Chapter 4

Morning.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, warm and soft on my skin.

I lay with my face against Kael's firm arm, reaching under the pillow for my phone. I saw a message from my best friend.

"Where did you go? Did my introverted bestie secretly run home by herself again?"

I typed:

"No, I bought a new stress-relief wolf-beastman. Was busy de-stressing last night."

Chloe: [?]

"Anya, what kind of person are you!?"

"I know your beastman at home is disobedient and has upset you, but you can't just go out and buy a stress-relief beastman to hit!"

"You're telling me you won't hit your S-class beastman, but you'll beat up a stress-relief beastman? If you weren't my friend, I'd call the cops right now! I completely misjudged you!"

Her scolding left me speechless.

"No, I didn't hit him! How could I possibly hit the little wolf?"

Chloe paused for a few seconds.

"Then how did you 'de-stress'?"

"Exactly how you're thinking... de-stressing."

Silence fell between us.

Then Chloe explained:

Stress-relief beastmen are part of an illegal trade.

They steal or abduct young beastmen, or buy low-grade, inferior ones cheaply.

Then, through abuse, they select beastmen with good physical condition and strong recovery abilities to be stress-relief beastmen.

Those who pass the selection sometimes become living punching bags for humans.

For people to beat and torment to relieve stress.

Others end up in underground beast-fighting arenas for death matches.

These beastmen, though pitiable, are known for being wild and untamable.

Even when rescued by official agencies, they're offered for free adoption.

Those unclaimed are scheduled for humane termination.

"If you regret it, I know where he lives."

A low voice came from behind me.

I jumped, hastily dimming my phone screen, and rolled over to meet Kael's shadowed eyes.

The little wolf lowered his gaze, avoiding my stare.

"But he's part of an organization. He probably won't be willing to give you your money back."

"If he's alone, I might be able to..."

"I don't regret it," I cut the little wolf off. "As long as you're obedient."

"Only obey me."

"Mm." The little wolf agreed softly.

His expression remained unchanged, but his ears twitched.

His fluffy ears had a few shallow scars.

I couldn't resist reaching out, wanting to touch the little wolf's beast ears.

The little wolf's ears immediately sprang up and backward in alarm, flinching away.

I pulled my hand back, a little disappointed.

Why wouldn't this one let me touch him either?

"Sorry, I'm used to it."

The little wolf tried to relax his ears slowly, lowering his head slightly. "You can touch them now."

"If you still want to," the little wolf added.

I didn't hold back.

I rolled over and straddled the little wolf's waist, hands braced on his chest, freely kneading his ears.

Silvery-white, soft, warm ears.

Kael's breathing grew heavier, and his body grew hotter.

The little wolf tilted his head back slightly, his narrow eyes flushed at the corners, staring at me unblinkingly.

I swallowed.

"Can we de-stress again?"