She stopped, gasping for breath.
Weijie's laugh echoed softly, low and warm, bouncing off the cliff walls.
Ningning froze. Was he… not angry?
"Let's clean those tears…" His hands were gentle as he lifted her chin, tilting her face toward him.
"Are you not angry?!" Her voice rose, a mix of fear and disbelief.
"No, not at you." he said calmly. "But, I am very angry… that he touched my female. But I am not angry at you. He is not your mate. The bite means nothing unless the female, you accept him. Nothing will happen without your consent. You do not need to worry."
Ningning felt the tension in her chest loosen slightly.
She rested her head against him, the warmth from his broad chest seeping into her bones.
Doudou's voice rang in her mind, half exasperated, half amused.
[This was what I was trying to tell you. Females choose their mates here and not the other way around. You were too blinded by guilt to see that.]
"I feel like a fool.." she murmured.
