"I don't care what kind of beast you are," Feng Lihan said, a slow smile curving his lips. It doesn't matter if you are rabbit or not .
"From now on, you're only mine. My mate."
Lin Yue's brain stopped working.
"…Your what?"
Ignoring the internal panic screaming inside him, Lin Yue swallowed and asked carefully,
"Can you at least tell me where I am?"
Feng Lihan's smile softened—just a little—as if indulging a clueless child.
"Of course," he said calmly. "This world is divided into four states—North, East, West, and South. Each state is ruled by different beast clans."
He gestured vaguely toward the endless forest outside the cave.
"Every territory belongs to someone. Different beasts. Different laws."
Lin Yue listened quietly, heart sinking deeper with every word.
"And you?" Lin Yue asked. "Which clan are you from?"
"I come from a small hawk clan," Feng Lihan replied indifferently. "But that won't matter for long."
Lin Yue looked at him sharply. "…Why?"
"Because in a few days," Feng Lihan said, his eyes burning with confidence,
"I will become the chief."
Lin Yue: "…Ah."
That explained the terrifying aura.
That also explained why no beast dared enter this cave.
Before Lin Yue could process that, Feng Lihan stepped closer and placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry," he said in a low voice. "Now that you are mine, no one will dare touch you."
Lin Yue stiffened. "Wait—when did we agree on the mine part?"
Feng Lihan ignored the protest completely.
"In every clan," he continued, "there are warriors. True fighters. They possess magic—fire, The stronger the warrior, the stronger their beast form."
Lin Yue's throat went dry.
"…Magic?"
"Yes." Feng Lihan's gaze sharpened. "Only warriors protect territory. Weak beasts serve. Those without clans are hunted."
Lin Yue understood immediately.
If they find out I'm human… I won't even be prey. I'll be an anomaly.
"…So," Lin Yue asked slowly, "what happens to… mates?"
For the first time, Feng Lihan paused.
"They are protected," he said. "Honored. Bound."
Lin Yue's heart skipped in the worst possible way. "Bound… how?"
Feng Lihan leaned down until their eyes met.
"By instinct. By claim. By life."
Lin Yue's face went pale. "…This sounds extremely illegal in human law."
Feng Lihan frowned. "Human law?"
Lin Yue coughed quickly. "I mean—rabbit law. Very strict. Extremely."
Feng Lihan stared at him for a second… then unexpectedly chuckled.
A deep, low sound.
"You are strange," he said again. "But strange isn't bad."
Lin Yue did not like how gentle his tone suddenly became.
Feng Lihan straightened. "Rest here tonight. Tomorrow, I'll take you outside the territory."
Lin Yue panicked. "Outside?! I thought you said it was dangerous!"
"It is," Feng Lihan agreed calmly.
"That's why I'll be with you."
Lin Yue looked at him, conflicted.
This man—this beast—was dangerous, powerful, and clearly not normal.
But right now…
He was also the only reason Lin Yue was still alive.
"…Okay," Lin Yue said softly. "But just so you know—"
"Yes?"
"I'm really bad at surviving."
Feng Lihan's lips curved slightly.
"Good," he said.
"Then you'll have no choice but to rely on me."
Lin Yue lay back against the cave wall, staring at the stone ceiling.
Mate.
Beast world.
Magic.
"…My life really went off the rails," he muttered.