My Wild Beast
Chapter 30: Misunderstandings (1)

Chapter 30: Misunderstandings (1)

Yoa stared back at his friend, his voice level as he simply replied, "No."

Atia nodded like he expected as such. There hadn’t been any suspicion in his eyes, nor did he seem distrustful of his friend. Nova watched them, truly intrigued. She might not have known Yoa for long but he wasn’t a liar and if he has killed it always seemed out of survival and necessity.

Nova didn’t know who this Kanti was, but it was clear there was a misunderstanding.

"The others believe you killed her. This quarrel should be resolved, Yoa. You know this. Kanti was obsessed with you, and you left her body on Oncari land. Your scent is all over her. They will continue to hunt you down," Atia said, his tone quiet and serious, his expression not like the mischievous cat moments before.

Yoa sighed, extending his hand to the side. Shock froze Nova to the spot as she watched the ground rumble, splitting open as a small dark blade emerged, Yoa’s hand wrapping around it. Atia, on the other hand, watched, his expression calm as though he was accustomed to such a sight.

Nova’s shock turned into awe as she watched Yoa use the blade to start stripping the fish of its guts. He knew how to handle that blade well. She should really be paying close attention to this woman, Kanti, who was obsessed with Yoa and ended up dead. Instead she was admiring the way Yoa was using the blade, how skilled he was, the action automatic, dumping the guts aside in a large wooden bowl.

"Kanti’s obsession is what got her killed," Yoa replied quietly, his eyes subtly moving to the side in Nova’s direction; his brows furrowed like he was deep in thought, concern flashing behind those ethereal eyes before he was stoic once more.

Atia glances up at the high rocky ceiling. "Gods, please grant me patience with this one," he muttered and looked back at Yoa. "You need to start explaining yourself better to others. Nobody knows you better than I or Aiyana, but they did not grow up beside you-"

"They watched me grow too..." Yoa growled but it was quiet, his focus returning to the fish, but he then explained further. "Kanti began following me."

Atia’s eyebrows rose and he sat back a little like this news was something bigger than something as ’simple’ as a stalker. She looked between them as the silence grew. "Can someone explain to me what that means?"

Atia and Yoa glance at her. Neither speak as they then share a look. Atia’s eyes communicate that this is the time Yoa starts training himself to explain better to outsiders, and Yoa’s eyes reveal that he is worried he will bring death to his little mouse, even if he doesn’t realise his expression slips for a minuscule second to Atia. The man’s eyes widened subtly before looking back at Nova, eyes roaming over her and not in the cheeky manner he did earlier but genuinely more curious.

"Well?" Nova looked between them, prompting them to speak. "It’s a little too late to tell me this conversation is private. I’ve heard it all now."

Yoa looked away and to the flames between him and Atia. Lowering the blade and fish, Yoa turned slightly to face Nova. "I did not kill Kanti..." He began, watching Nova’s expression for any sign of fear.

"I know. I believe you," Nova said quickly to reassure him.

Yoa’s eyebrows rose subtly. Surprised. He didn’t expect that. Not from Nova, who had been struggling to trust him this entire time. He assessed her genuine expression and released a breath, relaxing somewhat, confused by how much he needed Nova to believe him. No, he wasn’t confused; he was in denial.

"Like the Cihuateteo... there are other creatures of a much deadlier nature. I was in the middle of a confrontation with one when Kanti followed me..." Yoa explained gruffly, his brows furrowed, his gaze lowered like he was watching the ordeal happen all over again. "I did not kill her. It was the Ichtaca."

"The what now?" Nova blurted before she could stop herself.

Atia’s expression froze, and his head slowly turned to look at Yoa. "That... that myth... an Ancient..." He cleared his throat and got a hold of himself. "But you brought her body back..."

Yoa was still watching Nova, but he forced his gaze away to respond to Atia. "Yes, it almost swallowed her whole, but I dragged her out. The markings on her body were from its teeth," he explained solemnly.

Atia sighed, untying his plait and brushing through the strands. His golden-green eyes flicked from side to side as if he was processing what Yoa had said. His fingers moved almost of their own accord, twisting and turning as he re-braided his hair, a calming, almost thought-provoking action. Like it was a form of mediation.

"You couldn’t tell them what really happened..." Atia murmured sadly. "Because it would mean you have to tell them one of the many responsibilities you have as Yiska."

Yoa nodded.

Yiska? Didn’t she hear that term before?

"You could tell them another animal attacked-"

"And let another be killed by the Oncari," Yoa shook his head, his back straightening, gaze hardening like he held a ton of responsibilities on his shoulders. There was also a protectiveness rolling off his powerful aura. This was coming from a hunter, a predator, and he didn’t want to see another animal killed. "That I cannot do. And I cannot lie."

"You’re so annoyingly honourable." Atia groaned and flopped back, putting his feet up against the wall, long hair plaited and spread out beside him like a long black tail. Why was Nova getting the sense that he was a big cat like Yoa? It hadn’t been stated yet, but they were talking about the Oncari.

Was this the reason why those Jaguars initially chased them from that pit? Because Kanti was killed, and Yoa was believed to be the reason for it?

"Wait, hold up, I am confused by this. Why can’t you tell them about this creature? It would clear everything up, right?" Nova questioned.

"It is not of your concern, Nova," Yoa answered immediately, his voice more of a grunt, a silent command telling her not to seek more answers about this.

Atia whistled just to make the growing tension between Yoa and Nova that much worse. He glanced between them from upside down. "Yoa, brother, you really should work on your social skills, especially if you are trying to attract a mat-"

Yoa’s fiery glare shut him up.

"I do not say it like so to hurt your feelings, mouse. But this will be of no concern to you when you are long gone." Those words from Yoa seemed to jab her chest even more, unaware that Yoa despised the acidic taste in his mouth as he spoke to her. "You want to go home, to return to your people... Focus on that and not the troubles of this island."

Atia whistled again as he noted Nova’s cheeks reddening and it wasn’t from a blush. No, that was a woman irritated. Atia knew. He had two younger sisters, both of who annoyingly chased after his big bro, his best friend, Yoa, for a while. He didn’t understand the deal between these two. Yoa’s scent was all over his snack, but they weren’t mated.

Not yet.