Chapter 1
1660words
The warehouse was dark, with only a patch of cold moonlight streaming through the skylight.
In the shadows of the shelves, a figure was curled up, hunched over in pain, making inhuman growls deep in its throat.
It was Ethan.
He was wearing an expensive, well-tailored suit, but now it hung on him like a rag. I watched as the muscles on his back bulged unnaturally, his bones making bone-chilling "crack crack" sounds.
"Riiip——"
His suit jacket split open, the sound of tearing fabric jarringly loud in the silent warehouse.
Silver-gray fur erupted from his fingertips and neck, rapidly spreading across his entire body.
I was terrified, covering my mouth tightly, not daring to breathe. My stomach churned as fear crawled up my spine and into my skull.
"What the hell is this? A monster?"
My mind went completely blank.
My legs turned to jelly, refusing to obey my commands. I could only watch helplessly as Ethan's body stretched, twisted, and finally lost all human form.
In the moonlight, a small snow-white wolf appeared where he had been curled up.
"What? A small wolf? How is that possible?"
The evening light was streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows as I finished my day's work when my phone began to vibrate.
It was Ethan.
"I need to go on a business trip for two weeks. Could you help take care of my 'son'?"
I stared at the screen, my fingertips hovering in midair, my heart skipping a beat. I could almost imagine him curled up in some corner as a little wolf, enduring discomfort while clumsily typing this plea for help on a human phone.
Before I could reply, a photo popped up.
In the photo, a small wolf—snow-white all over except for silver-gray tips on its tail and ears—was curled up in a soft blanket. Its clear blue eyes gazed at the camera with a wet sheen, its body trembling slightly.
This pitiful, helpless creature bore no resemblance to the usually composed and superior Ethan.
Ethan's message followed immediately: "He hasn't been feeling well lately, and I really can't get away. I have to ask for your help, Aurora. You're the person I trust most."
"The person I trust most"… I mulled over these words, an unusual emotion spreading through my chest. Did this mean I was the only one qualified to see his most vulnerable, most secret side?
"Send me the address. I'll go right away."
After hitting send, I couldn't help but smile, a hint of calculation and anticipation flashing in my eyes.
Ethan, I can't wait to see what you're really like in private… without your suit and cold facade.
When I entered Ethan's home carrying bags of pet supplies, the little wolf was curled up in the corner of the living room. Its blue eyes locked onto me—vigilant yet stubborn—as if warning me not to try anything.
"Hey, little one," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. I crouched down, took out a piece of jerky from the bag, and slowly extended it toward him. "Don't be afraid. I'll… 'take care' of you properly."
The little wolf's nose twitched, his gaze shifting hesitantly between my face and the jerky.
"Well, aren't you the little actor," I thought to myself.
Finally, he tentatively stretched out his head, his warm tongue quickly flicking across my fingertip before nibbling at the jerky with small, delicate bites.
That gentle touch sent an electric current through my fingertips, making them tingle.
I seized the opportunity to reach out and, before he could react, gathered his soft, warm body into my arms.
So soft… so warm.
His fluffy fur brushed against my cheek, his small body stiff as stone in my embrace, his warmth seeping through my thin clothing.
"How can a wolf be so beautiful?" I marveled, my fingertip barely touching as I gently traced around his blue eyes, feeling his subtle trembling. "These eyes… they look exactly like Ethan's."
While stroking his smooth back, I deliberately lowered my voice, letting my warm breath brush against his ear. "Tell me," I teased mischievously, "why doesn't your daddy ever cuddle with me like this?"
The little wolf in my arms trembled violently.
I noticed some dust on his paws and belly, and an idea popped into my head. Holding him close, I walked toward the bathroom, whispering in his ear: "You're all dirty. Let's give you a bath and… get you all clean, shall we?"
In the bathroom, steam rose and misted the mirror, creating a hazy atmosphere. I adjusted the water to the perfect temperature, ignoring his warning glare, and slowly poured the warm water over his back.
"Be good now, let's take a bath," I cooed, my voice sounding excessively sweet even to my own ears.
The little wolf instinctively began to resist, thrashing his limbs in the bathtub, splashing warm water onto me and soaking my clothes. But he didn't dare actually bite me, only letting out low, aggrieved whimpers from his throat.
"Not being good anymore, are we?" My fingertips, covered with fine soap bubbles, slowly glided across his tense back, feeling every inch of his stiff, trembling muscles. I skillfully massaged him while whispering in his ear, "Good boy, get all clean and fresh, then you can cuddle up with me tonight."
During the bath, he alternated between desperate struggling and resigned stillness. His wet blue eyes looked especially hazy through the steam, as if covered by a layer of mist—pitiful yet somehow alluring.
I couldn't resist reaching out to touch his soft, round belly, my fingertips gently circling on that sensitive skin before playfully pinching his defenseless pink paw pads.
I could feel he wasn't just trembling—he was shivering. Was I simply giving him a bath, or was I… igniting something else entirely?
After the bath, I wrapped him completely in a huge towel, holding him tightly against me with only his small, wet head poking out.
I carried him to the carpet and took out the hair dryer, setting it to the lowest temperature.
"Whimper…" The little wolf, frightened by the sound of the hair dryer, burrowed deeper into my embrace, desperately nuzzling his head against my chest.
"Don't be afraid, it'll be over soon," I soothed, patiently holding the hair dryer in one hand and a comb in the other, gently grooming each inch of his damp fur with an almost loving touch.
Under my gentle care, he gradually calmed down, eventually even narrowing his eyes in comfort, a satisfied purr rumbling from his throat.
After his fur was completely dried, he became even fluffier and softer, like walking cotton candy with a sweet, milky scent.
Holding him close and looking into those clear blue eyes, I couldn't help but lower my head and place a gentle, lingering kiss on his smooth forehead.
The next moment, his fluffy tail wrapped around my wrist in an almost possessive manner, like a soft chain unwilling to let me go. His head nuzzled dependently against my palm.
My heart skipped a beat.
As night fell, I yawned and prepared for bed. Looking at the little wolf lying on the carpet, staring at me unblinkingly with those blue eyes, I had a sudden thought and lifted him onto the bed.
"Sleep with me tonight," I said, tucking him under my blanket, right next to me.
At first, he was stiff as a rock, his body tense. But before long, he tentatively moved closer, curling up in my arms and finding the most comfortable position.
I turned off the bedside lamp. In the darkness, his steady breathing, warm body, and scent—a mixture of milk-scented body wash and his own crisp fragrance—enveloped me completely.
Ethan, you're sleeping right beside me. The thought made my cheeks burn hot.
In the morning, a ray of sunlight woke me.
Opening my eyes, I met a pair of clear, deep blue eyes. The little wolf was still nestled in my arms, looking at me with sleepy eyes—his gaze containing a hint of drowsy confusion and a subtle trace of attachment.
I contentedly stroked him while reaching for my phone to check messages.
Ethan's message appeared at the top of the screen: "Aurora, how is my 'son' doing? You haven't been bullying him, have you?"
I wondered who Ethan had given his phone to, letting them pretend to be him and play along with this charade.
I raised my phone and took several suggestive photos of the little wolf in my arms with my messy bed in the background, then sent them over.
"Of course not. He's being very good," I replied.
Then, feeling playful, I held the phone to his mouth and teased in an enticing tone: "Come on, let 'daddy' hear how well-behaved you sound right now."
He reacted as if I'd hit a nerve—giving a startled jerk before suddenly leaping from my arms, darting off the bed, and vanishing from sight.
"Hahahahaha…" I couldn't help but roll on the bed laughing.
This little fellow, teased until he had nowhere to escape, had plunged headfirst into the wardrobe, leaving only his fluffy tail outside—trembling slightly with embarrassment.
I walked over with a smile, pretending to be angry with my hands on my hips. "Why are you being so naughty? How dare you hide from me?"
As I spoke, I couldn't help but reach out and gently pat his perfectly round, touchable bottom.
"Awoo!"
A cry of extreme embarrassment came from inside the wardrobe. He turned his head, his blue eyes filled with accusation and a clear warning: "You'll pay for this."
While lifting him out of the wardrobe, I continued to rub his head to "comfort" him, though I was absolutely delighted inside.
So this is what you're like when you let your guard down.
Absolutely adorable.
