Clumsy Beast, Keep Your Paws Off novel Chapter 217

Chapter 217: Chapter 217: Returning to the Upper Mountain

The moment the rabbit tribe finished settling their tired females and cubs, Su Mingxuan gave a sharp signal.

"We move."

The rabbit tribe immediately formed lines again. Strong beastmen stepped forward, offering their backs and arms to carry the exhausted older beastman up the slippery slope.

Su Qinglan didn’t even get the chance to walk.

Hu Yan scooped her up in one smooth motion.

His arms wrapped around her securely, as if she were something delicate that even the mountain wind could break. Su Qinglan blinked in surprise, but his expression was stern.

"You’ve been outside too long," Hu Yan said softly. "Your body is cold."

Rong Ye, in his beast form, brushed against Hu Yan’s leg irritably as if saying, "I would’ve carried her first if you weren’t so fast."

Han Jue walked on the other side, his eyes silently guarding her. The three of them surrounded her like living shields.

Behind them, the newly rescued pregnant females were being lifted by their own mates. Some were carried in strong arms, some on broad backs.

The line of beastmen slowly began their climb back up the mountain.

The rain was still soft inside the dome, but the ground was muddy and slippery. Steps had to be taken carefully.

As they moved upward, Su Qinglan felt a strange prickling sensation.

Someone was staring at her.

She turned slightly and caught the rabbit tribe leader looking her way again.

His gaze wasn’t bad...it was respectful, grateful, maybe even amazed. He looked at her as if she were a miracle, a little sun in the rain.

But he looked a second time.

Then a third.

And that was a big mistake.

Because Han Jue’s cold glare burned into him like a blade. His eyes narrowed dangerously, already imagining beating this man into the mud.

Rong Ye, still in beast form, let out a silent growl. He leaned forward slightly, his sharp claws digging into the soil.

He looked like he wanted to run straight back down the mountain, tackle the leader, and drown him in a puddle.

Only Hu Yan did nothing...not because he didn’t notice, but because his focus was completely on Su Qinglan. He didn’t want her slipping, tripping, or getting cold.

Still, the rabbit leader felt the killing intent. His long ears froze straight up, and he quickly turned his face away, pretending he was admiring a tree.

After that, he didn’t dare look at Su Qinglan again.

The climb continued slowly.

Cubs yawned sleepily on their fathers’ shoulders. Pregnant females leaned weakly into their mates. Beastmen puffed and panted, but no one complained.

Eventually, the ground became firmer. The air grew warmer. The familiar upper mountain path appeared, winding between the tall trees.

"We’re close," Su Qinglan whispered.

Hu Yan nodded and tightened his hold around her just a little.

When they reached the top, Su Mingxuan raised a hand to stop everyone.

"You will stay here," he announced.

He pointed toward several empty tree houses made long ago by fox tribe members. They were built at the edge of the territory...safe but not too close to the inner trees.

"They are newly built but dry and strong," he said. "Use them for now. And if you want more, you may build your own houses. My tribe will help."

The rabbit tribe leader stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Thank you..."

Su Qinglan smiled a little at the sight. She knew her father wasn’t harsh, he simply knew how to handle tribes and people. He did everything carefully, with rules.

And because of that, they would survive.

But her own situation was different.

The moment they reached the top, Hu Yan glanced down at her hand, then up at her face.

"You’re cold," he said.

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