebastian mating out in the open forest. If so her last bit of dignity left in her will perish as of today.
She embarrassingly covered her face away from him. There beside her was Sebastian who pulled Maxine's face right onto his chest to help soothe his embarrassed wife.
"It's okay, bunny" He soothed.
Sebastian's orange eyes narrowed, sneering at Caius. His stare turned into a smug face showing off. He proudly held his wife around his arms, flaunting his undying love to boast in Caius' face.
Caius may have won in their fight during the swimming contest but that doesn't mean anything! Even though he himself played dirty, the leopard cheated first! Sebastian knows that his wife still loves him more even if she accepts Caius as her other mate. He just knows that he is the favorite despite him being her only husband.
With that being said Sebastian wanted to boast to Caius on how he and his wife's love is incomparable to his! Caius' own feelings could never beat his own! He, Sebastian loved his wife more! He grinned evilly at Caius who was already lowly growling at him with a darkened expression. It was like they were ready to pounce and battle once more.
Sebastian hugged his wife affectionately and then laughed.
"Huh?" Caius thought with a blank expression.
Was it his imagination but it felt like he was seeing things. Imaginary bright light and hearts formed around Sebastian and Maxine when he started giving her trails of kisses. It was so bright he had to slightly turn away. Cauis was getting annoyed seeing the confident jaguar rubbing it in his face. Not one bit did he like it.
Despite him getting annoyed by Sebastian's antics, Caius had a blank expression on his face. He soon growled while secretly gripping his hands into balls of fists to maintain his anger. Colored veins popped out on his arm and forehead. He couldn't help but become jealous at the jaguar who is freely showing affection to her. Deep in his aching heart, he also wanted to feel that once again.
When he was about to confess his love to Maxine on the first day of the great orc event it failed. He tried many times to talk to her. But she would be avoiding him some of the time. He tried sending gifts and emeralds as courtship to her but they were sent back. Despite all of that he still didn't give up. He was determined to win her over even if it meant doing all means to get accepted.
"Maxine" Caius called out.
"Uhhh.. yes " She said, turning her head around to look at him with a confused face.
(Anime: dress up my darling)
"Help!" Maxine thought
The confused look on her face was fake since she pretended to feel calm. She was trembling a little, feeling intimidated by his serious call to her. Her mind was everywhere, thinking what he would do to her! She had hope inside her seeing him but the reality was that he is a king.
The atmosphere between them was cold and chilling which made her nervously sweat. Maxine shivers a little when nervously waiting for what he was going to say.
Just then Maxine saw the leopard king coming towards her. Her mind ran with wild thoughts thinking that it might be her last day living. Considering how she has been ignoring him just after her knowing his true identity. With that he must've been angry with her for sometimes avoiding him.
But to her surprise, she saw his serious expression soften, especially his golden eyes that now shimmered brightly. She didn't know why but her face turned red from his charming expression. I felt like the day she first met him. The kind buddy she saw him to be.
He stopped right in front of her and looked her in the eyes. Caius took a second to closely observe her face and body. He felt happy and excited being by her side again. Just like how they used to hangout. But without that black wolf who was her guardian. Caius did not miss him at all.
" All this time.. Why did you hide your identity from me?" Maxine questioned him out of the blue.
It was a stupid question for her to ask despite it being obvious that everyone in the beast city knew who the leopard king was. Even if she didn't know he could have told her on day one. During their hangout she would always ask him about his identity. In hopes of figuring out who was her buddy since he never told her anything about his identity.
Caius' softened expression now turned into a gloomy one when hearing those serious words from her. His leopard ears drooped down a little. But he soon composed himself in a serious manner.
He suddenly kneed down on to the ground with one of his knees on the grass and the other upwards to rest his arm on.
"EHhhhhh!!!???"
(Manga: tricked into becoming the heroine step mom)
It made Maxine shocked to see him bow his head down. She panicked seeing one of the kings of the beast city bowing to her. She tried soothing him to make him stop but it was futile as he didn't move an inch. She felt bad it was like that of a CEO of a company taking orders to their employees who were the lowest ranks. It was way too much for her to handle since she didn't want the leopard king to kneel to an ordinary female like her.
"Hey! Get up. What are you doing?! Don't kneel don't below me. You're the goddamn leopard king! Why are you kneeling to a female like me?" Maxine scolded.
Maxine asked her husband Sebastian for help but he was god damn useless! That jaguar husband of hers coughed like he was fighting a deadly illness and now said he was allergic to leopards. Since when?! He and Caius were both feline cats!? Maxine irritation rose since it was Sebastian's way of saying "do it yourself".
She tried pulling Caius's arm up in hopes of getting him to stop. Since he was literally royalty above all, it was the last thing for him to bow down to her.
" Let me properly introduce myself, My name is Caius's. I am the leopard king and your buddy. I'm sorry for keeping this a secret from you. The reason I came here is that I wish to be your male" He declared out loud.
"Whhhhhhhhatttttttttttt!?!!!!!!" Maxine exclaimed, with her mouth agape.
She was totally shocked by what he just said. All this time she thought that Caius was trying to get rid of her in some way. She always thought that he didn't like her or was annoyed by her in some way. His serious and cold expression whenever he entered made her believe it.
She really felt embarrassed for thinking such thoughts. It was all thanks to her dumb brain for assuming that, without properly talking to him about it.
Sebastian beside her laughed at her oblivious shock. He knew all of this from the beginning but being the petty one. He didn't want to say anything that might benefit Caius in some way to improve Maxine and Caius' relationship. He admits he is really selfish but he didn't care whatsoever. After all it was Maxine's decision whether to accept Caius or not.
"Please let me become your male! I am the leopard king, I will give you emeralds or whatever you desire." Caius desperately pleaded. He held Maxine's left hand and connected their fingers together, clinging to her.
He whimpered with slight tears in his eyes. His heart stirred inside him feeling saddened by how long it was taking for Maxine to answer. His heart was beating nervously to what her answer will be as it will change his life completely.
"Caius, thank you for all the gifts you sent in the past but I don't need them. I don't care if you're king. Can't I get to know you more? I'd rather get to know more of Caius rather than the serious king everyone sees."
Maxine smiled softly at him. She didn't care for the status of queen like all females would. Instead she actually would rather want to get to know more about Caius. Despite him being the second male lead to the story she honestly enjoyed his company. His wise words and him coming to hangout with her even though, he didn't have to make her feel happy. Curiosity got the best of her as she really wanted to get to know more about Caius as a person rather than the leopard king everyone views him to be.
" What do you say? Let's get to know each other from now on" Maxine asked.
Suddenly Caius places her arms around her waist and hugs Maxine in a loving embrace. She pats his orange hair while the side of Caius face landed on her round stomach. All sorts of fuzzy feelings came rushing through him. He felt happy and excited not only from getting accepted but her honest feelings in wanting to know him more as an orc.
He was indeed happy and felt lucky to have met her. From the time they met he was suspicious of her kind nature but as they kept hanging out with each other. He got used to her company and started liking her cheerful nature. She did not once ask something from him. Instead she was the one who gave him things out of kindness.
Though the only drawback he didn't like seeing was both Sebastian and that weird wolf who just appeared out of nowhere. They both kept glaring at him for some reason. Caius didn't know why but they both didn't like him.
Sebastian watched silently in the sidelines beside Raymond in the bushes who continued glaring at Caius. When his wife turned to face Sebastian, she questioned him if he was okay for Caius to be her male. Maxine didn't want any altercations between the two and wanted Sebastian's opinion on adding Caius to the family.
"Bunny, I'm fine with whatever choice you make, I'll respect your wishes." Sebastian said, smiling at her.
In the side Sebastian huffed in slight irritation when remembering his conversation with Caius before the swimming contest. He knew Maxine needed more males sooner or later. His selfish desire to be her only male may make her be in danger. He knew that he and Raymond weren't enough protection, especially with her being fertile every season.
Sebastian couldn't help but feel bashful. He was honored by how much she cared for him. Even going out of her way to ask him for his opinion, regarding accepting a new male. Most of the time females accept males to whom they like freely. All their old mates would end up fighting for their female's love and affection just for them to not get abandoned or forgotten.
Maxine's love and care for him gave him comfort and relief. His previous worries and anxiety faded . He thought that it was stupid to think that he might be forgotten by his beloved wife. Her words and constant affection proved to him that she truly cared. Her love for him will never change.
" Will I still be your favorite?" Sebastian questioned. His orange eyes dazzled, staring right at her.
He pleaded with shimmery kitty eyes to Maxine. She didn't know why but the atmosphere felt awkward. There were now two enraged beastmen glaring at Sebastian. One leopard beside her and one wolf who she didn't notice hidden in the bushes.
She was afraid to answer as if she did, it would end up into another argument between them. Especially Caius's arms that were still around her waist. When Caius heard Sebastian's question Maxine heard his growl coming from him..
"Aw shit..." She thought now in the chilling atmosphere between them.
Cauis's big hug around Maxine's waist tightened a little. Soon she didn't know how it happened but she could have sworn she was seeing lasers coming from the two of them. Sebastian, Caius, and the hidden Raymond in the bushes glared at one another.
Little did Maxine know that it was now a contest between males to see who would be her favorite male. As only one could be the grand victor. All males had serious expressions on their faces like they were ready for war.
*** (Time lapse) NEXT DAY
Maxine POV
Yesterday was really hectic, mating in public, getting caught mating, then accepting Caius as my male was a lot.
Especially when the fuming argument arises when Sebby spoke about who was the favorite. The battle of favoritism between Sebby and Caius was fierce. It was like the two of them were in some court case battling each other over who was the favorite. The argument was unlike any other. Instead of them fight like how beastmen settle things they used their mouths speaking so passionately about love.
When the conflict dove down, all of us went straight back to the castle.
When I entered the castle I was shocked by such a big change inside. It turns out that Caius newly decorated the leopard castle! Not the main castle, the southern leopard castle.
He told me that it was just after the first event, he and his clansmen did all of this. All the leopard occupants that resided in camel hump valley had moved out when the village was rebuilt. It was such a pretty castle to visit after the new renovation.
The southern castle didn't have a name but I personally called it "Mellow bloom palace" because of the Mellow flowers that grew around the castle. The mellow flower fields had a warm vibrant color like the sunset. The flowers and plants around the southern castle had white, green, blue, and pop shades of red flowers. I know it sounded weird but I liked the name.
The palace was a separate building from the main building of the leopard castle. It was located in the southern part of the castle where it is more secluded than others. The trees and overgrown plants outside the mellow bloom palace made it look like it came out of a fairy tale. Despite it being abandoned, it was the second biggest palace in length.
The castle was built in white stone with humongous walls. There were detailed stone sculptures in the white walls especially in the pillars that connected to the red roof. When I say it's big, it was really big! To me this castle was more massive than the main leopard castle. The walls were really tall with high levels reaching up to eight stories.
The flowery vines growing on the walls scattered throughout the building while the tall oak tree next to it provides shade. The palace was unlike any other, it was beyond beautiful especially when Cauis fixed it up and restored it.
A long, tall castle that had multiple levels including a large tower room at the top. Best of all Caius told me that there was a natural hot spring built around the corner of the building!
"Wow! Incredible!" I said out loud while walking inside the newly fixed building.
My pink eyes couldn't help but shimmer when seeing the cool and colorful decor. There were carpets, curtains, fireplaces, and more. On the inside, there wasn't much furniture but I guessed he still needed to work on that before it was done. Despite visiting to see the pretty castle I wonder who it was for?
"Do you like it?" Cauis said, peeking his head over my shoulder.
I turned around to look back at Caius with shimmery eyes. "Yea! This palace is breathtaking! Thank you for showing this to me!"
"But why did you fix this castle right away? Wouldn't it be better to improve the main castle instead?" I questioned him.
Both me and Ray were confused. Ray nodded with me in agreement and looked around once again at the familiar things.
Caius, along with Sebby beside me, chuckled. Both feline beastmen hid their laughter deep within as they knew something I didn't know. I didn't care much about it and shrugged off the thought of them laughing.
I was more confused why he did this renovation within three days! Wouldn't it be better if he improved the main castle?
Just before entering I remembered that Caius told me that the mellow bloom palace is off limits and only royals of the leopard bloodline are able to access it. Though isn't Caius the only leopard royal?
"Why would he want to fix this palace if he is already living in the main building?" I thought.
Just as I was thinking about a possibility behind this renovation. Large lands landed right on both my hips and another one was then connected to my hand. I look up and see Caius holding my hand. He locked his fingers into mine before pulling it up to kiss it.
Sebby behind me had his large arms slither around my waist, his hands lightly rubbed against my belly that was now two months.
"Bunny, don't you know we are living here" Sebby said.
"Eh?" His response made my head load as it buffered. I had to process what I just heard out loud. I thought we were going to live in the main leopard castle. The same room we stayed in.
"What?!" I yelled.
My mouth went agape and eyes wide open. I thought that Caius just wanted to show me the castle!
I saw Ray with the same expression as me. We both had agape mouths!
"Were going to live here?!" I yelled looking at Caius. He nodded in response before showing a bright smile to me.
"Yes, as of today we will all live here. It would be cruel of me to let my mate live in the same room you previously lived. This place is much bigger."
" Bunny, don't you like it? I helped fix this place to your liking. Now you can decorate to your liking" Sebby questioned.
"Really!" I was shocked, just looking back at the furniture there I could clearly see his work. The blue curtains, chandeliers and familiar carvings in the walls were absolutely Sebby's work.
"It is very beautiful! Thank you so much for doing such amazing work. I really love it!" I thanked them for their work and efforts in this stunning renovation from the inside to the out.
" Anything for you, my love. This place is great for your cubs to run around in." Cauis says
Sebby nodded to his response before lovingly hugging me around from my back. He hummed in a melancholy tone. " Bunny, Is there anything else you want? I'll give you anything you want"
"No, no! I don't want anything else. This gift is great! Thank you so much." I said.
Filled with happiness I instantly pulled Caius closer to me and I hugged the two felines, showing my appreciation.
"Come Ray, free hugs! there is more room" I suggested to Ray who was in the middle blankly staring at us.
Without a moment's hesitation Ray came opening his arms out for a hug in the middle. I giggled, Sebby and Caius were on the side of me while Ray was in the center hugging.
It took a couple of minutes for the hug to split as little did I know that Ray's grip on us was strong. He whimpered when the hug split apart. I saw his puppy eyes staring at me like he was asking for another hug.
Being the best friend I am. I agreed. How can I say no to this cutie! Ray is just adorable!
When me and Ray came in for another hug. Little did I know that this hug had lasted for the whole day. It was like getting glue stuck to my hair as Ray really clinged on to me.
"Ray, can you please let me go?" I questioned.
"Never"
-thx for reading