Lin Huahua's little body stayed frozen on the warm flat stone, her big brown eyes wide with fear as she stared up at the massive white lion now standing in front of her.
The lion was enormous, his white mane thick and wild, his powerful shoulders so broad they seemed to block out half the morning light, and his blue eyes, looked back at her with a sadness that made her heart squeeze tight even through her panic.
Mu Qingyi noticed right away.
The gentle deer beastman crouched closer, his large antlers casting a soft protective shadow over her, and his calm voice came out full of worry as he asked softly, "Are you okay, Huahua?"
Lin Huahua opened her mouth, wanting to say that she was scared, truly scared, because his lion form was far too huge and far too powerful. Standing in front of him, she felt so small that it seemed like one careless step from him could crush her without him even noticing.
