Meanwhile, the Tiger Clan had sent a search party led by the leader's son, Xander.
Xander was a striking figure—tall, broad-shouldered, and built like a warrior sculpted from stone. His golden hair, slightly tousled, framed a face of sharp masculinity—strong jawline, high cheekbones, and a perfectly straight nose. His deep brown eyes burned with an intensity that could make anyone falter under his gaze. His tanned skin, stretched over a body honed from years of battle and training, only added to his commanding presence. With his confident stride and undeniable strength, he was the embodiment of dominance and control, a man whose mere presence demanded attention.
According to the Bunny Clan's report, the female in question was breathtakingly beautiful. The Tiger Clan's leader saw an opportunity—his son, who had never shown interest in the many females that threw themselves at him, might finally be drawn to this rare beauty. To ensure Ana had no other options, he sent only mated men along, making Xander the only unmated choice for her.
Following the Bunny Clan's directions, they tracked the feral's location, moving swiftly through the rugged terrain. When they finally reached the cave, Xander stepped forward, expecting to see a fragile, terrified girl.
But the moment his eyes fell on her, something shifted inside him.
She was beyond beautiful.
Even in her weakened state, she had an ethereal charm that made his heart race. Her delicate features, soft skin, and unique aura set her apart from any female he had ever encountered.
Then his gaze locked onto the mark on her arm.
A feral's mark.
His blood ran cold.
His jaw tightened as he took in her appearance—pale, fragile, and much too thin. While this might be normal for her original world, in the beast world, it only meant one thing: she wasn't being taken care of.
'That bastard… he didn't just mistreat her, he starved her.'
Then another realization struck.
A mating mark. A permanent claim.
No woman would willingly bear the mark of a feral. There was only one explanation.
His hands curled into fists.
'He forced himself on her.'
Fury surged through him, a primal need to right this wrong burning in his chest.
'I will protect her. I will do everything in my power to give her the life she deserves. She will never suffer under that monster again.'
Behind him, his men stood in stunned silence, unable to tear their eyes away from Ana. Even the mated ones were momentarily mesmerized, the sheer rarity of her beauty leaving them speechless.
Without hesitation, Xander strode forward, his strong arms wrapping around her frail body.
"We're leaving."
Holding her securely against his chest, he turned from the cave, leading his men back toward the Tiger Clan's domain.
She was his to protect now.
MEANWHILE....
Xavier had traveled a long distance to gather the best herbs for Ana's recovery, pushing himself to return as quickly as possible. But when he finally reached the cave, something felt off.
There was no trace of Ana.
His sharp eyes scanned every corner, his keen senses searching for any sign of her presence. But instead of her familiar scent, the air was tainted with something else—other beastmen.
His body went rigid.
His pupils narrowed into slits as a deep, guttural growl rumbled from his chest.
She's gone.
His fists clenched, claws digging into his palms as a wave of fury crashed over him. The idea of another male touching her, taking her away, made his blood boil.
Then a darker thought crept in.
Did she leave willingly?
His breathing became ragged, his mind replaying every moment they had spent together.
Was everything she told me a lie?
His heart twisted painfully.
"Why, Bella… why?"
His voice cracked as he spoke into the empty cave, desperation and betrayal lacing his words.
"Did you ever like me? I did everything for you... I hunted for you, protected you, cherished you… and still, you left me?"
His nails scraped against the stone wall, leaving deep gashes as his rage threatened to consume him.
"At least… at least you could have avoided giving me hope."
His voice trembled, but his resolve only hardened.
"If you hated me, you should have stayed angry. You should have rejected me, fought me, even tried to kill me if you wanted freedom."
His eyes darkened.
"But instead… you showed me love."
His chest heaved with unspoken agony, his heart warring between pain and fury.
"And now you're gone."
His tail lashed against the ground, his fangs bared in frustration.
"Do you think I'll sit here and wait for you?"
His body trembled with pent-up rage.
"No. I will not sit back and accept this."
His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
"I'll come after you, Bella."
His golden eyes glowed with a deadly promise.
"And I will get my answers from you."
Without wasting another second, he bolted, his long, sinuous body moving like a shadow through the dense forest. His sleek form glided effortlessly over the terrain, weaving through trees and underbrush, instincts locked onto one goal—getting her back.
But then—he stopped abruptly.
A river.
The scent vanished.
His body tensed as realization dawned.
They had used the water to mask their trail.
A dead end.
A snarl ripped from his throat, shaking the ground beneath him. His rage surged to its peak, his beast form itching to break free, to tear apart anything in his path.
His breathing was heavy, his mind clouded with violent thoughts. But amidst the storm of his fury, one clear thought remained.
"Wait for me, Bella."
His voice was low, dangerous, unwavering.
"I will get you back."