Long Ling’er blinked playfully at Hu Jing, her sweet smile seeming to say, Don’t worry; we won’t tell anyone!

Meanwhile, Long Yao darted over to Hu Jiao Jiao nuzzling her face lovingly.

As Hu Jiao Jiao held him close, gazing tenderly at her adorable little cubs, the vague thoughts she had earlier began to crystallize. So what if people think differently? she mused. She wasn’t shackled by any outdated notions.

After all, she had well-behaved cubs and a supportive family—she was already luckier than most. All she needed to do was focus on enjoying life as it was.

She gently patted Long Ling’er’s head, then looked around. “Where’s Xiu Xiu? Isn’t he with you?”

“Second brother stayed back at home,” Long Ling’er replied softly, glancing over her shoulder as her brothers gave her a knowing wink. Then, reaching up to tug on Hu Jiao Jiao’s clothes, she said, “Mom, I have a question for Aunt Mian’er.”

“Oh? What kind of question?” Hu Jiao Jiao asked, intrigued.

Lu Mian’er looked down curiously, while Hu Jing—feeling oddly tense—was already dreading where this conversation might go.

Long Ling’er tilted her head, looking very serious. “Aunt Mian’er, do you and your mate sleep together?”

“Pfft.” Hu Jiao Jiao nearly choked. What’s going on in this girl’s head?!

“Of course, sweetheart. Mates always share a bed,” Lu Mian’er answered, not seeing any problem with explaining such things to a curious cub.

But before Hu Jiao Jiao could stop her, Long Ling’er continued, “So then, why don’t my mom and dad sleep together? Aren’t they mates?”

Lu Mian’er paused, speechless. “They… well, yes, they’re mates, but…”

But why don’t they sleep together? She had no idea!

Wait. They’re not sharing a bed?!

Hu Jing, having forgotten her nerves, looked over at Hu Jiao Jiao with eyes as wide as saucers, ready to catch all the gossip.

Under the weight of their stares, Hu Jiao Jiao could feel herself reddening with embarrassment. Why did this little girl ask all kinds of questions?

“Hu Jiao Jiao,” Hu Jing said, frowning, “you’re not still treating Long Mo the way you used to, are you? Don’t tell me you’re still pushing him away.”

In beastmen society, females had a higher social standing, and the decision to let a male share her bed lay entirely with the female. Hu Jing had assumed Hu Jiao Jiao still didn’t want to be around Long Mo, given her history of avoiding him.

“Mom, you’re not really trying to send Dad away, right?”

The four cubs turned their big, pleading eyes on Hu Jiao Jiao, a worried look in each gaze.

“Of course not!” she quickly reassured them, softening at the sight of their hopeful faces. “I just… I was waiting for the stone house to be finished,” she added hastily, an idea forming on the spot.

“Yes! Once the stone house is done, there will be more room, and then Long Mo can move in. The current wooden house is a bit small and there is not enough space for sleeping.” She nodded firmly, trying to convince herself as much as everyone else.

“Oh, that makes sense,” Lu Mian’er and Hu Jing agreed, glancing at the modest wooden house. With Long Mo’s large build, they could understand how he might need more space.

The cubs exchanged quick, satisfied glances, and Long Ling’er beamed, pulling on Hu Jiao Jiao’s sleeve once more.

“Mom, Dad doesn’t know yet, right? Don’t you want to tell him? It might make him happy!” she suggested.

“R-right…” Hu Jiao Jiao stammered, feeling her options shrink. “Fine, I’ll tell him when he gets back.”

Whether he’ll be happy or not, though… she thought nervously, wondering how to approach him.

---

That evening, all seven of them sat around the dinner table, each lost in thought.

The four cubs watched the adults intently, Hu Jiao Jiao was quietly rehearsing how to bring it up, and Long Mo was brooding over the fact that there were only six rooms planned for the new house—one for each cub and her, but none for him. He wondered if he should ask her to build a room for him too or if he should just prepare to sleep on the roof.

Except for that one night they had spent together, he hadn’t shared a room with Hu Jiao Jiao since, so he assumed she had no interest in having him around.

“Mom, didn’t you have something to tell Dad?” Long Ling’er piped up, breaking the silence.

Hu Jiao Jiao hesitated, feeling everyone’s eyes on her, especially Long Mo’s piercing golden gaze.

He assumed she was about to tell him she wouldn’t be giving him a room.

“Um… yes. Long Mo, I wanted to let you know,” she began, trying to steady her voice. “Once the stone house is finished… you can…”

Long Mo’s hand clenched beneath the table, his fingers white from tension. He knew he should have no expectations and that he should be grateful just to be in the family.

Then, Hu Jiao Jiao finished in a trembling voice, “…you can share my room.”

She blurted it out quickly, squeezing her eyes shut as if that might help her get through it. Then she added, “Of course, if you’re not comfortable, I could just leave one of the other rooms…”

She was almost certain he would refuse; he would probably prefer his own space. Feeling slightly less nervous, she tried to gauge his reaction.

But to her surprise, a look of shock passed over Long Mo’s face. In a flash, his golden eyes lit up with something she had never seen before, and before she even finished speaking, he abruptly stood up, nearly tipping over his chair.

“Yes!” he answered, almost too quickly, as if afraid she would change her mind.