"I spent too much time trying to be gentle," Wang murmured, his voice dropping into a low, dangerous register that made the surrounding pine needles rustle. "I stayed away from this mountain because I wanted a quiet life. I wanted to build a small, warm home where she could smile without fear. But I was foolish. As long as these old traitors are alive, as long as this tribe is messy, I can never safely bring her to my side. Every enemy I leave behind is a dagger aimed at her throat."
Elder Chen looked at the young master, a sudden shiver running down his old spine. He had watched Wang grow from a small cub into a powerful warrior, but he had never seen this look in the boy's eyes before. The softness was entirely gone, replaced by the ruthless, unyielding instinct of a true alpha king.
