Chapter 160
“No,” Yanai said quietly. “I’m not one of Nina’s mates p>
Even though Yanai denied it, Aron was unwilling to let the matter go.
For some reason, he couldn’t shake the feeling that little snow wolf had something to do with them. Unfortunately, their kind had no bloodline resonance. There was no way to confirm it.
Aron’s gaze sharpened. “Answer me this—are you still untouched p>
Yanai’s eyes flickered. His fists clenched. He didn’t answer.
Because he wasn’t.
The thought struck him like a blow. A flicker of fear crept into his chest.
If Nina finds out… will she reject me?
He had never truly allowed himself to think about it before.
Perhaps… because he didn’t dare.
Because if he did… he might lose the courage to stay by her side at all.
Seeing his reaction, Aron understood immediately.
“You’ve already been with a female… but it wasn’t Nina. Am I right p>
Yanai lowered his head, his fists tightening further.
“Then give up,” Aron said with a sigh. “You no longer have the right to pursue her. Our wolf clan recognizes only one mate in a lifetime. Since you’ve already been with another female, how can you turn around and chase Nina p>
“No.” Yanai’s voice was strained, but resolute. “I won’t give up on Nina. That wasn’t my choice. I don’t even know who that female was p>
His expression twisted with pain and confusion. “I don’t want anyone else. There will never be anyone else p>
His heart was torn, but his feelings for Nina overwhelmed everything else.
Even knowing he might no longer deserve her… he couldn’t leave.
He could only hope that she wouldn’t reject him. Even if it meant having no status, no name—even if he could only stay by her side in silence—it would be enough.
“You don’t know who it was?” Aron frowned. “How is that possible p>
“That day… my heat cycle struck. I had just begun suppressing it with my ability when I caught a scent—an overwhelming one p>
Yanai’s voice grew distant. “After that… I lost control completely p>
He closed his eyes briefly. “I only remember fragments. Blurred… incomplete. The rest is gone p>
“You don’t remember her appearance? Or even her scent?” Aron pressed.
Yanai shook his head. “I must have lost control too completely. When I woke up… everything was gone p>
Aron frowned deeply. “If you mated, there should have been some lingering trace. How could you remember nothing at all p>
Then a thought struck him. Could you have been affected by some kind of illusion ability p>
Some races—like foxes or merfolk—possessed such powers.
Yanai let out a bitter laugh. “I wish it were that simple. When I woke up, I was lying in water. Any scent had already been washed away p>
His expression darkened. “And… my mark was gone p>
Among certain traditional races like the wolves, males bore a mark of purity from a young age—a sign of their devotion.
Once lost, it never returned.
Aron resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
Why didn’t the water just drown you while it was at it?
His son’s luck was truly abysmal.
He sighed.
“Then what do you remember p>
“Only that scent,” Yanai said quietly. “Because I hadn’t completely lost control when I first smelled it p>
“That makes it even harder to trace,” Aron muttered.
“A female’s natural scent and her heat scent are completely different p>
Still, a flicker of hope lingered.
Yanai shook his head immediately. “That’s impossible. That happened in Sin Beast City. How could Nina ever be in a place like that? And even if it were her… it’s not like she’d conceive from just one time p>
Aron nodded slowly. “That’s true p>
It was unlikely. A female like Nina would never appear in a place like that.
“Then… do you plan to find that female?” Aron asked.
Their kind already struggled with reproduction.
And with Yanai’s strength, it would be even more difficult.
Even with someone like Nina, conception wouldn’t be guaranteed, let alone an ordinary female.
Yanai shook his head. “Father… aside from Nina, I will not be with any other female. Please understand p>
In this world, before forming a bond, relationships between males and females were relatively free.
There was rarely any expectation of responsibility.
Some more traditional males might seek it, but most did not.
Still, many valued themselves and wouldn’t casually engage before bonding.
Though—there were always exceptions.
Aron hesitated. Still p>
Their wolf clan was loyal to a single mate for life.
But this—this had been an accident.
And judging by the strength of that scent… it might not have been entirely natural.
In the end, he sighed.
Aron gave him a firm pat. “Since you’ve chosen, then stand tall. Nina is a good female—she might accept you p>
“I know.” Yanai steadied himself.
If she truly rejected him, then he would step back.
Watch over her from afar.
Silently.
Letting go of the thought that the little snow wolf might be his grandson, Aron stepped outside.
Even if it wasn’t—it was still a child of their snow wolf kind.
And he couldn’t help but feel fond of it.
Nearby, Sal looked at the little wolf with bright anticipation.
“Nina… let me raise him p>
Even if it wasn’t a leopard, he still wanted to.
Mino stepped forward as well. “Nina, can I raise him too? I want to take care of him p>
Ming stood beside him, just as hopeful.
Odian, holding the little one, said nothing. Better to let the others have this one.
A harmonious household mattered more.
Aron watched from the side, sighing softly. If only the wolf clan had the right to raise him p>
Nina smiled faintly. “Let’s let him choose p>
She looked down at the little wolf. “Shushu, who would you like to take care of you p>
The little wolf looked left, then right, then pointed at Mino.
My brothers and sisters said Father Mino cooks delicious food.
Mino’s face lit up. “Then I’ll make you lots of delicious food from now on p>
Ming chuckled, pulling out a pile of toys. “My good grandson—these are all for you p>
Sal sulked inwardly.
Nina reached out and took his hand. “Then the next one will be yours p>
Sal’s mood lifted instantly. He nodded with a grin.
The next one will definitely be a little leopard.
Perfect.
That evening, after dinner, Nina returned to her room.
Then, closing her eyes, she entered the system space.
“Little Bun,” she called, “is the thing I asked you about earlier ready p>