My mates in Beastworld

Chapter 289: Chapter 289 I won’t let you break me

She took a step back, her voice trembling but defiant. "You’re not touching me," she said coldly, glaring at the monster, her disgust clear in her eyes. I won’t let you break me, she thought, her heartbeat drumming in her ears.

Benjamin’s cold eyes flicked toward her, and for a moment, there was a flicker of something. Amusement? He chuckled softly, "You’re a fighter, I’ll give you that."

He turned to the horned monster, and after a pause, he said, "Not today." His tone was indifferent, almost bored, as if he couldn’t be bothered to let things escalate. "She’s still useful for now."

Kyra exhaled shakily, her relief short-lived as she realized she was still at their mercy. Benjamin motioned for her to follow again, and despite her disgust she followed him.

After following Benjamin inside, Kyra’s eyes scanned the small, cramped cave. The room was shockingly simple—bare, with nothing but a thin mat on the ground and tiny windows that barely let in light. Her expression shifted from shock to dread as she took in the miserable space.

"This is where you’ll stay from now," Benjamin said, a smirk playing on his lips. He didn’t wait for her reaction; he simply turned and left, disappearing from the entrance of the cave that didn’t even have a proper cover.

Kyra stood frozen in place. No, no, no... Her mind screamed. She couldn’t stay here. Not in this desolate, cold place. Not in these conditions, not with the monsters outside. Her heart pounded in her chest, panic starting to rise. She needed to find a way out, for herself, and for her baby.

Kyra took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts, and sat down on the thin mat. The weight of everything began to settle in—her situation, her baby, the danger looming over her. She was just beginning to gather her thoughts when she heard a soft voice.

"Female," the voice called out urgently.

Startled, Kyra looked up and saw Joy sneaking into the cave, his eyes wide with urgency. He crouched low, moving swiftly toward her. "Quickly, female! We have to leave," he whispered.

"You..." Kyra blinked in surprise. She hadn’t expected this from him, not after everything.

Joy looked over his shoulder nervously, then back at her. "I’ve decided to help you escape, female, but we must move now. There’s no time! All the monsters have gone to an important meeting. If we go before they return, we can make it."

Kyra stood, her heart pounding again, this time with a flicker of hope. She looked at Joy with a mix of disbelief and gratitude, her eyes softening. "Thank you," she whispered, feeling her chance at freedom within reach.

Kyra followed Joy, her heart pounding as they crept toward the cave. Every step felt heavy, the sound of her feet seemed too loud in the quiet. She kept glancing back, afraid Benjamin or the monsters might appear at any moment.

Joy moved swiftly and quietly, his honey-brown eyes urging her to keep up.

"Stay close," he whispered, his voice tight with worry.

They left the cave, stepping into a foggy, rotting forest. Kyra lifted her torn dress to cover her nose from the smell. The trees looked twisted, their branches reaching out like claws, casting long, creepy shadows. The fog wrapped around them, making it hard to see far ahead.

Kyra could hear faint growls and whispers from the monsters voice nearby. Anxiety churned in her stomach, but she kept moving.

At one point, they saw monsters in the distance, their glowing eyes scanning the area. Kyra held her breath, pressing against a tree, while Joy flattened himself on the ground. The monsters sniffed the air, their large, ugly bodies briefly lit by the dim light.

Her heart raced when one of the creatures—a tall, horned monster—turned toward them. It paused, its nose twitching. Kyra’s pulse quickened, ready to run.

Just then, a loud howl echoed from the forest. The monster growled and turned away, heading toward the sound with the others.

Kyra let out a shaky breath, her legs trembling. They had almost been caught. Joy motioned for her to continue, and they moved quietly through the forest.

The fog thickened, and the ground became rough. As they reached a narrow path, Kyra tripped over a root, grabbing a branch for balance. The branch cracked, and Kyra’s heart sank.

A low growl echoed in the distance—a monster had heard them.

"Quick!" Joy whispered, grabbing her arm and pulling her forward.

They ran, dodging through the trees. The growls behind them got louder and closer. Kyra’s lungs burned, but she didn’t stop.

Ahead, Joy spotted a hollow in a large tree. "There!" he whispered.

Kyra dove inside, with Joy right behind. They pressed against the inside of the tree, barely fitting. Outside, the growls grew louder as the monster approached, sniffing the air.

Kyra’s heart pounded as she held her breath, praying the creature wouldn’t find them. It paused outside, breathing heavily, its footsteps thudding as it searched for them.

Time seemed to slow. Kyra squeezed her eyes shut, trying not to move.

Finally, the monster walked away, its growls fading. Kyra let out a shaky breath, her body trembling.

Joy peeked out, his fur damp. "We have to keep going," he whispered. "We’re not safe yet."

Kyra nodded.

Kyra followed closely behind Joy as they made their way through the dark forest again. Every little sound—a snap of a twig, a rustling leaf—seemed too loud in the heavy silence. The distant howls of monsters filled the air, making her skin crawl.

Joy moved quickly but carefully, guiding her between twisted trees. The fog around them was thick, making it hard to see more than a few feet ahead. Kyra kept her hand on a nearby tree, trying to steady her racing heart.

"We’re almost there," Joy whispered, his voice barely above a breath. "But we have to be cautious. There are guards near the exit."

Kyra nodded, fear tightening her throat. They couldn’t get caught now, not after coming so far. Ahead, a clearing opened up, and in the distance, she saw the outline of a gate—their only way out. Two massive creatures stood in front of it, scanning the area with their glowing eyes. They were huge, with thick, armored skin and long, twisted horns.