He could not deny that Ophelia was exceptionally beautiful. She was like a pampered, blooming flower—pretty and fragrant, yet thorny, destined to prick anyone who tried to hold her in their palm.
"Taylor."
The moment the words left her lips, Taylor appeared instantly within the stone house.
Ophelia’s beautiful eyes flashed with fury. "Throw him out!"
Taylor’s large hand gripped Loki’s arm, twisting it behind his back and pinning him in place.
Pain surged through Loki’s arm, fueling his anger. "Ophelia, what is the meaning of this? You’ve always wanted me to keep you company, haven't you? I’m here now, so what are you making a scene for?"
"Dirty things have no place in my room. Taylor, never let him come within half a step of this stone house again."
"Understood." Taylor nodded.
He dragged Loki out by the scruff of his neck and turned to close the door.
Just as the door was about to latch, the Little Female’s voice drifted out.
"Stop testing me. This time, I am truly ending our relationship as partners."
Taylor had been keeping watch outside all night. It was impossible for him not to have noticed Loki entering the house; the only reason he hadn’t intervened was because he knew the other man was testing her heart.
She did not blame him. If there was anyone to blame, it was her own past self, so blinded by love that she had pathetically allowed herself to be coaxed back by Loki’s empty words time and again.
Taylor didn't answer; he silently closed the door.
Only when he reached the tree outside the stone house did he dare to breathe. His heart hammered like a drum, and his hands trembled with sudden excitement.
The next day, Ophelia rose early to wash and dress. After breakfast, she and Taylor headed toward the forest designated for the Snow Wolf Tribe’s hunting.
Dawn was the time when animals ventured to the creek to drink. Taylor brought Ophelia to a spot behind a large rock by the bank, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Hiding behind the stone, Ophelia saw a stag with massive antlers walking slowly toward the water.
It didn't rush to drink, instead surveying its surroundings with caution, ensuring there was no danger before lowering its head to the stream.
Ophelia poked Taylor, signaling that the target was locked: it was that stag.
Having quenched its thirst, the stag wandered toward the nearby forest to graze. It picked through the grass with a discerning eye, completely oblivious to the two stealthy figures trailing behind it.
They walked for quite some time before the stag found a patch of green grass to its liking and began to eat greedily.
"Princess, wait here. Don't wander off."
Ophelia looked at Taylor, who appeared tense. A small dimple appeared on her cheek, and her smile was radiant.
"Don't worry, I can protect myself. Go on now; it would be a pity if the deer ran off into the deep forest."
"Very well. Stay here and be good, Princess. I will be back soon." Taylor gazed deeply at his Princess before swiftly pursuing the direction the stag had vanished.
Ophelia knew her own limits and stayed safely tucked behind the large rock, careful not to be a burden.
True to her expectations, two hours later, Taylor returned carrying the stag along with two dead rabbits.
They were traveling light and had brought no food, so they made use of what they had and found a clearing by the creek to roast the rabbits.
Taylor had a talent for cooking, and soon the savory scent of meat began to waft through the air.
Just then, a commotion sounded from behind them.
"Oh, look! Loki, it’s Ophelia and Loki. Are they out on a date?"
Michelle approached slowly with a gentle smile, her body leaning in as if to get close, only for Taylor to dodge her with sharp reflexes.
She looked embarrassed for a moment, but quickly adjusted her composure.
She sniffed the air, swallowing involuntarily; she knew just from the scent that it must be delicious.
"Taylor, the meat you’re roasting smells so good. Could you let me have a taste?"
Taylor remained tight-lipped, focusing intently on turning the meat over the fire.
Having been snubbed, Michelle felt her cheeks burn.
Her eyes welled with mist as she looked toward Loki, appearing aggrieved. "Loki, you know my appetite hasn't been great lately. Everyone says the males of the Dragon Clan are the best at roasting meat. I just felt a bit of an appetite when I smelled it; I didn't mean to compete with Ophelia."
Loki’s brows knit together. "Ophelia, Michelle just wants a bite of the meat. You shouldn't be so stingy."
"That’s right, Mother. You can't possibly finish all this meat. Why don't you share half with Auntie Michelle?"
Ophelia cast a casual glance at the Little Female child wearing a flower crown. The child’s golden hair was slightly curled and fluffy around her head, making her look like an exquisite doll.
It was a pity that those bright green eyes looked so much like her scumbag father’s, filling Ophelia with immediate disgust.
Looking further, she saw the Little Female also wore a crown woven from colorful flowers, and the male beside her wore a woven bracelet on his wrist.
At a glance, it was clearly a happy family of three.
"What, has the dignified next leader of the Snow Wolf Tribe become so impoverished that he can't even feed his beloved Little Female? Does she need to beg for food from other males? If so, your Snow Wolf Tribe might as well disband."
Loki’s expression darkened at her words. "Ophelia, watch your language. Don't spout nonsense."
"Exactly. If word of this gets out, how will the tribespeople be able to respect Loki? A Little Female should support her mate, not drag him down. Wouldn't you agree?" Michelle offered what sounded like helpful advice.
"Michelle is right. This is a critical time for my selection as tribal leader. Keep your mouth shut. If you jeopardize my succession, I will..." He stopped mid-sentence, changing his tone. "Don't think you'll ever see Amy again."
"I don't need to see her. She’s not meat—it’s not like looking at her will fill my stomach or quench my thirst."
"Mother, you..." Amy had never expected the mother who had once doted on her so much to say such things.
She pouted, stomped her foot, and ripped the flower crown from her head, throwing it heavily onto the ground. Her little face flushed red. "Who wants to see you? I hate you the most!"
"Amy!"
A layer of fury clouded Loki’s eyes. "You’ve hurt Amy’s feelings. Come with me and apologize to her right now."
"Sorry, I refuse. Isn't Michelle right there? She loves her the most, she shouldn't need me to coax her."
"Like it or not, you are coming!"
He stepped forward to grab the Little Female’s hand, but was intercepted by a thick, calloused palm.
Taylor’s golden eyes held a warning. "Princess said no. No one is going to force her."
"You damn beast, who do you think you are to speak? Get out of my way!"
Seeing Ophelia no longer pushing this Dragon Beast away, and recalling the humiliation he had suffered the night before, Loki raised his fist and smashed it toward the male’s face.
In response to the attack, Taylor remained calm and indifferent. He simply raised a hand and caught Loki’s fist, applying enough pressure to make Loki’s face turn black with pain.
"Ophelia, are you just going to stand there and watch him do this to me?"
Ophelia said flatly, "If you have the ability, yell at me. Why don't you fight back? I didn't stop you. Incompetence is just incompetence."
"You..."
"Moo, moo!" A bovine bellow sounded from nearby, moving closer.
"Ah! Father, help! Mother, help!"
"Loki, save me!"