A strong arm reached around her, pulling her firmly against Zong Jun’s chest. As he spoke, his deep voice resonated against her, a magnetic hum against her back. “Let him run. Raising a wolf isn’t so different from raising a child. When we have children, will you hover over them like this?”

Yao Ji shook her head slightly. “Of course not. I’m just a little worried. Children can’t be completely spoiled. I understand that.”

As she spoke, the hand resting on her stomach tightened. Zong Jun leaned in, his lips close to her ear. “So it seems… Yao Yao can’t wait to have my baby?”

In the midst of a serious conversation, Yao Ji found herself teased once more. A blush warmed her cheeks, but she shot Zong Jun a playful glare. “Be careful what you say. This time, I didn’t provoke you. If you have… urges…” she hesitated, her shyness preventing her from being explicit, “don’t blame me again.”

Yao Ji’s words had a history. Whenever Zong Jun flirted with her, igniting his own desires, he would accuse her of tempting him, using it as an excuse to have his way with her. The scoundrel had a knack for taking advantage and then playing innocent.

Surrounded by their guards and attendants, Zong Jun, despite his growing arovsal, had to restrain himself. He regretted his teasing; he knew once he touched her, he wouldn’t be able to stop. Holding her close was some consolation, but it only intensified his desire.

After a moment, Zong Jun addressed his guards. “Disperse. The Great Khatun and I don’t need an escort. Reassemble here in two hours.”

They were hunting that day, accompanied not only by Jin Ge but also eight adult wolves. Zong Jun rode the only male among them, a magnificent creature, nearly eight feet long, with a thick, winter mane. He had ordered thick fleece laid over the wolf’s back and wrapped Yao Ji in a luxurious sable cloak to protect her delicate skin from the coarse hairs.

They headed east, the male wolf’s mate trotting ahead, scouting the path, a testament to its training.

Nestled against Zong Jun, Yao Ji listened as he spoke of hot springs hidden in the snowy mountains ahead. He had dismissed their entourage with the intention of stealing a moment of intimacy, but seeing her genuine interest and bright eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to interrupt her. As they rode, the massive wolf beneath them slowed to a halt.

Zong Jun, puzzled, watched as the wolf approached its mate and nuzzled her rear, then began to lift its paws.

“Damn beast!” Zong Jun cracked his golden whip across the wolf’s back. “Spring hasn’t even arrived, and you can’t wait?”

Chastened, the wolf lowered its head and stood still, casting a pitiful glance at its rider. Yao Ji, mortified, covered her eyes. Zong Jun chuckled. “Now you’re feeling wronged?”

He raised his whip again, but Yao Ji stopped him. “Don’t. It’s… natural. Why are you angry?”

“Natural?” Zong Jun raised an eyebrow.

Seeing his teasing glint, Yao Ji huffed. “You know perfectly well what’s natural. You’re no different. Whenever you have a free moment, you think about…” Her voice trailed off, her cheeks burning under his knowing gaze.

“Oh, Yao Yao,” he murmured, lowering his head to her ear. “How do you know… I’m thinking the same thing?” His hand found hers and guided it beneath the cloak. She hadn’t noticed before, but now she felt the undeniable evidence of his arovsal, hard and hot against her palm, sending a shiver through her.

He lifted her onto his lap, unwrapping the sable cloak to reveal her bright yellow gown. A gust of wind and snow sent a chill through her, but he quickly enveloped her in his cloak, pulling her against his chest. His hands worked quickly, undoing her bodice and freeing her bre4sts, cupping them in his warm palms.