American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness

Chapter 137 Unique Night View (Non-wilderness content, includes vehicles and pictures.)
Just as the party atmosphere was at its most heated, a Subaru Outback quietly pulled up on the outskirts of the crowd, the door opened, and Emily stepped out.

She had clearly dressed up for the party, shedding her usual sharp workwear.

She changed into a pair of slim-fit jeans and a close-fitting white cashmere sweater, which accentuated her sexy, healthy figure.

She carried a bottle of fine whiskey and offered her congratulations to old George with a polite but distant smile.

Lin Yu'an's gaze met hers for a fleeting moment from a distance.

Emily remained calm and composed, as if they were merely nodding acquaintances among neighbors.

But Lin Yu'an could read a complex emotion in the depths of those calm blue eyes that only he could understand.

Emily blended in naturally at the party; as the town's only veterinarian, she was familiar with everyone.

She chatted and laughed with the women next door, occasionally glancing unintentionally at Lin Yu'an, who was surrounded by men.

She was observing how the man with whom she had recently had her most primal entanglement had changed his status in the community.

Halfway through the party, Lin Yu'an went to get more beer and temporarily left the noisy campfire.

He went into old George's cabin and took out several dozen ice-cold beers from the refrigerator.

As he turned to leave, he found Emily standing in the kitchen doorway, blocking his way.

The kitchen was dimly lit, with only the glow of the campfire in the living room filtering in from outside, outlining a captivating silhouette on her.

"Congratulations, hero for helping old George realize his dream."

Emily's voice was soft, with a hint of barely perceptible teasing: "It seems you've completely won over these tough guys."

Lin Yu'an didn't speak, but just looked at her quietly. He could smell a faint scent of perfume on her, mixed with the smell of smoke from the campfire.

“They have accepted you and consider you a member of the community.”

Emily took a step forward, instantly closing the distance between them and creating an atmosphere that was both ambiguous and dangerous.

"But I know what you are."

"What am I?" Lin Yu'an asked, her voice filled with confusion.

"There is a more dangerous and calmer beast hidden in your bones."

"Although you appear calm and collected on the surface, with the look of a well-behaved child, I know that when faced with something that troubles you, your first thought is destruction."

Emily's words made him fall into deep thought. He looked at the woman in front of him, who had regained her composure and no longer showed the panicked expression she had displayed that day.

Since his rebirth, he went from being timid and hesitant to gradually trying out his cheat system, until he discovered that his physique and sixth sense had been enhanced.

His inner emotions and desires, or rather his wild nature, are being amplified! The most direct manifestation of this is killing and lust.

Lin Yu'an realized this problem when he encountered the three poaching blacks. He wanted to shoot and kill these three troublemakers countless times, but he managed to restrain himself.

He once read an article that mainly talked about how even if you have power and rights, your physical and mental state will naturally change.

This is controlled by genes. Your genes believe that your current strength is sufficient to achieve more, so the saying "the dragon-slaying boy eventually becomes the dragon" is definitely not just a saying.
Emily brought up the matter, forcing him to treat it with caution.

No one knows what he will become if he can't imagine how much power and money he will have in the future.

All he can do is stay true to himself, constantly adapt and adjust to his growing power, and control his emotions and desires so that he doesn't go mad!
Most importantly, you must take on family responsibilities; this may be one of the few weapons that can suppress your emotions and desires.

Emily stared directly into Lin Yu'an's eyes and continued, "I'll never forget the look in your eyes that night. You really thought about killing me, didn't you?"

Lin Yu'an was silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "I've thought about it."

This honest answer actually relieved Emily.

A self-deprecating smile played on her lips: "Thank you for your honesty. At least it proves you're not a complete hypocrite."

She took another step closer, almost pressing herself against Lin Yu'an, and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Want to come to my cabin tonight and watch the Bitcoin rally?"

“No need to look, it’s definitely not $60,000 yet,” Lin Yu’an said.

Just then, Stan's loud voice came from outside: "Hey! Lin! Did the Yeti steal our beer? We're dying of thirst!"

Emily quickly took a step back, resuming her polite yet aloof expression. She winked at Lin Yu'an, then turned and walked out of the kitchen.

Lin Yu'an, carrying beer, walked back to the noisy campfire.

He distributed beer to everyone and was once again drawn into a lively conversation.

He tried to put his conversation with Emily out of his mind for the time being, raised his bottle, and laughed loudly with the tough guys around him, drinking heartily.

But out of the corner of his eye, he would always involuntarily glance in Emily's direction.

He saw her chatting with several neighboring women, her demeanor elegant and her smile appropriate, as if the woman with the provocative look in her eyes just moments before was merely an illusion.

The party continued until late at night.

As the campfire flames gradually died down, and the strong whiskey and chilled beer ran out, everyone's enthusiasm slowly faded along with the chill in the air.

The guests began to say goodbye to old George in twos and threes, disappearing on the path back to their respective cabins, still satisfied with the wine and the lingering aroma of roasted meat.

"George, thank you for your hospitality! This is the best party I've ever been to!"

"Lin! Next time you have something good, remember to call us!"

Stan, Cody, and the others also put their arms around each other's shoulders and prepared to leave, not forgetting to give Lin Yu'an a hard punch on the shoulder before leaving.

Soon, only Lin Yu'an, Old George, and Emily, who was about to get up, remained by the campfire.

Emily stood up, but her body swayed slightly.

She raised her hand to her forehead, a perfectly balanced blush of alcohol rising to her cheeks.

She walked up to old George, her voice slightly languid and hoarse: "George, thank you for the lamb and whiskey. I had a very enjoyable evening, but... I think I drank a little too much. I'm a bit dizzy."

Old George glanced at Emily, then at Lin Yu'an who hadn't drunk much, and a meaningful smile instantly appeared on his wrinkled old face.

He cleared his throat and said in an unquestionable tone, "Oh, that won't do! We absolutely cannot let Weissman's only, and most beautiful, veterinarian, risk drunk driving! That's too dangerous!"

He turned his head and looked directly at Lin Yu'an.

"Lin, you're not drunk, right?"

“Yes, George,” Lin Yu’an answered, forcing a smile. He already had a premonition of what was about to happen.

"It's settled then! You'll take Emily home! You must get her safely to her doorstep! That's an order!"

He winked at Lin Yu'an: "I can handle the rest of the finishing work by myself. Young man, go ahead, don't keep our lady waiting too long."

Then he added in a low voice, "Kid, no matter what happens, you're not allowed to break the law, understand?"

Emily's face still held that slightly tipsy and helpless look, but deep in her lowered eyes, a smile of triumph flashed.

She looked at Lin Yu'an and said in a weak, needy tone, "Then... I'll have to trouble you, Lin."

With Old George's all-knowing smile and Emily's "just right" request, Lin Yu'an had no reason to refuse.

“Okay, no problem.” He nodded and took the car keys Emily handed him.

"Drive slowly on the road!" Old George shouted from behind them, his voice full of happy laughter. Lin Yu'an got into the driver's seat of Emily's Subaru Outback.

The faint scent of her perfume still lingered in the car, mingling with the smell of leather to create a unique and feminine atmosphere.

Emily sat in the passenger seat. As soon as she got in, she leaned back and closed her eyes. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly in the dim light, as if she had really fallen asleep from being drunk.

Lin Yu'an started the car and drove smoothly away from old George's cabin.

The car drove along the quiet forest path, with only the soft rustling of tires over the gravel.

Neither of them spoke, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment.

Just as the car arrived in front of Emily's cabin, the woman who had been completely drunk suddenly opened her eyes.

Her eyes were clear and bright, showing no trace of drunkenness.

She moved closer to Lin Yu'an, a playful smile playing on her lips, and whispered in his ear, "Hero Herman, aren't you really coming up to check out Bitcoin's surge?"

The warm breath brushed against his ear, carrying a faint fragrance and the sweetness of alcohol, like a soft feather, stirring Lin Yu'an's heartstrings.

He didn't answer immediately, but turned his head and met Emily's beautiful blue eyes in the night.

The dim light inside the car accentuated her sculpted features and slightly upturned lips, her eyes holding both a cunning probing and a deeper invitation.

"I thought you were drunk." Lin Yu'an's voice was calm, revealing little emotion.

“In Alaska, if a woman wants to appear drunk, she has a reason for doing so.”

Emily didn't back down; instead, she moved a little closer to him, so close that they could feel each other's breath.

She stretched out her slender fingers and gently traced his strong jawline; the cool touch, however, brought a surge of heat to Lin Yu'an's heart.

She lowered her voice, her tone slightly hoarse and alluring: "For example, she wanted to see if the beast behind that tough-guy exterior had truly sheathed its fangs."

Lin Yu'an's fingers tightened slightly around the steering wheel.

He certainly understood the implication in Emily's words, and he also understood what she meant by the "Bitcoin rally".

Since that bloody incident, their relationship has gone beyond that of ordinary neighbors.

They are accomplices, allies in their own interests, bound together by a dark secret.

Lin Yu'an was silent for a moment, then unbuckled his seatbelt, making a crisp "click" sound.

This simple action sounded particularly loud in the quiet carriage, like a silent response.

He didn't get out of the car or go upstairs. Instead, he turned around and, in a very oppressive manner, trapped Emily between himself and the passenger seat.

He braced himself on the back of her chair with one hand and gently lifted her chin with the other, forcing her to look him in the eye.

"Does watching Bitcoin's rise come at a cost?" His eyes were deep, like a spruce forest at night, concealing an unfathomable undercurrent.

Emily's breath hitched slightly; she could clearly feel the strong aura of male hormones emanating from him.

She didn't flinch; instead, she met his gaze, her playful smile deepening.

"of course."

She licked her slightly dry lips, a subtle yet incredibly alluring gesture.

There's no such thing as a free lunch in the world, especially in Alaska, isn't there?

"There's no such thing as a free lunch?" His fingertips gently caressed her smooth chin, feeling the delicate touch.

That softness contrasted sharply with the cold rocks, rough guns, and bloody fur he had been exposed to these past few days, stimulating his nerve endings.

The emotions that had been building up inside him were completely ignited by her small gesture.

That conquering desire stemming from the hunting instinct, the ferocity of the fighting wolf pack, and the restlessness stemming from repression.

At this moment, they found a common outlet for their emotions, which quickly transformed into the most direct and primal desires!
"Hmm~" Emily leaned forward slightly, eliminating the last bit of distance between them, and her lips were almost touching his.

Before she could finish speaking, Lin Yu'an suddenly released her and leaned back into the driver's seat.

A hint of surprise flashed in Emily's eyes.

"Market conditions are always changing."

Lin Yu'an said calmly, restarted the car, turned it around, and drove along another small road towards the lake.

"I prefer to go to a place with a wide view and see the real Alaskan night view rather than looking at those cold numbers on a screen."

Emily didn't say anything more, she just leaned back in her chair.

She didn't know whether the fire she lit tonight was a pledge to ensure her safety or a manifestation of her desires after being single for so many years; she didn't want to think about it too much.

The car eventually stopped in a secluded open space by the lake.

The moonlight, like quicksilver, spilled across the calm lake, while the distant mountains were silhouetted against the night sky.

There was no one else here, only them and this vast and silent wilderness.

Lin Yu'an turned off the engine, and the carriage fell silent again. This time, he did not give Emily a chance to speak.

He leaned forward, grabbed the back of her neck with one hand and wrapped his other arm around her waist, pulling her towards him. Then, with an almost predatory force and possessiveness, he kissed her fiercely!
After a moment of surprise, Emily followed his rhythm intently.

The temperature inside the Subaru Outback was rising rapidly, and the turbulence was becoming more intense.

The clothes became cumbersome, and the space in the seat seemed incredibly cramped.

Finally, Lin Yu'an stopped. He looked at Emily, who was already infatuated, her blue eyes shimmering with tears and filled with mist.

He pressed his forehead against hers and whispered something in her ear in a hoarse voice.

"I've already brought the admission fee."

Emily's body trembled slightly, and a smile that was both alluring and tinged with a hint of surrender appeared on her lips as she responded in an almost inaudible voice.

"Well then... welcome, hero."

A smile flashed in Lin Yu'an's eyes, a smile of tacit understanding, and he no longer held anything back.

The narrow Subaru Outback was far too restrictive for the two of them.

Fortunately, the car's hood is fairly spacious and flat, though it's a bit cold.

The night, the lake, and the snow-capped mountains became the backdrop for their most primitive stage.

Emily felt the cold metal hood beneath her and the scorching heat of Lin Yu'an behind her.

This stark contrast between hot and cold made him chuckle and sigh repeatedly.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

(I'm asking for monthly votes, isn't that too much to ask, drivers!)

(End of this chapter)