Chapter 2

Just as I was at a loss for what to do, I heard someone call my name from behind.

"Aria, the physics teacher is looking for you."

A boy with fluffy white ears stood in the back doorway, coldly eyeing Lucas and me.

Ethan, the white tiger.

I breathed a sigh of relief and quickly broke free from Lucas's hold.

Lucas clicked his tongue impatiently, picking up his notebook and pen as he returned to his seat. He couldn't resist a parting shot:

"That big cat is so annoying. One of these days I'm going to beat him to a pulp."

I fell silent at his words.

Big cat?

I suppose tigers are big cats in a sense.

"Let's go, what are you spacing out for?" Ethan waved his hand in front of my face. Before I could react, he took my hand and led me out of the classroom.

The boy's fingers were long and slender, holding mine loosely with a cool touch spreading across the back of my hand.

"Ah, I'm so excited! I'm holding Aria's little hand, it's so soft, I want to lick it..."

As I listened, I looked up to see the tips of Ethan's beast ears turning red.

He looked so pure and innocent.

Me: "......"

Bro, what's with that reaction?

You're not the one being harassed here, why are you getting all shy?!

I wasn't sure whether to pull away or let him keep holding my hand. The whole way to the office, my heart was pounding nervously as Ethan led me along.

"Aria."

Ethan suddenly pinned me against the hallway wall, his golden eyes fixed on me like a predator eyeing its prey.

"Why haven't you responded to the love letter I sent you?"

Love letter?

What?

When did he ever give me a love letter?

I was dumbfounded, my language system malfunctioning as I struggled to say anything for a long while.

Ethan stared at me intently. After a moment, I heard his thoughts:

"No, I have to be patient. I can't scare Aria."

He gazed longingly at my fox ears, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed hard. He seemed to be holding himself back with great difficulty.

My heart was racing. I was terrified he might suddenly reach out and touch the ears. Even though they weren't likely to fall off easily, what if they did?

I abruptly pushed him away, hearing a muffled grunt. Without looking back, I turned and rushed into the office.

As I closed the door, I caught a glimpse of Ethan's disappointed face, and...

His bright red ears.

I fell silent.

"What took you so long?" The physics teacher, Mr. Blake, sat on his desk. His smoke-colored glasses perched on his high, straight nose bridge, his narrow eyes sweeping over me with an intimidating aura even when not angry.

You could tell at a glance he was an eagle beast-person.

The reason was simple - his features were too sharp and striking, extremely distinctive.

Mr. Blake was notoriously strict. There was hardly a student who wasn't afraid of him.

I was no exception.

I licked my lips nervously as I walked towards him step by step.

"Sorry sir, I got held up on the way. May I ask why you wanted to see me...?"

Blake closed the book he had been reading and pulled out a form from beside him, handing it to me: "This is the sign-up sheet for the experiment. Fill it out."

He paused, then added: "The research project is confidential for now. The school is very pleased with your grades and personally recommended you."

I was flattered as I took the form. I had just glanced at it and was about to sign when I suddenly heard a voice:

"Actually, I was the one who recommended her personally. This is a rare opportunity, I wonder how I can collect some payment from her?"

The cool, restrained voice barely contained excitement and anticipation. It was both strange and familiar.

"Maybe pat her ears?"

"Or hug her, she smells so good..."

I was startled, the black pen leaving a long ink mark on the paper.

When I looked up, Mr. Blake was still staring at me with an expressionless face, his thin lips pressed into a straight line.

There was no hint of emotion.

Seeing my mistake, he frowned slightly and pulled out a new form for me: "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I'm just too excited."

I broke out in a cold sweat, my mind in chaos.

What was going on? Why could I suddenly hear so many beast-people's thoughts?

And they all seemed to be...

Coveting me?!