Chapter 3

Fletcher appeared unbelievably fast, as if he had materialized in my room in an instant.

But just as I tried to turn around, Lord Allen pinned my shoulder down with his paw, holding me in place so I couldn't move.

He let out a warning growl at Fletcher, making me freeze in shock.

The sound was like a wild beast in the forest, sending chills straight down my spine.

Fletcher took two steps back, looking helpless and faintly…amused.

"Alright, alright, I am leaving. Don't be mad, Lord Allen."

The moment I heard Fletcher say he was leaving, I panicked and forgot to be scared.

Hugging the big dog, I said urgently, "Fletcher, don't go! Lord Allen was acting strangely just now. Can you check if he's sick?"

The Alaskan's eyes looked even redder, and the skin under my hands felt hotter than before.

My legs nearly gave out, and cold sweat broke out across my back.

Behind me came a quiet snort, as if someone were laughing and then quickly holding it in.

"Do not worry. Lord Allen isn't sick. Maybe he just needs a bath. Hold him a little, give him a kiss, then bathe him with warm water and finish with a full-body massage. I guarantee he'll be just fine."

The moment Fletcher finished speaking, Lord Allen leapt off my bed and charged toward the door like a cannonball.

But Fletcher was clearly prepared. After the hurried sound of a door slamming shut came the sharp screech of dog claws scratching against wood.

I jumped off the bed in a panic and ran barefoot to the dog, carefully checking every inch of his body.

Only after confirming that nothing seemed wrong did I finally relax.

"He's still very active. Looks like he's fine."

Thinking about what Fletcher had said left me full of questions.

I had never heard of dogs needing massages, especially full-body ones.

Still, since those were Fletcher's instructions, I decided to follow them even though I didn't understand.

I started to prepare the bathroom so I could give Lord Allen a warm bath.

But when I stood up, I realized my back was soaked in cold sweat and felt sticky and uncomfortable.

I decided that before bathing Lord Allen, I should soak in a hot bath myself to calm my nerves.

Lying in the steaming bathtub, I put on a steam eye mask and sighed in comfort.

Ever since Dad married Beatrice, I had been living like a beggar.

All my pretty clothes were gone. Even the things Mom left behind had all been taken by my stepsister, Laurel Hum.

As for my old bedroom, Beatrice used the excuse that I was away at college most of the time and gave it to Laurel, leaving me only a windowless basement room.

I thought that if I just endured quietly, we could all get along. However, right after I graduated from college, Beatrice threw me out.

But it didn't matter anymore.

With this job, I was far away from Beatrice and Laurel, and my life was better than before. I was genuinely happy.

The water was so comfortable that I slowly drifted off to sleep.

In my half-dreaming state, something wet brushed against my shoulder, like something was licking me.

I waved my hand weakly and muttered to Lord Allen, "Wait a little. I'll wash you after I finish my bath."

A moment later, my shoulder was licked again, and it slowly moved up to my neck. Warm breath brushed against my skin, making me laugh from the ticklish feeling.

"Alright, Lord Allen. Stop it. It tickles."

When that warmth reached my chest, my body went soft. I moaned as I tried to push him away.

"Hey, not there. You can't lick there."

I reached out to push, but my hand touched smooth skin.

Something was wrong. Why was there no fur?

Alarmed, I hurriedly pulled off the eye mask.

What I saw was not the familiar Alaskan Malamute at all, but a naked man with black hair and blue eyes, rough and wild in a way that felt untamed.

He hovered close above me, his ocean-blue eyes locked deeply onto mine.

My eyes flew wide open, my lips parting as I tried to scream.

The next second, his mouth crashed against mine, swallowing my voice so that only broken whimpers escaped.