He couldn't deny that Ophelia was exceptionally beautiful. She was like a delicately nurtured, blooming flower—pretty and fragrant, yet armed with thorns that would injure anyone who tried to grasp her.
"Tyler."
As soon as the words were spoken, Tyler's figure swiftly appeared in the stone house.
Ophelia's beautiful eyes blazed with anger. "Throw him out!"
Tyler's large hand grasped Loki's arm. With a single twist, he wrenched it behind Loki's back, completely subduing him.
Pain shot through Loki's arm, and anger rushed to his head. "What is the meaning of this, Ophelia? Haven't you always wanted me to keep you company? I'm here now, so what are you throwing a tantrum for?"
"Filthy things don't deserve to enter my room. Tyler, from now on, don't let him come within half a step of the stone house."
"Yes," Tyler nodded.
He grabbed Loki by the scruff of the neck, tossed him out, and turned to close the door.
Just as the door was about to shut, the little female's voice drifted over.
"There's no need to test me anymore. This time, I am truly going to dissolve my mate bond with him."
Tyler had been standing guard outside all night; it was impossible for him not to notice Loki entering the stone house. The reason he hadn't stopped the man was because he wanted to test her feelings.
She didn't blame him. If she had to blame anyone, she could only blame her past self for being so hopelessly love-struck, always pathetically coaxed back by a few sweet words from Loki.
Tyler didn't reply and silently closed the door.
Only when he walked under the tree outside the stone house did he dare to breathe. His heart pounded like a drum, and his hands trembled with excitement.
The next day.
Ophelia woke up early to wash up. After breakfast, she and Tyler headed to the forest designated as the Snow Wolf Clan's hunting grounds.
Early morning was exactly when animals ventured out to the stream to drink. Tyler led Ophelia to ambush behind a large rock by the stream, waiting for the perfect moment to hunt.
Hiding behind the rock, Ophelia watched a stag with massive antlers slowly approach the stream.
It wasn't in a hurry to drink. Instead, it vigilantly surveyed its surroundings and only lowered its head to drink after confirming there was no danger.
Ophelia poked Tyler, signaling that she had locked onto their target: that stag.
After drinking its fill, the stag headed toward the nearby forest to forage. Its picky gaze scanned the surrounding grass, completely unaware of the two stealthy figures trailing behind it.
It walked for a long time before finally finding a satisfactory patch of green grass, lowering its head to feast.
"Princess, wait here and don't run off."
Looking at Tyler's nervous expression, a bright smile bloomed on Ophelia's face, revealing small dimples on her cheeks.
"Don't worry, I'll protect myself. Go on now; it wouldn't be good if the wild deer ran into the deep forest."
"All right. Be a good girl and wait for me right here, Princess. I'll be back soon." Tyler took a deep look at his Princess, then swiftly chased in the direction the wild deer had disappeared.
Ophelia was well aware of her own strength, so she obediently hid behind the large rock so as not to cause any trouble.
Two hours later.
Living up to her expectations, Tyler returned carrying the wild deer and two dead wild rabbits on his shoulder.
They had traveled light and brought no food with them. Thus, they made use of local resources, finding an empty clearing by the stream to start roasting the wild rabbits.
Tyler's cooking skills were quite good, and soon the savory aroma of meat drifted through the air.
Right at this moment, a noise came from behind them.
"Huh? Loki, it's Ophelia and Tyler. Are they on a date?"
Miche, wearing a gentle smile, slowly approached. Her body seemingly tried to brush against Tyler's, but he keenly dodged her.
Awkwardness flashed across her face, but she quickly adjusted her demeanor.
Sniffing the air, she swallowed involuntarily. Just from the smell alone, she knew it had to be delicious.
"Tyler, the roasted meat you made smells amazing. Could I have a taste?"
Tyler pressed his lips together without a word, earnestly turning the roasting meat in his hands.
Having her warm overtures met with cold indifference, Miche's cheeks burned hotly.
With misty eyes, she looked toward Loki, acting aggrieved. "Loki, you know my appetite hasn't been good lately. They say males of the Dragon Clan are the best at roasting meat. The smell finally gave me some appetite; I didn't mean to fight with Ophelia over it."
Loki's brows furrowed slightly. "Ophelia, Miche only wants to taste a bite of the roasted meat. You shouldn't be so stingy."
"That's right, Mother. You can't finish this much roasted meat anyway, so just share half of it with Aunt Miche."
Ophelia casually glanced at the little female cub wearing a flower crown. The cub's fluffy, slightly curly golden hair tumbled down her back, making her look like a delicate doll.
Unfortunately, those emerald-green eyes were exactly like her scumbag father's, filling Ophelia with disgust just by looking at them.
Looking again, Ophelia noted that the female who had just spoken was also wearing a crown woven from various colorful flowers, and the male beside her wore a matching woven bracelet on his wrist.
At a glance, anyone could tell they looked like a perfectly happy family of three.
"What's this? Can the dignified next Clan Leader of the Snow Wolf Clan not even feed his beloved female? If she has to beg for food from other males, then your Snow Wolf Clan might as well disband while you're at it."
Loki's expression darkened at her words. "Ophelia, mind your words. Stop sprouting nonsense."
"Yes, if word of this gets out, how will the clan members ever respect Loki? As females, even if we can't help much, we shouldn't drag him down. Don't you agree?" Miche reminded, feigning good intentions.
"Miche is right. This is a critical moment for my election as Clan Leader. Watch your mouth. If you affect my succession as Clan Leader, I will dissolve..." Halfway through, he abruptly changed his tune. "...Then don't even think about seeing Amy again."
"Then I won't see her. So what? It's not like she's something to eat or drink; looking at her won't fill my stomach or quench my thirst."
"Mother, you..." Amy had never imagined that the mother who used to dote on her so much would say such a thing.
She pouted her little mouth and stomped her foot, snatching the flower crown off her head and throwing it fiercely to the ground. Her small face flushed bright red. "Who wants to see you? I hate you the most!"
"Amy."
A layer of anger veiled Loki's eyes. "You've broken Amy's heart. Come with me and apologize to her at once."
"Sorry, I refuse. Hasn't Miche already gone after her? Amy likes her the best anyway, so she shouldn't need my coaxing."
"You're going whether you want to or not!"
He stepped forward to grab the little female's hand, only to be blocked by a broad, thick palm.
Tyler's golden eyes flashed with a warning. "The Princess said no. No one can force her."
"You damn male, it's not your place to speak! Get out of my way."
Seeing that Ophelia no longer rejected this Dragon Beast, and recalling the humiliation he was dealt last night, Loki raised his fist and swung it at the male's face.
Faced with his attack, Tyler remained completely unbothered. He simply raised his hand and caught the fist, squeezing it so hard that Loki's face darkened with pain.
"Ophelia, are you just going to watch him treat me like this?"
Ophelia replied flatly, "If you have the energy to yell at me, why don't you fight back? It's not like I'm stopping you. Incompetence is just incompetence."
"You..."
"MOO, MOO." The bellowing of a bull echoed, drawing nearer.
"Ah! Father, save me! Mother, save me!"
"Loki, save me!"