Chapter 5

I opened my eyes to find darkness had fallen outside.

Jolting upright on the hard stone bed, I was shocked by how long I'd slept.

"Aria, you're up," Ezra's deep voice called from close by. "You must be famished. Let's get you something to eat."

Feeling the emptiness in my stomach, I rose and made my way to the wooden table.

Two stone dishes were laid out. One contained a hot meat broth, the other held a variety of strange-looking berries.

"Have you eaten?" I inquired as I took a seat.

Ezra nodded, his amber eyes fixed on me. There was an unsettling intensity in his look—fiery, almost searing, like a hidden desire bubbling beneath the surface.

"I've had my meal. Don't concern yourself with me. Dig in," he replied, his tone calm and measured.

Clutching the wooden spoon firmly, I tried to disregard the shivers his stare sent through me. I realized Ezra had plans for tonight.

I cautiously tasted the soup.

I was pleasantly surprised by Ezra's cooking skills. The meat was sliced thin and tender, cooked perfectly—it seemed to dissolve on my tongue.

Though simply seasoned with salt, the broth was rich and tasty, highlighting the meat's natural flavor.

Before I realized it, I'd consumed half the bowl.

But the serving was enormous, more than I could finish. I set the utensil down, feeling satisfied.

"I'm full," I said, moving the dish away.

Ezra glanced at my midsection, as if verifying I'd eaten enough. After a pause, he nodded, looking pleased.

"I'll tidy up," he said, collecting the dishes. "There's a thermal spring at the rear of the house. You can use it to clean yourself."

A thermal spring?

I couldn't mask my delight.

Most beastmen were rugged and unconcerned with cleanliness, often bathing in cold streams. But for someone like me, used to modern amenities, bathing in a river was unthinkable.

With a thermal spring in Ezra's home, I wouldn't have to worry about that anymore.

As soon as Ezra left with the dishes, I followed the faint light towards the area he'd mentioned.

Indeed, warm vapor rose from a natural water pool, filling the space with comforting warmth.

I quickly removed my clothes and slipped into the water. The heat enveloped me, relieving the tension in my muscles.

Just as I began to unwind, a soft glow of firelight entered the room.

Ezra appeared, holding a torch. He secured it to the wall before turning towards me.

His golden eyes blazed with an intensity that caught my breath as he approached.

His imposing figure drew nearer, his gaze hot enough to evaporate the water around me.

My body shuddered involuntarily.

The werewolf from my previous life was nowhere near Ezra's size or power, and even then, I had barely survived the encounter.

If Ezra had his way with me, would I survive this?

As my mind raced, Ezra reached me, his arms encircling me with a possessive strength. His body radiated heat even more intense than the spring water.

I felt my knees weaken, my concerns dissipating as his steady heartbeat pulsed against my back.