Chapter 590 - 587: Head-to-Head

Chapter 590: Chapter 587: Head-to-Head

It was late at night by the time Chou Rong finished his meeting with the elders, having settled matters such as adding new patrol teams and expanding the Cub Garden.

Even though he had moved as quickly as possible, he had still been delayed for too long.

For the first time in his life, the short distance felt immense. He wished he were a Beastman of the Bird Clan, that he could sprout wings and fly to Wanwan’s side in an instant.

He hurried through the quiet marketplace, his steps quickening as he headed toward the tranquil residences at the rear of the tribe.

However, on the forest path near his home, his keen senses immediately picked up something unusual in the air.

The night wind carried more than just the fresh fragrance of grass and trees. It was mingled with a cloying, sweet scent he knew all too well—the scent unique to his little female when she was aroused. And mixed within it was the strong, masculine musk of Zhu Xiu.

Chou Rong’s steps came to an abrupt halt, as if he’d been frozen to the spot by invisible ice.

The flicker of joy and warmth that had sparked at her return was instantly plunged into an icy abyss. A corner of his heart felt as if it had been viciously squeezed, and a dull ache spread through him.

Deep within the woods, Zhu Xiu sensed Chou Rong the very instant he entered his perceptual range.

He paused for a moment. The female in his arms was whimpering in protest of his excessive movements, even beginning to kick at him with her weak legs.

Bai Wanwan’s face was flushed, her gaze hazy. Noticing he had suddenly gone still, she looked up at him. "What’s wrong?"

Zhu Xiu snapped back to reality. He pulled the female in his arms tighter and kissed her, resuming what they had started.

He continued until the female went limp with exhaustion.

He sensed the unmoving presence outside, a complex emotion flashing through his dark, slitted pupils.

’He wasn’t finished yet. The warm, fragrant, and soft woman in his arms was an incredible temptation.’

’But... he couldn’t ignore the other male outside—one who was just as powerful, and who loved her just as deeply.’

’In fact, he could keenly feel what the other man was going through.’

’He could never truly have Wanwan to himself. The realization was piercingly clear at this moment.’

"I’ll stop teasing you," Zhu Xiu said, taking a deep breath to suppress his surging desire. His voice was rough with lingering passion, but he deliberately softened his touch, patting her back soothingly. "Go to sleep if you’re tired."

Bai Wanwan blinked her glistening eyes in surprise. ’Zhu Xiu is letting me off this easily tonight?’

Though she was confused, her body was truly exhausted. With so many energetic Beast Husbands, she would have been tormented to the point of collapse long ago if not for the help of her System Points.

The moment she relaxed, a heavy wave of sleepiness washed over her. She mumbled an answer, found a comfortable spot in Zhu Xiu’s arms, and fell soundly asleep.

Once he was sure she was fast asleep, Zhu Xiu carefully wrapped her snugly in a soft animal hide to keep her warm. Only then did he carry her out from the shadow of the trees.

The cool moonlight spilled down like mercury. Chou Rong stood motionless nearby, his handsome face appearing exceptionally cold and hard in the lunar glow. His eyes, usually so calm and wise, now seemed to hold a glacial chill that was colder than the night itself.

Zhu Xiu walked up to Chou Rong, still holding Bai Wanwan. Seeing the other man’s expression, he let out a soft sneer, his voice tinged with understanding and a barely perceptible hint of mockery. "The moment you chose to join us as one of Wanwan’s Beast Husbands, you should have known she can’t be possessed by any one male."

The words were like a sharp Ice Cone, precisely piercing the calm Chou Rong was struggling to maintain.

Zhu Xiu quietly watched the emotions flicker across his face.

’He had gone through this same emotional turmoil himself.’

’So, he understood the other man. He also wasn’t exactly willing to share his female.’

’But this continent was fraught with danger. He couldn’t protect Wanwan and the cubs by himself.’

’Forming an alliance with other powerful males and sharing a mate was the most realistic and effective way to protect her.’

’He accepted it rationally, but emotionally, every time he had to face her intimacy with another male, the possessiveness rooted deep in his bloodline would still scream in protest, bringing a sharp, stabbing pain.’

Chou Rong remained silent, not refuting Zhu Xiu’s words. His gaze, however, drifted uncontrollably to the tranquil, sleeping face in Zhu Xiu’s arms.

Seeing her so well-cared for and sleeping peacefully, the violent rage surging within him was finally, bit by bit, forced down.

"Give her to me."

He stared at Zhu Xiu, the two males’ gazes locking in a silent clash.

’He had expected Zhu Xiu to resist, for them to be even more confrontational.’

But to his surprise, Zhu Xiu actually offered the female to him.

"Giving her to you isn’t my desire, but... for Wanwan’s safety, it’s something both you and I must accept."

Chou Rong frowned, seemingly mulling over Zhu Xiu’s words.

At the same time, he reached out and took Bai Wanwan from Zhu Xiu’s arms, pulling her tightly into his own embrace.

"I’m yielding to you tonight because you and Wanwan have been apart for months," Zhu Xiu said. "From now on, it’s a fair competition."

After speaking, his gaze swept over Bai Wanwan’s peaceful face like the softest feather, lingering for a moment. Finally, with a restrained clench of his fist, he turned decisively and walked away, his tall figure quickly disappearing into the deep night.

Chou Rong’s gaze followed Zhu Xiu’s back until he had vanished completely, only then did he slowly look away.

’As a top-tier male himself, how could he not sense that Zhu Xiu’s possessiveness—buried deep in his very bones—was identical to his own?’

’And yet, he had willingly given Wanwan to him...’

An indescribably complex emotion swirled in Chou Rong’s heart.

He lowered his gaze to Bai Wanwan, who slept defenselessly in his arms. The moment he felt her breath on him, his cold, hard features softened ever so slightly.

’He had never imagined that his heart—so long accustomed to weighing the tribe’s interests, as hard as stone—would one day be so completely captivated by a single female.’

’During the days and nights she had been away, his thoughts were consumed not by tribal affairs, but by whether she was safe and when she would return.’

’This unfamiliar feeling of concern was both sweet and deeply unsettling.’

But Bai Wanwan, deep in her slumber, was oblivious to it all.

She only felt a warm, familiar embrace enveloping her tightly. The scent was incredibly reassuring, and she allowed herself to sink deeper into a sweet, dark slumber. She slept until the sun was high in the sky the next day, its warm light pouring through the stone window and filling the room.

She wanted to stretch comfortably, but the moment her arm moved, she felt the solid presence of the male beside her.

Her memories flooded back. Remembering that she had been with Zhu Xiu last night, a lazy, satisfied smile spread across her lips. She opened her eyes, her voice soft and drowsy from sleep. "Morning!"

However, as her vision focused, she saw who was lying beside her: Chou Rong, his dark eyes deep and his expression unreadable. The smile on her face instantly froze, like the surface of a frozen lake.