Lick and Leave? Even a Dog Cuddles First!

Edmund jolted at her question, his entire body going frozen. Primrose didn't miss the way his fingers twitched, as if barely resisting the urge to reach for her.

[I WANT IT. I WANT IT.]

[No! You moron! If I lose control, I'll end up tossing her onto the bed and—]

[STOP! What the hell is wrong with me?! How can I have such indecent thoughts about my wife all the damn time? If she could read my mind, she'd be utterly disgusted.]

Oh, well. She had bad news for him.

"It really hurts, Your Majesty." Primrose tried to pull him closer, but he was frozen in place, as if nailed to the floor. "Every time I speak, my throat burns."

"Then don't speak," Edmund said curtly.

[Why the hell did I say it like that?! Now she'll think I don't care about her at all!]

Primrose lowered her head, her voice soft and pitiful. "But … sleeping is hard too." She sighed, rubbing her throat for emphasis. "I can hold on until morning, but I don't think I'll be able to sleep at all."

Just take the damn bait, Your Majesty!

'I'm practically throwing free meat at you, and yet you dare keep resisting?!'

[My wife is suffering …]

[Should I try to heal her? I could just run away if things get out of hand.]

No. Because if he ran away, she would drag him right back and make him take responsibility for the fire he'd ignited inside her.

Just take her virginity already, damn it!

Maybe, just maybe, if she had a baby with him, it could earn her some respect from the beasts. 

Wait ... had she even considered that before? 

A baby? That might actually be the answer!

If she had a child with him, the whole kingdom would probably think twice before daring to harm her or speak ill of her. 

The baby would be Edmund's legacy, a potential heir to the throne if they were strong enough.

But then again, we're talking about Edmund's genetics. He was the strongest beast in Noctvaris, so naturally, his child would be strong, right? 

Well, Primrose's weaker genetics would also play a part, but let's just hope hers wasn't the dominant one.

But then there's the real question, was her body strong enough to carry his child? 

She meant, his body was ... big, right? What if the baby also turned out so big it could stretch her belly to the limit and make it explode?! 

And his ... well, she had seen that bulge in his pants. It was enormous!

Would it even fit? Sure, she knew a woman's body could stretch and adapt, but still, she couldn't help but feel nervous. 

Okay, cut her some slack, this wasn't exactly a small thing to think about!

However, if this meant she could live peacefully in the palace, pampered by the entire beast kingdom, then Primrose would push her fears aside, acting brave like a soldier, and let his big sword stab her!

"Do you have any idea what I should do to heal you?" Edmund asked, his tone firm, making sure his wife wasn't completely clueless.

Primrose blinked, trying to keep her expression innocent. "I know," she said, her voice a bit shy. "Your saliva ... it can heal any wound, right? You did it once before, so ... maybe you could do it again?"

Edmund swallowed hard, his fists clenching so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

[My wife knows about it… and she still wants me to heal her?!]

[Does this mean she's giving me permission to touch her?]

[No, you idiot! She just wants to be healed, not groped! Get it together, damn it!]

"Alright," he said, his voice sounding a bit rougher than usual. He cleared his throat. "I'll be quick."

Finally! He took the bait!

Primrose tilted her head slightly, exposing her neck to him. The bruise from being strangled stood out starkly against her pale skin, but instead of focusing on the wound, Edmund's eyes darted wildly, admiring the smooth, pearl-like texture of his wife's skin.

[STOP STARING, YOU IDIOT!]

[Just lick her throat and leave. Just. Lick. Her. Throat. And. LEAVE.]

Primrose bit her lower lips to hold back her laugh. 'Lick and leave? Even a damn dog has the decency to cuddle after licking its owner.'

"Don't move," Edmund murmured, his voice oddly tense.

Edmund brought his face closer so that Primrose could feel his warm breath on her skin. His hands clenched at his sides, his whole body tense as if he was walking a tightrope over a pit of fire. 

It was ironic.

The legends said Edmund had never shown fear, not even when facing his deadliest enemies. He hadn't flinched when challengers came for his throne, nor had he hesitated in battle.

And yet … here he was, completely tense in front of his beautiful wife.

"Your Majesty—"

"Don't speak." Edmund cut her off.

[Her voice sounds even more beautiful and sweet from this close.]

[I'd be damned if she speak beside my ears.]

The great Lycan King, terrified of his own wife's voice.

What a pathetic lovesick lycan.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally lowered his head, his tongue flicking over her bruised skin. His warm saliva seeped in, its magic working instantly to soothe the pain.

The bruise faded almost immediately.

But before he could pull away, his lips brushed against her neck.

Shit.

[I—I didn't mean to do that!]

[But why the hell is her skin this soft?!]

[And why does she smell so damn good?!]

Without thinking, he leaned in again and pressed a light kiss to her throat. Just a peck. A tiny, fleeting touch.

But it was enough to send a shiver down her spine.

[She … she's not pushing me away!]

[Does that mean she doesn't mind if I kiss her neck?]

[Should I … try again?]

Edmund held his breath. His lips hovered just above her skin, his mind sounded like an absolute battlefield.

[No. I should stop.]

[But what if she actually likes it?]

[Just one more. A small one. Just to be sure.]

Before he could talk himself out of it, he pressed another kiss against her neck, this time lingering for a second longer. 

Primrose swore her heartbeat sped up, and maybe, just maybe, Edmund could feel it through her pulse.

[Maybe … just one more?]

He kissed her neck again, this time slower and more gentle. 

[Her skin is so soft ….]

Without thinking, he kissed her again. And again. Each time, his lips stayed a little longer, pressing just a little deeper.

[I just want to make sure her wound heals completely.]

Sure. Keep telling yourself that.

But Primrose could feel his kiss growing bolder, faster. A tingling sensation spread from her neck down to her toes, making her fingers curl into the sheets. 

Her body grew hotter, her breaths coming out in shallow.

And then—whether intentional or not—Edmund's lips latched onto her pulse point, sucking lightly. 

A jolt of pleasure shot through her, and before she could stop herself, a soft, breathy moan escaped her lips. "Ngh~"

Edmund stiffened, but his mouth still lingered on her neck. 

[Did she just—]

[Did my wife just moan?!]