BEASTLY ALLURE

●Primal cravings.

I clung to Winston like a koala to a tree, nestling myself in his muscular arms. My arms were wrapped around his neck, both for support and to stay close to him.

My head rested on his shoulder, and his strong, masculine scent enveloped my senses.

I found myself stealing glances at him, admiring the way his eyes were always alert, his perfectly crooked nose.

The slight pink shade on his cheeks was still present since he had laid eyes on me.

There was a small mole beside his Adam's apple, and every time he swallowed, it bobbed up, catching my attention.

I couldn't help but find it oddly captivating, adding to his overall handsomeness.

"Who's that, Lia?" Winston asked, his voice laced with alertness.

I raised my head from his shoulder and pointed dramatically at the shifty-looking character in the marketplace.

Giving that man the classic "I've got my eye on you" gesture that girls use when showing their boyfriend who's been causing trouble.

Taking Winston to the house I had managed to purchase, I explained my amazing use of a blue clear crystal for the deal.

But Winston burst my bubble by revealing that I might have been a bit too trusting, as that crystal could have landed me an even nice place.

Talk about falling for a scam in this world!

Winston went up to the man, but the man seemed distracted by something. When he saw us, he turned and kind of stammered, "Wh-What do y..." He was totally surprised to see Winston there.

Then, he glanced at me, and I could see his eyes get wider for a moment. He looked back at Winston, then back at me, like he was checking me out or something.

But Winston wasn't having any of that. "If you dare to look at my female again, I'll make sure your bones and blood become part of my territory. And maybe I'll give your spine to the cubs as a toy to play with."

I couldn't help but smile a little. This was like something from a cheesy romance story. But hey, if Winston wants to claim me as his, I'm not complaining.

It's kind of like a teenage dream coming true.

The guy's face started to get sweaty, and I couldn't blame him with Winston's warning gaze fixed on him.

Winston's voice was like steel as he demanded, "Give back the crystal you took from her and take your house back."

The man started stuttering, "W-What b-but she already s-stayed ther--"

I didn't let him finish his sentence. I turned to Winston, saying, "No, I only stayed there for a day and a half, and most of the time I was out."

Winston continued"I'll pay for the stay with meat, but you better return the crystal. Or else, I'll take you to your king, you wolf." He slammed his palm down on the wooden table between us, and the table actually broke.

I couldn't help but sit back, my legs folding under me. Seeing the veins in Winston's hands pop from his strength was both intimidating and.

Just hot hot hot.

Realizing the situation was getting serious, the man reluctantly handed back the crystal.

The guy's face was practically sweating buckets now.

As we were about to leave, he called out to Winston again, stammering nervously, "W-W-Winston, umm.. if you've seen Luu anywhere.. can you please inform him that I've been looking for him?"