Even though the two of them were as familiar with each other as could be, Viola still couldn't fully get used to doing this in broad daylight. She initially tried to push him away, her face flushing deep red as she babbled things like"Wait,""No," and"Now's not the right time."

  But Draven gave her no chance. His breath was hot and hurried, his gaze wild and unrestrained like a beast's, as if all restraint and courtesy had lost their meaning in that moment.

  After several struggles, she eventually gave in. The little fox girl was like a leaf caught in a storm, completely lost in that overwhelming passion that seemed ready to tear her apart.

  In the end, she collapsed weakly against Draven's chest, her whole body feeling like it had been soaked in water, even moving a finger was a struggle.

  This time, Draven seemed like a different person. The aura he exuded was wild and heavy, like the top predator in the wilderness. That sense of aggression nearly took her breath away.

  "Where on earth did you learn all this…" Viola bit her lip and whispered softly, her voice almost coquettish.

  Draven didn't answer, only chuckled and grabbed a bottle of aged blood wine from the bedside, tilting his head back to take a big gulp. His expression was like someone who had just won a battle, a bit proud and relaxed at the same time, feeling refreshed and even a little overly excited.

  He laughed and shook his head, as if he had just unlocked some secret to life.

  Viola gave him a lazy glance, knowing it was useless to argue further. Just then, Draven suddenly pulled out a yellowed manuscript from under the pillow, a mischievous smile curling the corner of his mouth.

  "Don't tell me you learned that whole routine from this…" Viola squinted.

  "The experiment turned out well, didn't it?" Draven cleared his throat lightly."There are follow-up chapters too. Want to keep practicing another day?"

  Viola rolled her eyes and ignored him completely.

  No one knew how long had passed before they finally stepped out of the stone house. The sun was nearly setting, and the evening glow scattered a warm orange-red light across the entire camp.

  Draven pushed the door open as if nothing had happened, looking vibrant and energetic. Behind him, the little fox girl Viola walked with a slower pace but wore a rare glow on her face, as if she had been nourished inside and out.

  Unlike before, this time Viola even voluntarily went out with him. Draven felt a bit surprised and couldn't help but admire the Blood Elves' research in certain areas.

  After all the exertion just now, they should have been exhausted. Yet instead of feeling weak, the power in their bloodlines seemed awakened by some secret energy, slightly enhanced.

  "Just having fun isn't enough, and you can even train through it—this research is just unreasonable," Draven grinned and shook his head.

  At dinner, he sat at the table full of energy, planning to continue their training tonight, when he suddenly noticed Alaric acting strange.

  Usually, the boy would sneak glances at Ayla, and although he never said anything, the little feelings were obvious. But today, he kept his head down, even holding his chopsticks backward while eating.

  Draven couldn't help but ask,"What's wrong? Did the batch of wine you brewed go bad?"

  Alaric shook his head, mumbling quietly,"No, it's fine."

  His eyes darted nervously, avoiding everyone's gaze. Draven looked at the little fox girl next to him, and they exchanged a helpless glance, completely baffled by how this silly kid suddenly seemed like a different person.

  After dinner, Draven was about to find an excuse to pull Viola back to the room for more practice, but she gently pressed his shoulder.

  "Stop fooling around. My brother's got something going on. Go check on him."

  Draven frowned but nodded. He knew Viola cared a lot about her brother Alaric, and the boy really was acting strange today.

  Alaric and Ayla were already thirteen or fourteen and no longer lived with the other little ones. The two lived in adjacent stone houses—small but separate. Yet, even with the houses so close, the distance between them seemed impossible to bridge.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Draven pushed open Alaric's door. The room was pitch dark. Alaric lay on the bed, seemingly unaware that he had entered.

  "Get out," Alaric grumbled without looking back, sounding like he was dismissing some annoying child.

  "Quite a temper," Draven frowned, walked over quickly, and gave the boy's butt two light pats.

  Alaric flipped over sharply. Seeing Draven, his anger instantly turned into embarrassment and sorrow. His eyes were red and swollen, as if he had bottled up a mountain of emotions.

  "What are you doing here?" Alaric bit his lip, trying not to cry out loud.

  Draven lit the beast oil lamp on the table. Although werewolves had night vision, he was used to having a light on. He sat down quietly, watching the boy on the bed."Did you upset Ayla again?"

  Alaric stayed silent, just staring at the floor.

  Draven sighed. He wasn't good at handling youthful emotions, but this boy was Viola's brother—he couldn't just ignore him.

  "Do you want to know why Ayla's been ignoring you lately?"

  Alaric frowned, his lips moving but no words coming out.

  "You know, your Fire Fox clan used to be matriarchal, right? But things have changed. You've got to get stronger, at least don't act so pathetic in front of her."

  "Ayla's a proud little fox. If you keep looking pitiful all the time, she'll only ever see you as a little brother—not as a man."

  Looking at Alaric, head bowed and face full of frustration, Draven felt a headache coming on. He really didn't want to waste time on the annoying emotions of a teenage boy, especially at this late hour in the stuffy room. All he wanted was to get back quickly to Viola and continue their training.

  "Listen carefully," he pointed at Alaric, his tone firm,"Wake up your bloodline quickly. Stop wasting time here being sentimental. Once you succeed, I promise you—Ayla will be yours!"

  He meant it sincerely, with a hint of helpless amusement. Even the boys among the demi-humans were becoming this love-crazed?

  Suddenly, Alaric raised his head sharply. A flicker of light in his eyes ignited like a fire in the dark night. He clenched his fists but said nothing. Yet Draven could clearly see that spark of newly ignited determination.

  Feeling that he had hit the right nerve, Draven didn't bother arguing with this half-grown kid anymore and turned to leave. Without looking back, he tossed out one last remark:"Don't make me wait too long! Get stronger fast—don't let yourself be the one who can't even protect your own wife!"

  The moment Draven stepped out of the stone house, his mood improved considerably. He wasn't the type to nag, but tonight he had said a lot. He glanced back at the tightly closed stone door and smiled faintly.

  Meanwhile, Ayla, leaning quietly against the door of the next room, felt her cheeks flush red. Of course, she had heard everything just now—especially the line"Ayla is yours," which made her whole face burn.

  She didn't argue or come out to stop them, just stood silently and muttered quietly to Alaric,"Idiot."

  Draven was about to head home but was called back after only a few steps.

  A childish female voice rang out in the night. It was Liliana, the little girl bouncing over with a bright smile, grabbing him by the hand."Take me to see the stars!"

  "Now?" Draven frowned, looking at the sky."It's going to rain soon."

  "No way! I just saw the red moon and stars!"

  "You're making that up," Draven wanted to refuse, but he couldn't resist her coaxing and tugging, so he was eventually pulled along toward the city wall.

  He cursed himself silently for being foolish. He shouldn't have taught that girl to watch the stars in the first place.

  Climbing the wall, sure enough, the sky was still clear. Ragnar lay quietly on the battlements, breathing softly, huge and fluffy like a living wall.

  Liliana laughed and threw herself onto the magical wolf's back. She pulled Draven down beside her and looked sideways at him:"Do you think I'm annoying?"

  Draven sighed but said nothing. He was actually a little afraid of this girl's enthusiasm. She was too forward and direct—he didn't even dare be alone with her for long.

  Suddenly, she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek."I like you," she said seriously.

  Draven was about to reply when he felt a coolness on his face. He raised a hand to touch it—it was water."It's raining."

  The sky darkened, and the stars and red moon were soon swallowed by clouds. Raindrops fell sparsely at first, then steadily, cooling as they landed on his face and clothes, seeping down to his bones.

  Liliana jumped off Ragnar's back and hopped around in the rain."It's raining! It's raining!" she shouted happily, not caring that her hair was soaked.

  Watching her play wildly, Draven couldn't help but sigh. He glanced at the little magic wolf Ragnar, silently enduring the rain, eyes wide with a look of existential despair.

  "The rainy season has come," Draven muttered.

  By the time he returned inside, he was soaked through. After sending Liliana back, strangely, his mood calmed and even felt refreshed.

  "Did it rain?" Viola's voice came from inside.

  She was sitting by the lamp, sewing beast leather, waiting for him. Seeing him standing at the door dripping wet, she immediately put down her needlework and took a piece of leather to wipe his hair.

  Draven didn't move, just bowed his head, letting her carefully wipe. Her hands were gentle, fingertips lightly brushing across his forehead, hair roots, and behind his ears, gradually sweeping away the chill and wetness.

  "Why not let others handle these things?" he looked at the half-finished clothes and said casually.

  Viola said nothing, only smiled and continued sewing. Draven sat down and briefly told her about Alaric tonight. Hearing this, Viola sighed softly.

  "That kid… it's not easy for him either."

  She explained that male fire foxes had long been taught a matriarchal mindset since childhood, and over time lost much of their ambition. They were good at submission and accustomed to dependence.

  "From birth, no one ever told them how to fight for anything," she whispered."But Alaric is different. He wants to be strong. He wants change."

  Draven leaned on her and suddenly smiled."Then I really should thank your tribe for what happened back then. Otherwise, you'd probably be a young lady wielding a whip, bossing the males around all day?"

  Viola gently punched his chest and gave him a teasing glance."Don't say nonsense."

  Draven hugged her tighter.

  "No'ifs', Draven." She lifted her head to look into his eyes."Having you is enough."

  "Love me."