Su Qinglan paused at the cave entrance with a slight emotional ache in her chest. This cave had been her home, the place where she had truly woken up to her new life, and where she had lived for almost a month.
But life, she knew, must always move forward. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, released it, and stepped out, ready to depart for her new home with her three beast husbands.
"Lan Lan, you are not going to walk in this slippery mud," Hu Yan immediately protested, looking at her with concern. "What if you fall?"
Su Qinglan’s eyes confirmed his worry. The heavy rain had turned the ground outside into a slick, wet mess. Mud coated everything, and in some spots, her foot would sink if she tried to step. She absolutely couldn’t risk a fall, not when she was pregnant.
"Let me carry you," Hu Yan offered immediately, taking a step toward her.
But before he could, Han Jue smoothly beat him to it. "You hold the leaves, Hu Yan," Han Jue said, his voice surprisingly firm. "I will carry Lan Lan."
Su Qinglan’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. She gazed at him. So her shy husband was finally taking a tiny step forward! The new closeness they shared was definitely bringing him out of his shell, she thought with a delightful giggle.
Han Jue felt his face instantly heat up under her intense, sparkling gaze. He swiftly moved and picked her up into his arms. Su Qinglan didn’t protest, wrapping her arms securely around his neck and leaning completely into his warm embrace.
They began to walk. Hu Yan and Rong Ye, for maximum protection and ease of movement in the slippery mud, transformed into their beast forms.
Han Jue walked carefully, holding his female securely. Su Qinglan held on to his neck with one hand and used the other to keep the large leaf umbrella over them.
Her eyes drifted over him: the sharp, defined line of his jaw, the veins bulging slightly in his neck from the effort, and, most endearingly, the blush that had turned his ears a deep, bright red.
She leaned down towards his already burning ear. "Jue Jue," she whispered in an overly sweet voice.
Han Jue shuddered at the sound. "Hmm," he replied, asking what was wrong, before stiffening completely as she blew a soft puff of hot breath directly onto his ear. His hands instinctively tightened around her waist.
A mischievous spark flashed in Su Qinglan’s eyes. She leaned in again and whispered, "Thank you, Han Jue."
"What for?" he asked softly, utterly flustered by her actions.
She coughed shyly, though the shyness was clearly fake. "For taking care of me in the night... because of your big hands... I was so comfortable! Ahh! I mean... your medicine, because of it."
She knew exactly what she was doing. She didn’t pause for him to recover but leaned in again, her voice dropping to a seductively low tone. "Han Jue, you are so good. I could still feel your big hand moving inside me... slowly, slowly."
Han Jue was so shocked that he nearly stumbled, almost dropping her. He was overwhelmed with shyness and pure arousal. The memory of that night, of seeing her completely bare and touching her intimately, flashed vividly in his mind. He gulped.
"N-No need to thank you, Lan Lan," he stammered out, his voice barely a breath. "It is my duty."
Su Qinglan’s ears immediately perked up at the word "duty." Her teasing was about to turn completely shameless.
"And what more duty do you have, Jue Jue?" she asked playfully. "What about having cubs with your female?"
As she said the bold words, she suddenly leaned down and licked his earlobes before she gently chewed on his earlobe, teasing him with the tip of her pink tongue.
"Lan Lan, please... I... we have to go safely from here... Don’t do that," he whispered, his voice shaky, his hands tightening around her like a puppy.
He was completely shocked by her bold confession. Was she truly asking him to mate with her and have cubs? The thought alone sent a surge of pure ecstasy through him.
If they weren’t in such an exposed situation, he would have immediately claimed her with a kiss.
Then suddenly remembering something, he looked up at the massive tiger and fox walking ahead of them. Did they hear that? His face became even redder.
Su Qinglan, on the other hand, was utterly shameless. She continued to nibble and tease his earlobe, like a child with a favorite sweet.
She truly did not care if Hu Yan and Rong Ye heard. In fact, she’d be glad to give them the same treatment later. Having tasted the forbidden fruit with Xuan Long and Hu Yan, her shyness was completely gone.
All she wanted was to be plastered to her mates. They were all hers, and if she couldn’t have fun with them, who could she?
The magnificent tiger’s steps faltered for a moment. He was stunned by the female’s completely bold invitation.
Beast God! It was the first time their female had actually invited one of them to mate! He felt a rush of happiness for his brother, Han Jue.
And also for himself. Maybe... after Han Jue, she’d invite me too? He mentally braced himself, a fierce, happy anticipation building up.
On the other hand, the beautiful fox was utterly shocked, his fluffy tails twitching furiously.
Why wasn’t I the one carrying her?! He wailed internally. If I had been, maybe she would have been moved by my beautiful body and invited me!
But now he could only silently cry. That damn wolf! He seduced her before me! No, no! His competitive spirit instantly flared, and he pushed himself to walk slightly faster, wanting to be the next one she looked at.
Just wait. Once he seduced her completely and made her fall for his charm... which she would, then he would show them who the real noble fox here.
Then... hehe~ there would be fox cubs everywhere... at least dozens of them. He knew he was quite strong in that aspect. Only Lan Lan couldn’t see it.
A dejected sigh escaped his lips.