Chapter 193: Wyatt Yardley, Let’s Bond
He never pried into things she didn’t want to talk about, nor did he ever force her to make decisions.
Even when her emotions fluctuated, he would simply stay by her side quietly, waiting for her to come around on her own.
His mind was clear, always able to plan things impeccably, and he remembered her little habits.
These details, he never mentioned, but accomplished them one by one.
Clearly intimidatingly powerful, yet he never used that oppressive force against her.
Instead, he always left room, giving her space.
He had the strength to control everything, but chose to step back and let her take charge.
This kind of respect moved her more than any form of flattery.
As time passed, the initial prejudices had long been worn away.
She no longer saw him as that cold and aloof Fiendfolk leader.
Instead, she saw how he treated his companions, how he kept his promises.
She believed, Wyatt Yardley wouldn’t be as ruthless as described in the books.
Then let’s take a chance, gamble on her understanding of people’s hearts this time.
Seraphina stared for too long, and Wyatt naturally noticed.
The movement of him adjusting his sleeves paused, his gaze following her line of sight back to her.
Raindrops trickled down the eaves, creating small pits in the muddy ground.
All around was silent, leaving only the sound of water and a delicate silence between the two.
He lowered his head to look at her, a slight smile surfacing in his dark red eyes, his fingertips gently brushing her cheek.
"What, have you seen enough of me to find me fascinating? Do you want another kiss?"
Seraphina shook her head, sitting up slightly straighter.
"Wyatt, let’s bond."
Wyatt’s arm around Seraphina suddenly froze.
His forward-stepping foot halted in mid-air, ultimately not landing.
The silver-white tail beneath him tensed in the muddy water, the scales slightly raised in a fine pattern.
That was the exhilaration he was desperately suppressing from bursting out.
He lowered his head to look at the person in his arms, her cheeks glowing with a soft blush.
Not from shyness, but from a rush of blood brought on by a firm decision.
She no longer flinched as she used to; her shoulders relaxed yet upright, her lips slightly pursed.
His dark red eyes momentarily lost the previous playful smile.
Then, those eyes filled with a heated emotion.
The brightness grew intense, nearly penetrating the darkness.
His breath caught, his chest rise and fall pausing for a moment.
He parted his lips, then closed them, finally managing to squeeze out words with effort.
"Seraphina... what did you just say?"
He was afraid he’d misheard.
After all, Seraphina always hesitated even to come near him before, would instinctively take a half step back, avoid his gaze.
How could she possibly bring up bonding on her own?
His fingers still rested on her face, the previous gentle touch now completely still.
But his heart was gripped tightly with a sharp pain, thudding intensely against his chest.
The sound of the pouring rain became barely audible.
Seraphina looked into his eyes, repeating her words clearly.
"I said, let’s bond."
This isn’t a dream.
She was serious.
She truly wanted to bond with him.
His heartbeat began to go out of control, his consciousness filled only with the person in front of him.
His fingers quivered slightly, even his breath became cautious.
He almost couldn’t resist embracing her tightly.
But fearing he might scare her, he had to forcefully restrain himself.
He adjusted the position of his arm, ensuring her head could rest in the most suitable spot.
No matter how small the movement, he wanted to do it perfectly.
"Seraphina, say it once more, can you?"
He just wanted to hear it again.
Seraphina, in the midst of estrus, her already rosy face turned even redder; her eyelashes lowered, she mumbled softly.
"If you didn’t hear it clearly... then forget it..."
"No way! Once you say it, it counts!"
Wyatt immediately interrupted, his voice suddenly rising.
He bent down, staring directly at her, those eyes filled with obstinance and earnestness.
"Once we find a cave tonight, let’s bond immediately, okay?"
His fingertips gently brushed her cheek.
Seraphina’s lowered eyelashes trembled slightly.
Hearing the anticipation in his words, she no longer hid her hesitation and nodded.
In that instant, her gaze lifted, meeting his for a fleeting moment.
Then she quickly lowered her head again, the tips of her ears tinged with a faint red.
Wyatt finally released the restraint, slowly lowering his head.
He gently touched her lips, his very breath trembling uncontrollably.
The rain outside was still falling, spattering softly.
Droplets dripped from the edges of the leaves, landing on the muddy ground with a faint sound.
No one looked up at the sky, nor did anyone wipe the rain off their faces.
At that moment, everyone’s attention was captivated by what just happened.
It was Seraphina who lightly pushed back first.
Wyatt sensed her intention and slowly loosened his arms around her.
The few people at the back had long heard the movement.
But no one made a sound, nor dared to move.
Kaelan stood at the forefront, his fingers initially gripping his clothes tightly.
Gideon was frozen in place, not even daring to blink.
Seraphina was willing to let down her guard with Wyatt.
That meant the wall in her heart wasn’t unbreakable.
She wasn’t completely closed off, nor full of caution towards everyone.
One day, she would also open up to them, even just a sliver.
Even a faint crack is enough for light to shine through.
Kaelan’s tightly clenched fingers slowly relaxed.
He lowered his eyes, a hint of melancholy flashing in his pale green pupils.
Yet, immediately after, a flicker of light reappeared in those eyes.
At least, she hadn’t shut the door completely, nor ignored everyone.
Isaac’s eyes carried a gentle smile, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.
He lightly patted Gideon’s shoulder.
"Don’t make too much of it, just pretend you didn’t hear anything."
In the depths of Gideon’s pupils, the gloomy sky was reflected.
He murmured in a suppressed voice, a hint of unstoppable excitement barely concealed.
"Seraphina agreed to Wyatt! Does that mean I have a chance too?"
Isaac nodded, his expression earnest.
"Yes, take it slowly, you can’t rush these things."
The silver-white snake tail swished aside obstructive dead branches and leaves.
He hurriedly continued moving forward.
The day was still young, far from nightfall, with sunlight obscured tightly by thick clouds.
Yet, he longed to stumble upon a cave immediately, to quickly proceed with the bonding process for reassurance.
The sooner the ceremony was completed, the sooner she would truly belong to him.
But the rain season in The Primal Age never allowed for a peaceful journey.
The weather was volatile, one moment drizzling lightly, the next moment pouring down torrentially.
Originally fine and dense raindrops suddenly intensified.
Bean-sized droplets fell densely, causing a rattling sound on the leaves.
The mud underneath also loosened, each step sinking half a fingertip deep.
Wyatt had just pulled Seraphina closer, adjusting their posture to maintain balance.
The wooden surface was covered with moss, slippery when stepped on.
Just as he was about to sidestep, a piercing shriek erupted from the black clouds above.
A Flying Beast with wings spanning one and a half zhang dived straight down!
It was a Ravenfrost Hawk, its entire body of feathers gray-brown with mud, plastered wetly against it.
It appeared as if it had just been dug out of a pile of dirt.
Rainwater dripped from its wingtips, creating tiny pits in the muddy ground.
Its talons sank deep into the mud, shaking its head after settling.
The most frightening feature was its beak.
A bird’s beak shouldn’t have teeth, yet it had a mouth full of sharp fangs two fingers long.
Each drop fell to the ground, merging with the black mud.
Clearly, it was driven mad by Seraphina’s aura.