At that moment, a dignified-looking middle-aged man came over.
He looked burly but cold, the deep lines around his mouth marking him as no gentle character, but a closer look revealed his brows and eyes bore some resemblance to Moya's.
The man released a wisp of aura.
Moya immediately dashed out from the cave, blocking Gao Yue behind him, staring at the man coldly.
"What business does the Patriarch have coming here with so many people?"
The Patriarch snorted coldly. "I didn't bring them, everyone heard you were abusing an outsider female cub and came to see for themselves. You haven't followed tribal rules—you should have reported to me about picking up a female cub outside the tribe."
Moya raised an eyebrow. "Abusing a female cub?"
Gao Yue stepped forward and explained to the Patriarch, "He hasn't abused me."
The Patriarch swept his eyes over the injuries on her body—the splint on her right arm, the bruises, the red rash.
Then he replied, "Whether or not you've been abused, I'll judge for myself."
Gao Yue frowned slightly.
A cold glint flashed through Moya's eyes. "Patriarch, have you come to deliberately cause trouble for us?"
This was the first time Gao Yue had seen him so on edge with someone.
Even before, when Shoupan had brought Lin Xi to provoke him, he'd only worn an indifferent expression, tinged with impatience—but now he seemed genuinely provoked.
Gao Yue wasn't truly a cub after all—she was already twenty-three years old, had held a job, and had met important people. She wasn't intimidated by the Patriarch's presence, and bravely stepped forward again, standing in front of Moya.
This time she ignored the Patriarch and turned to look at everyone instead.
Her voice was steady and firm.
"Thank you all for coming to check on me, but in the name of my tribe, I swear before the Beast God that Moya truly hasn't abused me. On the contrary, he's taken very careful care of me—these marks were all caused by accidents."
"I'm touched and grateful that everyone was worried enough to come see me, but please, don't misunderstand Moya. It was Moya who saved me and took me in."
"If he ends up blamed because of me, that's what would truly upset me."
By the time Gao Yue swore before the Beast God, everyone had already believed her, and hearing such a sincere speech afterward left them somewhat moved.
What a good little cub.
In truth, Moya was the young Patriarch everyone supported, and under normal circumstances no one would have dared come check on him like this. It was only because female cubs were so precious—every female was a precious asset to the tribe—that they'd worked up the nerve to come.
Now that the female cub herself had stepped up to speak for Moya, what more was there to say?
The one most moved was Moya.
When Moya heard Gao Yue step in front of him and speak her first words, his heart gave a violent lurch, and he turned to look at her in a daze.
But that wave of emotion was immediately shattered by the Patriarch's merciless voice. Enunciating clearly, his tone cold and hard, the Patriarch said, "Even if he hasn't abused you, the fact remains that he hasn't taken proper care of you!"
The marks on Gao Yue's body were ironclad proof that Moya couldn't properly care for a female cub.
The Patriarch continued, "Besides, Moya is an unmated male, and he isn't your Protector—it isn't appropriate for him to care for you long-term. There are plenty of people here now, little female. You can choose a few among them to look after you long-term."
At this, Gao Yue fell silent.
She truly didn't want to stay at Moya's place long-term.
Did she have to choose right now?
Moya slowly lowered his head and glanced at her.
His expression remained as indifferent as ever, but the elegant purple veins on the back of his hand tightened slightly, betraying a hint of his emotions.
Gao Yue glanced at him evasively. "Is that okay?"
Moya withdrew his gaze, expressionless. "Suit yourself."
That tone was clearly one of anger.
Gao Yue didn't feel good about it either, but reason told her that staying at Moya's long-term wouldn't be convenient for him.
A tall Second-tier Male Beastman was the first to step forward. "I'm willing to be the little female's Protector. The little female can live in my cave, and I'll take good care of her."
Then a long-haired Male Beastman stepped forward as well, also a Second-tier Beastman.
"I'm willing to be her Protector too. My cave is by the river—the little female should like it."
After that, several more unmated Male Beastmen stepped forward.
These were all bachelors of weak strength and advanced age, who'd previously failed to court any females—so now, seeing an opportunity, they eagerly stepped up, hoping to snag a female for themselves.
Several of the Male Beastmen were immediately criticized by onlookers.
"Bamu, aren't you Little Qiong's Protector? Now that Little Qiong doesn't want you, you're eyeing a female cub? You're already twenty-eight—how do you have the nerve to be this cub's Protector?"
"Right, right, and there's Re Ju too—he just got rejected by my elder sister. His cave isn't good either, smelly and damp. The little female won't like it."
After that, quite a few more unmated Male Beastmen emerged.
Some Female Beastmen also stepped forward, saying they were willing to adopt her. They had their own considerations too—their families had so many male cubs who needed females, and they figured they'd get first pick by being close to the source.
If they adopted Gao Yue, surely Gao Yue wouldn't be so rude as to reject every single male cub in their family, would she?
So they too eagerly put themselves forward, competing to adopt Gao Yue, loudly proclaiming how sturdy and full of potential their family's male cubs were, and how much they'd dote on her.
Gao Yue's brow furrowed.
Damn it.
So it was either go off with some bachelor who wanted to Mate with her, or become a child bride raised from infancy? This was worse than just shamelessly sticking with Moya.
Just as she was about to shrink back, the Female Beastman Moxia stepped out. "Why not let Grandma Ya's family take care of her? Little female, what do you think?"
At the mention of Grandma Ya, Gao Yue's eyes lit up.
"Would Grandma Ya and her family be willing?"
Moxia smiled faintly. "Seems like you're not against it. Don't worry, they're here too—over there in the back."
Under Gao Yue's gaze, Grandma Ya approached, supported by several of her Beast Husbands. This was the first time Gao Yue had seen Grandma Ya in human form—hair streaked with white, a kindly face, and when she looked at Gao Yue, the affection and fondness in her eyes were unmistakably genuine.
Gao Yue was more than halfway won over on the spot.
Then she thought further—Grandma Ya's home was close to the Holy Lake.
There was a mountain behind their wooden house, and if she stood on that mountain with a telescope, she should be able to see the Holy Lake.
Back when she'd traveled to Tanzania to see wildlife, she'd brought a high-powered telescope—it would definitely let her see the Holy Lake.
She didn't have the nerve to go barging into the Holy Lake, but observing it through a telescope was another matter. She wanted to see if a whirlpool would appear there.
Grandma Ya looked at Gao Yue affectionately.
"Come with us?"
However she looked at it, Grandma Ya's family was clearly the best choice. With that thought, Gao Yue nodded.
"Okay."
A faint smile crept across the Patriarch's stern, dignified face, his eyes glinting with mockery as he looked at Moya.
But Moya never saw that look—the moment Gao Yue's "okay" landed, he turned and walked away, his steps quick.
Gao Yue turned her head anxiously to watch him go, then said to Grandma Ya's family, "Wait for me, I'll pack my things and come right out!"
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