The World of Beasts: She's Got Their Hearts novel Chapter 81

"Where did your feathers go?" Analise had no interest in witnessing a jealous brawl, so she quickly changed the subject.

"They're right here." Gideon pouted and pointed to the braids hanging beside his ears.

"You braided them into your hair?" Analise leaned in for a closer look and finally spotted the soft black feathers twined into his strands.

Since both were dark, they were nearly invisible without close inspection.

"Ana, do you want to come with me to the Shadowhawk Alliance?" Gideon grinned as he hovered near Analise, deliberately making subtle movements.

He intentionally blocked Finlay and Scott, who were trying to approach.

After all, the whole point of male rivalry was to compete with others!

"Gideon! Why you—" After being nudged twice and blocked repeatedly, Scott finally lost his gentlemanly composure.

"What? Ana hasn't said anything. What's your problem? You want a fight?" Gideon turned around with a blank expression.

But the next second, he switched expressions like a seasoned performer, tugging on Analise's arm with a pitiful look. "Ana, look at him…"

Analise was rendered speechless.

She could feel the exhaustion kicking in.

Surprisingly, Finlay—usually the clingy one—was unusually quiet.

Analise looked over and saw him furiously typing on the screen at an extreme speed. If the interface had a physical keyboard, he'd have probably smashed it by now.

Well then, it was time to consult the strategist again.

"I'm tired. You guys can fight if you want. I'm going to bed." Analise turned around and headed to the smaller starship Finlay had piloted earlier.

"Finlay, get over here and drive," she called out.

"Coming!" Finlay turned off the interface and followed her in.

Two envious and resentful glares followed him until the hatch shut.

"Mr. Clarke, since when did a researcher like you get so close to Ana?" Scott sneered. "You're even addressing her so intimately. Are all members of the Shadowhawk Alliance as shameless as you?"

Back on the main vessel, he took the initiative to go to Analise's cabin.

At that moment, Analise was holding Finlay's tail.

Finlay's face was bright red…

Maybe it was instinctive male rivalry, but the first thought in his mind was that he was being provoked.

Only afterward did he unwrap his tail from Analise's wrist and ask Scott what he needed.

In this situation… Scott hesitated.

Suddenly, an old message he had read came to mind.

"If you want to court a female, throw away your pride, even if you're a commander. She has to like you first! If you won't loosen up, how could she ever fall for you?"

It was as though he had just had an enlightenment. He walked up to Analise, grabbed her hand, and placed it on his fuzzy ear.

"Ana… Could you touch my ears and tail too?"