’While he wanted more reasons to keep Eva around, watching these two brothers hem and haw, pushing the responsibility back and forth as if Eva was obligated to wait for them, was utterly infuriating. Did they really think their female couldn’t find another male?’

Caden Albright’s lips curled slightly in a faint, mocking smile, but his amber eyes held an innate coldness.

At his words, both Drake and Julian fell silent.

Evangeline, however, was perfectly composed and felt no awkwardness at all. She said, "I have to go back. The cub will be born soon, and Danton, as the father, can’t be absent. There are plenty of people at home to take care of me. We’ll get through the Cold Season just fine."

At her frank rejection, Julian’s eyelashes trembled, his eyes filled with dejection, and his lips twisted into a self-mocking smile.

’He hadn’t planned on asking her to stay, but hearing her reject the idea so decisively still sent a secret, dull ache spreading through his chest. It felt a hundred times more painful than any wound he’d received fighting the Vulture Clan.’

Drake lifted his gaze to Evangeline. Her expression was serene, as if she were detached from everything in the world.

Sensing his gaze, Evangeline’s placid features softened slightly. "I hope your migration goes smoothly."

With that, she looped her arm through Caden Albright’s and said, "Let’s go find Loras. It’s time for us to head back."

’Loras had been leaving early and returning late these past two days, always bringing back some Spiritual Medicine like a little treasure-hunting machine. It made Evangeline feel rather foolish. If only she had known he had this talent, she would have brought him along on her excursions.’

A tender light bloomed in Caden Albright’s eyes. He nodded slightly, and as he lowered his gaze, he transformed into a giant, snow-white fox.

He bent his forelegs, the tip of his fluffy tail sweeping a half-arc across the ground. Once Evangeline had climbed onto his back, he straightened up, carrying her as he leaped lightly from the cave. His silver-white form bounded from one protruding rock to another along the cliff face, and in a flash, they were at the bottom.

Drake stood at the edge of the cliff, his long brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

"Brother, you’re just going to let her leave like that?" Julian suppressed the bitter taste in his throat and looked up at Drake, a hint of disapproval in his eyes. They were about to migrate, which meant they wouldn’t see her for the entire Cold Season. Yet his brother hadn’t said a single kind word and just let her go. Even if he’d never had a female of his own, Julian knew this was wrong.

’Even though Evangeline knew his brother had always been cold and stoic, this level of indifference was clearly not appropriate for the moment.’

Just as Julian was about to say more, Drake was already streaking off in the direction Evangeline had gone.

He stared at Drake’s receding figure. Suddenly, a faint smile touched his lips—a mix of mockery, resignation, and relief. As he gently shook his head, his golden ponytail caught the harsh sunlight, reflecting a brilliant yet cold arc of light that was almost painful to look at.

*

Meanwhile, just as Caden Albright was carrying Evangeline away from the base of the Goldeagle Tribe’s cliff, the tips of his snow-white ears suddenly twitched.

The rush of wind from behind grew sharp. He halted his steps and glanced back lazily. Seeing the great, crimson-gold bird diving toward them, a playful glint surfaced in his amber eyes.

Evangeline’s eyes flickered, and a faint smile, gone in an instant, touched their depths.

’It seems I let out the kite string... just the right amount, didn’t I?’

Drake folded his crimson-gold Feather Wings, his eyes locked on the figure seated upon the white fox’s back.

The female looked back with a small smile as the cool mountain breeze lifted a strand of her long hair. The corners of his usually tight-set lips relaxed almost imperceptibly. He rarely smiled—after all, the Goldeagle Clan excelled at restraint—but at this moment, he felt completely at ease.

Evangeline nimbly hopped down from Caden Albright’s back. With such agility, she didn’t look pregnant in the slightest.

Caden Albright’s tail coiled around her waist, its fluffy tip patting her back in warning. "Be careful."

He slanted a look at her with his amber eyes, which were filled with a mix of exasperation and indulgence.

Evangeline let out a soft laugh and walked toward Drake.

Seeing this, Caden Albright ambled a short distance away, gave his snow-white tail a gentle sweep, and elegantly settled onto the ground.

His long, narrow fox eyes periodically scanned the dense woods around them. Detecting nothing out of the ordinary, he lowered his head and began to meticulously groom the fur on his chest with his crimson tongue, each silver strand shimmering with a silken sheen.

Meanwhile, just as Evangeline came to a stop before Drake, his tall, slender form suddenly descended upon her.

He wrapped his arms around her tightly, enveloping her completely in his shadow and resting his chin gently on the crown of her head.

Evangeline paused for a moment before wrapping her arms around his lean waist.

Feeling the frantic thumping of his heart against her, she murmured, "What’s wrong? Can’t bear to see me go?"

’The question was pure teasing; she didn’t actually expect Drake to answer. After all, he wasn’t the expressive type. He was composed and restrained, his crimson-gold eyes always holding a sharp silence. He normally wouldn’t engage with such playful banter.’ 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

But to her surprise, Drake nodded solemnly.

She felt his chin brush against her temple, stirring a faint, cool breeze.

It was followed by his slightly hoarse voice. "I can’t."

"I’m sorry. I should be by your side during the Cold Season, but when I left the clan, Julian was still young and had to endure a great deal. Now that I’m back, I have to do something. It’s my responsibility."

As he spoke, his crimson-gold eyes dimmed, and the end of his sentence was lost to the wind.

The corners of Evangeline’s eyes lifted. Pressing her fingertips against Drake’s chest, she took a small step back.

She looked up into his beautiful, jewel-like eyes and chuckled. "In your mind, am I that petty?"

Before Drake could speak, Evangeline raised a hand and gently smoothed his furrowed brow. Her voice was tender. "Drake, I understand. If I were in your position, I would make the same choice. You don’t have to blame yourself."

Gazing at Evangeline’s gentle expression, the tension in Drake’s shoulders finally eased.

Just then, Evangeline rose onto her toes and planted a kiss on his smooth jawline, her eyes curving into crescents. "Besides, this is who you are. The steady, restrained, and deeply responsible Drake. Don’t worry. I’ll be waiting for you."

Drake’s Adam’s apple bobbed. As he cupped Evangeline’s face in his hands, his knuckles trembled slightly.

He lowered his head, his lips pressing against hers in a kiss as light as a feather. Yet it held the characteristic stubbornness of the Goldeagle Clan—and of the man himself—restrained and devout, almost reverent.

Evangeline watched his trembling eyelashes, her own eyes perfectly clear.

The instant Drake opened his eyes, her expression melted into a radiant warmth. She nipped his lower lip, her hot breath mingling with his. "When you come back... let’s have a whole litter of cubs, hmm?"

Evangeline’s slender fingers traced his suddenly tense spine as she murmured, "Our cubs... they’ll be just like their father. Made of iron, unbending and unbreakable. Right?"

The end of her question was lost as their breaths tangled once more.

After the kiss ended, Drake answered through heavy, suppressed gasps, his voice solemn. "Alright."