Chapter 467 - 464: Restrained Love

Chapter 467: Chapter 464: Restrained Love

Outside the cave, the wind and snow seemed to have been driven back slightly by the warmth of the bonfire and hot pot. The howling grew distant and faint.

Inside, the flickering firelight cast warm, swaying shadows on the rock walls, and the overpowering yet alluring aroma of hot pot still lingered in the air.

The cubs had long since curled up into furry little balls on the beast-hide blankets, drifting off into a sweet slumber.

Near the cave entrance, Xin Feng was resting with his eyes closed, but his ears were pricked up alertly.

Yan Lie was leaning against the cave wall, intermittently whittling a stick with a Bone Knife. His gaze occasionally darted toward the depths of the cave with a hint of envy, but he quickly refocused on the task at hand.

Hua Han had reverted to his fox form and was feigning sleep with his eyes closed, though his ears would twitch now and then.

Zhu Xiu’s massive body was coiled near the mouth of the cave like a silent, solid bulwark, his serpentine head slightly raised as he watched everything in the distance.

Yin Ze sat a little farther away, his golden-red wings slightly furled. His gentle gaze watched over everything inside the cave, guarding this hard-won tranquility.

In the deepest part of the cave, the softest, thickest beast-hide blankets had been laid out, and several layers of heavy beast-hide curtains cordoned off a warm space.

Jin Yi had shifted back to his human form. He lay on his side, carefully holding Bai Wanwan in his arms.

Her back was pressed against his warm, solid chest, her head pillowed in the crook of his powerful arm. Her swollen belly was gently protected by the curve formed by their bodies.

Jin Yi’s arm was wrapped around her waist, his lightly calloused palm resting ever so gently on her lower abdomen.

"It’s almost time, isn’t it?"

Bai Wanwan shifted into a more comfortable position. "Mhm, probably in about ten days."

"Are you uncomfortable? I can rub it for you."

"No, I’m not uncomfortable."

Bai Wanwan settled comfortably in his arms and looked up at him. "Don’t you want me?"

She could clearly feel Jin Yi’s body growing increasingly tense.

His warm breath fanned across the side of her neck and behind her ear, carrying a distinct heat and a suppressed raggedness.

The tranquil atmosphere in the cave, the soft, warm body of his lover in his arms, and her faint, lingering fragrance were all like the most tempting catalysts, igniting the desire that lay dormant deep within him.

His kisses, dense and scorching, traveled from the crown of her head down to her sensitive earlobe and the hollow of her neck, filled with both desire and reverence.

Bai Wanwan could clearly feel the tense muscles of the male behind her, and the searing heat radiating from his body that felt as if it were about to boil.

His strong, powerful heartbeat pressed against her, pounding like a war drum.

Scorching lips descended.

Her body, already sensitive from the pregnancy, quietly awakened under his intimate ministrations, a familiar warmth spreading deep within her.

She turned slightly, and in the dim, warm firelight, she reached up to gently cup Jin Yi’s handsome face, his cheeks taut with restraint.

His golden eyes seemed exceptionally deep in the firelight, surging with a tide of intense passion, like molten gold that threatened to devour her.

But every muscle in his body screamed of restraint. The arms holding her controlled their strength, afraid of hurting her, with a caution that was almost reverent.

"It’s alright, Jin Yi," Bai Wanwan’s voice was as soft as a feather brushing against the heart, carrying both a soothing quality and a hint of imperceptible allure. Her fingertips traced his tense jawline. "I’m fine. The little one is being good, too."

The female’s words and gentle touch were like pouring a ladle of hot oil onto a blazing fire.

Jin Yi’s breath hitched. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and the arms around her unconsciously tightened. He could almost hear the sound of his own reason stretching to its breaking point.

He desired her, so much so that his very soul was screaming for her.

He lowered his head, pressing his forehead against hers, their hot breaths mingling.

Those molten-gold eyes gazed deep into hers. His voice was terribly hoarse, thick with desire yet underscored by an even deeper restraint. "Wanwan... don’t tempt me..."

He spoke with difficulty, each word sounding as if it were being forced from his scorching chest. "Just being able to hold you like this, to kiss you... that’s more than enough happiness for me."

He reverently placed a long and deeply affectionate kiss on her lips, one filled with endless fondness and satisfaction.

The hot tide of passion gradually subsided under his extreme restraint.

Bai Wanwan nestled in his warm embrace. The only sounds in the cave were the crackling of the bonfire and the even breathing of the cubs.

In this rare moment of peace, she spoke softly. "Coming out here this time, I didn’t expect to get entangled in matters of my own origin, and it’s delayed us for so long... Once things with the Flood Dragon Clan are completely settled and all the trouble is resolved," she looked up, meeting his gentle gaze in the dim light, "I’ll go back with you to the Golden Lion Tribe for a visit and stay for a good while."

Jin Yi froze for a moment. ’Go back to the tribe...’ He did indeed miss his homeland.

’But her safety and happiness would always come first.’

His golden eyes were stunningly bright in the firelight, reflecting her charming, languid face and brimming with a deep affection and contentment that was about to overflow.

He couldn’t help but lower his head and press his lips to her forehead. "Mhm, but there’s no hurry, Wanwan."

His arms tightened, pulling her flush against him so they could feel each other’s heartbeats. "You’re right here by my side, in my arms. You and the little one are both safe and sound... That’s more important than anything."

His words were like the warmest spring water, slowly seeping into Bai Wanwan’s heart.

She closed her eyes and relaxed completely, drifting off to a deep sleep in his firm, warm embrace, in this haven that her Beast Husbands had created together, a sanctuary from the wind and snow outside.

Jin Yi gazed at her peaceful sleeping face, feeling her steady breathing and the slight movements of the small life in her womb. All traces of agitation vanished from his golden eyes, leaving only boundless tranquility and satisfaction.

He carefully adjusted his position to make her more comfortable, then closed his own eyes, his chin resting lightly on the crown of her head.

Outside the cave, the wind and snow seemed to have lessened considerably.

Zhu Xiu’s enormous serpentine head lifted slightly, his cold, vertical pupils gazing into the pitch-black night sky as he sensed the subtle changes in the storm.

Inside the cave, the glow of the bonfire gently enveloped the embracing lovers, the soundly sleeping cubs, and the males standing guard, turning this small corner of the world into the warmest of nests on a cold, snowy night.

This brief tranquility was the most precious gift before the storm.

Five days later, the blizzard began to subside, signaling that the snowy season was about to end.

Bai Wanwan knew she was about to give birth and would go to the cave entrance from time to time to look out.

’The Flood Dragon Tribe had already lost two groups of males; who knows if they’ll send a third.’

Although the males were there to stand guard, Bai Wanwan couldn’t completely relax.

That night, Bai Wanwan was lying in Yan Lie’s arms when she suddenly pushed the male away. "Yan Lie, go boil some water, quickly! I... I think I’m going into labor!"