The festival continued without incident.
Male and female dancers filled the center of the hall, their movements fluid and mesmerizing, drawing cheers and laughter from every corner of the room.
Conversations overlapped, cups clinked, and music pulsed steadily beneath it all.
Ningyan felt none of it.
Wuyin had returned to the table and was whispering urgently into Wuhen's ear. Ningyan didn't bother pretending to listen. His attention was scattered. Especially when he could feel the weight of curious gazes settling on him from all directions.
He almost felt… special.
It was an honor, really, to stand among powerful beasts, most of whom couldn't stop looking at him.
Some were clearly wondering why he was seated beside Yan Wuhen.
Others, those strong enough to see the spirit-mate chain, asked no questions at all.
Ningyan wanted to leave. To slip away and watch the fireworks instead, somewhere he wouldn't feel dissected by invisible eyes.
