8. Temporary Peace with My Beast Husbands (Part 2)

“Alex, what are you talking about? I don’t understand. I… I am Clar. I just… came to my senses. Not long ago, the Beast God not only granted me the power of fire, but also taught me many things. He warned me that if I didn’t change, I would be driven out of the tribe.”

Clar desperately invoked the Beast God as her shield. Please, mighty Beast God, forgive this wandering soul.

Alex let out a faint scoff. “The Beast God? Fine. I hope you mean what you say.”

He didn’t press further, but his gaze remained sharp.

Clar could feel the tension between them, the weight of his suspicion hanging in the air. It wasn’t just his words, but the subtle ways he watched her, the careful way he moved. He had always been composed, always distant. She couldn’t afford to let him think she was lying or playing tricks. She had to prove she was sincere.

“Have you eaten?” Clar asked, trying to ease the tension.

“No.”

He had climbed out of bed despite the pain and hadn’t eaten—mostly because he feared punishment if he did.

“Then rest. Today we’re having thornfish. By the way, do you know where I can find a pot?”

“A pot?” Alex frowned. “What’s that? Another thing the Beast God told you about?”

Right. Primitive world. No cookware.

“It’s… a container for boiling things over fire. If there isn’t one, forget it. We’ll just grill.”

She moved to set the fish over the flames.

“Describe it,” Alex said slowly. “I’ll make one.”

Clar hesitated, then crouched and drew in the dirt with a burning stick—an oval shape, hollow in the middle. She watched as Alex observed her actions closely, the muscles in his jaw tightening. She was certain he still didn’t fully trust her, but she didn’t mind. She just needed to keep pushing forward, one step at a time.

“I’ll try at noon,” he said, a faint warmth slipping into his tone. “It shouldn’t be impossible.”

Her eyes lit up. “Really? That’s great! Do you need stone? We don’t have iron, so maybe a stone pot?”

He nodded. “Stone will do. But… why catch thornfish when there’s beast meat?”

“It’s delicious,” she insisted. “Trust me.”

Clar grinned as she set the fish over the fire. The flames flickered, dancing and crackling as they enveloped the fish, the savory scent of roasting meat filling the air. She could feel the heat warming her skin, the fire creating a small pocket of comfort in the cool cave.

The fish soon sizzled, salted and scented with perilla. Steam rose warmly into the cool cave air.

She handed him the first piece.

“Eat.”

She began eating too, thinking ahead to the tasks waiting at midday. Her stomach was full, but her mind was busy with the next steps—how to make their lives here sustainable, how to survive in this harsh world. She needed to keep herself and everyone around her fed and healthy.

As Alex chewed, confusion swirled in his mind. Watching her eat with simple satisfaction, he couldn’t reconcile this girl with the Clar he knew. The one who would throw tantrums at the slightest inconvenience, the one who used to manipulate everyone around her. Now, she was so calm, even patient. It was like watching a completely different person.

He noticed how carefully she moved around the cave, how she avoided the mess and instead organized everything with a quiet precision. Her actions felt deliberate, yet somehow genuine. The fire she had made, the meal she had roasted—all of it seemed so far removed from the selfish Clar he remembered.

What’s going on with her?

After breakfast, Clar headed out again while the sun was still mild. She needed a large stone—and, hopefully, ginger or garlic.

She followed her memory to the small gathering forest reserved for females. It was safe, patrolled daily by males. As she walked through the trees, the cool morning air seemed to soothe her. But she couldn’t shake the feeling of Alex’s gaze still lingering on her. It was the weight of his doubts that made her more determined to prove herself.

The moment the other females saw her—clean and pale—they froze.

No matter how much her skin had changed, her facial outline was unmistakable.

“Clar, what are you planning now?” Mabel demanded.

In the past, Clar would barge in, snatch others’ harvests, hurl insults. As the chief’s daughter—and physically imposing—she had been untouchable.

Mabel, the shaman’s daughter, had always been the only one Clar couldn’t bully.

Clar bowed her head slightly. “I’ve changed. The Beast God warned me. I won’t hurt anyone again.”

Whispers erupted.

She ignored them and began searching quietly. She could sense their judgment, but she was used to it. She had been at the top once, where no one dared question her. Now, she was starting over, hoping to carve out a different path.

The forest around her was quiet, the branches and leaves rustling gently in the cool morning air. She could hear the faint sounds of others going about their business, but for the first time in a while, she felt completely alone, separated from her past and everything she had once been.

After a long while, just as she was about to give up—

Bright red peppers hung from low shrubs.

Unlike modern chilies, these were round and apple-sized.

She stepped forward—

“Clar. Those are poisonous.”

Kawa.

If he was here, the heroine must be nearby.

Sure enough, Ava stood in the distance, her fox-like eyes burning with hostility.

She had been building Kawa’s favorability—already at ten percent. Clar’s sudden presence threatened that progress.

“Kawa, don’t worry. I won’t eat them raw. I’ll test them first,” Clar said calmly.

She suspected the tribe avoided them simply because of their sharp taste.

Just like the fish—another “trial.”

No. I can’t let her.

Before Kawa could object further, Ava stepped forward.

“If she wants to try, let her. The shaman will save her if something goes wrong.”

The hostility in Ava’s tone was unmistakable.

Clar chose not to argue and began picking the peppers quickly.

Ava smirked. Let her live a few more days.

Kawa watched Clar’s back with unease. She used to cling to him. Why so distant now?

Peppers gathered, Clar headed to the river to find a large stone.

She found one.

And then froze.

It was enormous.

Alex was injured. Lucas was unconscious.

How was she supposed to move this?

“Clar! Why are you still here? It’ll be dark soon!”

Ben’s voice came like salvation.

“Ben! I was trying to move this stone… but it’s too heavy.”

She hesitated. “And I still owe you beast meat from yesterday.”

She gritted her teeth and began dragging the stone inch by inch. Fortunately, her cave wasn’t far from the river.

Ben watched her struggle, something softening in his eyes.

These past few days, she truly seemed different.

With a sigh, he hoisted the boulder onto his shoulder.

Maybe… she deserved one more chance.