Chapter 3

The next day, I headed back to the shelter carrying a large bag filled with the freshest venison.

Sever was curled up in a corner, resting his eyes. The sunlight streaming through the broken window fell upon him, creating a sight so beautiful I couldn’t look away.

Hearing my footsteps, he opened his eyes instantly, and a sudden gleam lit up his golden pupils.

But the next second, his expression changed drastically. He sprang to his feet and charged toward me, snarling, “Anno, get out of the way!”

Before I could react, I caught a whiff of a strong, foul stench. A massive wolf with bloodshot eyes leaped out of the cage beside me, baring its fangs as it lunged at me.

It was several times my size. With nowhere to hide, I instinctively raised my arms to shield my head and closed my eyes.

The expected bite never came.

I heard a heavy thud, followed by the wolf’s agonized whimper.

When I opened my eyes again, Seville was already standing in front of me, shielding me completely with his towering frame. He was at least over two meters tall, his muscular back taut as he glared coldly at the wolf on the ground, radiating an overwhelming sense of pressure.

In that instant, my whole body began to tremble uncontrollably.

It wasn’t fear—it was awe.

I had never seen such a powerful werewolf before.

When Nolan got angry, the worst he’d do was throw things or try to intimidate me.

But Sevir—just by standing there—made that frenzied wild wolf too terrified to even lift its head.

When he turned to look at me, the coldness in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by nothing but deep concern and tenderness.

He reached out to me, his voice soft as if afraid of startling me: “Anno, come here.”

I walked over obediently, and he immediately wrapped his arms around me, shielding me in his embrace. He lowered his head, gently resting his forehead against my hand, and asked cautiously, “Are you hurt?”

His dependent yet endearing gesture made my heart race.

I shook my head and looked at the wild wolf curled up on the ground, asking him, “What’s wrong with it?”

“We’re all rejects dumped here. The people at the shelter won’t give us food. It was starving—it didn’t mean to attack you.” Seville’s voice was calm, without a trace of complaint.

I paused for a moment, then immediately held out the bag of venison to the wild wolf.

But the wolf just hung its head, not even daring to look at the venison. It wasn’t until Sevir softly said, “You can eat,” that it suddenly pounced on it and began devouring the meat voraciously.

Once it had eaten its fill, Sevir reached out and effortlessly snapped the iron chain binding it.

Then, grabbing the wolf by the scruff of its neck, he tossed it back into the cage.

I stared at him in disbelief. “Your strength… how can it be so great?”

Even an elite-level werewolf like Nolan, tamed by the elves, was nothing more than a large pet in their presence.

But Sevir—the strength he possessed didn’t seem like something a tamed werewolf should have.

Sévier lowered his head, his long eyelashes fluttering slightly, like a child who’d done something wrong: “Back when I was in the wild, I used to fight with wild wolves all the time.”

I patted his head in understanding and didn’t press him further.

But he suddenly glanced at the remaining venison in my hand. His eyes dimmed, and he shook his head gently. “Take this back with you. You don’t need to bring me any more next time.”

I froze. “Why? Don’t you like it?”

“No.” He sat down against the corner of the wall, curling his tall frame into a tight ball. His voice was muffled. “This is expensive, isn’t it? “You have another werewolf at home. He’s more important; he’s the one who should eat this.”

“I don’t need it. I’ll be fine with some scraps, gnawing on bones, and a drink of water.”

An indescribable wave of tenderness instantly filled my heart.

I’d never told him there was another werewolf at my home.

I was afraid he’d act like Nolan—making a fuss, feeling resentful.

Yet he knew everything, and said nothing.

He didn’t fight or compete; he didn’t want expensive venison or a cozy den. All he wanted was a little bit of genuine affection.

I crouched down and held out my hand to him. “Sever, give me your paw.”

He hesitated for a moment, then carefully placed that massive, scarred wolf paw gently into my hand.

I cradled his paw, lowered my head, and solemnly pressed a kiss onto the palm of his paw.

Sevier’s whole body trembled violently, as if he’d been scalded. He quickly pulled his paw back and tucked it into his chest. His golden eyes glistened with tears, and even the tips of his ears turned bright red.

I looked at him and promised, word by word:

“Sever, in three days, I’ll come and take you home.”

“By then, there won’t be any other werewolves in my home—only you. Is that okay?”

The appointed day arrived.

Sofia and I sat on the sofa, with a transfer agreement and ten gold coins on the table in front of us.

Ten gold coins—not one more, not one less—exactly the total amount Nolan had stolen from me over the past year.

This money, which he had saved for a long time to win Sofia’s favor, had now become the payment for selling himself to her.

Sophia looked at the contract, smiled with satisfaction, and pushed the gold coins toward me: “Anno, don’t worry. I’ll treat Nolan well. After all, his looks and abilities are indeed impressive.”

Before I could say a word, footsteps echoed from upstairs.

Nolan came downstairs rubbing his eyes, his face full of impatience. When he saw Sofia in the living room, his eyes lit up instantly. He immediately reined in his aggressive aura and hurried over, his tone more submissive than I’d ever heard before.

“Miss Sofia, what brings you here?”

Sofia raised an eyebrow, gave him a once-over, and smiled at me. “ “You really are a fine pet. No wonder your parents spent so much money on you back then.”

The smile on Nolan’s face froze.

He finally sensed something was wrong. His gaze darted back and forth between me and Sofia, finally settling on the transfer agreement on the table.

His expression darkened, and he looked at me, his voice trembling: “Anno, what does this mean?”

I picked up my glass of water, took a leisurely sip, looked up at him, and said calmly, “It means I’ve sold you to Sofia.”

“You’re lying! I don’t agree!”