The Ugly Duckling Of The Tiger Tribe-Chapter 209: Ari, did you get hurt?

"Water-resistant? That’s perfect, Damar."

My eyes lit up.

I had once described to them about footwear, how walking on the soil, though it didn’t hurt, was uncomfortable. And it would be even more so once the snow starts falling and the ground is filled with snow.

It would be too cold to keep moving.

So this works out well.

The minks and sables were from a weasel family, so I had so much joy skinning them. Ah, a filthy kind of joy, but it was still joy.

Noah, who had been tasked with stretching the larger hides over wooden frames to dry, let out a low whistle. "You two really went on a rampage. I haven’t seen this much meat in one camp since the last Great Hunt."

Fenric grunted, his muscles bulging as he hauled the carcass of a deer toward the smoke rack. "We have a wife who needs to stay warm."

I looked at them all—Noah’s hands were finally busy, Fenric’s brow dripping with effort, and Damar’s focused, elegant labor.

"Alright," I said, standing up and stretching my aching back. The ’dismantled’ feeling from the morning had faded into a dull, manageable thrum, replaced by the adrenaline of our ongoing preparation.

"Oh right." I looked up. "Noah, what was that about a great hunt?" I asked, and the question suddenly popped up in my head.

"Ah, it’s like a tradition. A game in our tribe. Once a year during the early summer, all the males go out to hunt and bring back the largest animals they can find in the wild." He had a smug look on his face as he reminisced. "The forest is literally our playground then."

"Hm, sounds like fun," I said.

"Yeah, it is."

His tribe must have a lot going on. But... How are their buildings? I wondered.

Will I see an impressive house like the one the rabbits erected on our behalf?

Well, I’ll know once I see it. There’s no use asking this prideful beast since he’ll just boast on end.

"Anyway, once those frames are set, I need you to start scraping the fat off the elk hides. Fenric, don’t forget to save the sinew; I need it for the heavy-duty stitching."

"Yes, Boss," Noah teased, though he immediately moved to follow the order.

Then, I saw the mountain goats.

They had thick, woolly hides that would be great for the inner layers of our tent and bedding. I can finally make a pillow, not that I’m complaining about the body and arm pillow I currently have, ahem.

I didn’t even think they would find mountain goats around here. Was it from the mountain I spotted back then? It was a long way from here.

I looked at Damar. Did he go that far, especially to get the goat? It made me feel touched but I also felt it was dangerous.

Maybe it was thanks to him being a snake with a fluid body that allowed him to go so fast and climb a mountain without issues.

I’m sure his beast form can move twice as fast and wrap around the mountain once.

My stone knife suddenly dropped from my hand as a certain realization hit me.

They all turned to me, alarmed.

"Arinya, what is it?"

"Ari, did you get hurt?"

I stayed silent, and then gulped.

"Damar, this... This goat..." I said, looking at the mountain goats... Three of them... And how the texture of their hooves felt so... I don’t know, sticky? Salt-sticky.

Then, the knowledge of mountain goats and what they like hit me like a base drum.

Mountain goats like salt. They drink salt water, eat salty plants, and stick close to places where salt is. In that case... I looked up... The mountain where Damar got the mountain goats from should have salt.

"I finally know how to get salt," I said, standing to my feet in excitement but then froze.

Ah, yes, Damar was incredibly fast, that was why he was able to get the goats within hours, but it would be a different case if we were to go together.

And we can’t change routes now because that would only delay our arrival at the nearest tribe. The snow would’ve pulled up by then, making it difficult for us to move our troller too.

I grimaced.

How to solve this?

I slumped back on the bark of wood I was sitting on, suddenly feeling under the weather.

"Ari," Damar called and I raised my head. "If there’s anything you need, just let me know and I’ll get it for you."

I looked at him. He was trying to help out even when he didn’t know what was making me depressed. How typical of him.

I smiled faintly. I didn’t want to make him worry.

"Damar, I’m sorry that I have to ask this of you," I said. "But tomorrow, can you go back to the mountain where you found the goats?"

They all looked at me, puzzled.

"What do you want me to do there?"

"In the place where you found these goats... Rocks... Water... Anything, please taste them and if they taste like salt, bring a few back. Carry some pouches for the water and some hide to tie the rocks together..." I looked at him with an apologetic gaze.

I know it must’ve been hard for him to get there so fast and come back, but I was making him do it again. And the fact that he would happily do it since I asked weighed on my heart.

"Why tomorrow?" He suddenly asked. "I can go now."

"No, don’t. Please rest." I said.

"But I’m not tired."

I pulled him closer, dropping his head on my bosom and stroking his head with my bloody hands, sighing.

He was taken aback by this sudden action but he did not hate it. In fact, he blushed.

"Ari, this..."

"Just rest for today, okay? Don’t push yourself, okay? If I say tomorrow then you’ll go tomorrow, alright?"

"Yes, Ari." He buried his face in my breast and this made the others jealous.

"Ahem," Noah cleared his throat. "It’s just going to that mountain, it’s not a big deal."

"Just admit you’re jealous and want to feel my bosom as well," I said, knowing the kind of thought that was going through his perverted mind.

"Will you let me squeeze them if I do?" He asked, hopefully and I clicked my tongue.

"No way."

His ears slumped.

"Gosh, this bossy wife is so biased." He said, scratching his head.

"Of course. After all, you can’t compare to my darling Damar. He’s a sweetheart after my own heart, and you’re just an asshole after my own ass."

"Ouch!"

I laughed and he laughed too.

"Okay, okay, I get the gist of it. I’d better work harder from now on."

"You better."

Fenric was quiet, and I saw from the corner of my eye the smile that was plastered on his lips as he skinned the animal in his hand.

He looked satisfied... Proud even.

I wonder what he’s thinking. Well, whatever it is, it must be something good that has him smiling like that.

I nodded. This peaceful atmosphere reached the pit of my belly and even the unformed hearts of my cubs in my belly.

If only winter wouldn’t come.