Hesitantly, the curious wolf snatched the bag from my hands as I slowly sat down next to him on the floor with my hands in view.

Look, the last thing I want is for you to think I’m assaulting you when I’m trying to help you.

I had to earn his trust; the only way to do that was with time. Slowly, he took out a ball of chocolate with strawberry filling inside, which was in one of the many boxes inside the bag. For a moment, he inspected it before sniffing the odd sphere.

A soft giggle left me when he stared at me like I had given him some alien substance. It was like a child gazing at something he didn’t know existed, which caused my heart to squeeze tightly.

By the gods, you have an adorable side!

My hidden tail was slightly wagging to the sides before I grabbed onto it.

Quiet you! If he sees you, it’s game over!

I still had the fake wig and eyes—something I wouldn’t take them off while I was with him.

“What is it?” Alijah asked, inspecting the sphere in his hand, unable to figure it out.

Hah, a win for me at last!

Once he tasted it, hopefully, it would free his heart a little for me to sneak into.

Honestly, I’ll be happy if it opens a centimeter. Even a millimeter or micro will be satisfactory.

“It’s a chocolate ball filled with strawberry jam inside. You can eat it.” I answered the curious wolf’s question.

He turned it, unsure about anything that he was seeing. Everything was so different from where he was from. They had nothing close to it. Anything sugary was nonexistent in his time.

“I don’t know,” Alijah mumbled, hesitant.

The chocolate was melting on his fingers, leaving me narrowing my eyes.

Ah… that’s such a waste.

“It isn’t poison. If I wanted you dead, don’t you think I would have done it already?” I sighed, rolling my eyes.

“That isn’t what I meant,” he growled, glaring at me.

His cheeks were slightly pink.

Have you ever received a gift before? Surely you have, right? I mean, Lilith, the elven girl you fell for who was your lover of two years, gifted you treats from their time. Right?

That thought quickly stopped when his expression seemed to be one of a pouting child.

Oh... you can be cute, too. Fuck... that isn’t good.

His slight sulking made me want to jump into him and give him the biggest hug I could muster.

A big no. Control yourself, Rem. Don’t be a creep!

“Oh... you think you won’t like it?” I asked, slowly reaching from the bag.

Once in my hand, I gently pulled it from him while I sat on the floor. This was the only thing I could do to drown the urge to tease him.

The gods only know how much I want to eat that ball from your hands.

His reaction would be priceless, too, yet I tried to hold off from acting on impulse. If I kept doing things to piss him off, he would hate me forever.

“Never had anything like it. So, I’m unsure of how it’ll taste or if it’s even edible.” Alijah mumbled.

His ears fully tilted backward, and his tail seemed shaky. The wolf in front of me didn’t know what to do with the kindness I was showing him. I didn’t know why his expression was all it took to destroy my better judgment.

Before I knew it, I pulled myself up, leaning toward his hand. Instantly, the chocolate ball was in my mouth as my tongue lightly licked his fingers. His eyes flew open as his jaw dropped upon my action, all while my heart stopped.

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Oops... Stupid Rem! Why do that?! I know of Alijah’s past! Stop making him hate you!

I had always been like this with my siblings. It wasn’t uncommon to be spontaneous and random, but I was usually more reserved towards strangers.

So, why can’t I control myself around Alijah even though we are... Is it because I saw you almost every night in my dreams for the past five years?!

Slowly, I drew away from his fingers, leaving traces of saliva on them. Clearing my throat, I tried to salvage the situation I brainlessly created.

“It’s sugary and tangy because of the filling.” I grinned.

Please, please, just let it go!

Though hiding the embarrassment that filled me was complex, I had one job.

One fucking job, and I failed so miserably! Arg! Rem, what the actual—

Alijah stared at me, stunned at what happened, before he chuckled as the most sly smile cracked on his lips. It was so genuine that it broke me, melting me as I was. I couldn’t move my gaze from him.

That smile is…

My dreams were nothing compared to what was before me solely because the grump was real, warming my heart in more ways than one. He continued to crackle, making me want to memorize every bit of his smile. The tone of his chuckling also filled me in ways I never thought would be possible.

Ah, I’m utterly smitten by you.

“Oh, yeah? Filling, you say?” Alijah started playfully.

Before I knew it, he yanked me onto the bed with him. Our eyes met when he placed his thumb on my lips. There was still some chocolate on it, which he smothered against them.

The only thing covering his private region was the blanket he used to keep warm as he hovered over me. His soft tail was on my belly, leaving me tingling. I, for once, was the one on the other end of the tease stick.

“Ali—” I tried to call out to him, only for him to stick his thumb in to hold my mouth open.

My heart stopped, not knowing what he was going to do. A soft smile rose on his lips before his tongue took a quick lick of the inside of my mouth. Instantly, my heart was set on a marathon, feeling his warmth seep into my kin.

Pulling away a second later, he returned for a second round before lapping my lips.

“It’s sweet,” He mumbled, tugging away from me while my heart left the building.

How?! Why?! What?!

My mind jumbled, trying to find any words to help me.

My heart... Oh, my poor heart. Please stop beating so fast! I can barely think! Alijah did that because of what I did! There isn’t any meaning behind it! I… I… need to speak!

I had to hide this feeling that was arising.

But how? It’s too warm and I... want more.

“I-I b-bought y-you a-a b-bunch of o-other s-stuff t-too!” I stuttered, sitting up faster than lightning.

My face gushed redder than the blood coursing through my veins.

My poor heart!

Instead of enjoying the reaction Alijah caused, he tugged the bag towards himself, avoiding my gaze.

“Rem...” The wolf trailed off, licking his fingers clean of the sugary treat.

After they were clean, he reached inside the bag for more. Taking the opportunity, his gaze wasn’t on me; I closed my eyes, trying to steady my chaotic heart.

You aren’t giving me any breaks!

However, before I could find my footing, he...

“Why are you being so nice to me?” He asked.

Oi! It’s unfair to ask that after you sent my heart into arrhythmia!

I could almost feel my heartbeat in my ears.

Has Alijah somehow turned it into a drum?

Grabbing onto a piece of bread, the grumpy wolf chomped on it, blissfully unaware of what he had done to me.

Is this a test? Do you expect me to pounce on you after doing something like that to me? By the gods... It’s hard not to.

I licked my lip, unable to escape the feeling he left behind.

It’s so warm and addictive. I want more.

Yet…

Wait... No... don’t give me another taste! If you do, I won’t be able to let it go.

“Because I want to be,” I grumbled, biting my lip.

Alijah sighed, settling his gaze back on me, triggering me to tense up.

Damn it!

I couldn’t control myself or build a mask fast enough to hide my feelings for him. My cheeks still burned, and I couldn't get a grip after that moment with him.

Surely... My expression gives me away, or can I hide it?

“Why, though? You should have bit my tongue off when I did that.” The wolf pointed out, narrowing his eyes at me.

Ah... this is a test.

He was investigating how far he could go until I snapped at him like everyone else. Breaking out of my initial shock, I held myself together. This was my shot to earn some trust and to show him I wasn’t an enemy.

“Because I want you to smile, Alijah.” I simpered, realizing he was attempting to connect with me.

Weirdly, but he was trying to understand me.

Shade’s right. There is nothing better than a sweet treat to win the heart!

“I can’t figure you out, little luma.” The troubled wolf sighed, gazing back toward the bag full of treats.

He appeared bothered by the fact I wasn’t like others he had met—that I wanted nothing else but to help him. It was something surreal to him. After all, the only person who tried to help him was long dead.

“Good. That means I’ll always keep you second-guessing, Alijah-tan.” I hummed the last bit while my tail wagged under my pants.

He threw sugary bread from the bag, and I struggled to react quickly enough so that it didn't hit my face.

“Hey!” I growled as he smirked.

“Eat. We have to leave soon, right?” He announced, glancing back towards me.

I instinctively nodded right away. I didn’t know if my cheeks were still bright red when he gazed at me, but he chuckled again.

Is it my expression or something else? Arg… I want to know why you’re laughing because I want to keep doing it endlessly to see you smile like that.

Before I could say anything, his cheeks turned slightly pink as he shook his head and sighed.

“Hope you know that was payback for kissing me last night and eating my chocolate before I could even try it. Never do it again.” He warned, flicking my forehead gently.

It triggered me to nod again, more fiercely. Though, I couldn’t promise I wouldn’t do it again since I usually acted before thinking thoroughly.

Is it me, or are you letting me in a bit?

That alone was exhilarating. Happiness beamed out of me as my tail almost slipped from my clothes.

“I’ll try to!” I assured Alijah, not wanting to promise him something I wouldn’t keep.

A wish that…