After Giving Birth, All My Beast Ex-Husbands Suddenly Want Me Back

Chapter 171: Cake

Lina cast a disdainful glance around the tribe as she walked, her lips curling in open contempt. All around her stretched dense woodland, broken only by crude stone huts that looked as though they might collapse in a strong wind.

"So this is what a savage tribe looks like," she scoffed. "Poor and backward, just as I imagined. Nothing but mountains everywhere—and these huts are barely fit to live in. They don’t even know how to make proper doors."

Her voice carried, sharp and unfiltered. The surrounding beastfolk heard every word, and their expressions darkened instantly.

"If you despise it so much, then don’t stay," one of them snapped. "Why cling to our tribe?"

"Exactly. If it’s beneath you, go back to your precious city."

"Tch. Acting like coming from a city makes you so special."

A few females stepped forward, blocking Lina’s path, their gazes cold and unwelcoming.

The chief had already been generous enough to offer these outsiders a place to stay—and yet she dared to sneer at their home.

"I’m only stating facts," Lina replied, though the edge in her voice wavered, her confidence not quite as firm as before.

"Lina, that’s enough," her beast-husband said quietly, gripping her arm in warning. "This is their territory. Not Spirit Stone City."

Lina shook him off with a sharp motion and let out a cold huff.

If it weren’t for the relentless attacks of those mutated beasts—driving her to sleepless nights—she would never have lowered herself to stay in such a miserable place. Back in the city, she would have taught these rude, uncivilized females a proper lesson for daring to speak to her like that.

Just then, Peppy stepped out of her home and spotted Lina. Her eyes lit up immediately. She had been meaning to find this city-bred female, and now fate had delivered her right to her doorstep.

Quickly, she called for her beast-husband to bring the cake they had just made, then hurried over at a light run.

"Hello there, beautiful," Peppy greeted warmly. "My name is Peppy. I’d love to be friends with you."

She gestured for her husband to step forward and present the cake. "This is something my mate made—cake. You should try some."

"Cake?" Lina eyed it skeptically. "What kind of thing is that? Is it even edible?"

Still, the sweet, rich aroma drifting from it curled into her senses, tempting her despite herself.

"Of course it is," Peppy said with a smile. "It’s delicious. If you don’t believe me, I’ll show you."

She broke off a small piece and placed it into her mouth, her face instantly lighting up with satisfaction. "See? It’s really good."

But inwardly, she couldn’t help but sneer a little. So this so-called city female wasn’t all that impressive after all—she didn’t even know what cake was.

Lina hesitated.

Judging by the other woman’s reaction, it did seem delicious... but could something made in a backwater mountain tribe truly taste good?

The fragrance continued to tease her, winding into her thoughts and stirring her appetite.

"...Fine. I’ll give it a try," Lina said at last, as though granting a great favor, her chin lifting slightly in reluctant concession.

"I’m used to delicacies from the mountains and seas," Lina said lightly, her tone laced with superiority. "Perhaps it’s time I tried some of this... rustic wilderness fare."

Peppy felt a flicker of irritation rise in her chest, but she forced a polite smile onto her face. "Of course. Go ahead and try it."

The ingredients for that cake had cost her several fine beast hides in trade with other females—and yet this city-bred woman still looked down on it.

If not for her dream of one day living in a prosperous city, she wouldn’t have shared even a crumb.

Lina pinched off a small piece and brought it to her lips. The moment it melted on her tongue, her pupils trembled ever so slightly.

It was... delicious.

A flavor unlike anything she had ever tasted—soft, fragrant, sweet in a way that lingered.

Who would have thought that such a wretched, backwater tribe could produce something like this?

"It’s... acceptable," Lina said after a pause, masking her surprise with indifference. "I’ll take it."

She gestured for her beast-husband to take the cake. She intended to bring it back and savor it slowly.

Peppy hesitated, a pang of reluctance tightening in her chest—but she didn’t dare object. In the end, she could only watch as the entire cake was handed over.

She shot her mate a subtle glare. Why had he brought the whole thing? She had only meant to offer a small piece.

Now this woman had taken everything.

Exhaling softly, Peppy steadied herself and forced her tone back into warmth. "Are you planning to look around the tribe? Would you like me to show you around?"

"There’s no need," Lina replied coolly. "What is there to see in a place like this? I’ll just wander on my own."

At her words, sharp, unfriendly gazes once again fell upon her from all directions.

A flicker of unease stirred in Lina’s chest. Without another word, she subtly changed direction, no longer daring to venture deeper into the tribe.

As she turned, a familiar figure flashed through the corner of her vision.

Her eyes widened.

That was—

She spun back immediately, staring toward where the figure had disappeared—but there was nothing there.

For a moment, Lina considered heading over to take a closer look. But under the weight of the tribe’s hostile stares, she hesitated... and ultimately gave up.

She must have been mistaken.

How could Nina possibly appear in a place like this? It was probably just someone with a similar build.

She hadn’t seen the face clearly... though the silhouette had been strikingly alike.

Lina shook her head, dismissing the thought. She must have been thinking about Nina too often lately, letting her imagination play tricks on her.

"Why don’t I walk with you?" Peppy offered gently. "The tribe is quite large. If you take a wrong turn, you might end up going in circles and wasting time."

She needed to seize this chance to build a connection. If she could get close to this city woman, perhaps she could follow her back to the city one day. She couldn’t let that cake go to waste.

Lina cast her a sidelong glance. "Fine. You may follow."

At least this one had some sense—bringing her cake and showing proper deference. Far better than those rude, uncivilized females.

In that case, Lina supposed she could be magnanimous enough to allow her company.

Peppy forced a thin smile and fell into step beside her.

For the sake of reaching the city... Peppy endured.

As Lina wandered aimlessly through the tribe, she just so happened to drift toward the stone house where Nina lived.

"Ridan, leave some of the basic kitchen things. Keep half the stove as well," Odian instructed calmly.

Nina didn’t say exactly when they would depart. It was better not to dismantle the kitchen entirely—there was still a chance it might be needed later today.

"Yes, my lord."

Ridan nodded and began tidying the kitchen according to Odian’s orders.

Hearing the low, smooth voice of a male drifting from the stone house, Lina couldn’t help but glance over.

And then she saw them.

Kith. Aviel. The others.

Her breath caught.

For a fleeting moment, she was utterly stunned—as if struck by lightning. A glimmer of undisguised greed flickered in her eyes.

These males... they were breathtaking.

Far more handsome than any she had ever seen before.

With looks like that, even if their strength were lacking, she would still be willing to take them in.

Almost unconsciously, Lina began walking toward the stone house.

Peppy hesitated for a brief moment... then followed after her.

As Lina approached, she arranged her expression into what she believed was her most charming smile.

"Hello," she called out sweetly. "Are you males from this tribe?"

No response.

The males acted as though they hadn’t heard her at all. Not a single one spared her a glance. They simply continued with their tasks, focused and indifferent.

Because they were preparing to leave—and Nina wasn’t there—Ridan and the others hadn’t bothered guarding the stone house. That was the only reason Lina had been able to walk in so easily.

If Silinx had been present, he would have recognized her immediately. Unfortunately, he had been sent out early that morning on a hunt.

The smile on Lina’s face stiffened.

What was wrong with these males?

A beautiful female like her stood right in front of them, even initiating conversation—and yet they showed no reaction whatsoever?

Never in her life had she been treated with such cold indifference.

Irritation flared within her... quickly followed by a rising urge to conquer.

She lifted her voice, sharper this time. "What are you doing?"

A few of the males cast her a brief, casual glance—but still, not one of them answered. They simply returned to their work as if she were nothing more than a passing breeze.

Where had this female come from?

Couldn’t she see they were busy? Who had the time to entertain a strange female?

If the masters thought they were slacking off, they’d be scolded.

Lina did not expect to be ignored again.

Her face flushed green with anger.

At last, Peppy stepped forward helplessly and explained, "They’re not from this tribe... just staying here temporarily."