Pet at Will

Shangguan Meixue froze in shock. By the time she processed what was happening, Huo Xuan was already standing face-to-face with the male lion.

"Is he insane?" Her heart leaped into her throat—this was even more terrifying than her own encounter with the lion.

Of course, Huo Xuan wasn't suicidal. Having reached the An Jin level, he knew his limits. More importantly, humanity's dominance lay not in brute strength, but in wisdom.

The lion's mane bristled as it locked eyes with Huo Xuan, unleashing a deafening roar—a clear warning: This is my territory. Leave now.

Ignoring the threat, Huo Xuan bent down and scooped up the trembling cub, which was still defiantly growling at the lion. Surprisingly, the mother lion didn't intervene. She merely watched Huo Xuan, as if sensing something beyond ordinary.

The male lion roared again, taking a menacing step forward—a prelude to attack.

Huo Xuan's gaze turned icy. If the lion struck, he wouldn't hesitate to slit its throat with his dagger. In agility, no creature surpassed humans. Even the king of beasts posed no real threat to him.

Just as conflict seemed inevitable, a golden glimmer flashed in Huo Xuan's left eye. To the lion, it was as if a towering Buddha had materialized in the sky—radiant with wisdom, boundless in compassion.

Fear and reverence flickered in the lion's eyes. It retreated several steps, lowering its front paws submissively, its expression almost pleading.

Huo Xuan was momentarily stunned. Is this the legendary "kingly aura"? Even lions bow to it? The thought amused him—it wasn't him the lion revered, but the Buddha's presence channeled through his Buddha Eye.

Cradling the cub, he glanced back at the pride before turning away. Behind him, the lions watched in silent deference, as if beholding a divine being.

The cub, still dazed, nestled in Huo Xuan's arms. Small and fluffy, with round ears and thick little paws, it was undeniably adorable. Though initially fierce, it now felt only an inexplicable sense of safety and kinship in his hold.

When Huo Xuan returned with the cub, Shangguan Meixue rubbed her eyes in disbelief. "How did you do that?" she gasped.

Huo Xuan shrugged. "Walked over. Picked it up. Simple."

Shangguan Meixue rolled her eyes. "I don't believe you. You're hiding something."

Huo Xuan patted the cub's head, deftly changing the subject. "From now on, we'll need to cook for three. What a headache."

Whether due to a malfunctioning tracker or sheer bad luck, nine days passed without rescue. Huo Xuan, Shangguan Meixue, and the month-old cub became unlikely companions on the savannah.

Surprisingly, they thrived—drinking fresh milk, feasting on roasted meat. The only setback came when Huo Xuan's precious seasoning ran out, drastically dulling their meals' flavor.

But nothing stumped Huo Xuan for long. He soon foraged several wild plants, blending them into a passable substitute.

On the ninth day, Shangguan Meixue's appetite waned inexplicably. She began sneaking off into the grass, though of course, nothing escaped Huo Xuan's penetrating gaze. He recognized the signs—her monthly cycle had arrived.

Playing oblivious, he quietly prepared warm meals and herbal infusions. Shangguan Meixue noticed, her gratitude unspoken but profound.

Half a month slipped by. Under Huo Xuan's attentive care, her difficult days passed smoother than expected.

Tonight, beneath a luminous moon, she lay swaddled in clothes against the mosquitoes—but sleep eluded her. Her gaze kept drifting to Huo Xuan's silhouette.

"See enough? It'll cost you," he quipped suddenly.

Her cheeks flushed. "Who's looking at you?"

Huo Xuan chuckled. "Look all you want." He flexed a bicep for emphasis.

After weeks together, their banter had grown comfortable, even flirtatious at times—Huo Xuan occasionally tossing in a risqué joke.

She shot him a sidelong glance, biting her lip. "Fine. Take your shirt off. Let me really see."

Huo Xuan's pulse skipped. He turned fully toward her, a thought flashing: Is she teasing me? Almost reflexively, his penetrating ability activated.

Under the moonlight, her body was irresistibly alluring—the curve of her hips, the slender waist, the graceful neck, her skin smooth and fair. And those breasts—rivalling even Lin Yue's—promised an exquisite touch.

Hormones surged through Huo Xuan. His little brother stirred to attention, tenting his pants unmistakably.

"Hey, don't test me," he growled, feigning menace. "My patience has limits. Push me, and I'll ravage you first, kill you after, then repeat."

To his surprise, Shangguan Meixue wasn't intimidated. She let out a soft hum, arching slightly—her chest swaying temptingly. "You wouldn't dare."

Huo Xuan swallowed hard. "Not wouldn't—don't want to," he corrected solemnly. Then his hand darted out, cupping one full breast.

She shuddered, a breathy moan escaping her lips. Yet she didn't pull away. Her half-lidded gaze held his, glazed with desire. "You... want me?"

Every fiber of Huo Xuan screamed to take her right there, to claim her three hundred times over. But restraint prevailed—for now. His fingers kneaded lightly before withdrawing. "Just proving I'll touch when I choose."

Yet before he could retreat, her hand clamped over his wrist. Then—bolder still—her other hand slid down, gripping his hardened length through the fabric, giving an experimental squeeze.

His breath hitched. Her eyes, dark with need, left no doubt—she was past the point of no return. A war raged within him: Yield or resist?

"If you want me... why hold back?" Her whisper was pure seduction as she wound her arms around his neck, pressing him down. "Here... there's only us. What stops you? A lover? A family?" Her lips brushed his ear. "I don't care. Tonight... just let me be yours."