Chapter 21: Chapter 21: The Golden Lion Appears

A huge lion’s head poked out from the top of the stairs.

His golden eyes, which should have been cold, merciless, and filled with aggression, reflected the small, delicate figure of the young female not far away.

’So sweet, so sweet, so sweet!’

The Golden Lion stared, mesmerized, at Yu Lan’s back.

He silently stuck out his tongue and licked his lips.

He looked from side to side, his nose greedily drinking in the sweet fragrance in the air.

It was this beautiful female. Ever since she appeared in the room, the sweet scent in the air had grown stronger and stronger.

The rich, sweet fragrance eased the pain that constantly tormented the lion’s mind.

Right now, Yu Lan, who exuded that sweet fragrance, was like a beautiful, soft little cake in the eyes of the lion, whose intelligence and memory were both zero.

’Just smelling her can ease the pain. What would happen if I ate her?’

The powerful, sturdy Golden Lion opened its mouth, his sharp fangs, which could easily tear prey to shreds, flashing menacingly in the air.

"Finally found it."

CLICK!

After finally finding the light switch and successfully turning on the lights, Yu Lan turned around to see a terrifying sight.

Her eyes flew wide open, and her heart leaped into her throat.

"A l-lion!"

’Why is there a lion in the villa?’

But now was not the time to wonder.

The Golden Lion at the top of the stairs, standing three to four meters tall, was slightly crouched. Its forelimbs were lowered, revealing a spine that rippled like a mountain range, and its breathing was low and ragged.

This was the sign of an impending attack.

If she didn’t run now, she’d soon become the lion’s next meal.

Even though she knew she shouldn’t show her back to a large predator, as it would trigger its desire to chase and hunt, Yu Lan couldn’t worry about that right now.

She let out a scream, "Ah!" and turned to sprint madly for the door.

But how could a human possibly outrun a massive beast?

Especially not one that was clearly the king of beasts, a creature at the very top of the food chain.

The very next second, just as Yu Lan was about to reach the door,

the lion caught up, slammed a paw on the villa’s main door, and shut it with a THUD.

As if displeased with her escape attempt, the golden male beast turned its head, opened its mouth, and let out a roar at Yu Lan. "AOOO!"

Its sharp, predatory teeth glinted in the air.

THUMP. Terrified, Yu Lan fell right onto her bottom on the floor.

Her already petite frame looked even smaller now.

The Golden Lion strode elegantly toward Yu Lan.

’Sweet, sweet.’

’So very sweet.’

The lion’s golden eyes were filled with obsession.

Yu Lan was absolutely terrified.

At this moment, the distance between her and the lion was terrifyingly small.

She could even clearly see the flowing mane around its temples.

The lion, standing three to four meters tall, looked down at Yu Lan on the floor. The powerful, ferocious aura of an apex Hunter at the top of the food chain washed over her.

Yu Lan’s face went pale with fright.

She propped herself up with her hands behind her, letting out continuous, frightened sobs.

"Don’t... don’t come any closer."

"Sob... please don’t eat me. I don’t taste good."

Teardrops like little pearls streamed one after another from the corners of Yu Lan’s eyes.

Her eyelashes trembled constantly, like the fluttering wings of a butterfly in a downpour.

Her eyes and nose were red from crying.

She looked utterly pitiful, yet adorable.

For some reason, seeing Yu Lan cry, a flicker of something akin to heartache flashed through the lion’s emotionless heart.

He didn’t like seeing her cry.

The Golden Lion lowered its body slightly, trying to comfort Yu Lan.

A gigantic lion’s head appeared right in front of her.

Yu Lan could even feel the hot breath from the lion’s nose puffing against her face.

’Am I... Am I going to be eaten?’

’So soon.’

Yu Lan wanted to cry again.

But she was afraid that crying would anger the lion and get her swallowed in one bite.

Her whole body trembled, and she didn’t dare make a single sound.

She was so scared she held her breath, not even daring to breathe.

This terrified image of Yu Lan greatly displeased the lion.

’It shouldn’t be like this,’ he thought.

He remembered that last time, when a Silver Wolf got close to Yu Lan, she hadn’t acted this way.

Inside a huge iron cage, Yu Lan had been in the same position, but her face held a gentle smile as she looked at the Silver Wolf not far away, making the wolf jump around the cage like a dog.

’Hm? What iron cage?’

A hint of confusion flashed through the Golden Lion’s golden eyes.

The memories flashed through his mind like flowing water, then quickly vanished without a trace.

’Whatever.’

The lion shook its head forcefully.

The elegant, flowing mane around its neck swayed through the air.

A few strands even whipped across Yu Lan’s face.

It scared Yu Lan so much that she sucked in another sharp breath.

"Hmph!"

The lion let out a disgruntled snort.

It lowered its massive head, getting closer and closer to Yu Lan.

Yu Lan could even feel the scorching heat radiating from the lion’s body.

’I’m going to be eaten!’

Yu Lan squeezed her eyes shut, her eyelashes trembling nonstop.

She could only hope the big lion would be quick about it and give her a swift end.

The next second...

The lion’s great mouth suddenly gaped open.

The anxious terror on Yu Lan’s face intensified.

But the teeth that could easily tear a prey’s throat apart were carefully retracted by the lion, as if afraid of scratching the beautiful female before him.

At the same time, a scorching hot tongue licked her face.

’So sweet, so sweet, so sweet.’

He was clearly the king of beasts, standing at the top of the food chain.

But now, he had abandoned all dignity and style.

He was like an obsessed creep.

His large, hot tongue slid over the beautiful female’s smooth forehead, the damp, red corners of her eyes, and the elegant slope of her nose.

He didn’t miss a single inch.

After he finished licking her, he tilted his head, reining in his strength.

The lion tried to affectionately nuzzle his big head against Yu Lan.

He even let out a questioning, breathy sound.

’I want cuddles too.’

’Why isn’t she cuddling me?’

"Aow?"

At this point, Yu Lan was nearly buried in the lion’s thick, clean fur.

The lion’s head was pressed against her ear, nudging and rubbing against her like a giant cat.

’What’s happening?’

’It’s not going to eat me?’

Yu Lan tentatively opened her eyes.

When she saw the overwhelming sight of the lion’s head right in front of her, she still couldn’t help but let out a gasp.

Her amber eyes were filled with astonishment.

’He truly is the king of beasts, the ruler at the top of the food chain.’

His fur was smooth and flowing, his limbs powerful and strong, his posture agile and magnificent. Just looking at him, she was struck by a majestic, awe-inspiring presence.

But the next second...

...the lion’s actions shattered the glowing image Yu Lan had of him.

Seeing his own reflection in the beautiful female’s eyes, an immense sense of joy and satisfaction welled up in the lion’s heart for some reason.

Overcome with happiness, he immediately opened his great mouth, and his hot tongue once again went LICK, LICK, LICK all over the beautiful female’s face.

’Sweet, sweet, sweet.’

He was completely lost in a state of addiction, unable to pull himself away from huffing her scent.