Chapter 538 - 535: Making a Promise

Chapter 538: Chapter 535: Making a Promise

"I didn’t know I was pregnant with your cub at the time..." Bai Wanwan muttered under her breath, her gaze flickering guiltily as she tried to charm her way out of the situation.

Chou Rong saw right through her little act. He took her hand, the coarse pads of his fingers rubbing against the delicate back of hers. He leaned close, his voice a low rumble meant only for her. "Wanwan, this is the second time."

There was little blame in his tone, more a sense of resignation mixed with anticipation. "Next time, you have to let me be there to see our cub being born."

Even though he already had two litters of cubs who shared her blood, as long as they were with Wanwan, he could never have too many.

In fact, a powerful and inexplicable longing bloomed deep within him: he wanted the next litter of tiger cubs to be born under his devoted care, his day-and-night vigil, to watch with his own eyes as Wanwan brought them into this world.

"Alright. Next time, I promise you’ll be there to see the tiger cubs being born." Bai Wanwan met his intense, deep gaze and nodded seriously, making her vow.

The other males, knowing Chou Rong hadn’t seen his beloved female in a long time, understood that his pent-up longing must be immense. They tactfully gave the two of them some space.

With a silent understanding, they each found something to do—some checked the tribe’s defenses, while others went to unpack their belongings, careful not to crowd around Bai Wanwan.

The ever-considerate Xin Feng prepared to take Shuang Hua to arrange comfortable lodging for her.

Shuang Hua was a sensible woman. After Bai Wanwan introduced her to Chou Rong, she smiled, took Bai Wanwan’s hand, and said, "Wanwan, I’ll go with Xin Feng to get settled in. It’s been a long and tiring journey. Once I’ve rested, I’ll come see you and the cubs."

"Of course, Aunt Shuang," Bai Wanwan quickly added. "From now on, this is your home, so please don’t stand on ceremony. If you need anything at all, just let Xin Feng, Zhu Xiu, or any of the other Beastmen know."

"Alright, alright. I won’t stand on ceremony with you," Shuang Hua replied with a smile and left with Xin Feng.

As the males around them dispersed, Chou Rong took Bai Wanwan’s hand and led her slowly toward their new home.

The new house was beautiful from every angle. It was more spacious and sturdier than their previous home, blending the rugged style of the Tiger Clan with the comfortable details Wanwan loved.

It was a shame she hadn’t gotten to properly live in and enjoy it before being abducted by Roger, which led to a whole series of ordeals.

But as she looked around now, she saw that everything in the house was just as she had left it—in fact, it was even cleaner and tidier. Chou Rong had clearly been taking care of it.

She started to walk forward, eager to see the cubs she had missed so dearly, when Chou Rong gently caught her by the wrist.

Bai Wanwan turned back, confused. Before she could say a word, a powerful arm snaked around her waist, pulling her into a solid, warm embrace.

A moment later, Chou Rong’s fiery breath washed over her. With a possessiveness that brooked no refusal, he lowered his head and captured her lips.

The kiss started tenderly, full of lingering longing and the cherished relief of her return. But soon, Chou Rong’s breathing grew labored. The hand on the small of her back tightened, as if he wanted to meld her into his very flesh and blood.

He had never considered himself a male driven by desire; the clan’s affairs consumed most of his energy. But whenever it came to Wanwan, all his self-control melted like ice under the scorching sun.

Especially now, while she was pregnant, her body had grown fuller and softer. She exuded a ripe, alluring aura that made it impossible for him to let her go. He only wanted more.

Bai Wanwan found herself stirred by his sudden, aggressive passion, and her body went weak.

But her mind was still on the cubs. Besides, after the long, dusty journey, she felt grimy all over.

She had always been fastidious about cleanliness. She struggled to turn her head away from his fiery kisses, pushing against his chest with unsteady breaths. "Wait... Chou Rong, I haven’t seen the cubs yet... I need to see that they’re alright before I can relax."

Chou Rong refused to release her waist. Her gently swelling belly pressed against him, stirring a strange and potent mix of protectiveness and possessiveness within him.

The desire hadn’t faded from his eyes, and his voice was thick with huskiness. "The cubs are perfectly safe. Can’t you go see them later?"

Right now, he just wanted his female all to himself.

"Nn... no," Bai Wanwan said, her tone firm. She shook her head. "I have to see for myself that they’re alright."

Seeing her so insistent, Chou Rong, despite the unbearable heat coursing through him, had no choice but to take a deep breath. He forcibly suppressed his roiling desire and slowly released his arms, though his large hand still held hers tightly.

"The younger cubs are playing in the treehouses. The older ones... they’re already going out with the clan’s Hunting Team to learn and train," Chou Rong said, a hint of pride coloring his voice.

Hearing that the older cubs were already joining the Hunting Team, Bai Wanwan’s heart swelled with the kind of pride a mother feels when her children are growing up. It temporarily dispelled the intimate tension from moments before.

Chou Rong led her by the hand through a side door and onto a massive tree that had been cleverly fashioned into a natural staircase and platform.

Before they even reached the top, she could hear the lively chirps and chatters of the cubs playing and roughhousing in the treehouses above.

To give the cubs a happy childhood, she had specially commissioned many quaint and charming little treehouses to be built among the sturdy branches, filling them with all sorts of little toys made from soft animal hides, smooth wood, and colorful feathers.

As if sensing something, the cubs in the treehouses began to pop their small, furry heads out of the windows and doorways, their little noses twitching and sniffing at the air.

When they caught the unmistakably familiar scent of their Father Beast and Mother, the little leopard and wolf cubs let out excited yelps. They shot out of the treehouses like little cannonballs, making a beeline for Bai Wanwan.

They swarmed around her legs, circling and rubbing their heads against her while making plaintive, needy whimpers.

Meanwhile, in a nest at the highest point, lined with soft hay and colorful feathers, several Little Phoenixes began to chirp excitedly. They flapped their wings—already showing the first signs of their future magnificence—and flew lightly down to land on Bai Wanwan’s shoulders and arms. They affectionately nudged her cheeks and hair with their still-soft beaks.

In that instant, Bai Wanwan’s heart was filled to bursting with overwhelming happiness and tenderness.

She sat right down on the wide, wooden platform and gathered the cubs into her arms as they scrambled over each other to be held. She hugged each one, stroking their little heads, checking to see if they had lost any weight, and patiently playing with them.

"Mother, Mother! Where did you go? We missed you so much!"

"SOB... Mother, why didn’t you take us with you? We’re very good!"

The cubs chattered away, pouring out their longing and "grievances." They all clung to her legs and arms, trying to make up for all their lost time and affection in one go.