My Wild Beast-Chapter 156: Heroes Revelry (1)

{Music Recommendation: Ghost Dance by Captain Planet }

In the late afternoon, they returned to the Oncari, who, from some bizarre turn of events, were setting up for an uncalled-for celebration. The chief and his people felt lighter, and in need to smile and laugh, dance and share stories by the fire as a community. The tribe, known for being loners and apex predators, gathered and set up a feast.

The Oncari fires burned high that night, their orange glow dancing across the carved totems and the wide circle of gathered tribespeople. Drums pulsed like heartbeats, reverberating through the palms and land, calling life back into every corner of the island.

The air shimmered with warmth and laughter, and though no one could name why, a lightness had settled over them all, as though the very soil had sighed with relief. It wasn’t only the Oncari who celebrated this night. All corners of the island were alive, cheering and dancing, embracing the shift on Tayun.

Wrapped in a woven shawl Aiyana had pressed into her hands earlier, Nova sat among them, accepted as Yoa’s mate and Tayun’s Electa. Though none could name what she had done, they felt it, a balance restored, a shift in the air that whispered her name in reverence. Their respect for her grew, their hearts bowing in quiet gratitude, shown through the fruits gifted to her, the dances that drew her to the bonfire and back again, and the smiles and bows offered in passing.

The scent of roasted fruit and sea herbs drifted through the air, carried on the rhythm of music. She watched the Oncari dance — their bare feet stirring up sparks, their voices rising in unison, a hymn of gratitude to the moon and stars.

No one knew what she had done. Yet the island felt it — the subtle hum beneath their feet, the calm in the breeze that swept from the western cliffs. Even the fire seemed brighter tonight, less wild, more alive.

Across the circle, Yoa stood among the men, his dark hair catching the firelight, his smile softer than she had seen in weeks. He had shed the heaviness that once clung to his shoulders; in its place was something freer, something unguarded. When his gaze found hers, the noise around them dimmed, and for a moment it was only the two of them, a silent exchange in the glow of celebration.

Yoa was never the type to socialise. Yet now, he was so at ease and accepting of their company and chatter.

’I love you.’

Yoa’s eyes snapped back to hers again. He did not respond, but his eyes said it all, smouldering across the firelight.

Atia was the first to reach her, his grin boyish as he offered a carved gourd filled with sweetened root drink. "To surviving another moon cycle," he teased, raising the cup, "and to you, Nova-"

"Atia," Nova interrupted, glancing around, her cheeks heating.

She didn’t want the attention.

Atia smirked at her discomfort and finished his sentence. "—For keeping our fearless hunter from brooding all season."

Nova released her breath and laughed, shaking her head. This damned cat always teased. She answered him anyway. "You make it sound like that’s a full-time job."

"It is," Aiyana cut in, appearing behind him and swatting his arm.

"Especially when you’re the one distracting her."

"You wound me." He clutched his heart dramatically, earning an eye roll of hers, and a barely hidden smile betraying her affection.

"Everyone wounds you," replied Aiyana.

They bickered playfully, leaning closer with each exchange until their foreheads almost touched. The drums deepened, the crowd clapped in rhythm, and when one of the elders shouted for them to dance, Aiyana rolled her eyes — but took Atia’s hand all the same.

Chief Tamuari observed them from across the fire, but he remained seated with the other elders, at ease as he watched his tribe celebrate.

Atia and Aiyana moved into the firelight, laughter spilling between them. Atia twirled her once, twice, before slowing. For a heartbeat, the rhythm seemed to vanish; only their breath and the shimmer of fire remained.

Their faces drew closer as they grinned, their bodies swaying with the heat rushing through them and the wind stirring through their hair. Sensing everyone’s attention on them, especially Aiyana, Atia weaved them through the bodies until they were cast primarily in the shadows of the forest.

"Tia?" Aiyana laughed, being dragged into the darkness. They weren’t too far from the celebration as the beat of the drums and revelry still surrounded them.

Atia didn’t say anything as he tugged her into him and they danced to their own beat, past the onlookers. Aiyana’s cheeks hurt from smiling, something she rarely did, as he twirled her around, their bodies in sync with each other like they always were. Golden sparks flickered to life between them, forearms where the marks met, and a tingling sensation rippled along their bodies.

They didn’t notice the subtle way their waists stayed joined, hands sliding along each other’s arms, until, as if pulled by something beyond them, their lips brushed against each other’s softly. Startled and wide-eyed, they pulled apart, breathless as a charged kind of wonder built in the silence between them.

A gasp rippled from nearby onlookers, quickly drowned by cheers and teasing whistles. But the two of them barely seemed to notice. Aiyana pressed her hand to her lips, then to his chest, as though to confirm he was real. Atia’s grin faltered into something gentler, unsure and unguarded.

Across from them, Nova smiled, warmth blooming in her chest. Not many had seen what happened, but it was inevitable; they belonged together.

"Took them long enough," Yoa murmured beside her, his voice low. She hadn’t even seen him approach. He handed her a slice of fruit glazed with honey and leaned against the same log bench.

"They look surprised," Nova said softly with a light chuckle.

"Sometimes the heart acts faster than the mind." His tone was thoughtful, but there was a flicker of mischief in his eyes.