I Abandoned My Beast Cubs for the Protagonist... Oops?-Chapter 55: The Territorial Kiss

"She absolutely cannot let go."

Cāng Jì’s words echoed in Bai Yue’s ears like a death sentence.

She released the Dragon Prince’s collar, leaving him hugging the wooden support beam of the hut in terror, and turned her attention back to the center of the clearing.

It was a complete disaster.

Cāng Yáo was circling Zhāo Yàn like a highly decorated wealthy shark.

Every time the dragon princess took a step, a symphony of expensive gold bangles, anklets, and jeweled chains chimed in the air.

"I do not understand why you are resisting, Fox Lord," Cāng Yáo purred, stepping into his personal space.

She tilted her head, her glowing golden eyes dragging shamelessly over his broad shoulders and flawless face. "Look around you. This village is a mud-pit. You are a creature of exquisite beauty. You belong on a throne of polished moonstone, not standing in the dirt with... these."

She waved a dismissive hand toward Mo Xiao, the hissing snake twins, and the growling panther cubs.

"We like the dirt, you giant shiny lizard!" Xiao Hei yelled bravely from behind Mo Xiao’s leg.

"Yes! The dirt doesn’t blind people!" Miao Miao agreed, bearing her tiny fangs.

Zhāo Yàn didn’t even blink at the dragon princess’s proximity. His tails were swishing in sharp, agitated arcs behind him, his crimson eyes narrowed.

"I will say this once more, and I will use small words so your reptile brain can comprehend it," Zhāo Yàn said, his voice dropping. "I am not interested. I would rather swallow a live, fully grown porcupine than spend a single second in your gaudy, oversized birdcage."

Mo Xiao snorted loudly, crossing his massive arms.

Any normal female would have been deeply offended. Any normal female would have slapped him and stormed off.

But Cāng Yáo was a dragon. And dragons loved a challenge.

Instead of getting angry, a breathless, delighted laugh escaped Cāng Yáo’s ruby-red lips. "Oh, you have such fire! A sharp tongue and a gorgeous face. Do you know how boring the males in the High Peaks are? They just bow and scrape. But you..."

She took another step forward, completely backing Zhāo Yàn against the edge of the cooking canopy.

"You would be so much fun to break. I have a hoard of starlight rubies that would perfectly match those venomous eyes of yours. Come back with me. I will give you a mountain of gems, purebred sky-steeds, and an eternity of luxury."

Standing a few feet away, Bai Yue felt her chest throb.

Break him?! Her blood began to boil.

That was her annoying, teasing, handsome Fox Lord.

He was the one who had carried her through the jungle. He was the one who had practically set her skin on fire in the hot springs. He was the one who looked at her with that hungry possessiveness.

He belonged here. With his son. With the tribe. With her.

"Leave the fragile little female behind," Cāng Yáo coaxed, raising a hand to brush a stray lock of hair from Zhāo Yàn’s forehead. "Look at her. She is weak. She is muddy. She will wither and die in a few decades anyway. What can she possibly offer a magnificent beastman like you?"

Zhāo Yàn bared his fangs, fully preparing to snap the dragon princess’s wrist in half.

But he didn’t get the chance.

Bai Yue didn’t scream. She didn’t throw a tantrum. She simply dropped her Feral Mother Aura and activated something far more dangerous: a deeply territorial, fiercely jealous wife.

She marched across the dirt, her bare feet stomping with purpose.

"Hey, sparkler," Bai Yue snapped.

Cāng Yáo paused, turning her head to look down at the tiny human female with an expression of supreme boredom. "I am speaking to my future pet. Do not interrupt—"

Bai Yue didn’t let her finish.

She shoved her way right past the towering dragon princess, completely ignoring the blinding flash of her gold jewelry.

Bai Yue stepped directly into Zhāo Yàn’s space, practically pressing her body against his chest.

Zhāo Yàn blinked, looking down at her in surprise. The fierce glare in his crimson eyes faltered. "Bai Yue?"

"Shut up," Bai Yue ordered.

Before the Fox Lord could process the command, Bai Yue reached up. She grabbed his robes in both hands, bunched the fabric into her fists, and violently yanked him down to her level.

She smashed her lips directly against his.

The entire Thousand Fang Tribe gasped in unison.

Mo Xiao’s jaw dropped. Yòu Lín immediately slapped both of his tiny paws over his eyes, squeaking loudly. Cāng Jì, still hiding by the wooden beam, let out a strangled, horrified noise that sounded like a dying bird.

It wasn’t a gentle, accidental peck. It wasn’t a hesitant, blushing moment.

It was a deep, fierce, entirely claiming kiss.

It was a kiss fueled by pure, burning jealousy and adrenaline, a physical declaration to the giant, shiny lizard standing next to them that this fox was unequivocally taken.

For exactly one second, Zhāo Yàn was frozen in sheer shock.

And then it snapped.

The Fox Lord’s hands flew to her waist, his long fingers gripping her tightly as he instantly, hungrily kissed her back. He forgot about the dragon princess. He forgot about the Alpha watching them. He forgot about the entire universe.

He tilted her head, deepening the kiss, his tails wrapping securely around her legs.

When Bai Yue finally broke the kiss, mostly because her lungs were burning and her knees felt like wet noodles, she was panting heavily.

Her lips were swollen, her face was flushed, and her heart was racing.

Zhāo Yàn stared down at her, his eyes completely blown out, his chest heaving. A slow smirk spread across his lips.

Bai Yue didn’t look at him. She turned her head, fixing a glare directly onto the stunned dragon princess.

Cāng Yáo stood frozen, her hand hovering uselessly in the air, her golden eyes wide with shock. No one had ever dared to disrespect her like this.

Bai Yue wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, entirely unapologetic.

"He’s not your pet," Bai Yue panted, her voice ringing out across the dead-silent clearing.

She tightened her grip on Zhāo Yàn’s robes. "He is my mate. Go find your own fox."