NTR: Stealing wives in Another World-Chapter 35: Restless night

They walked in silence.

The clearing was far behind them now, swallowed by the thick forest. But the weight of what had happened there—the boy’s pain, his smile through tears, his final breath—still hung like smoke clinging to their skin. Not even the breeze could wash it off.

Allen hadn’t said a word since the burial. His jaw was tight, his fists still clenched, like if he let go he’d fall apart. Every few steps, his lips moved with half-formed curses—angry, bitter ones—mostly at himself, sometimes at the world.

Fina walked close, glancing at him now and then. She tried. Really tried.

"Hey," she started with a weak grin, "you know if you keep scowling like that, your face might freeze like it. Not a great look for someone with such a nice jawline, y’know?"

Nothing.

She nudged him with her elbow, more gentle than teasing. "Usually I have to work hard to get a guy that red in the face. Should I be flattered?"

Still nothing.

Rinni, quiet but watchful, finally said softly, "He’s not in the mood, Fina."

Fina sighed. "Yeah. I know."

They kept walking for a while longer before Rinni hesitantly spoke again. "We could go east."

Fina tilted her head. "East?"

"The fox tribe," Rinni explained. "They’re not like the wolf clans. More isolated. But they don’t hate outsiders as much. We could rest there. Hide, maybe. They’re good at staying unseen."

Fina raised an eyebrow. "Foxes, huh? Thought they were tricksters. Heard they like riddles and vanishing acts."

"They are," Rinni admitted. "But... they don’t hurt their own. Not unless they have to. And they don’t throw away people just because they’re different."

Allen suddenly stopped walking. His shoulders trembled slightly as he stared at the ground.

"What..." he rasped, his voice raw and barely audible. "What the f-fuck is wrong with this place?"

Fina took a step toward him, but didn’t reach out. He was shaking now.

"I-It’s a kid, dammit. A fucking kid. And they just—just used him. Like h-he was nothing."

Rinni’s eyes dropped to the ground. She didn’t have an answer.

"I d-don’t get it," Allen muttered. "Why does everyone treat others like this? Is it just b-because they can?"

His voice cracked. "Was I r-right to leave him? W-Was it already too late? Or d-did I mess up again?"

"No," Rinni said quickly. "You didn’t mess up. You did what no one else would."

Allen turned away from them, muttering curses under his breath. He punched a tree—not hard, but enough to leave a dull thud echoing through the forest.

Fina looked at Rinni, lips pressing into a thin line. "Maybe the foxes’ll have answers."

"Maybe," Rinni said quietly. "Or at least... they won’t look at us like we’re monsters."

Allen finally exhaled, long and shaky. He didn’t say anything, but he nodded.

They turned east.

It wasn’t much.

But it was something.

——

The forest’s twilight slowly deepened into night as the trio trudged eastward. The air grew cooler, the thick canopy overhead dimming the fading sun into slivers of light that danced across the ground. They moved in near silence, the only sounds the crunch of leaves beneath their feet and the occasional rustle of unseen creatures in the underbrush.

Fina’s tail flicked irritably behind her as she stole glances at Allen. He hadn’t spoken a word since his outburst earlier. His usual sharp sarcasm, sly remarks, and shameless flirting were absent. The silence was unsettling.

Rinni walked slightly behind, her expression a mix of exhaustion and unease. She glanced up at the stars peeking through the treetops, her brow furrowing in thought. "There should be a cave nearby," she said softly.

Fina nodded. "Yeah, I smell it—damp stone, moss. We’re close."

They reached the cave just as darkness fully claimed the forest. It wasn’t large, but it was dry and hidden by a cluster of thick trees. The air inside was cool, and the faint sound of dripping water echoed from somewhere deeper within.

Allen dropped his pack near the wall without a word. He sat down heavily, his shoulders slumped, and leaned back against the cold stone. Within moments, he was lying down, his back to them, and his breathing evened out into the rhythm of sleep.

Fina frowned, her ears twitching with worry. "Something’s really wrong," she whispered to Rinni.

Rinni looked at her questioningly. "Because he’s quiet?"

"No," Fina said, shaking her head. "Because he didn’t even try to grope me."

Rinni blinked. "What?"

Fina gestured toward Allen’s sleeping form. "By now, he would’ve made some comment, done something ridiculous, you know? He’s... just not him." Her voice dropped to a murmur. "It’s like part of him got buried with that boy."

Rinni was quiet for a moment, then said softly, "Maybe it’s not buried. Maybe he’s just... trying to carry it. Alone."

Fina sighed, her tail curling around her legs. "Idiot. He doesn’t have to do that."

Suddenly, Allen stirred, his body tensing as a low, muffled sound escaped his lips. His hands gripped the ground beneath him, twisting and clutching like he was trying to fight something unseen. His breathing grew ragged, and his head jerked slightly, his face twisting in pain.

"Allen?" Fina’s ears perked up, and she crawled over to him.

Rinni stayed back, her wide eyes filled with worry.

Allen’s movements became more frantic, his muttering incoherent, his body twisting in a way that made it seem like he was trapped in a nightmare he couldn’t escape.

"Allen, wake up!" Fina’s voice trembled as she leaned down, shaking his shoulder. freewebnøvel.coɱ

When he didn’t respond, she acted instinctively. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling his head against her chest. Her soft, warm skin pressed against his face as she held him tightly.

"Hey, it’s okay," she murmured, her voice gentle and soothing. "It’s just a dream. You’re safe."

Allen’s thrashing slowed, his breathing beginning to steady as the warmth of her embrace and the steady rhythm of her heartbeat reached him.

Fina rested her chin on top of his head, her voice soft but firm. "You’re not alone, you idiot. Stop trying to carry everything by yourself."

Rinni watched silently, her hands clenched in her lap. She didn’t know what to say, but seeing Fina so tender with Allen made something in her chest ache.

Allen’s eyes fluttered open slowly, his gaze unfocused and dazed. His voice was hoarse as he muttered, "F-Fina...?"

"Yeah, it’s me," she said softly, stroking his hair. "You’re okay."

He blinked, his body relaxing slightly as he realized where he was. For a moment, he didn’t say anything, just buried his face in her chest, letting her warmth chase away the remnants of his nightmare.

"I’m sorry," he finally whispered, so quietly Fina almost didn’t hear it.

She tightened her hold on him. "You don’t have to apologize. Just... don’t shut us out, okay?"

Allen didn’t respond, but the way his body softened in her arms was answer enough.