Aeron hesitated at the doorway before stepping in, his voice soft with shyness.
"Astra... how are you?"
Ardis peeked up from the basket, staring at the woman before them. So pretty...She must be my mum, she thought, awed.
Astra's lips curved, clealy amused by Aeron's bashfulness.
"Aeron, I am good as always. Come closer. Let me see my child."
He obeyed, cheeks warming as he took a few steps towards her.
Astra leaned in, her eyes softening as they settled on the tiny serpent girl nestled in the basket.
"She is beautiful," Astra murmured.
"She takes the most beautiful parts of her father."
Aeron flushed deeper, Ardis glowed inside with a quiet happiness.
She had heard, when inside the egg, that serpents were rarely welcomed.
Yet here her mother was accepting her and praising her.
"Her name is Ardis." Aeron said shyly. "She's a bit... timid."
"That name suits her." Astra said. She then reached out and tapped Ardis's head with gentle care; her touch was warm and approving.
Aeron sat beside her, still holding the basket.
"We should take her to the priestess... She needs her blessing." He said with a hint f worry.
"Yes, let's go now. Don't worry." Astra said, slipping her hand into his.
Aeron lifted the basket, and with Astra's fingers interwined with his, they headed toward the door. Just outside waited Astra's other husband, Sylas, and his brother Sorin.
Whom Ardis had seen earlier.
But the moment Astra crossed the threshold, he aura shifted.
The gentle warmth she held inside melted into something more domineering and seductive.
A presence no one could ignore.
Ardis looked around curiously. Many people with beast-like features were gathered nearby: fox ears, wolf tails, scaled arms, feathered hair.
Some weren't even in human form at all; large animal bodies lounged or padded about the area, watching her with interest.
What happens to their clothes when they transform? Ardis wondered, puzzled.
A man approached Sorin, who was walking to Astra's right.
"Chief, she must be the female cub of your family," the man said warmly.
He had round bear ears, soft brown hair, and gentle brown eyes. With his cheerful expression, he looked cute.
"Yes," Sorin replied with a proud smile. "We are heading to the priestess now."
As they walked, several males glanced in their direction.
Envy flickered openly in their eyes, especially as they looked at Astra's husbands.
Their eyes became heated whenever their gazes landed on Astra.
Astra lifted her chin, meeting their stares with proud, arrogant confidence.
She was the most beautiful and sought-after female before. Now, her status has increased more.
They soon arrived at a small hut. The wooden door slid open, and a woman stepped out.
She also had fox ears and a tail, her appearance refined and gentle. Looking similar to Astra.
She looked to be in her thirties, carrying a mature, kind aura that immediately softened the atmosphere around her.
"Let me see my granddaughter," the woman said, her voice calm yet carrying the authority of someone long respected. She was the priestess of the village—the head healer, the guide of rituals, and a figure whose influence stood equal to the village elders.
Astra gently lifted Ardis. "Mom, isn't she beautiful?"
The priestess's stern expression softened immediately. "She is," she murmured, brushing a finger lightly over Ardis's cheek. "Now, let us begin the ceremony. Who knows, perhaps when she grows up, she may inherit my position."
There was a faint note of expectation in her tone.
Once, she had hoped Astra would take her place, but Astra had neither the desire nor the temperament for the role. It was something the priestess had long since accepted, though a small part of her still wished one of Astra's children might carry on her legacy.
She wanted the position to be held by her own.
The priestess motioned them to enter the hut.
Inside the hut, one could smell the faint smell of herbs. Various symbols carved in walls and furs.
"Lay here down on the fur." The priestess said, pointing towards a white fur.
Astra carefully set Ardis down. Ardis looked around. She looked at the shining charms.
She wondered what it was.
The priestess knelt, her fox tail resting beside her, and lifted a small bowl of water infused with petals. The petals softly glowed. She dipped her fingers into it and gently touched Ardis's forehead.
"Beast God," she whispered, her voice low and steady, "We present this newborn to you."
A soft breeze stirred inside the hut, even though no windows were open.
"Grant her your blessing," the priestess continued. "Let her fangs be sharp, her heart be strong, and her path be watched by your spirit."
She traced a small symbol on Ardis's forehead.
A hush fell over the room.
A faint, warm glow flickered across Ardis's scales, so light that only those closest noticed.
Even Sorin and Sylas leaned forward with pride in their eyes.
The priestess smiled, satisfied. "The Beast God has acknowledged her."
Ardis let out a tiny hiss full of confusion.
Astra beamed. "Welcome, my daughter."
She was now finally a part of this world.
The priestess now gently carried her out. The mark on her head is glowing.
All the beastfolk watched her. Then everyone cheered. A new female has been added to the village.
The priestess then put her inside the basket.
Aeron exhaled in relief. He relaxed the carried the basket, holding it close.
He smiled along with Astra, Sorin, and Sylas.
With the ceremony complete and the tension gone from their shoulders, a warm, relaxed atmosphere settled over them as they made their way back to their hut.
Once inside, Astra immediately reached for Ardis. The moment the serpent child was in her arms, Astra twirled gently with her, a bright, youthful smile lighting her face.
"Be careful," Sorin said, his brows lifting in worry as he watched her spin.
"I have a blessed daughter now," Astra said proudly, her tail swishing with excitement.
Right on cue, Ardis's tiny stomach growled loudly.
"She must be hungry," Aeron said, reaching to take her gently from Astra's arms.
"I'll go cook!" Sylas announced before anyone else could speak, practically sprinting toward the kitchen with unusual enthusiasm.
Aeron watched him disappear and sighed softly. He didn't actually dislike Sylas. Yes, Sylas was arrogant, loud, and easily flustered—but he was also surprisingly kind, straightforward, and incapable of hiding his emotions.
His earlier harsh words had only been the result of their rocky first meeting.
Unlike that man…Aeron's eyes narrowed slightly.
That man could smile and lie in the same breath.He could hide his intentions behind a friendly face.
Aeron shook off the thought and looked down at Ardis instead.He preferred dealing with someone like Sylas, brutal honesty was always easier to face than concealed malice.
Ardis curled slightly in the basket, blinking up at him with bright amber eyes.
"Let's get you fed, little one," he murmured.