CHAPTER 49: MEET SOME PEOPLE

Serena frowned at the other beastwoman’s words. That gleam in Wilma’s eyes told her the rabbit beastwoman was up to no good and Serena definitely didn’t want to be involved in trouble.

"What do you have planned?" Theo asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Just plan to introduce Serena around." Wilma answered, grabbing Serena’s arm. "We’ll be sure to bring her back before they begin serving food."

"Well... I have no problem with this..." Theo glanced over at Serena. "It’s up to you if you want to go or not."

Her excuse to not go died with his words and Serena sighed. She wasn’t really up for doing much socializing at the party, just greeting a few people and then hanging in the background.

But now, Wilma clearly wanted to drag her around and introduce to a bunch of people. Something that would definitely end up draining her.

"Wilma... I-" Serena started when Wilma interrupted her.

"Come on, Serena." Wilma pleaded, hugging her arm tightly. "I want to introduce you to some beastmen. You ought to have more males. Just look at poor Theo. Overworked to the bone."

Theo coughed, trying to hide his laughter from the rabbit beastwoman’s words. Meanwhile, Serena felt a little regret trying to be friendly earlier.

This is for Kiro’s sake.... Serena reminded herself. You’re doing this so he has a good life here. You don’t want trouble with anyone.

Even so, she also didn’t want to seem like a complete pushover here. That’s what got the original owner into such an awful mess in the first place.

"I think I’ll pass for now..." Serena stated sternly.

"But the cold season is coming soon." Wilma retorted. "You’re going to need a lot of help preparing for it and can’t expect Theo to do all the work... It’s best to take a mate or two to help around."

Serena wanted to argue that she was perfectly capable of helping out, but saw Fay shaking her head.

The young beastwoman then murmured softly, "Y-you better just... go along with it. Wilma likes... playing matchmaker... It’s the same... for me."

"That’s because you didn’t choose a mate during the coming-of-age ceremony." Wilma exclaimed, turning to the young beastwoman. "I know you were sick and all, but now’s the perfect time to find some mates."

Seems I’m not getting out of this one... Serena mused to herself, watching the two beastwomen speak. I know when to quit.

"Fine, I’ll come." Serena finally said. "But I’m not promising anything."

That should be a good compromise. Wilma gets to introduce her to other people from the village and Serena gets her off her back without any commitments.

"If that’s the case then I’ll find us a place to sit." Theo mused. "See you all later."

"See you." Serena said back just before Wilma dragged her away.

She was a little surprised by the rabbit beastwoman’s strength even though Serena was the stronger one. Still, she let Wilma drag her around, wanting to get this over with as soon as possible.

When they were some distance away, Wilma suddenly said, "You know, Serena, I’m surprised Theo was okay about you finding other mates."

Serena raised an eyebrow at the shorter beastwoman and asked with a frown, "But isn’t it normal to have multiple mates... Why wouldn’t he be okay with it?"

"Well... I heard strong beastmen hate having competition. Especially among weaker beastmen." Wilma mused. "That’s why I asked him about introducing you to some rabbit beastmen... I don’t want to accidently cause a big fight and get you kicked out."

Serena immediately understood what she meant by that. Wilma was worried that Theo would think Serena having rabbit beastmen as mates was beneath her because they were considered much weaker type beastmen.

Of course, normally there would be jealousy involved even if beastmen put it aside for the greater good. But for her and Theo things were different.

There was no relationship, but a respectful contractual one that benefited them both. Emotions weren’t involved, making it easier to turn the other way. Not that anyone knew that.

"I see..." Serena finally murmured. "Well, Theo’s not like that. We have an... understanding..."

Wilma furrowed her eyebrows at the words before shaking her head. She then said, "If that’s the case, then I won’t hold back."

"Not even if I ask you to." Serena muttered dryly as they walked through the crowd.

"Nope." Wilma giggled. "You’re stuck with us until food is served."

The combination of moonlight and light from the fire made the place quite bright allowing from the trio of beastwomen to weave through chaotic crowds. Of course, having night vision was a bonus.

A few beastmen and beastwomen greeted them as they passed by, some looking familiar while others were complete strangers. Wilma mostly was the one greeting them back while Fay hung to the back.

Serena had noticed it even when she was talking to the group of beastwomen earlier today, but Fay seemed incredibly shy. Honestly, it was surprising to see a bubbly person like Wilma with Fay, the complete opposite.

Then again, they might balance each other out.

"Oh look!" Wilma suddenly waved. "There’s everyone else."

Serena gazed to where the rabbit beastwoman was looking and found the other three beastwomen from earlier standing in a circle chatting. Grace, one of the beastwoman, noticed them and immediately waved back at them.

"What took you so long?" Grace asked as the trio of beastwomen got to them. "Emma wanted to start looking for you, you know."

"Only because Wilma here enjoys chatting a bit too much." Emma huffed. "I bet you’d have a conversation with everyone in the village if you could."

Wilma whined with a smile, "Guilty there... But I did go straight to get Serena. And we came right back here after getting Serena right, Fay?"

Fay silently nodded her head in agreement. Grace then clapped her hands together and said, "Well then, I suppose we should get started."