By the pool, the Devouring Fragrance Vines suddenly grew in a wild frenzy. This flora, which only bloomed when a male was aroused, aimed its stamens directly at Ruan Fu's nape, now glistening with a thin layer of sweat.
Lei Jie waved his hand, severing the vines. The sap spraying from the severed ends condensed into airborne droplets, which he smoothly caught and smeared across Ruan Fu's collarbone. It was an ancient courtship ritual of the White Tiger Clan, ensuring the female would be marked with his frosty, snow-like scent for the next three days.
"Wait... wait..." Ruan Fu's protests were swallowed back down her throat in broken gasps. She was forced to tilt her head back, helplessly accepting everything Lei Jie gave her.
Sensing her distraction, Lei Jie wrapped his tiger tail punishingly tight around her ankle. "It seems the Priest didn't teach you everything. Like where you should be looking at a time like this..."
A sudden, overwhelming numbness shot through Ruan Fu, making her arch her back as a pair of fluffy rabbit ears popped up from her hair. He deliberately caught the cartilage of her ear tip between his canines, watching with immense satisfaction as the soft fur instantly puffed up into a snowball resembling a dandelion.
Lei Jie licked away the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes, his own tiger ears brushing against the side of her neck. "Don't cry. We still have a long time to go..."
The first ray of morning sunlight spilled across Ruan Fu's face. Her eyelashes fluttered as she struggled to open her eyes, only to squeeze them shut a second later against the blinding glare. Her body felt clean and refreshed, without a trace of the soreness that usually followed such intense exertion.
It almost made her think nothing had happened last night, but the memories remained crystal clear. She had been devoured whole by Lei Jie.
Weakly, Ruan Fu raised a hand to block the harsh light and finally managed to pry her eyes open. Peeking through the gaps between her fingers was the same patch of blue sky, obscured by branching canopy. She sighed and propped herself up on her arms, trying to get up. The movement disturbed Lei Jie beside her. He opened his eyes and, in a flash, wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her right back into his embrace.
"Don't move," Lei Jie murmured, his arm draped across her waist. He pulled her flush against him, nuzzling his chin into the crook of her neck.
Seeing him like this, Ruan Fu found it incredibly difficult to connect this affectionate man with the ferocious beast from last night.
He let out a soft chuckle. "Why are you trying to get up the moment you wake? Are you trying to abandon me?"
Ruan Fu shook her head and turned to meet his heterochromatic eyes. "I... I don't even know who you are yet." She paused, her voice slightly hoarse. "But you can rest assured. I won't tell anyone. We can just treat last night as an accident!"
"An accident?" He scoffed coldly. His demeanor was unruly and arrogant, the heroic spirit between his brows on full display. "Do you really think the first soothing of the Young Master of the White Tiger Clan during his rut would be a mere accident? Little female, are you looking down on me?"
Ruan Fu bit her lower lip nervously. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were Lei Jie. But since that's the case, I will definitely keep my lips sealed and not let anyone find out. It was my..."
Before she could finish, Lei Jie reached out and pinched her chin, tilting her face up slightly. His fingertips, radiating a scorching heat, caressed her skin. "Oh? Do you have some special status I should know about?"
Ruan Fu shook her head. "I am just... I'm that rumored barren, useless female. So... once you knew, you would definitely..." Her voice grew softer and softer as she lowered her head. Her eyelashes fluttered, and a crystal-clear tear seemed ready to slip from the corner of her eye, but it was quickly caught and kissed away by Lei Jie.
"I would definitely what?" Lei Jie lowered his gaze, looking at her timid appearance with an amused expression. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Let me tell you, Ruan Fu. I don't care what you are. From now on, you are mine."
Hearing this, Ruan Fu lifted her face, her brown eyes filled with surprise. Those sparkling eyes instantly pulled Lei Jie's thoughts back to last night, when she had looked at him just like this while crying and begging for mercy. Lei Jie's Adam's apple bobbed. His eyes darkened as he gave a slight nod.
"You must be joking with me. We've only known each other for one night. Moreover, I... I have a marriage contract with An Bei of the Snake Clan. You..."
"So what if you have a marriage contract? Females are naturally allowed to take multiple husbands. Furthermore, the clan Shaman calculated yesterday that the female who intruded into the forbidden grounds is my destined wife. So regardless of your status or background, from now on, I will only acknowledge you."
Lei Jie lowered his head, trailing a series of dense, tender kisses up her collarbone. His rough thumb brushed over her soft lips before he continued. "So, Fufu, come back to the White Tiger Clan with me today. Tomorrow, I will accompany you back home to propose marriage to your father, alright?"
Ruan Fu froze, entirely caught off guard by his sudden, earnest urgency. However, if she really brought him back with her, she feared that many things would become incredibly complicated.
Her eyes darted around for a moment before she leaned against Lei Jie's shoulder, adopting a delicate, helpless posture. "I accidentally fell off the cliff. It's been a whole day and night now, so my clan must be worried sick. How about I head back first... You... it won't be too late for you to come find me when you are fully prepared."
Seeing that Lei Jie didn't respond for a long while, Ruan Fu reached out and traced little circles on his chest. "Just promise me, please?" she coaxed sweetly.
Lei Jie had seen plenty of overbearing and unreasonable females in his clan, but this was his first time encountering one so adept at showing weakness and acting cute. His heart melted instantly. Under Ruan Fu's expectant gaze, he nodded firmly, his large hand gently kneading the rabbit ears that had popped out of her head. "Alright. Whatever you say."
Her ears had always been a sensitive spot. Before long, a rosy flush crept up Ruan Fu's cheeks, and a misty haze veiled her eyes. Even her lips appeared plumper and more inviting. Lust darkened Lei Jie's eyes. His fingers slid to the back of Ruan Fu's neck, and in the next instant, he lowered his head to kiss the spot he had been coveting for a long time.
His scorching breath rushed over Ruan Fu's skin. Her body temperature spiked, her ragged breathing signaling her complete surrender as she once again embraced everything he gave her.
Lei Jie's husky voice sounded in her ear. "It's still early. Let's go another round."
Ruan Ning had no idea how long she had been following Xuan Ling. They had practically turned the entire bottom of the cliff upside down, yet there was no sign of Ruan Fu anywhere.
Staring at the scales emerging on Xuan Ling's skin due to his anxiety, Ruan Ning's expression darkened. She twisted her hands together so tightly she nearly dug through her own flesh. She had never seen Xuan Ling act like this, especially not over a female. The thought that the two of them might have been sneaking around behind her back caused the resentment and indignation in her heart to take root and sprout.
Lost in her thoughts, she carelessly stepped on a moss-covered rock and fell heavily to the ground.
"Ah!"
Following her shriek, she saw Xuan Ling, who had been walking ahead, finally come to a halt. He turned, walked back toward her, and crouched down in front of her.
Ruan Ning rubbed her already red and swollen ankle, a hint of moisture welling up in her eyes. "I wasn't paying attention and twisted my ankle. I'm afraid I can't walk anymore."
Xuan Ling rested her ankle against his knee. The bone was indeed slightly dislocated; she wouldn't be walking for quite a while. He knew he ought to feel worried and sympathetic, yet for some reason, a wave of irritation surged in his chest. He wondered if it was because they hadn't found Ruan Fu yet.
His mouth felt dry. Seeing the expectant look in Ruan Ning's eyes, Xuan Ling furrowed his brows. "Then I'll take you back first."
He knelt down with his back to Ruan Ning. The sight of his broad, muscular back made her lick her lips involuntarily. She cautiously reached out, wrapping her arms around his neck, and used his leverage to climb onto his back. Xuan Ling's distinct scent—a refreshing, clean aroma of sea salt and ocean tides—filled her nostrils. She discreetly nuzzled against him.
Her disgust for Ruan Fu intensified even further. She was supposed to use this beast-hunting trip to properly nurture her relationship with Xuan Ling, but Ruan Fu had completely ruined everything. She bit her lip. After hesitating for a long time, she finally pressed her lips against the exposed skin of Xuan Ling's neck.
"Xuan Ling, I heard you haven't been soothed by a female since coming of age. Since we already have a marriage contract anyway, why don't we take this opportunity...
"Perhaps after mating, your power..."