Little Pink Starfish

With a silent roar, Theodore lunged at Baluf with blinding speed.

Caught off guard, Baluf was unable to dodge and crashed to the ground. He quickly retaliated, slashing at Theodore with his claws.

A sharp pain sliced across Theodore’s cheek, but he narrowly avoided the full force of the attack. In that brief opening, he sank his fangs deep into Baluf’s throat.

“…GAAAHHHH!!”

Baluf thrashed violently, but Theodore only bit down harder, driving his teeth deeper into the flesh.

“GAH! IT HURTS!! LET GO!! LET ME GO!!”

Theodore pinned Baluf down, digging his claws into his shoulders. The beastman screamed in agony.

Baluf was larger—physically stronger—but in that moment, he was completely overpowered.

“…I’ll… kill you…”

A low, guttural growl rumbled from Theodore’s throat.

“I’ll… kill you…!”

──I’ll tear you apart.

The sheer menace in Theodore’s voice sent a shudder through Baluf’s body.

The grip of Theodore’s jaws tightened. The warm sensation of his own blood trickling down his throat filled Baluf with absolute terror.

He realized—he was going to die.

His beastly instincts screamed that he stood no chance against the enraged Black Knight.

It was unthinkable.

Theodore was only half beastman. Baluf had always believed that as a full-blooded beastman—an apex predator—he could never lose to a half-human.

But he had been wrong.

Baluf never understood the power that came from a true mate bond. _{[T/N: The power of looooove.]}

And now, with death looming over him, he regretted everything.

Perhaps this was punishment—retribution for violating something sacred.

──Then—

“BLACK KNIGHT! LET GO OF BALUF!!”

A figure lunged from behind, wrenching Theodore away.

A massive body pinned him down.

It was a bear beastman—Mathilda.

She turned her gaze toward Baluf—then to Asher, who lay unmoving on the floor.

As her eyes took in the brutalized state of the prince, her expression twisted into something akin to horror.

“…Baluf… what have you done…?”

Her grip loosened slightly.

Seizing the moment, Theodore shoved her away and moved to attack Baluf again—

But—

“THEODORE!! ARE YOU JUST GOING TO LEAVE ASHER LIKE THIS?!”

Those words froze him in place.

The forest dweller had finally caught up. He took in the scene instantly and ran straight to Asher, wrapping him in his cloak.

“If you want to stay here and get yourself killed, be my guest. But I’m taking Asher-sama with me.”

Asher trembled violently, his eyes unfocused—lost in shock.

His body was covered in blood, bite marks, and bruises. His pale skin was clammy, and there were clear signs that he had been sick.

The forest dweller clenched his jaw.

He had believed that leaving Asher captive had been the safer choice.

But looking at the prince now—he realized he had been wrong.

Lifting Asher gently, he turned to Theodore, then silently walked out of the room.

---

Theodore stood motionless.

Baluf lay at his feet, bleeding, his breath ragged.

Mathilda trembled, clenching her fists as Asher’s image burned into her mind.

She could never forgive this.

Would never forgive this.

She wanted to rip Baluf apart herself—to claw his throat open.

But—

The scent of Theodore’s mate was fading.

He had to go.

He needed to be by Asher’s side.

“…If I ever see your face again…”

Theodore’s voice was chillingly quiet.

“…I will kill you.”

Then, without hesitation, he sprinted out of the room.

Mathilda stood frozen, watching him go, making no move to stop him.

---

Outside the Fortress

The forest dweller moved swiftly, ensuring they avoided running into any beastmen. He retraced the map in his mind, taking the shortest possible route.

As he ran, Theodore caught up.

Without looking back, the forest dweller spoke.

“When we reach my cart, we ride straight to the Forest of Notvis. Beastmen won’t chase us there. You’re a half-breed—will you be alright?”
“…I may be half-human, but I won’t die from it. Is the forest close?”
“We’re still within Marquis Clark’s territory, but it’s not far. The forest we’re headed to is different from the one you know—but the trees are spreading. More Notvis trees every year. A real problem for beastmen. That’s why they use humans like me to investigate it.”

Confirming that the coast was clear, they both started running again.

The fortress was a maze of corridors, but that also meant plenty of blind spots.

As long as they were careful, they could make it outside undetected.

Most of the beastmen were still arguing about Theodore’s fate—so their luck held.

When they finally reached the exit, the forest dweller handed Asher over to Theodore.

Then, he led one of the two horses from his cart toward them.

“Ride west. You’ll see the forest. Go inside and head toward the strongest scent of Notvis—your nose will tell you the way. There’s a massive Notvis tree in the middle of the forest. Near it, you’ll find a small cabin. It’s one of my hideouts. Here—take the key.”

Theodore caught it.

“Wait. What about you?”
“My guess? Prince Samuel is already on his way here. I need to report back. Stay hidden with Asher until I return.”
“Prince Samuel… is coming himself?”
“Enough questions. Go. Asher-sama needs treatment, and if we get caught, it’s over.”

Holding Asher tightly, Theodore mounted the horse and took off.

---

Riding through the open plains, countless thoughts raced through Theodore’s mind.

How long until they reached the forest?

Would they be pursued?

Most of all—was Asher going to be okay?

His wounds weren’t deep.

But the bite marks… They weren’t meant to kill.

They were meant to humiliate.

Every one of them burned into Theodore’s mind, fueling his rage.

But now wasn’t the time.

First, get him to safety. Then treat his wounds.

The forest was closer than expected.

As they neared it, the scent of Notvis grew overwhelming—but unlike before, it wasn’t unbearable.

…Is it because of Asher?

Before, the scent had been excruciating.

But now—his mate’s presence dulled the pain.

Following the strongest scent, he found a towering Notvis tree—far larger than the one he had seen before.

Its blackened trunk stretched impossibly high, its pale leaves blanketing the ground in an eerie, dreamlike scene.

For a moment, Theodore was mesmerized.

Then—he heard Asher’s shallow breaths.

Snapping back to reality, he quickly spotted a small wooden cabin.

“…Is this made from Notvis wood?”

The structure reeked of the tree’s scent.

No beastman would dare come near it.

Dismounting, Theodore carried Asher inside.

The room was sparse, containing only the bare necessities.

Shutting the door behind him, he rushed to lay Asher onto the bedding.

“…Your Highness, let me treat—”
“…Nngh… no…”

Asher gripped the cloak around him tightly, his body drenched in sweat. His flushed face contorted in discomfort.

His unfocused blue eyes welled with tears, spilling over with each pained breath.

“…Ah… no… it hurts…”

His trembling hand drifted downward—toward his lower abdomen.

Theodore’s chest tightened.

He had known.

He had known.

But he had tried not to acknowledge it.

Tried to protect Asher’s dignity.

But now—Asher’s body was betraying him.

“…Don’t look… don’t…”

Clutching himself, Asher whimpered in pain.

Tears streamed down his face as he begged—

“…Help me… Theodore…”

Theodore’s breath caught in his throat.

Then—he pulled Asher into his arms.

“…I’m here. I’m right here.”

Holding him close, he whispered—

“…You’re safe now, Asher.”

His voice trembled.

---

Pinky says: Is it even a smut story without an aphrodisiac bit?