So, the cubs weren’t being considerate of me—they just don’t like my roasted meat?

Long Mo felt a bit defeated.

Watching as Hu Jiao Jiao returned and Long Ling’er and Long Yao immediately threw themselves into her arms, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy. When he came back, Long Ling’er had only greeted him politely, and now his heart was utterly unbalanced.

Was this hardworking father, who risked his life hunting for them, not even worth as much as this female who used to mistreat them?

“Father,” Long Yu called, noticing Long Mo standing at the doorway.

Hu Jiao Jiao froze as she looked toward the entrance.

Her eyes landed on a tall, well-built man. His expression was cold, and his entire presence exuded an icy aura. His sharp features were shrouded in shadows, making him look like a grim reaper—handsome, yet filled with an oppressive darkness.

His golden eyes flickered with a dangerous gleam, deep and intense, like the blade of a dagger.

Though young, his gaze held a weariness and disdain for the world that seemed beyond his years.

For a moment, Hu Jiao Jiao felt a double shock—both visually and emotionally.

She had known Long Mo was the ruthless villain of the story, but she hadn’t realized just how strikingly handsome he was. Comparing him to Ying Yuan was like comparing the moon to a flickering flame.

She couldn’t understand how the original Hu Jiao Jiao would choose to pine after someone as self-absorbed as Ying Yuan, ignoring a man like Long Mo, who was leagues above him.

“Mother, what’s wrong?” Long Ling’er tugged on her hand, pulling Hu Jiao Jiao out of her thoughts.

Quickly snapping back to reality, she smiled at her cubs. “Nothing, my darlings. You must be hungry. Eat some fruit for now, and I’ll make you a proper meal soon.”

She handed out the grapefruits and persimmons to the cubs, but Long Zhong still sulked. “I don’t want any.”

With a sly glance between Hu Jiao Jiao and Long Mo, Long Ling’er stuffed the persimmon into Long Zhong’s mouth. “Eat it, third brother! It’s delicious.”

She quickly grabbed his arm and dragged him away, giving Long Yu a meaningful look.

“I just remembered—I left something by the river. Come help me find it, will you?”

Long Yu understood instantly and led Long Yao and Long Xiu away as well.

In no time, the courtyard was empty except for Hu Jiao Jiao and Long Mo.

“So… it was you who saved us outside the tribe, wasn’t it? Thank you…” Despite the sharpness in Long Mo’s gaze, Hu Jiao Jiao mustered her courage and spoke up.

She recalled the black dragon bleeding earlier. Long Mo was surely hiding his pain now, but she couldn’t tell where the injury was after he shifted back to human form.

Long Mo stared down at her from above, his golden eyes cold and filled with disdain.

“Why did you call me back? Get to the point so I can leave,” he said icily, his tone devoid of any warmth.

“I… I wanted to say, you shouldn’t go back to the forest. Stay here in the tribe from now on.”

Under his piercing gaze, Hu Jiao Jiao’s scalp tingled, and she stumbled over her words.

No wonder he’s the main villain—his aura is suffocating!

Long Mo’s eyes narrowed dangerously. Stay in the tribe? What is this scheming female up to now?

When he didn’t respond, Hu Jiao Jiao pressed on, not giving him a chance to refuse. “If you’re not saying anything, I’ll take that as a yes. From now on, you’ll stay here with the cubs and me. No more living in the forest.”

With the way things were, she had to take charge. If she didn’t seize this opportunity to make amends, she’d never be able to redeem herself in his eyes.

Before Long Mo could object, Hu Jiao Jiao grabbed his arm and dragged him toward the yard.

“I noticed earlier that you were injured. Let me take a look and treat your wounds before they get worse.”

She began examining him for injuries, but Long Mo’s expression darkened immediately as he felt her hands moving over him. His cold, sharp eyes locked onto her.

Through gritted teeth, he snapped, “Hu Jiao Jiao, if you’re in heat, don’t come to me.”

Their relationship was nothing more than an arrangement for raising the cubs. Once the cubs were grown, he would leave her. He had no intention of believing her lies or getting involved with her again.

“What? In heat?” Hu Jiao Jiao’s face darkened with embarrassment. She was just trying to check his wounds!

“Don’t play dumb, Hu Jiao Jiao. Save your tricks for Ying Yuan and stop trying to seduce me. I find it disgusting!” Long Mo snarled, grabbing her wrist tightly. His voice was low and menacing.

“You don’t have to pretend to care. Even if you don’t, I’ll still take care of you and the cubs.”

Hu Jiao Jiao took a deep breath, trying to hold back her frustration. Fine, keep it cool… no, screw it!

She raised her free hand and punched him lightly in the chest. “Who said I need you to take care of us? I don’t want your help!”

If it weren’t for the fear that he’d turn evil and come after her, would she be going out of her way to be nice to him?

And he had the nerve to say she disgusted him? No matter what he thought of her, she was still the mother of his cubs—there was no changing that.

Long Mo’s face darkened further as he stepped back, yanking her hand away. “Oh, so you don’t want me to take care of you. What, you want Ying Yuan to do it?”

His eyes were filled with cold fury, and it looked like he might tear her apart at any second.

Hu Jiao Jiao felt as though a bucket of cold water had been poured over her, instantly dousing her anger. She regretted losing her temper.

What are you doing, Hu Jiao Jiao? Are you trying to provoke the villain? Do you have a death wish?

Seeing her silence, Long Mo’s suspicions deepened. He sneered. “So that’s what you want. Well, forget it. Let me make this clear: I’ll be the one raising my cubs, not him.”

“Fine, fine. You’ll raise them. Whatever you say,” Hu Jiao Jiao replied, her voice laced with forced politeness.

Remember, Long Mo is the boss right now. You have to stay on his good side.

Long Mo hadn’t expected her to agree so quickly, and a flash of unease passed through his dark eyes. He turned to leave, but Hu Jiao Jiao stopped Long Mo in his tracks.

“Long Mo, why do you look so pale?”

She reached out to grab his arm but missed as he dodged her touch. Undeterred, she stepped in front of him, blocking his path. As she got closer, she noticed the bloodstains on his black animal skin clothes.

“You still bleeding?”

Her brows furrowed as she quickly reached out, pressing a hand to his chest.

Sure enough, her hand came away covered in blood.

Long Mo’s dark clothing had concealed the bleeding, so she hadn’t noticed it before.

“You need to sit down. Let me look at your wound,” Hu Jiao Jiao said, her expression serious as she gently pushed him toward a seat, standing on tiptoe to guide him.

Perhaps because of her rare seriousness, Long Mo reluctantly complied, sitting down without resistance.