Julian completely ignored Thorne and the others’ questions and hostility, but when he faced his brother, he fell silent.

’He knew perfectly well that it was all thanks to Evangeline that Drake had managed to reforge his Star Pattern and ascend to the Nine-star Extreme Realm. They had spent enough time together to know what kind of person she was. The past no longer mattered.’

’To his brother, the female was paramount. Would he be willing to share her with another person? Especially when that person was his own brother.’

Julian didn’t know. His talons tightened slightly, and more blood dripped from the Vulture’s corpse.

Drake looked away, his golden-red eyes gazing at the bright, rising moon in the distance. "Lyra," he said softly, "she’s wonderful. It’s only natural that you like her. I’m not asking to stop you, but simply to understand your intentions."

A flicker of sadness crossed Julian’s liquid-gold eyes. "I like her very much," he said softly, "but..."

He fell silent for a moment, his gaze once again falling on Drake’s back. Nestled between the fluffy, golden-red wings, she looked exceptionally slender and frail.

The look in Julian’s eyes softened, but his voice was laced with bitterness. "She doesn’t like me. In her heart, there’s only room for you all."

Before Drake could reply, Julian spoke again. This time, the bitterness vanished, replaced by a surge of pride. "Still, I’m not giving up, no matter what. This is the first time I’ve ever fallen for a female. I won’t be satisfied until I see how it ends."

With that, he tightened his grip on the Vulture Chief’s corpse, spread his wings, and flew swiftly away.

Drake paused, taken aback, then a faint smile flickered in his golden-red eyes.

He spread his wings, let out a sharp cry, and his flight became even smoother, as if he feared jostling the female on his back.

With the annihilation of the Vulture Clan, the Goldeagle Tribe had finally achieved ultimate victory.

The cold wind carried news of this to every corner of Norfell. Meanwhile, back in the Goldeagle Tribe, a major event was unfolding.

Caden Albright studied Julian’s calm expression and narrowed his eyes. "You’re taking the Goldeagle Tribe to migrate?"

Julian nodded slightly. "The Cold Season is approaching. Most Avian Clan Beastmen have to migrate. We’re no different."

Caden Albright chuckled, his amber eyes sweeping over Julian with an unreadable expression.

Drake, who had been standing to the side, was silent for a moment before speaking. "I’ll go with you."

Hearing this, Caden Albright’s smile faded. "Whether or not you can go depends on what Eva thinks," he said coolly. "Or have you forgotten? The only reason you’re standing here, lucid, is thanks to her."

As he spoke, a dark, vicious glint flashed in Caden Albright’s eyes.

’He hadn’t forgotten. Two days ago, when Drake returned from the Vulture Clan’s territory with Eva, his female had been barely conscious. The wound on her neck was a mangled, bloody mess—clearly a bite—and the culprit was none other than the man standing before him.’

’And he had the nerve to act so blameless, wanting to lead his tribe in a migration? Not a hint of guilt.’

’The Avian Clan’s migration lasts the entire Cold Season, and they wouldn’t return until the next hunting season. The interval was too long. He didn’t know how it might affect Eva, so of course, he couldn’t just let Drake leave.’

Drake’s lips thinned. His Adam’s apple bobbed slowly. "I remember."

’He had been away from the tribe for so long, leaving his younger brother to shoulder all the responsibilities. Now that he was finally back, with the power to protect his people, he couldn’t bear to let his brother carry the burden alone. Besides, his brother was grown now and had a female he liked. If he kept sacrificing himself for the tribe, when would he ever find his own happiness?’

’The migration route was filled with Wild Beasts and vicious gales; it was the most dangerous time for the tribe.’

"Remember?" A faint sneer touched Caden Albright’s strikingly handsome features.

Julian’s hands, hanging at his sides, clenched into fists. Of course, he understood his brother’s intentions.

Drake’s eyes were deep and reserved as he turned to face Caden Albright. "I..."

His words were cut off by a captivating voice. "Go on."

The males all froze.

Caden Albright’s gaze shifted to Evangeline as she emerged from the depths of the cave.

She had changed into a clean set of clothes. Her steps were light, and her pale face had finally regained some color.

"It’s windy out here. Why did you come out?" Caden Albright strode forward and wrapped an arm around her waist. He glanced down at her surprisingly prominent belly, a small frown creasing his brow. ’On the Beastman Continent, a pregnant female rarely showed so obviously.’

Evangeline stood at the edge of the cliff, tucking a strand of long hair whipped up by the wind behind her ear. Her expression was focused as she looked at Drake.

"Now that you have your memories back, it’s only right that you do something for your tribe and for Julian. I understand. You should go." Evangeline spoke at a measured, even pace. Though her voice was bewitching, it had a strangely calming effect.

At Evangeline’s words, the expressions of both Caden Albright and Julian changed. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

’Drake remembered?’

Two days had passed, but he had never mentioned it, so they hadn’t given it much thought.

Drake softened his sharp gaze, his golden-red eyes fixed on Evangeline. They were incredibly deep, yet held a faint, almost imperceptible tremor.

’It wasn’t the first time he’d heard those two words: "Go on." When he had awoken from the medicinal bath, his body wracked with the agonizing pain of metamorphosis, his memories had already returned. He remembered everything, including the time he had amnesia. Nothing was forgotten.’

’His first instinct upon seeing her pale, weak state was to hold her tight.’

’But she had told him to go help his tribe. Back then, she had said those same two words.’

’And now, it was the same two words again.’

Drake gazed at Evangeline, at her calm and composed expression, and felt a faint, sharp pang in his chest.

’The Evangeline he once knew was not a magnanimous person. She certainly would never be so considerate of a male.’

He stared at her, a starry light swirling in his deep, reserved eyes. After a moment, he spoke. "After the Cold Season, I will return. And I will stay by your side from that day forward."

Julian froze for a second, then shot Drake a complicated look before slowly lowering his gaze.

It was a promise.

And the Goldeagle Clan never made promises lightly.

Evangeline gazed at Drake, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Alright."

’Winning a man over is like flying a kite,’ she thought. ’The line is in my hands now, but it’s time to let it out a little. A Drake with his memories restored won’t be so easy to fool. Holding the line too tight will only hurt us both. This is the perfect opportunity to let him think things through.’

’Drake’s personality was stern and sharp-edged. Now that they had a Contract, he would eventually talk himself into accepting it.’

’This trip to the Goldeagle Tribe hadn’t been a waste. Drake, now at the Nine-star Extreme Realm, owed her a great deal.’

’All she had to do was sit back and wait.’

The sharp line of Drake’s jaw relaxed slightly. He glanced at the silent Julian. "Julian, you stay behind."

Julian’s head snapped up to look at Drake, his brows knitted tightly. "No. I’m going with you."

He knew what his brother was thinking, of course. But he had already failed as a leader by not protecting his tribe from the Vulture Clan’s attack. If he didn’t go with them on this migration, then he had no right to be their leader anymore.

Caden Albright, still holding Evangeline, watched the two brothers and let out a cold laugh.

He tilted his head slightly, the vermilion mole beneath his right eye as vivid as a drop of blood. His tone, however, was languid, as if mocking them both. "The two of you, both vying for Eva’s attention. Have either of you bothered to ask what she wants?"