Caspian slowly turned his head.
The beast skin skirt worn by this female was already worn out, with a circle of burrs along the hem.
She had to personally make her own juice.
Yet the male beside her was busy with other things.
Even so, she didn’t utter a single complaint, but instead defended Gideon Larkin.
This silent endurance and empathy weighed heavily on Caspian’s heart.
As the clan leader, he was used to seeing the females in the tribe being pampered and cherished, never seeing anyone like Seraphina Caldwell.
Clearly in a difficult situation, yet remained calm and even took responsibility.
But at this point, he was still an outsider.
Criticizing Gideon further would just seem meddlesome.
Caspian could only suppress the sudden surge of bitterness and heartache.
Seraphina noticed his expression softened, the coldness between his brows slightly receding.
"Did the clan leader come over for something specific?"
She found it somewhat odd.
Caspian, being the clan leader, was usually swamped with work, busy enough to eat during breaks.
Why would he come to wander around her outsider’s doorstep early in the morning?
Caspian didn’t answer immediately, but glanced at the wooden door teetering in the corner.
The door panel was crooked.
It creaked with the slightest wind.
He frowned slightly, and only after a moment did he return his gaze to Seraphina’s face.
"Nothing major."
"I was just passing by, thought I’d check if you’re comfortable staying here."
After a pause, he added.
"If you need any tools or ingredients, feel free to ask me. No need to be shy."
"Thank you for your kind offer, clan leader."
Seraphina smiled and shook her head.
"But right now, we truly don’t need anything. Once the other beast husbands arrive, we’ll be departing. We won’t trouble the tribe much longer."
She didn’t want too much interaction with Caspian.
The most important thing now was finding Father.
The longer they stayed here with the Leopard Clan, the greater the risk.
She didn’t want unnecessary complications, nor to be embroiled in any disputes.
Caspian anticipated her refusal.
Yet still, his gaze couldn’t help but fall back on her.
Especially on that worn beast skin skirt.
He abruptly turned his head, his gentle expression instantly turning into harsh anger.
"You, as the beast husband, haven’t even gotten a new skirt for the female master? Letting her go out in such tattered clothes?"
He was jolted, his breath nearly stopping.
Only now did he lower his head, to truly look at Seraphina’s skirt.
Previously, while traveling, his mind was filled with the journey and prey, neglecting her attire.
But now upon seeing it, he felt as if someone fiercely punched him in the heart.
These were concerns he should have been worrying about.
Now an outsider had to point them out.
Seraphina’s expression slightly darkened, a hint of displeasure on her brow.
Yesterday, escaping for her life, she indeed accidentally ruined the skirt.
The fabric had several tears from branches, looking quite shabby.
The few clean clothes she had left.
Were all neatly packed in Kaelan Hawthorne’s leather bag.
She hadn’t put any thought into these trivialities.
After all, with life on the line, a skirt’s condition was hardly worth fretting over.
Yet why did the Leopard Clan’s leader, Caspian, decide to concern himself with these private matters at such a critical time?
Her tone inevitably cooled.
"The new skirt is with another beast husband, I’ll change when he arrives."
She paused, eyes staring straight ahead.
"No need to worry yourself."
Caspian, hearing this, immediately sensed her displeasure, his brows furrowing, and promptly kept silent.
Nonetheless, he didn’t leave, but slowly turned his head.
Finally, he glared fiercely at Gideon Larkin, gritting his teeth and turning away.
Then, he strode off, heavy footsteps pressing into the muddy ground.
Leaving Seraphina and Gideon alone in the original spot.
The air seemed to congeal.
Seraphina watched Caspian’s tall figure gradually fade into the distance, her heart couldn’t help but race.
This man... Caspian, why is he so concerned with her, someone deemed a "ugly female" by the tribe?
Could it be... Father Caden Cross, during his earlier years with the Leopard Clan, privately instructed Caspian about something?
But Father hardly ever mentioned old matters, why specifically refer to her?
Could it be... the true marriage prospect Father chose for her was actually Caspian?
"The meat is... is ready, you should eat."
Gideon suddenly spoke, his voice deep.
He gently tugged at her wrist.
Seraphina looked up, meeting his gaze.
His eyes didn’t immediately shift away but lingered on her torn skirt hem.
In those deep eyes swirled thick guilt, remorse, and a heavy repressed emotion.
Her heart tightened slightly, knowing he was stung by Caspian’s earlier remark about being "incompetent."
"Don’t take it to heart, Caspian just speaks without thinking, he’s straightforward."
She forced a carefree smile, trying to sound as natural as possible.
"I have spare skirts, once Kaelan arrives, I’ll switch right away."
She glanced at her tattered skirt hem, feigning lightheartedness as she said, "It’s not like I don’t have clothes, it’s manageable."
Yet the more she comforted him lightly, the more acidic Gideon felt inside.
He recalled the moments from these past days.
Trudging through the blizzard, she never uttered a word of complaint;
But what about him?
Guarding against her, his demeanor cold, always maintaining distance.
Others could spot her worn attire in an instant.
Yet he, ostensibly her beast husband beside her nightly, seemed clueless.
Ultimately, he said nothing.
Merely turned silently, stiffly bent down.
Carefully passed her the perfectly roasted beast meat and well-cooked sweet potato fruit.
The food still steamed, emitting an enticing aroma.
Facing away from her, his shoulders slumped, his back slightly hunched.
Seraphina bit into the meat, the exterior crispy and fragrant.
The interior tender and juicy, melting in her mouth, carrying the unique wild aroma, a world apart from yesterday’s meal.
She couldn’t help chewing a few more times, about to commend him.
Lifting her gaze, she saw Gideon sitting quietly by the fire.
The piece of meat in his hand remained untouched.
The lively energy usually on his face now unseen.
Her heart softened, she quickly offered the roast meat to him, trying to flash a smile.
"You roasted this meat really well, much tastier than yesterday."
She blinked, deliberately joking in a light tone, "Did you sneak in some spices? This flavor is quite unique, I’ve never tasted it before."
After speaking, she nudged the clay pot towards him.
"This is fresh grape juice I made, perfect for cutting through the grease. I didn’t save much for you, don’t mind the small amount."
Gideon stared, hesitating slightly, his gaze initially falling on the shiny roast meat, pausing.
Then, his eyes slowly moved to the liquid swirling in the clay pot.
The juice clear and bright, with a faint purple-red glow.
She didn’t blame him for Caspian’s comment.
Instead, she took the initiative to console him, even offering him some of her freshly made juice.