Evangeline, of course, had no time to worry about what Rask was thinking.

Having made her decision, she immediately prepared some game for Lachlan and had him take some thick beast skins. With those preparations complete, Lachlan left Blackwater Swamp that very night, speeding toward the Frost-plain Tribe.

For the next two days, Evangeline was like a fragile piece of crystal. Danton watched her like a hawk, never letting her out of his sight.

Her days consisted of the usual routine—eating, drinking, sleeping, and all the rest—as well as providing some prenatal education for the cub, fertilizing the Moonlight Flower, and letting it bask in the moonlight. Sometimes she would hold the flower and whisper to it. Its leaves would unfurl, occasionally brushing against her fingertips as if in response. She just didn’t know when Nix would be back.

Danton’s gentle gaze followed her everywhere, like a shadow.

As for the other males, they each became busy with their own tasks.

Evangeline’s mates were all capable men, each able to hold his own. With the Cold Season approaching, they had a clear division of labor, and each fulfilled his respective duties.

Some went out to patrol their territory and ensure the safety of Blackwater Swamp. Others ventured deep into the forest to gather more game before the hunting season ended, stockpiling enough food. There were also those in charge of gathering firewood; a tall stack was piled up in the yard, just as Evangeline had instructed. The rest remained in the tribe to look after the young and handle other miscellaneous tasks.

Everything was in order. All preparations had been made. They were simply waiting for the Cold Season to arrive.

The days passed, one by one. A cold wind began to blow, and the weather grew increasingly frigid.

However, the first snow was yet to fall, and Lachlan still hadn’t returned.

On this day, Evangeline was reclining in a wicker chair under the eaves, her fingertips tapping lightly on the armrest. A soft, fluffy beast skin was draped over her swollen belly. She watched the bamboo leaves rustle down as a cold wind swept past, causing the shell ornaments on the eaves to chime softly.

A nearby brazier crackled, its sweet, caramel-like fragrance wafting through the cold air.

Danton knelt on one knee beside the brazier, his long, azure hair cascading over his shoulders. With a pair of tongs, he pulled a sweet potato from the embers. He carefully peeled back the skin, which was oozing with syrupy sugars, to reveal the translucent, golden-red flesh within—it looked just like honey.

"While it’s hot." Danton brought the roasted sweet potato to Evangeline’s lips, the dancing flames reflected in his pale blue eyes.

As his gaze swept over her round belly, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. The cub, which should have been born by now, showed no signs of arriving.

Beyond the bamboo eaves, dark gray clouds hung heavy in the sky. It looked like the first snow would fall within the next few days.

Evangeline gently swayed in the rocking chair as fallen leaves swirled down to her feet. She savored the sweet, dense texture of the roasted sweet potato. With her handsome Beast Husband by her side, even the biting cold wind seemed like mere window dressing.

’This is the life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything, not even to be a god. I’m almost reluctant to leave.’

She blinked and turned her head toward Danton, her gaze meeting his smiling eyes. "I want to hear you sing."

A gentle warmth emanated from Danton. He smiled, his eyes sparkling. "Alright."

His lips parted, and a sweet, melodious tune flowed from his throat. It was like a cup of warm honeyed wine, transforming the biting wind into a lingering warmth. Watching his elegant profile, Evangeline couldn’t help but smile.

The song stopped abruptly.

Evangeline gripped the armrests of the wicker chair as a warm gush flowed from beneath her, instantly soaking the soft beast skin.

She sat up, glanced down, and said calmly to a pale-faced Danton, "I’m going into labor."

At her words, the Snow Ferret hiding in Evangeline’s waist pouch poked its head out. With a WHOOSH, it leaped out and squatted quietly on the veranda, staring intently at her round belly. It just watched, not making a sound.

The tongs in Danton’s hand fell to the floor with a CLANG. His face was ashen.

It was his first time becoming a father. Seeing Evangeline clutch her swollen belly, her forehead beaded with cold sweat, he completely panicked.

Evangeline took a deep breath, her brow furrowed. "To the sea."

As if jolted from a dream, Danton swept her into his arms and ran toward the beach near the bamboo house. His blue hair streamed behind him in the wind, glinting with specks of light. Every one of his mate’s pained gasps was a knife in his heart.

"Eva, can you still transform?" Danton gazed at Evangeline. Her dark brows were knitted together and her lips were pale from the contractions. His fingers trembled, and his voice was low and hoarse. In his panic, his pale blue eyes had become bloodshot.

Evangeline’s fingertips brushed against his tense jaw. "Let’s go into the sea," she whispered.

Danton’s lips pressed into a thin line, as if he were suppressing a powerful emotion.

SPLASH—

As the waves splashed up, Danton held her tight and leaped into the ocean.

The moment the water enveloped her, crimson scales bloomed across Evangeline’s lower body. Her crimson Fintan was like a lick of flame.

She arched her neck back, her long hair drifting like seaweed in the current. Her lips parted, her brows furrowed in a tight knot. Pain sent spasms through her body. All the noise of the land faded away, leaving only the sound of Danton’s breathing.

On the shore, the Snow Ferret watched a silver wisp of sand become stained with blood. Its dark eyes twitched.

The current swirled gently. Like a bolt of azure lightning, Danton swam to her side. His strong arms securely supported Evangeline’s waist. His Fintan stirred up a fine spray, and his azure scales shimmered with a cold light in the water.

Evangeline pressed her forehead into the crook of Danton’s neck, biting her lower lip until it turned white.

The contractions grew more and more frequent, but the cub seemed unwilling to emerge.

Danton trembled, his Fintan swaying gently. He had no idea how to comfort his mate. All he could do was place his trembling fingertips on her taut belly and stroke it gently, hoping the little one would stop tormenting its mother.

But fate had other plans.

Amid their anxious wait, the sea’s temperature suddenly plummeted.

Danton’s head snapped up. In the dark currents, his pale blue eyes narrowed to slits.

The once-clear surface of the sea was now dark and gloomy. Pearly white snowflakes vanished the instant they touched the water. Before long, the entire sea was steeped in a biting cold.

"It’s snowing." A slight tremor ran through Danton’s voice as he held Evangeline tighter. His long, pale blue eyelashes were dotted with tiny droplets, and it was impossible to tell if they were from the sea or from something else.

Merfolk young were most vulnerable to the cold, and of all times, it had to happen now.

"Be good, come on out now..." Danton coaxed in a low voice. His words sounded even more beautiful underwater, but his tone was frayed with panic.

His elegant face was etched with anxiety, the corners of his eyes turning red. Gradually, even the rhythm of his tail fin’s movements became erratic.

Evangeline’s body shuddered. Hot, thick blood seeped from between her crimson scales, spreading through the water like a faint red mist.

Her pale lips parted. "It’s snowing," she breathed, "and Lachlan isn’t back yet."

Danton cupped the back of her neck, pressing his forehead against her cold one. "He’ll be back after the cub is born."

The flurries of snow falling on the sea’s surface grew denser, and the water temperature was dropping at an alarming rate.

Danton’s azure Fintan gave a powerful whip. "Eva, I’m taking you to The Deep Sea! The warm currents there can protect the cub."

Evangeline nodded. She glanced up at the surface, formed a hand seal, and sent a stream of light bursting out of the water.

Danton pulled her tighter against him. His Fintan whipped up a turbulent current, propelling them through a channel and swiftly toward The Deep Sea. His long azure hair fanned out in the water, and a touch of crimson spread from the corners of his eyes. An unprecedented anxiety churned in his chest.

The warm currents of the seabed began to envelop them, but Danton still felt he wasn’t moving fast enough.

Evangeline was nestled in his arms, and each of her pained gasps felt like a sharp blade carving into his heart.