Lin Yue loosened his grip slightly, though he still leaned into Feng Lihan's chest as if afraid the warmth might vanish.
"Before we go…" he said softly. "There's something I need to tell you."
Feng Lihan lowered his head, his expression gentle. "What is it?"
Lin Yue turned, looking toward Mo Shan. His eyes were clear, sincere.
"He saved me," Lin Yue said. "When I fell… when I thought I would die, it was Mo Shan who found me. He hid me here, brought me food, treated my wounds, and stayed when I was too weak to move."
Feng Lihan's wings stiffened slightly.
Lin Yue continued, voice quieter. "He didn't do it for reward. He told me his clan exiled him. The Snake Clan cast him out, and he's been surviving alone ever since."
At those words, Feng Lihan's gaze snapped to Mo Shan.
The warmth in his eyes vanished, replaced by sharp hostility. The air in the cave seemed to tighten, pressure rolling off the red-winged warrior like a warning.
An exiled snake.
A dangerous existence.
Mo Shan met Feng Lihan's stare calmly, though his body was already tense, prepared for rejection—or worse.
Before Feng Lihan could speak, Lin Yue stepped forward, instinctively placing himself half a step between them.
"If you don't mind…" Lin Yue said carefully, then looked up at Feng Lihan. "Can he come with us?"
Feng Lihan froze.
He looked at Lin Yue as if he had misheard him.
"…Come with us?" he repeated.
Lin Yue nodded. "He saved my life."
Silence stretched.
Feng Lihan clenched his jaw, his eyes dark with conflict. He did not like it. Every instinct screamed caution. But when he remembered Lin Yue lying broken at the bottom of the cliff—remembered the fear of almost losing him—he exhaled slowly.
"…He can come," Feng Lihan said at last.
Mo Shan's eyes widened slightly.
"But," Feng Lihan added coldly, his gaze sharp as a blade, "he will stand on his own. No special protection. No interference with clan matters. If he causes trouble, I will not hesitate."
Lin Yue's face instantly brightened.
"Thank you," he said, voice warm with relief.
Before Feng Lihan could react, Lin Yue rose onto his toes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
Feng Lihan stiffened—then sighed, his hand coming up to cradle Lin Yue's cheek despite himself.
Lin Yue turned to Mo Shan, smiling gently.
"You can come with us."
Something surged in Mo Shan's chest—hot, intoxicating.
He lowered his head respectfully. "I won't forget this."
Outwardly, he was calm. Grateful. Obedient.
But deep inside, hidden beneath the still waters of his gaze, a dangerous thought coiled tightly around his heart.
Soon…
Lin Yue will be mine.
After they leave for hawk clan , feng lihan hold lin yue and fly and mo shan behind them...
And somewhere beyond the cave, the mountain wind howled—unaware of the quiet fracture forming beneath the promise of reunion.