Chapter 40
Sal’s interruption actually helped Nina relax. She poured out some body wash and began bathing the little white cat in earnest.
Mino’s heart was pounding wildly. Every time Nina touched him, it felt like he’d been struck by lightning. Shy to the point of stiffness, he didn’t dare move at all, letting her turn him over and rub him from head to toe.
Slowly, embarrassment gave way to pure enjoyment.
Nina’s hands feel so good p>
Off to the side, Sal was grinding his back teeth so hard they nearly shattered. Damn male. One day I’m going to wipe you out.
Nina was completely focused, treating it as nothing more than bathing a kitten.
Once she finished, she used a piece of beast hide to towel him half-dry.
Looking at the little white cat with fur clumped together and sticking out in messy directions, Nina couldn’t help but laugh softly.
Hearing her laughter, Mino realized he looked rather pitiful at the moment. Embarrassed, he quickly used his ability to evaporate the remaining moisture.
In the blink of an eye, the scruffy little stray transformed into a noble, elegant little prince.
Nina marveled at how amazing beast abilities were.
Mino padded closer and gently rubbed his head against her palm, clearly asking to be petted.
Her palm brushed against fur as soft and smooth as silk, making Nina’s heart itch uncontrollably.
“Mino… can I really touch you?” she asked, trying to restrain her desire.
Mino rubbed against her hand again. Of course you can.
Faced with such a beautiful, adorable kitten, Nina completely forgot he was an adult male. With a delighted squeak, she scooped him up and launched into a full-on petting session.
So soft. So fluffy. Incredibly touchable.
Cradled in her arms, breathing in her sweet scent, Mino felt utterly drunk.
Nina gently massaged him, and Mino’s whole body melted, pleasure spreading through him until he couldn’t help but let out a low, rumbling purr.
Being treated like a kitten is way too good.
Mino was blissed out.
Sal, on the other hand, completely exploded.
With a furious snarl, Sal charged forward, grabbing Mino’s hind leg and trying to drag him out of Nina’s arms. That’s my spot—get out!
Because Mino was so close to Nina, Sal didn’t dare use his claws, afraid of hurting her.
Mino clung stubbornly in the opposite direction, refusing to budge.
Seeing Sal bristling with fury, Nina tried to placate him. “Little Flower, wait a moment. I’ll give you a massage too p>
Sal was having none of it. Growling, he tugged even harder at Mino.
Nina tried to pull them apart, but no matter how she tried, she couldn’t separate them.
For a moment, one human and two beasts were locked in a stalemate.
Seeing Nina in distress—and worried they might accidentally hurt her—Mino finally relented and withdrew from her arms.
The moment Mino moved even a little farther away, Sal’s sharp claws came slashing viciously toward him.
Mino dodged at once. Sal missed but didn’t give up, letting out a roar as he lunged again.
This time, Mino stopped retreating and counterattacked.
The two beasts erupted into a full-blown fight. In no time, tufts of fur—yellow and white—littered the carpet.
Nina pressed a hand to her forehead. That’s it. This house is never going to know peace again.
No one knew how long they fought before they finally paused, panting heavily, glaring at each other. Sparks seemed to crackle in the air between them, an invisible tension thick as smoke.
By now, the room was a complete disaster.
The carpet was shredded in several places, furniture had been knocked over, items from the dressing table lay scattered across the floor, and even the door curtain had been torn full of holes.
Nina looked at the chaos, dark clouds gathering on her face.
Just as the two beasts were gearing up for another round, Nina’s teeth-gritting voice rang out above them:
“You two—get over here. Now p>
Their hearts skipped. They turned their heads in unison to see Nina, cheeks puffed in anger.
We’re doomed. The little female is mad.
They didn’t dare fight anymore. Carefully, they padded over and sat by the bed, looking like two obedient babies waiting to be scolded.
Nina pointed at the room. “Look at this. Just look at what you’ve done to my room p>
The two beasts glanced around, taking in the utter mess, and froze.
We… did all this?
Guilt written all over their faces, they avoided her gaze.
“Clean this room up immediately,” Nina snapped, “or neither of you is sleeping tonight p>
At the command, both sprang into action without the slightest delay.
Mino shifted back into human form and went to replace the door curtain and carpet, while Sal righted the overturned furniture.
Before long, the room was restored.
Only then did Nina’s anger ease slightly.
She grabbed Sal, picked up his little cat bed, and carried both into Mino’s room.
Setting the bed down, she tossed Sal into it. “From today on, you’re sleeping here. You and Mino are going to learn to get along p>
Sal tried to follow her back, but one sharp look from Nina stopped him cold.
“Don’t follow me. And the two of you—no more fighting p>
With that, Nina returned to her own room to sleep.
Sal and Mino stared each other down, their eyes practically clashing midair. It looked like another fight might break out—but remembering Nina’s words, neither dared move.
They both snorted coldly. One climbed onto the bed, the other curled up in the nest. Out of sight, out of mind.
The night passed peacefully.
Life settled into a calm rhythm, and Nina’s due date crept closer and closer.
The two little troublemakers still competed for attention daily, with the occasional minor friction, but they didn’t fight again.
In the past few days, Leah and the others had visited again. Some of the males still hadn’t given up and continued bringing prey—especially Sano, who came every single day, impossible to drive off.
One day, Sano showed up yet again with food.
Nina was sitting outside eating fruit when he strode over, prey in hand.
Mino immediately dropped what he was doing and stepped protectively to Nina’s side.
Ignoring Mino completely, Sano said to Nina, “Nina, today I hunted a gugu beast for you. I know you like it. I caught it this morning—it’s very fresh. Look, I’ve come so many times, and this is your favorite prey. This time, you’ll accept it, right p>
“Sano, I really don’t need any prey. Please stop bringing it,” Nina said.
“Why?” A dark glint flashed in Sano’s eyes. “Is it that what I bring isn’t to your liking? Or did Mino say something to you again p>
“This has nothing to do with Mino,” Nina said plainly. “It’s because I don’t like you, so I can’t accept your gifts. Please don’t waste your time on me. Go pursue a female who’s more suited to you p>
“Why?” Sano couldn’t accept it. “What’s wrong with me? I’m strong, I look good, plenty of females have pursued me before. Why wouldn’t you like me p>
“Everyone has different preferences,” Nina replied. “I just don’t like your type p>
Sano stared at Nina’s beautiful face, unwilling to give up. Suddenly, he dropped to his knees in front of her.
“Nina, I truly like you. Please—accept me p>
Nina jumped to her feet in shock. “Sano, get up p>
With a hint of coercion in his voice, Sano said, “If you don’t accept me, I won’t get up p>