Chapter 4
1158words
Early the next morning, my phone vibrated with a message from Ethan.
"Aurora, I need to go on an unexpected business trip for a few days. Would it be okay if my cousin picks up the little wolf tomorrow?"
Before I could reply, a second message popped up immediately.
"My cousin is AMAZING with animals! You can totally trust him!!! He has this huge yard where the little wolf can run around!!!"
So the person texting me was actually his cousin.
I looked down at KK, who was pawing at a snack bag, and replied: "Of course."
As soon as I sent the message, Ethan's avatar lit up again.
"My cousin will come over tomorrow at noon. His name is Adrian! Just a heads up—he's super outgoing and gets really excited around people. Don't let him freak you out!"
Looking at the screen, I couldn't help but laugh.
"What does your cousin look like? Can you describe him?" I asked.
The person on the other end seemed to be typing furiously. After quite a while, a lengthy message appeared.
"Handsome! So handsome it's practically illegal—from being chased by kindergarten girls offering lollipops at flag ceremonies, to causing storage crises in every female student's phone during college orientation! His face is basically a miracle of human aesthetics—even sparrows circle around three times just to steal another look! Bottom line: he's an absolute knockout!"
Reading this ridiculously exaggerated description, I nearly choked on my water.
I turned to KK at my feet and held my phone screen toward him. "Look KK, your owner's cousin seems to be quite the character."
Hearing this, the little wolf merely raised his eyelids lazily before disdainfully flicking his tail and letting out a low growl that clearly meant: whatever.
—
At noon the next day, the doorbell rang precisely on time.
I opened the door to find a young man standing outside. Sunlight streamed through the hallway, outlining his silhouette with a golden glow. He wore a simple white T-shirt and jeans, with a smile so dazzling it was almost blinding, and captivating eyes that sparkled with mischief.
He was, indeed, extraordinarily handsome.
Before I could speak, he flashed a big smile and enthusiastically waved. "Hey, sis-in-law! I'm here for KK!"
"Pft——"
I nearly choked on my own saliva and started coughing violently.
Sister-in-law? What kind of greeting was that?
Seeing my reaction, he immediately backpedaled. "Oh no, no, I meant hello, miss! Total slip of the tongue, completely unintentional!"
As he spoke, he scratched his head with a mischievous, slightly embarrassed expression.
This cousin certainly didn't follow social conventions.
Adrian slipped through the doorway and immediately spotted KK crouching in the center of the living room, vigilantly glaring at him with those piercing blue eyes.
"Hey there, KK!" Adrian reached out to pick him up while teasing, "So happy to see your cousin-uncle? Come on, let cousin-uncle hold you—I'll take you home to my sweet mansion!"
Before he finished speaking, KK's fur bristled all over his body, his tail shot straight up, and he let out a threatening growl from deep in his throat, baring his teeth like he was ready to attack at any moment.
Adrian wasn't intimidated at all; instead, his smile grew wider. "Quite the temper you've got—just like your brother."
He completely ignored KK's hostility and continued to provoke him with a cheeky grin.
I stood to the side, watching this comical "brotherly duel" between man and wolf, unable to contain my laughter. The way these cousins interacted was truly fascinating.
That afternoon, while I was curled up on the sofa binge-watching a show, the doorbell rang again.
I opened the door to find Ethan standing there looking slightly disheveled, an elegantly wrapped gift box in his hand.
He looked tired, but there was an unmistakable hint of nervousness and shyness in his expression.
"Didn't you say you'd be gone for a few days? Why are you back so soon?" I asked, surprised.
"I finished early." He handed me the gift box, his eyes darting away as he said softly, "I brought you something. Hope you like it."
A warm feeling spread through my chest, but I couldn't resist teasing him. "Director Ethan is so busy with work, yet still remembered to bring me a gift. How thoughtful of you."
Inside the box was a white dress with a simple yet elegant design.
It was exactly my style.
Seeing me accept the gift, he visibly relaxed.
I casually mentioned, "Your cousin took the wolf cub away. He's so energetic—can Adrian handle him on his own?"
Ethan's expression froze momentarily before quickly returning to normal. "Don't worry," he said with feigned composure, "he's great with animals. He's raised several before…"
I stared into his eyes. "Is that so? I noticed the wolf seemed quite hostile toward him—constantly baring his teeth."
Ethan's gaze wavered slightly as he mumbled, "They're… not familiar with each other yet. It'll improve with time."
Amused by his careful responses, I decided to push a bit further.
"You know, I'm starting to miss the little wolf," I sighed, looking at him with hopeful eyes. "Why don't we go see him now?"
Ethan's expression instantly froze, his mouth slightly open, completely speechless.
Seeing his predicament, I almost laughed out loud. Finally, he forced himself to squeeze out a single word through gritted teeth: "…Fine."
Ethan drove me to an upscale apartment complex—Adrian's home.
As the door opened, a beautiful snow-white little wolf sat properly on the doormat in the entryway. Upon seeing us, those blue eyes instantly lit up, his posture dignified and noble.
Wait a minute… I glanced at Ethan standing behind me and suddenly had an epiphany—could this be his cousin?
If Ethan had werewolf genes, then his cousin should have them too.
The next second, this "dignified" little wolf launched himself like a cannonball straight into my arms, frantically nuzzling my cheeks with his fluffy head, purring thunderously, his tail wagging like a propeller.
His sudden enthusiasm made me step back, and I instinctively hugged him, fondly ruffling his fur. "It's only been a few days—how have you become even clingier?"
He nestled in my arms, hooking my clothes with his paws, using every trick in the book to act cute and spoiled.
I completely missed how Ethan's expression had visibly darkened behind me.
He stood motionless, the atmosphere around him chilling dramatically, his eyes fixed intently on the playful little wolf in my arms—that gaze promising a slow, painful death.
And the little wolf in my arms, seemingly sensing that cold gaze, actually poked his head out from my embrace and provocatively raised his chin in Ethan's direction, his purring growing even louder.
"Ahem!" Ethan coughed pointedly.
He looked at me as if he'd caught me in the act of infidelity.
