Ch3 The lions roar

Chapter 3: The Lion’s Roar

Yun Xi woke before dawn, her body wrapped in the lingering warmth of Kael’s embrace. The wolf chieftain had held her as she slept, his breath steady against her shoulder, his arms an unyielding shelter. For the first time since she’d arrived in this strange world, she felt safe. But she also felt the weight of the bond they’d forged the night before. The knowledge that she now belonged to Kael—heart, body, and soul—sent a shiver down her spine.

She rose quietly, careful not to wake him. Slipping from the hut, she stepped into the cool predawn air. The sky was awash with silver light, the moon hanging low over the forest. The village was still, save for the soft rustle of leaves in the wind.

Yun Xi walked slowly, her feet bare against the damp earth. She needed a moment to breathe, to clear her mind. She hadn’t chosen this fate, but last night she had accepted it. Now she needed to find her place in it.

She wandered to the edge of the village, where the forest met the open plains. The air was crisp here, carrying the scent of wild grasses and distant rain. She closed her eyes and let the wind wash over her, imagining for a moment that it could carry her back home.

“Running from the wolf already, little moon?” a voice drawled behind her, low and amused.

Yun Xi’s eyes flew open, her heart lurching. She turned to find Rion leaning against a tree, his golden hair catching the moonlight, his emerald eyes glinting with mischief. He wore only a loose pair of leather trousers, his chest bare, the muscles of his torso flexing as he shifted his weight.

She swallowed hard, trying to steady her breath. “I’m not running,” she said, though her voice trembled. “I just needed some air.”

Rion pushed away from the tree, his movements lazy and fluid. “Ah, but the wolf doesn’t share well,” he said, his smile sharp. “You’re his now, aren’t you? Bound by the moon and the forest.”

Yun Xi’s cheeks heated. “It’s not like that,” she said softly. “I… I don’t know what it means yet.”

Rion’s smile softened, his gaze growing more thoughtful. “It means you’re part of this world now, little moon. And whether you realize it or not, you’re part of me, too.”

He stepped closer, his scent washing over her—warm and wild, like sun-baked earth and fresh grass. Yun Xi took a step back, her heart racing.

“Rion…” she began, but he lifted a finger to her lips.

“Shh,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine. “I won’t force you. But you should know this—Kael may have claimed the first bond, but the lion claims the fire in your soul.”

She shivered, his words striking something deep inside her. She didn’t know what to say, so she said nothing at all. Instead, she looked up at him, her breath coming in shallow bursts.

Rion’s smile turned tender, and he reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Don’t be afraid of me, little moon,” he said. “I won’t bite. Unless you ask me to.”

Her cheeks burned, and she turned away, her thoughts a chaotic whirl. She didn’t understand him—didn’t understand any of this. But part of her wanted to.

---

🦁 The Challenge of the Lion

Later that morning, the village gathered in the central clearing. The warriors formed a wide circle, their eyes bright with excitement. Yun Xi stood beside Kael, her hand in his, as Rion strode into the ring.

Kael’s grip tightened, and Yun Xi glanced up at him. His jaw was set, his golden eyes hard.

“What’s happening?” she asked, her voice low.

“Rion challenges my claim,” Kael said. “The lion will not be content to stand aside. He seeks his own bond with you.”

Yun Xi’s stomach twisted. “A challenge? You mean… a fight?”

Kael nodded once. “It is tradition. The lion and the wolf are both alphas. They will not share lightly.”

Before she could protest, Rion turned to face her. His emerald eyes locked on hers, and he smiled—a smile full of wild confidence and fierce longing.

“Do you fear the fire, little moon?” he asked, his voice carrying across the clearing.

Yun Xi swallowed hard. “I… I don’t know.”

He threw his head back and laughed, the sound rich and golden. “Then watch, and see how the lion roars.”

He shifted then, his body rippling with power. Fur sprouted along his arms and chest, his fingers curling into claws. His mane gleamed like molten gold in the sunlight, his emerald eyes flashing with hunger.

Kael released her hand and stepped forward, his own body shifting, muscles swelling, claws extending. The air crackled with power, the scent of ozone and wild earth.

The crowd fell silent, every eye on the two alphas as they circled each other. Yun Xi held her breath, her heart pounding.

The first clash was explosive—Kael lunging forward, his claws raking across Rion’s chest. Rion twisted away, his laughter echoing in the clearing as he countered with a swipe of his own. The two males moved like shadows and flame, their snarls and growls filling the air.

Yun Xi watched in a daze, torn between fear and fascination. She had never seen such raw power—never imagined that two males could fight with such primal ferocity. But beneath the violence, she sensed something else: a dance of dominance and desire, a battle not just for victory, but for her.

The fight seemed to last forever, but in truth it was only minutes. At last, Kael drove Rion to his knees, his hand fisted in the lion’s golden mane. His chest heaved, his fangs bared.

“Yield,” Kael growled, his voice a command that shook the air.

Rion looked up at him, his emerald eyes blazing. Then, with a low, rumbling laugh, he did.

“I yield, wolf,” he said. “But you know this isn’t over.”

Kael released him and stepped back, his breathing heavy. Rion rose slowly, brushing a smear of blood from his lips, and turned to Yun Xi.

His smile was fierce and hungry. “The lion yields today,” he said softly, his gaze locking with hers. “But the moon will call the fire again.”

---

🌒 After the Battle

The challenge ended, but the tension lingered in the air like the heat of a storm. Kael returned to Yun Xi’s side, his chest still heaving, his golden eyes softening as he looked at her.

“You’re safe,” he said, his thumb brushing her cheek. “The bond is yours to give. No one can force it from you.”

Yun Xi nodded, her heart still racing. “I know,” she whispered. “But… I don’t know what I want.”

Kael’s expression turned solemn. “Then take the time you need. But remember this: the wolf’s heart is yours.”

He turned and strode away, his shoulders broad and proud. The warriors began to disperse, murmuring among themselves, but Yun Xi remained where she stood, her thoughts a tangled mess.

She didn’t notice Rion until he was at her side, his golden mane still tousled from the fight. “He’s strong,” he said, his tone light. “But strength isn’t everything.”

Yun Xi looked up at him, her brow furrowing. “Why do you want this bond so badly? You don’t even know me.”

Rion tilted his head, his smile turning wistful. “Perhaps,” he said. “But I know the fire I see in your eyes. And I know the way my heart roars when you’re near.”

He reached out and brushed a thumb along her jaw, his touch gentle despite the claws still visible on his fingers. “You’re not just the Moon-Blessed One, Yun Xi. You’re… alive. Bright. You make this world feel like something worth fighting for.”

Her breath caught, tears pricking at her eyes. She didn’t know how to respond—didn’t know how to feel. So she said nothing at all, and let the silence stretch between them.

Rion’s smile softened, and he stepped back. “I’ll wait,” he said simply. “The lion is patient when he must be.”

And with that, he turned and disappeared into the trees, leaving Yun Xi standing alone in the clearing, the weight of destiny pressing down on her shoulders.

---

End of Chapter 3.

---

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***