Chapter 1

ETHAN

~The rain smelled like regret, but I still stopped for him. That was my first mistake~

My life had always been shitty.

I left my girlfriend's apartment after getting the shock of my whole life. I found Alicia riding my bestfriend, moaning out loudly as she yelled his name. I felt a pang of pain in my chest. Even now, it felt suffocating to accept the betrayal.

I never made her moan like that.

Never enjoyed being with her.

Because deep down, I never wanted her at all.

I tried so hard to blend with the public, to act normal, but nothing was working. I was different. And maybe it was high time I started accepting the fact that I'd never want to be with girls.

The sky released the rain like it'd been holding back it's tears for a very long time. Drip. Drip. Drip. With each step I took, the constant sound kept ringing in my ears, my shoes drenched with water.

My rent was almost due.

My landlord was literally on my neck, but here I was, walking on the streets during a heavy downpour rather than boarding a taxi. But for me, this was therapy. It started out during fifth grade. Each time I had an argument with my mother during the rain, I'd step out and take a walk.

Most times, I returned home with a fever.

Raking my hands through my soaked hair, I increased my pace, deciding to burn the rage of the betrayal this way, but a slight movement caught my attention. I paused, standing in the middle of the street as I stared at it—a dog.

It had no collar. It was probably without an owner, but it looked so different from other dogs.

I frowned.

What was the sudden attraction to the dog?

It was just a stray dog and nothing else.

But when I willed myself to walk away, I couldn't.

It's striking blue gaze left me in awe.

It's silver fur stuck to its body like glue as it shivered, staring back at me. The dog literally locked it's gaze on me. It was unusual. And perhaps it was due to the fact that I was without an umbrella during such an heavy rainfall.

Perhaps the dog could tell how pathetic my situation was.

I took a step closer and crouched down to its level. The harsh rain forced me to close my eyes, but I wiped my palm over my face and sucked in a breath. “Hey, buddy.” I called out, stretching my arms for the dog.

I shouldn't.

I knew I shouldn't, but I was drawn to it.

I'd have called it a connection, but wasn't it strange to feel a certain connection to a dog? A dog with striking blue eyes?

The dog took slow, majestic strides towards me. It was almost like it commanded the whole space, the streets. It was a mere dog, but I felt a shift in my system. A strange feeling that made me pull back quickly.

My landlord, Gregor, hates pets.

He'd freak out if I brought this freaky dog into his apartment—chase me out the next day if he could.

But how could I leave the poor dog here.

It was literally shivering.

‘Alright, Ethan. We won't regret this’ I reminded myself. What could possibly go wrong? I reached out for the dog again, and this time, I wrapped it in my arms as I took a taxi home.

~~~~~

My apartment was a cooped up space, but I preferred staying here. It was better than watching my bunkmates fuck ladies until their loud moans mess with my system.

Due to how tired I was, I hit the bed immediately after I got in.

I had no place to keep dogs.

I simply wrapped it up in one of my thick clothes and placed it on the small space left of my bed. “Sleep now, buddy.” I whispered, pulling the comforter over my body. “Tomorrow, I'll think of what to do with you.”

~~~~~~

I let out a soft groan as the morning ray seeped through the curtains. ‘A little longer.’ I groaned, dragging the comforter over my face, but I had to tug way harder than usual. I had to use more force to tug my own comforter.

I frowned.

Suddenly, I began to notice the strange scent lingering in the air. It was the same as the dog's, but it was heavy, addicting, like sandalwood and pines. Something is wrong. I turned my sides quickly, but at the sight before me, I screamed in horror.

I got up from my bed, got tangled on my comforter and landed on my butt.

What the heck is going on?

I brought a dog home last night, not a man.

Why was a naked shit laying in my bed like he owned it?

Then he turned, lashes fluttering. I slapped my face hard, tracing my moments from last night—was I drunk? Of course not. Did I black out and drag a stranger home by mistake? Definitely not.

The stranger stretched In my bed like he owned it, flexing his taut muscles, and when his eyes met mine—My mouth ran dry. Shit. Shit. Shit.

His eyes were the same. Blue. Magnetic. Terrifying. He had the same eyes with the fucking dog!

I got up hastily and pointed my fingers at him. “Who the heck are you and how did you get into my bed?!”

He stared back at me, his blue eyes swirling with confusion, but I certainly wasn't buying it. He was a grown up man, probably the same age as me.

Why was he acting like he didn't understand any shit I was saying?!

I grabbed my phone from my pocket and dialed my friend's number. I kept dialing repeatedly, but it kept leading to voicemail. I groaned in frustration, raking my hands through my hair as I tried to think of a solution.

Yes. Yes!

I could kick him out.

I could kick the naked young man out and forget this shit ever happened.

I took a step towards the man and parted my lips to speak, but he suddenly pounced on me, licking my cheeks as a growl erupted from his chest. “Master.”