Chapter 303: Returning
The night sky hung low over the beach, turning the waves into sparkling of light. The wrecked sand—craters, scattered monster bits, burned patches—was already starting to feel like yesterday’s news. People from the crowd had pushed closer now, forming a loose half-circle around us.
Alpha and I stood right in the middle of it all.
I had one arm around her waist, the other hand gently cupping the back of her neck. I tilted her backward just a little—slow, careful, like she was something precious. Her long pink hair spilled over my arm like silk. Her face was bright pink, blush spreading from her cheeks to the tips of her ears. Her eyes were half-closed, lashes fluttering, lips soft against mine.
The kiss wasn’t rushed. It was warm, steady, full of everything we didn’t say out loud.
The crowd noticed immediately.
"Woah, look at them—such a couple!" someone shouted.
Clapping started—slow at first, then faster, louder. Whistles mixed in. A few people cheered like they’d just watched the best movie ending ever.
"Get it, girl!"
"That’s so cute!"
Alpha’s blush somehow got deeper, but she didn’t pull away. She leaned into me more, fingers curling lightly into the front of my hoodie.
Then—
"Ehhhhhh!???"
A loud, excited squeal cut through the noise.
"Master! I want kiss too!" Beta launched herself out of nowhere—cat ears flat back, tail whipping like crazy. She jumped high over the front row of people and came flying straight at me.
I barely had time to break from Alpha and open my arms before Beta crashed into me. I caught her in a big hug, spinning once to keep us both from falling into the sand. She wrapped her arms around my neck tight, legs hooking around my waist like a koala.
"Mwah!"
She planted a loud, enthusiastic kiss right on my lips—quick, messy, full of energy. Her tail thrashed happily, smacking against my back.
The crowd burst into even louder cheers and laughter.
"Me too! Me too!"
Epsilon was next—purple flames flickering out as she hurried over.
Then Delta, twirling her daggers away.
Gamma cracking her knuckles like she was warming up for a hug.
Zeta stretching her arms out dramatically.
Eta bouncing on her toes.
In seconds, all seven of them had circled around me—pushing gently, laughing, reaching.
I broke the kiss with Beta, set her down carefully, and raised both hands like I was stopping traffic.
"Oii, you all—calm down," I said, voice half-laughing, half-pleading. A sweat bead rolled down the side of my face under the hood. "We’re in public. Once we go home, we can enjoy as much as we want."
My hood was still pulled up tight. No way was I risking my real face getting out here.
The girls paused. They looked at each other, then at me.
"Yes, Master... as you say..." they all dragged out in perfect unison, voices low and pouty like disappointed kids.
Beta’s ears drooped. Epsilon puffed her cheeks out. Zeta flopped backward onto the sand with a dramatic sigh.
I rubbed the back of my neck, smiling despite the sweat.
"Oh come on... don’t be like this," I said, trying to sound reassuring. "You know I love all of you. Equal. No favorites."
"See? I was right. Alpha is Master’s favorite one." Gamma leaned over to Eta, not even trying to whisper.
Eta giggled behind her hand.
"I heard you, Gamma. And it’s nothing like that." I turned my head toward them, voice going flat.
The whole group froze for half a second. Then everyone cracked up.
Beta doubled over laughing, tail whipping. Epsilon covered her mouth, shoulders shaking. Delta snorted. Zeta rolled on the sand clutching her stomach.
The crowd caught the vibe and laughed along—clapping again, some people mimicking the girls’ pouty "Yes, Master..."
I sighed internally, shaking my head with a small smile. These girls.
"Ohh come on... I also want to kiss Zero!" Then a woman’s voice cut through the noise, loud and playful.
She was the same girlfriend from earlier—the one who’d slapped her boyfriend for staring at Alpha. She had her hands on her hips now, grinning big like she was half-joking, half-serious.
Her boyfriend’s head snapped toward her so fast it looked painful.
"Oye! You are my girlfriend if you remember," he said, voice going high at the end.
She turned to him slowly, folding her arms tight across her chest.
"Weren’t you oogling at those girls earlier?" she shot back, eyebrow raised high. "Staring at their bouncing curves, right? Don’t act innocent now."
The guy scratched the back of his head hard, fingers digging in like he could pull the embarrassment out.
"Ohh God! Why is this happening to me..." he muttered, looking up at the sky like it owed him an explanation.
The girlfriend didn’t let up.
"Now don’t complain," she said, voice dropping into a commanding tone. "I will sleep with anyone I want, and that will be your punishment."
"Haai..." The man let out the longest, saddest sigh. His shoulders dropped. He looked like a kicked puppy—head down, eyes on the sand.
The crowd around them cracked up laughing. A few people clapped him on the back like "better luck next time, bro." Someone even yelled, "Poor guy!" through the giggles.
I stood there with the girls still circled close around me, watching the whole thing play out. In my head I thought, *Poor man...* But then my mind shifted.
Lyra and Afa.
They’d rushed to the hospital earlier—Afa was in critical condition after everything that happened. I hadn’t heard any updates since the fight started. Alaric was dead now, his monster alliance scattered or gone. The island should be safe. No more tears in the sky, no more hordes. But Afa...
I couldn’t just stand here laughing and kissing my girls forever. Not without knowing if she was okay.
"I think we should call it a day." I cleared my throat and raised my voice just enough for everyone nearby to hear.
The crowd quieted a little, nodding.
"Yeah man," one guy said, rubbing his neck. "I got so scared earlier, and just standing here has made me tired."
A woman next to him stretched her arms over her head.
"Let’s relax in the pool or somewhere," she said. "I want to freshen up. All this sand and monster goo... ugh."
"Yeah, me too," her friend agreed, brushing at her shirt. "I smell like burnt goblin. Gross."
People started moving—some heading toward the beach path that led to the hotels, others gathering their towels and bags. The energy was shifting from battle-high to tired-and-happy.
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