King of the Wilderness

A few days later in the early morning, the two-kilometer-long private runway at Giant Stone River Heritage Ranch welcomed its first heavy visitor of the new owner era for the first time.

A Bombardier Global 7500 business jet, with sleek lines and a wide wingspan, landed silently in the dawn and taxied smoothly to the tarmac beside the temperature-controlled hangar.

This was a top-notch charter booked urgently by Lin Yu’an through CAA, sufficient to meet all their needs for the family trip.

"Sir, all luggage and child safety facilities have been loaded." Security chief Sean O’Connor approached respectfully to report, "Mike Johnson and I are also ready."

Mike Johnson, another key member of the security team, was taciturn but possessed extremely proficient driving skills.

The two would be responsible for ground security during the Alaska trip and, most importantly, for driving Whiskey and Honey safely back to Wyoming.

"Thank you for your hard work." Lin Yu’an nodded, then turned to look at his family coming from the main house.

Aliya and Emily were pushing a twin stroller, with the two little ones curiously eyeing the giant iron bird in front of them, eyes full of exploratory light.

"Are you ready, my little adventurers?" Lin Yu’an asked, opening his arms with a smile.

"Ready when you are, Captain!" Aliya and Emily answered in unison, their faces carrying a hint of anticipation for an important rendezvous.

Upon boarding the plane, the luxurious and serene cabin had already been arranged like a mobile sky nursery.

Soft carpets, constant temperature, and ready-prepared baby cradles and toys ensured absolute comfort for the two little ones during the long flight.

As the engines issued a low roar, the plane surged into the azure sky, heading toward the distant northern land that carried countless stories.

After nearly four hours of fast-paced flying, the Bombardier Global 7500 business jet, indeed worthy of being an airborne flagship of this era.

At 40,000 feet, it cruised at nearly the speed of sound, transforming the endless Canadian Rockies and vast ice fields below into a magnificent tableau slowly flowing by the windows.

When the plane’s altitude began to gradually decrease and the captain’s gentle voice came through the communicator, the plane had already landed smoothly at Anchorage’s private airport.

As the cabin door opened and a familiar crisp air greeted him, Lin Yu’an saw that Mai Ke had been waiting by the tarmac.

She was wearing a smart dark blue jacket, her long golden hair tied neatly into a ponytail, and a hint of barely concealed tension and anticipation on her face.

When she first saw the two equally beautiful women behind Lin Yu’an, each holding a delicate, jade-like baby, smile and walk toward her.

Maike felt as if her heart was being clenched by an invisible hand, all language seemed pale at that moment.

"Hello, Dr. MacKeez," Aliya was the first to extend her hand, her smile sincere and warm, instantly dispelling the subtle awkwardness in the air, "I’m Aliya, you’re even more beautiful than in the photos."

Emily also smiled and stepped forward, gently shaking her hand: "Hello, I’m Emily. Thank you for everything you’ve done for December and Amber."

There was no imagined scrutiny or hostility, only familial warmth and gratitude. Max’s nerves instantly relaxed, as she awkwardly responded: "Hello... welcome to Anchorage."

That evening, in a private room of a top restaurant in downtown Anchorage, possibly the most important and surreal conversation of Maike’s life officially began.

Considerately, Lin Yu’an took the already sleepy babies to rest in the suite next door, leaving the space for the three women.

Aliya wasted no time, speaking directly, so candidly that it caught Max a little off guard.

"Maike, we’re here today to officially talk to you as family." Aliya looked at her, her blue-green eyes full of sincerity.

"We know you’re a very good girl, and you must sense that Lin... he likes you very much."

Maike’s body stiffened suddenly, her hand holding the water cup paused in mid-air for half a second.

She instinctively wanted to deny, forcing a slightly stiff smile onto her face: "Aliya, I think... there might be some misunderstanding. Lin and I are just... very good friends, because of December..."

"Friends, but not just friends, right?" Emily gently interrupted her, her voice small but seemingly able to see through people’s hearts.

"We are all women, Max. We can see the light in your eyes when you look at him, that is not the look one gives to an ordinary friend."

This straightforward remark instantly shattered all the excuses Maike tried to disguise. She awkwardly lowered her head, avoiding their honest gaze, her fingers unconsciously caressing the cold rim of the cup.

Seeing this, Emily’s tone became even softer: "We’re saying this not to embarrass you. Quite the opposite, we want you to know that our family may not be like the traditional concept you know."

"It is not built on possession and jealousy, but on love and trust, on mutual fulfillment."

Maike finally raised her head, her intelligent blue eyes filled with deep confusion and disbelief. "I don’t understand... fulfillment? How is that possible? Love... shouldn’t it be singular?"