Chapter 50: Howled In Grievance

With that single sentence, Ethan's restraint snapped.

Temptation swallowed his rationality whole.

Lillie gasped as she was suddenly pushed onto the carpeted floor, her wrists pinned above her head by strong, unyielding hands.

His weight hovered over her, heat radiating from his body. Trapping her.

"I'll… definitely catch you," Ethan murmured, his voice low, almost reverent.

His breath ghosted over her skin as he dipped his head to her neck.

"Even if you don't ask," he whispered against her pulse, "I'll always be there for you."

Lillie's heart slammed against her ribs. Her entire face turned crimson.

His words—his damnably sweet words—sent a shiver of something unfamiliar down her spine.

She barely had time to process before she felt him.

The cold press of his lips, trailing slowly down the curve of her neck. A kiss so featherlight, so maddeningly slow, that her nerves ignited.

"E-Ethan…" Her voice trembled.

The pleasure was subtle yet unbearable.

Ethan knew.

He knew Lillie Bai only acted this way because of the alcohol. But he didn't want to stop.

Not this time.

For once, he wanted to be selfish.

To hold her.

To kiss her.

To spoil her.

"Lillie…"

Lifting his head, Ethan gazed into her glossy, half-lidded blue eyes. Devotion. Possession. Love. It was all there, unhidden.

"My wife."

Her breath caught.

His lips brushed hers, soft at first, testing, teasing—

Then she felt it.

A familiar warmth urging her to part her lips.

Without thinking, she obeyed.

The moment she did, Ethan deepened the kiss, claiming her completely.

It was… intoxicating.

Gentle yet demanding.

Passionate yet controlled.

Sweet yet utterly addicting.

This wasn't their first kiss.

But it was the first that mattered.

The first that felt right.

Memories of their first awkward kiss flickered in Lillie's mind. Back when she 'supposedly' hated him.

Back when she never imagined she'd fall like this.

Now, there was nothing to hate.

This kiss… was incredible.

Then, a thought struck her.

How exactly did Ethan get so good at this?

Her stomach twisted. Did he… practice with someone else?

A flash of irritation coursed through her.

Before she could stop herself—she bit his lip.

Ethan, dazed by her taste, instinctively pulled back, brows furrowing.

"What was that for?" he asked, puzzled.

Lillie huffed, arms crossing over her chest. "How come you're so good at this?"

Realization dawned on him.

Was she… jealous?

A slow, amused smirk curled Ethan's lips.

He reached out, gently ruffling her hair.

"You're my first kiss."

"Liar."

"It's true."

His voice was warm, teasing—but honest.

Ethan's eyes twinkled in amusement as he leaned in, placing a featherlight kiss on her lips as reassurance.

"Who else would I kiss except for you, my wife?"

Lillie scowled. "I'm not your wife… yet."

The word 'yet' was barely a whisper.

But Ethan heard it clear as day.

His grin widened.

"Yet?"

And before Lillie could react—he ravished her lips all over again.

___

The golden morning light filtered through the windows, casting a soft glow over the entangled couple.

Lillie groaned as she stirred awake, wincing as pain throbbed behind her temples.

Hangover.

Lovely.

She shifted, trying to sit up—only to realize something warm and heavy was pinning her down.

…Someone.

Slowly, she turned her head—

And froze.

Ethan lay beside her, his expression peaceful, his lips slightly parted in sleep.

Lillie's eyes darted downward—

A very noticeable bruise marred his lower lip.

What the hell happened to him?

Did he get attacked by a wild animal—?

Her breath hitched.

Memories from the previous night suddenly slammed into her like a wrecking ball.

Ethan.

The floor.

The kisses.

The… intensity.

Lillie's entire face exploded into red.

Oh. My. God.

She was the 'wild animal.'

As if sensing her mortification, Ethan stirred.

His lashes fluttered open, revealing those familiar golden-brown eyes.

The moment he saw her—his lips curled into a mischievous smirk.

"Good morning, beautiful."

Lillie stiffened.

He looked way too smug.

"As much as I enjoy having you in my arms," Ethan murmured, tone husky, "we should probably get up and have breakfast."

His arms around her loosened, pulling her up to sit.

"I was planning on scolding you for drinking yourself sick," he continued smoothly, "but since you gave me such a lovely treat…"

His golden eyes glinted wickedly.

"I'll let you off this time."

Lillie.exe has stopped working.

She was speechless.

Utterly, completely speechless.

Her face turned impossibly red.

The rare sight was glorious.

Ethan relished it.

For years, he had only seen her with a blank or cold expression. Now?

Just the slightest blush on her cheeks was enough to make him crave more.

More of her expressions.

More of her reactions.

More of… her.

He chuckled, ruffling her hair again.

"Alright, alright, I'll stop." His voice was filled with amusement—but also fondness.

Lillie scowled, still too flustered to retaliate.

Then—

A soft, indignant howl echoed from the doorway.

Both of them turned.

Storm.

The wolfdog stood frozen in pure, unfiltered shock.

His tail stiffened, ears flattened.

What… what did he just witness?

How did this human enter his Mistress's domain without him noticing?!

Was he a wizard?! Did he climb through the window?!

And more importantly—

Why did his Mistress look like she was bullied?!

Storm's gaze flickered to Ethan.

His lips were wounded. Suspicious.

His Mistress's cheeks were red. Very suspicious.

Storm wanted to cry blood.

He failed.

He, Storm—her loyal guardian, her protector—had failed to stop this human's filthy hands from corrupting his Mistress.

Heart heavy with grief, Storm let out a woeful howl.

He had lost.