King of the Wilderness

Chapter 393: Chapter 229: December’s Gift

He knew he could confidently entrust his ”little princess” to the scientist before him, who was also filled with a sense of responsibility and love.

Lin Yu’an knew that the moment of separation had arrived.

For the last time, he held December tightly in his arms. The little creature seemed to sense the change in the atmosphere. It no longer struggled, only using its two front paws to hold tightly, very tightly, around Lin Yu’an’s neck, burying its little head deep into his neck, making faint, uneasy whimpering sounds from its throat.

Lin Yu’an held it, step by step, walked toward the massive S-92 helicopter with its cabin door open.

He carried December up the steps of the plane while Dr. MacKeez and her team were already waiting inside the cabin.

He personally handed December into Dr. MacKeez’s arms.

Dr. MacKeez held firm, experienced, but the moment December left Lin Yu’an’s embrace, it immediately began howling in distress!

It twisted its body, stretched its neck, and looked at Lin Yu’an, who was still standing on the plane’s steps, with eyes full of confusion and fear.

”Awoo... awoo...!”

The sound was like a dagger, piercing deeply into Lin Yu’an’s heart!

He quickly stepped forward and knelt on one knee to meet December’s eyes, gently stroking its furry back.

”It’s okay, December, good baby, it’s okay.” For the first time, his voice carried an uncontrollable tremor.

”Listen to me, you’re just going to a new home, a better home, with more professional doctors, better food, and lots of little friends just like you.”

”Awoo...!”

December would not listen. It seemed to sense a terrifying emotion that it had experienced before from Lin Yu’an’s eyes and tone—abandonment.

Its body began to struggle violently, trying to escape from Dr. MacKeez’s arms and rush toward Lin Yu’an! But Dr. MacKeez’s arms were like iron clamps, firmly holding it in place.

”Lin, you must go.” Dr. MacKeez’s expression also turned exceedingly serious.

”This is not a good sign. She has developed a strong imprint dependence on you. We must intervene immediately to help her adapt to independence. This is crucial for her future rewilding; it is the best way for her.”

Dr. MacKeez looked at Lin Yu’an and solemnly promised, ”I assure you, Lin, that I will take care of her just as you have. This is my promise to you.”

Lin Yu’an knew that Dr. MacKeez was right, and he had to harden his heart.

For the last time, he reached out his arms and took the still violently struggling December back into his embrace from Dr. MacKeez.

This time, he held on so tightly.

He placed his lips by December’s small ear, using all his gentleness, repeatedly speaking to it.

”Listen to me, little princess. You are not being abandoned; you are just going to ’college.’ You’re going to learn how to become a real polar bear, to learn how to hunt, swim, and live proudly on this icefield.”

”In the future, you are going to become the Queen of the North, the King of the Icefield. A queen cannot be so clingy, you know?”

”You must learn to be independent, to be strong. I will come to see you, I promise. As soon as I finish my challenges here, I will fly to Alaska to see you. We’ve made a deal.”

”I will be part of your training, watch you grow, and see you become stronger than any bear. Then, one day in the future, I will personally open that door and return you to the world where you truly belong.”

Lin Yu’an’s voice seemed to carry a peculiar, cross-species communicative power. He was no longer just comforting, but by drawing a blueprint for the future, giving this little life his most solemn promise.

December, who had been struggling madly in his arms, seemed finally affected by this firm and expectant tone, gradually calming down.

It no longer tried to break free, but its body remained tense, lifting its head with big, watery eyes still filled with grievance, confusion, and deep reluctance, using all its strength to look unblinkingly at Lin Yu’an’s face.

December’s little head tilted slightly, as if trying hard to understand the complex message conveyed by this huge, warm creature in front of it.

It couldn’t understand the words about ”future” and ”King of the Icefield,” but it could sense from his tone that this was no longer the sadness of ”abandonment,” but a power of ”hope.”

It seemed to see in the grand picture Lin Yu’an painted for it a future, though without him, yet filled with sunshine and strength.

December extended its tender little tongue to gently lick Lin Yu’an’s chin for the last time, as if making a silent response, a promise it couldn’t voice, yet was immensely clear.

It seemed to accept the upcoming farewell it could not understand but had to face.

Seeing this scene, seeing the little creature’s eyes with an understanding beyond instinct, all the emotions Lin Yu’an had suppressed with iron will finally broke through all barriers.

His eyes turned red when December licked his chin!

He held back tears that were about to burst forth, taking a deep breath, closing his eyes, and planted one last deep kiss on December’s furry forehead, still carrying his own scent.