Chapter 202: The Final Mate And The Completion!

Sable carried the man onto his shoulder carefully, making sure not to cause more damage to his already bleeding body. He turned to stare at Neve.

He saw the shocking look on Neve’s face and tilted his head.

"Are you alright?" Sable asked, his fox eyes studying Neve carefully. He could tell something was wrong. Something had shifted in Neve’s expression when he saw that favorability meter.

Neve swallowed hard and shook his head, trying to compose himself.

"Yeah, I am," he blinked repeatedly, still processing what he had just discovered. "Let us just go back to the cave."

Sable agreed and they walked back to the cave together, the injured lion beastman draped across Sable’s shoulders.

On the way back, Sable spoke quietly.

"We need to find a female who would be willing to bond with him quickly," Sable said, his voice filled with concern. "If we do not find someone soon, he will die from the broken bond. The bleeding will not stop."

"I know," Neve replied, his mind racing with how he was going to handle this situation.

"Do you think anyone in the tribe would be willing?" Sable asked. "Bonding with a stranger is not easy. Bonding with someone from another tribe even harder."

Neve did not answer. He could not tell Sable the truth yet. Not until he figured out how to approach this situation. Not until he knew exactly what he was going to do.

They walked in silence for a bit before Sable spoke again.

"You seem worried," he said. "Is there something else going on? Something you are not telling me?"

"No," Neve lied, his voice shaking slightly. "I am just concerned about his condition. We need to help him. We cannot let him die."

Sable nodded, accepting the answer even though he clearly sensed there was more to it.

.

.

They finally got back to the cave.

Ryker had finally returned. He had standing in the center of the village addressing his people that evening about how they should no longer live in fear since Soren was gone. The death of the chief had lifted a heavy weight from everyone’s shoulders.

He had almost walk into the cave when he saw the unconscious lion bleeding heavily, he stopped walking and stared.

They rushed into the cave immediately, laying him on the straw mat.

Neve asked for water and Ryker supplied it immediately, with his ability. He didn’t know who the stranger was or what was going on. But, he listened to everything Neve said.

However Sable said he would clean the lion up himself. He did not want Neve to get close to the injured stranger. His possessive nature was showing through.

Neve left it to him while he went to prepare some medicine for the wounded lion. Popi also helped with the herbs and healing salves.

They did not want Neve doing any physical task. Everyone was protective of him because of the pregnancy.

While they were all taking care of the lion, Neve was standing in the kitchen, thinking of a way to bond with this stranger. He was thinking about how he was going to handle this situation without causing more pain to Sable.

From where he stood in the kitchen, he could hear Sable telling Popi about the need to find a mate for the lion beastman so he would not die from the broken bond.

"We need someone willing and fast," Sable was saying. "The bonding is the only thing that will stop the bleeding and save his life."

Neve leaned heavily on the kitchen wall. A soft groan slipped from his lips as he pressed his forehead against the cool stone.

Popi suddenly entered the kitchen, carrying empty bowls.

"Neve, Sable said you would..." she started to say but then she saw Neve leaning by the wall, looking distressed. "Huh? Is there something wrong?"

Neve looked up at her.

"You are always the first to notice that something is wrong," he said quietly.

"Hmm," Popi folded her hands across her chest. "Tell me what is bothering you. Maybe I can help."

Neve took a deep breath.

"I have sorted everything out with Sable. We have bonded. But I do not know how to tell him that the unconscious lion there is my last mate and I need to bond with him so he would not die," Neve said, the words tumbling out.

"He is what?" Popi gasped, her eyes going wide. "Neve! If Sable has accepted you and everything about what you are, there is no way he should have any problem with this. He knew you had mates before he accepted the bond."

"I do not want him sad and running away again," Neve said, his voice filled with worry.

"Who said I was sad?" Sable’s voice came from the entrance of the kitchen and Neve flinched hard, jumping back.

Sable stepped into the kitchen, his orange eyes fixed on Neve.

"I heard everything," Sable said simply. "And I am not scared anymore. You promised to love me just like you love all your mates. You promised to cherish me. I trust you, Neve. If this lion is your fated mate, then I accept it. I accept him."

Neve felt tears prickling at the corner of his eyes.

"Are you sure?" he asked softly.

"Yes," Sable said, walking over and pulling Neve into a hug. "I love you. That means I love every part of your life. Every decision you make. Every mate you bond with. Because they are all part of you."

Popi, standing to the side, rolled her eyes dramatically.

"Look at you two being all romantic," she said with a smirk. "It is making me feel single and jealous."

Sable and Neve both laughed at her sarcasm.

But then Sable’s expression became serious again.

"The lion needs help immediately or he will die," Sable said, snapping back to the urgency of the situation. "You need to go bond with him now. We do not have much time."

Neve nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.

They moved the cleaned-up lion to one of the private rooms after washing away all the blood. His brown hair was now visible without the dirt and blood covering it. He was actually quite handsome, even unconscious and injured.

Neve stepped inside the room and Sable closed the entrance area behind him, giving them privacy.

.

Neve looked at the unconscious lion beastman on the mat. His body was still bleeding from the broken bond, the wounds visible on his skin.

Neve took a deep breath and began to undress slowly. He removed his shirt first, then his shorts, folding them carefully and placing them aside. The cool air of the cave touched his bare skin, making him shiver slightly.

His pregnant belly was prominent in the dim light. He could feel the cubs moving inside him as he prepared himself for what was about to happen.

"Oh! I feel so naughty!" He groaned.

Neve climbed onto the mat carefully, positioning himself next to the lion beastman. He was nervous. This would be different from bonding with the others who were conscious and willing. But this was necessary. This was the only way to save his life.

He moved closer to the unconscious lion, his small body pressing against the larger frame. He could feel the warmth of his skin and smell the scent of the lion beneath the herbs that had been used to clean him.

Neve’s hand reached out and touched the lion’s chest, feeling his heartbeat. It was weak but steady. The lion was still alive. Still fighting to survive despite the broken bond.

Neve closed his eyes and began the bonding process. Because at this point, he was trying to save a life, not just claiming a mate.

.

.

While Neve was in the private room with the lion, going through the complete bonding process, Cael and Kael arrived back at the cave from their hunting and gathering expedition.

Cael froze the moment he entered the cave.

His leopard instincts picked up something immediately. There was another male’s pheromones in the air. Strong. Intense. Unfamiliar.

He frowned deeply, staring at the dark room where Neve was with the door area open but obscured by shadows.

His hands clenched into tight fists, his claws threatening to extend.

"What is happening in there?" Cael growled. "Wh... who the hell is in there with Neve?"

Popi stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Cael’s arm.

"Calm down now, Cael. It is Neve’s last mate," she said, her voice calm and steady.

Cael’s eyes went wide.

"Last mate?" he asked, the anger draining from his voice. "You mean... after this one, there are no more?"

"That is correct," Popi said with a small smile. "After this bonding, Neve will have completed his requirement. All ten mates will be bonded."

Cael’s chest fluttered with emotion. He felt a mix of relief and joy. Relief that there would be no more new mates after this. Joy that Neve was finally completing his mission.

"So... it is finally complete, is not it?" Cael said to himself, a smirk spreading across his face.

The system notification suddenly appeared even when Neve was asleep.

[Mission Update: All Ten Mates Found And Bonded]

[Mates Bonded: 10/10]

[1. Vaelthorn - Dragon King]

[2. Cael - Leopard Chief]

[3. Zyreth - Snake Chief (DECEASED)]

[4. Sorin - Eagle]

[5. Kael - Wolf Prince]

[6. Ryker - Tiger Chief]

[7. Aldric - Bear]

[8. Sable - Fox Assassin]

[9. Maren - Shark King]

[10. Roan - Lion ???]

[Reward Loading...]