Elk Barbecue

After finishing the ginger tea and setting the cup aside, Leif turned his attention back to the prey he had caught. He knew that bringing the freshly killed elk into the cave would leave a mess of blood and gore behind, so he wisely decided to take it to a corner outside instead.

He positioned the prey on a flat rock and began cleaning it with a sharp iron knife, removing the skin and internal organs. As he peeled off the animal's skin, he made sure to keep it intact.

The elk skin was thick and supple, with a rugged yet silky-soft texture that was ideal for making a cloak for the little female.

"Leif, can you keep the animal fats for me?" Daisy asked Leif as she saw him discarding the animal fats. She could use them to make cooking oils and soaps instead of letting them go to waste.

Although Leif didn't quite understand why the little female wanted the animal fats, he still obeyed without a doubt. His knife sliced through the elk's flesh, and a stream of dark blood flowed freely from the animal, staining the rocks and his hands a deep crimson.

The air was filled with the stench of blood and raw meat, and the butchering process was not a pretty one. Daisy's face turned pale at the sight of the blood, and she could not bear to look at Leif's bloodied appearance; he resembled a blood-thirsty beast full of aggression and brutality.

Unnerved by his bloodied appearance, she quickly asked him to wash up before leaving the area with the meat and starting to prepare the ingredients for lunch. Her basket was nearly empty, so she decided to make barbecue with every last bit of the ingredients.

She started by washing the meat and vegetables, then seasoning them with the few herbs and spices she had on hand. Then, using a clean stick, she stacked the ingredients on top of each other before placing them in the open flame.

Her soft and gentle movements, combined with the soothing and calm environment of her surroundings, all created a warm and lovely scene. Leif had no idea how long he had been standing out there, watching the warm scene.

If only he could hold onto this moment forever.

Daisy was chopping the fruits and putting them in a bowl when she noticed a hot gaze at her. She looked up, and her confused eyes met a pair of dark golden eyes.

Her heart skipped a beat as she realized that Leif was staring at her. His intense gaze flustered her, causing her to blush slightly, and she shyly moved her gaze away from him.

She slightly frowned after calming down, noticing his dripping appearance. Leif's muscular arms and chest were glistening with water droplets. His muscles were well-defined and toned, and the rain made them stand out even more.

His short hair was stuck to his brow, and his mini skirt was wet from the rain. Unconsciously, she put the main point ahead of his attractive appearance.

"You're drenched," she said with a disapproving frown. "Wait there, I'll get you a towel."

She scurried off to the side, rummaging through the bundles of animal clothing until she found one suitable to use as a towel. She returned to Leif and handed it to him, gesturing for him to begin drying off.

Leif could not take his gaze away from her beautiful honey brown eyes, which were filled with worry and concern for him.

"Daisy..."

Leif looked at Daisy, his face soft and gentle as he gazed into her mesmerizing brown eyes. There was a hint of affection when he uttered her name for the first time.

"Yes?" Daisy responded in a calm and soft manner. However the color on her cheeks darkened as she felt flustered by the way Leif's voice sounded when he spoke her name - her heart was racing inside of her chest.

"Thank you." Leif smiled briefly when he noticed her flushed cheeks, then averted his gaze while wiping his hair. 'Maybe it wouldn't be long before she accepts me as her mate,' He thought inwardly.

As the barbecue began to cook, the aroma of grilling meat gradually filled the air, with the scents of herbs and spices mingling with the savory smell of the meat and roasted fruits.

Unable to resist the allure of the strange aroma, Leif silently approached the fireplace. "What are you cooking?" he asked, staring intently at the source of the smell.

"Barbecue, would you like to try it?" Daisy chuckled and walked over, offering him a skewer of barbecue.

Without saying anything, Leif took a bite of the skewered meat and was immediately struck by its rich, smoky, and meaty flavors. The burst of savory flavors in his mouth sent shivers down his spine. His eyes grew wider as he took bite after bite, unable to stop eating.

Daisy said anxiously, "slow down," as she watched his greedy expression. "You might burn your tongue." She had forgotten that Leif was not a normal person like her.

Watching him eat deliciously made her stomach grumble, so she grabbed a skewer of barbecue to try as well. The elk meat was tender and succulent, while the roasted vegetables and fruits provided a tangy, smoky flavor.

"Delicious!" she exclaimed, squinting her eyes in delight. The flavor was exquisite, and she could not help but think that sharing the food with someone she liked made it even better.

After their filling meal, Leif stepped forward to clean the dishes, while Daisy sat in a corner eating her fruit salad.

The sound of raindrops hitting the leaves of the trees, the branches and the ground outside filled the air, creating a soothing rhythm that made the cave feel even more intimate.

Leif finished washing the dishes and discreetly glanced out the cave at the pouring rain. After a moment, he turned to Daisy and suggested gently, "looks like the rain might stop for a bit; do you want to go out?."

Leif knew that he had an intense desire to keep the little female close and protected, but he knew that imprisoning her beside him would only make her dislike him.

'I can't keep her locked up here forever.' He thought to himself. 'It's not fair to her, and it'll only make her resent me.'

The mere thought of Daisy hating him sent a pang of pain through his heart.

Every fiber of his being wanted her to love him, to adore him, and the thought of driving her to hate him was more than he could bear.