448: Chapter 448 Suppressing Feelings

One of the beastmen was the first to react. He abruptly lowered his head to hide the surprise in his eyes, his voice carrying an intentional exaggeration. "It was our discourtesy! Noble Female, it is simply because you are too beautiful, like the Moon Goddess descending. We crude beastmen have never seen such a dazzling face. We were momentarily dazed and lost our composure. Please forgive us!"

The two companions behind him also hurried to bow, echoing him repeatedly, "Yes, yes, yes! The Female is too beautiful! We were momentarily stunned and offended the Female..."

Jiao Yin's blue eyes shifted, scanning back and forth between the two Males, clearly not quite believing them.

His tall frame leaned forward slightly, inconspicuously shielding Bai Wanwan further behind him. His voice had taken on a distant tone. "I have already brought you to a safe Tribe. If you have any other questions or need help, you can look for the Clan Leader or other beastmen here."

His intention to see them off was already self-evident.

The three Males sensed the change in Jiao Yin's attitude and felt extremely vexed.

They knew their loss of composure just now had likely offended this powerful Male who had just saved their lives.

But... that Female's face was truly too similar to 'that person,' which was why they had lost their bearings.

And Jiao Yin clearly didn't need their gratitude; he had even become wary of them.

The three Males could only sigh. Under Jiao Yin's sharp, tangible gaze, they didn't dare look at Bai Wanwan again and could only bow once more to express their thanks.

Then, harboring a belly full of doubts, they turned hurriedly and disappeared into the depths of the Tribe's damp paths.

Until their figures were completely out of sight, Bai Wanwan turned her head to look at Jiao Yin beside her.

She belatedly realized that her hand had been held tightly by Jiao Yin's warm, large hand all along.

Because of the tension and the cold earlier, she hadn't even noticed.

She subconsciously gave her hand a gentle tug.

Jiao Yin tightened his grip almost immediately, as if afraid she would slip away.

But when his gaze met Bai Wanwan's eyes, he still slowly released his hand.

The cool, delicate sensation of her skin lingered on his fingertips, but he knew the Female before him did not belong to him.

"The chill outside is heavy; you can't catch more cold." His voice returned to its previous gentleness. "I'll walk you inside."

He shielded her carefully, using his broad body to block the remaining cold wind at the doorway as they entered the warm, dry Stone House.

Hua Han was sitting by the fire pit, stirring the meat broth in a ceramic pot with a bone spoon. Snowball was curled up by his legs napping, and the rest of The Cubs were chasing a small grass ball in the corner.

Seeing them enter, he asked, "Are you hungry? The meat broth is ready, have some first."

As he spoke, Hua Han stood up, giving the warmest spot to Bai Wanwan, and handed her a bowl of meat broth that had been set aside to cool slightly.

"Drink some soup first to warm up."

Bai Wanwan didn't stand on ceremony; she was indeed a bit cold.

As mouthfuls of hot soup entered her stomach, her chilled limbs gradually warmed up.

The days of worry and her taut nerves suddenly relaxed. Combined with the fact that her body hadn't fully recovered, a massive wave of exhaustion hit Bai Wanwan like a tide.

The warmth and the aroma of food in the room enveloped her, making her unable to resist yawning. Her eyelids grew so heavy she could barely keep them open.

The gazes of both Males shifted with her every move.

Bai Wanwan couldn't keep her eyes open and set the finished meat broth aside. "I'm sleepy, I'm going to sleep for a bit."

Hua Han stood up directly, supporting her weak, unsteady steps as they walked inside.

Jiao Yin held his bowl, but his gaze constantly followed the Female's figure.

He watched her walk unsteadily toward the bed in the inner room covered with thick beast skins, and saw her fall into a deep sleep almost as soon as her head touched the pillow, her breathing becoming even and long.

That face, which appeared exceptionally tranquil and beautiful in sleep, caused an indescribable sense of peace and satisfaction to well up in Jiao Yin's heart.

After Hua Han covered Bai Wanwan with a quilt and confirmed she was sound asleep, he walked back out.

He happened to meet Jiao Yin's gaze as the latter looked at Bai Wanwan, the depths of his eyes hiding an affection so intense it couldn't be dissolved.

Hua Han walked over silently and sat beside him. "Jiao Yin, I envy you."

Jiao Yin's body stiffened slightly. He withdrew his gaze and turned to look at Hua Han with a hint of confusion and bitterness. "Envy me?"

The corner of his mouth pulled into a self-deprecating curve. "What do I have that's worth your envy?"

On the contrary, he envied Hua Han's courage to pursue what he liked recklessly and bravely.

Hua Han glanced at him. "These past two days... she has been waiting for you. Her fever had just broken, and her body was so weak she could barely stand, yet she still went to the door from time to time to check the situation."

Hua Han's voice carried a hint of imperceptible sourness. "Even though I stayed by her side every day and racked my brains to coax her, I know that in her heart, you are more important than I am."

Jiao Yin's heart felt as if it were being gripped hard by an invisible hand, and a massive warm current swept through his entire body.

In the depths of his azure eyes, those long-suppressed emotions churned like lava, nearly breaking through the shackles of reason.

How he wanted to stay by her side forever from this moment on!

But...

"Thank you, Hua Han." Jiao Yin's voice was dry and heavy. "Thank you for taking care of her all this time, and thank you for telling me this. But..."

His gaze darkened as he forcibly suppressed the throbbing in his heart. "I'm afraid... I won't be able to 'confront' her Beast Husbands with you."

Hearing this, Hua Han's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

Jiao Yin's gaze turned toward the sleeping Bai Wanwan again, filled with endless attachment and reluctance. "Once there is definite news of her Beast Husbands, or once I find a power that can protect her... I will have to leave. I must return to our waters to rescue my Clan Members."

With every moment of delay, perhaps more Clan Members would die at the hands of that traitor Jiao Ming and his lackeys.

Hua Han's handsome and charming features instantly crumpled.

He knew very well that without Jiao Yin, a powerful Orange Tier peak warrior, as an ally, the hope of gaining Bai Wanwan's favor and becoming her Beast Husband through normal means in front of her powerful Beast Husbands was slim.

Hua Han's voice carried a hint of urgency. "I said I would help you. Once you and I join forces to become Wan Wan's Beast Husbands, I swear to the beast god that I will do everything in my power to help you find a way to get revenge and rescue your Clan Members."

"But I don't have that much time to wait..."

If he could, he didn't want to make a choice. He also wanted to be like Hua Han, doing anything for his beloved Female to earn her affection.

Jiao Yin closed his eyes in pain. When he opened them again, the emotions in his eyes had been forcibly suppressed.

＊＊＊＊＊＊

Meanwhile, on the distant Another Continent.

A thick smell of blood mixed with the salty tang of the sea breeze permeated the air.

The battle was nearing its end.

The black wolf Roger was covered in blood. His originally vigorous body was covered in claw marks deep enough to see bone, scorch marks, and bruises caused by being whipped with immense force.

One of his front legs was unnaturally twisted; he was relying entirely on sheer grit to keep from falling.

His back was against a cold reef as he gasped for breath. Blood constantly dripped from his fur onto the black rocks beneath his feet, blooming into startling red flowers.

Opposite him were several Males exuding a terrifying pressure.