Julian watched the faint, gentle smile on Lachlan's face, his own gilt-gold eyes narrowing slightly.
Lachlan's smile was like snowmelt in early spring, steeped in an emotion that made Julian's heart tremble. He had never seen such a look in any male's eyes—so soft yet so stubborn, as if his very soul was willingly bound to his partner.
Julian abruptly looked away, his brilliant golden hair hiding his constricting pupils.
'This kind of partnership feels so foreign,' he thought, 'yet also... inexplicably enviable.'
In truth, he was very popular in the Goldeagle Tribe. He was not oblivious to the scorching gazes of the females.
During the tribe's bonfire festivals, females would "accidentally" drop flower garlands at his feet. When he went out hunting, they would press sweet fruits into his hands. A female's affection for a male was always fiery and direct at the start.
