She had no time to think of anything else and quickly scrambled up in one go, climbing onto Hu Lingxuan’s back.
Grasping the softest patch of fur around his neck, she settled herself carefully into place.
Hu Lingxuan hated more than anything to have anyone grab the fur on his neck it was an unspoken taboo among the entire tiger clan.
Not even Hulingze or Hulingye dared to touch it.
Yet now, with this tiny creature clutching the fur at his neck, though he still felt a trace of annoyance, it was nowhere near the usual revulsion.
He gave his hindquarters a shake and stood up.
Just as he was about to leap forward, he suddenly remembered what this little “food supply” had said when they first reached their destination… His body paused, and he stopped short.
Instead of bounding off, he began to walk steadily across the open ground.
“And besides, you’re my reserved food. Even if one day the tiger clan is truly invaded, my stores will never fall prey to some other beast. As long as I still have a single breath left in me, I’ll keep you alive for now.”
Su Mingyue: “…”
Alive and then what?
“Alive, so that when I’m on the verge of death, you can fill my stomach!” Hu Lingxuan exhaled and added the words slowly.
Su Mingyue wanted to cry but had no tears. Fine, she’d known it would come to this!
She had no intention of being someone’s reserve ration!
And even less of being an emergency meal!
The evening breeze blew gently, and the next morning the sun rose slowly in the east, gilding the golden tiger’s coat.
Stout and majestic, the great golden beast stood bathed in the dawn light as if draped in a halo of pure gold. He slowed his pace, and from his back came the soft, steady breathing of a sleeping child.
A mosquito buzzed over and landed on the child’s plump little cheek.
The tiger curled his tail and swept it lightly across the spot, driving the insect away.
Then he continued on his way. Some of the clan women who rose early caught sight of the striking tiger and the white, character-shaped marking on his fur. One of them spoke up:
“That pattern isn’t that the Third Young Master?”
“What’s the Third Young Master doing out for a stroll so early? Looking so relaxed too?”
“I heard he was just punished a few days ago kept awake for three whole days and nights, training nonstop in the practice grounds. True to his reputation, he’s got incredible stamina… even after all that, he still finds time for a morning walk…”
Deep inside the tiger clan’s dungeons.
Qian Wei lay on the damp stone floor. The cell was carved underground, with no sunlight and no moonlight reaching it.
Without moonlight, he could not replenish his energy. Fortunately, the little girl had given him two tree crystals earlier.
Tree crystals were rare treasures. For ordinary beastfolk, they were little more than something to chew on when desperate for food, barely enough to stave off hunger.
But perhaps because his constitution had been different from birth, the crystals had nearly the same effect on him as moonlight. When he could not absorb lunar energy, carrying a few tree crystals allowed him to restore his strength temporarily and maintain his ability to cast certain illusions.
Still, he had not yet eaten the ones she gave him.
He was still unsure whether he would need to use illusions to escape. After all, Hulingye was still out there.
If she came to rescue him, then there would be no need to consume them.
After years as her mate, he trusted the bond between them. He believed she would never abandon him.
“Qian Wei…” A familiar voice echoed through the cell.
He lifted his head and saw the figure he knew so well standing before him.
Right now, he was in his beast form his ugly, true form, exposed for the first time to Hulingye’s eyes.
A sudden flush of embarrassment rose in him.
“Lingye…”
He called her name softly.
Hulingye said nothing. Staring at the stranger standing where her partner should be, for the first time she found herself lost for words.
“Why didn’t you tell me from the start?”
“Had I told you the truth from the beginning, we would never have been together. You put the clan above everything else how could you ever accept a mixed-blood as your mate?”
He had hit the nail on the head.
He understood her all too well.
Hulingye fell silent, rendered speechless.
“Will you protect me?” Qian Wei knew this was a terrible, agonizing choice for her.
Yet he still hoped to hear a definite answer from her lips.
From the moment he was born, he had been marked for abandonment. Hulingye was the first choice he had ever made with unwavering resolve.
If that choice was mutual, then for the rest of his life he would be loyal to her and her alone, with no divided heart.
All he wanted was her promise, her decision.
But Hulingye did not reply.
Qian Wei’s heart sank slightly.
“The cost of protecting me is too high, isn’t it?”
Hulingye felt a sharp pang in her chest. “Qian Wei, you know I am not yet clan chief I do not hold absolute authority…”
Qian Wei gave a bitter, self-mocking smile. “It’s all right. I understand. And even without me, you have two other mates. They will return from the hunt and stay by your side. You won’t be alone.”
The words cut through his own heart like a blade.
The tree crystals pressed hard against his palm, causing him physical pain, but he clenched his jaw and endured it.
“Very well, Eldest Young Master. I understand where you stand.”
“Qian Wei, I will not let you die!” Sensing the coldness in his tone, Hulingye spoke quickly, anxious.
But those words no longer mattered to him.
Now that he had the tree crystals, he would not die even if she did nothing.
All he had truly wanted was her choice, her guarantee. Had she given it, he would have spent every day of his life defending the safety of the tiger clan.
Since she could not give it… then so be it.
“Am I supposed to thank you first, Eldest Young Master?” he asked, his voice laced with self-derision.
Hulingye fell silent.
She had no more words to say.
Qian Wei had never harbored any ill intent; even his eventual exposure had come about because he was trying to protect her. She trusted him more than anyone. But she knew her father’s character he would never listen to such explanations.
If she went to him now to plead Qian Wei’s case, he would only assume she was blinded by love and making excuses. In that case, Qian Wei’s offense would grow worse, and there would be no chance of saving him.
If, instead, she appeared indifferent to his fate, perhaps when others explained the full story later, there might still be a way to spare his life.
If that failed, she could wait until after her father had issued judgment, then secretly free him when the time came and no one would be the wiser.
But the more she said to Qian Wei right now, the greater the risk of worsening his crime.
“There is no need. Tomorrow, Father will have you brought before the whole clan for judgment… Take care of yourself.”
Her voice was strained. With that, she turned and left the dungeon.
When Su Mingyue woke up, she found herself back in her own room without knowing exactly when or how she had gotten there.
Her last memory was of clinging tightly to the fur on Hu Lingxuan’s back, silently bemoaning her fate as a walking food supply.
Had he actually carried her back to her room?
Thinking of that perpetually grumpy expression of his, she told herself she must be imagining things.
How likely was that?
She laughed and raised a hand, as if to shake herself awake from a pleasant dream. But as she lifted her arm, she froze there, clutched firmly in her palm, was a tuft of gleaming golden tiger fur.
She stared at it in horror: “…”
Oh no. This time she was done for!