Morning arrived quietly.
A thin beam of sunlight slipped through the cracks of the cave, brushing against Lin Yue's eyelids. He stirred, half-awake, instinctively shifting closer to warmth—then froze.
Arms.
Strong, solid arms were wrapped around him.
Lin Yue's eyes snapped open.
For a heartbeat, his mind went blank. Then reality crashed down on him all at once. He was pressed against Mo Shen's chest, his head resting beneath the curve of a powerful shoulder, the steady rise and fall of another body unmistakably real.
Lin Yue let out a startled cry and scrambled upright, nearly tangling himself in the furs. His face burned red as he backed away, clutching the blanket to his chest.
"Y–you—!" he stammered. "How are you here? I slept alone last night!"
Mo Shen sat up slowly, completely unbothered. Morning light traced the sharp lines of his face and glinted faintly against the black scales along his neck. Instead of anger or embarrassment, there was only calm—and faint amusement.
"You were cold," Mo Shen said simply. "Your body was shaking in your sleep. So I lay beside you."
He paused, then added, almost casually, "I don't have a problem with it."
Lin Yue's ears turned red.
"I—I do!" he said, though his voice lacked any real force. He looked away, flustered, heart beating far too fast. "You should at least tell me next time…"
Mo Shen watched him for a long moment, eyes steady and unreadable. Then, to Lin Yue's shock, his lips curved into a faint smile.
"If it troubles you," Mo Shen said calmly, "then why don't you become my mate?"
The words hit like thunder.
Lin Yue stiffened, breath catching in his throat. Slowly, the embarrassment drained from his face, replaced by something far more painful. His shoulders slumped, and his gaze dropped to the stone floor.
"…You know I can't," he said quietly.
Mo Shen didn't interrupt.
"Feng Lihan is my mate," Lin Yue continued, his voice soft but unwavering. "And I love him. I've loved him for a long time." His fingers tightened in the blanket. "I don't need another mate. I don't want one."
The cave grew very still.
Mo Shen studied Lin Yue's downcast expression, the sorrow etched too deeply for someone so young. For the first time, something shifted behind his eyes—not anger, not rejection, but a slow, thoughtful tension.
"…I see," Mo Shen said at last.
He stood, moving away to tend the fire, giving Lin Yue space without being asked. "Rest assured," he added, voice even, "I will not force what you do not wish."
Lin Yue exhaled, relief and guilt mixing painfully in his chest.
"…Thank you," he whispered.
Mo Shen didn't respond right away. He stared into the fire, flames reflecting faintly in his golden eyes.
Outside the cave, the wind carried distant wingbeats across the mountains.
And far away, Feng Lihan continued to search—unaware that Lin
was alive… and that another fate had quietly stepped into his place.