Chapter 10
“I’ll go.”
Heeyeon answered boldly. It was almost a habit from her childhood: it was better to face something immediately than to wait for it. If a task had to be done, getting it over with quickly helped maintain her composure.
Besides, he was the ruler here. It felt strange to have him summon her back and forth, so she had no choice but to volunteer.
She had spoken as if the answer was obvious, yet Heon couldn’t hide his surprise at her eagerness. He even wondered if she had been waiting for the full moon night all along.
“Very well. Come to the main hall before sunset. Encountering others after nightfall would not be wise.”
“Yes… I shall…”
Heeyeon froze mid-sentence as a sudden thought struck her.
What would happen after meeting him in the main hall? Since he didn’t want others around at that hour, it seemed she wouldn’t simply return to her room afterward.
A man and a woman in the same room at such a late hour…
Her face flared red at the thought. Heon, watching quietly, noticed her frozen, flushed expression and studied her curiously.
No, Master Doheon turns into a wolf that night. Nothing untoward will happen.
Heeyeon shook her head slightly, trying to calm herself.
Heon was fascinated by how transparently her thoughts flitted from fear to embarrassment to resolve. He had never met a human woman whose mind was so easy to read.
Was that what made it amusing? He chuckled quietly at the thought of such an intriguing woman.
“I don’t know what exactly you’re thinking, but how about we eat first?”
Heon pushed a plate of meat toward her.
“Oh! Yes, yes!”
Heeyeon’s cheeks flushed even deeper in surprise. At that, Doheon hesitated, staring at her peach-colored cheeks, as if one bite might release juice.
Oh, this is really embarrassing.
Though it was a bright morning, Heeyeon’s mind replayed the previous evening’s flustered moments in front of Doheon, leaving her a bit glum. Just then, Aseon returned after finishing her errands.
“I’m back. Why that expression?”
Had it shown on her face so plainly? Heeyeon quickly composed herself.
“Nothing, just… something on my mind.”
She said, but Aseon wasn’t about to let it slide.
“Something on your mind? I warned you to take care of the lady properly!”
Aseon rose as if ready to scold the servants on the spot. Heeyeon panicked and stopped her.
“No, that’s not it. What’s on my mind is…”
Embarrassed to mention Doheon, she trailed off. Aseon narrowed her eyes perceptively.
“Don’t worry. You can tell me freely. I am your guard, after all. I must know everything regarding your safety.”
Even thinking that Aseon was her guard, Heeyeon hesitated before slowly confessing.
“Well… on the full moon night, I’m supposed to be alone with Master Doheon. I can’t help but feel nervous.”
Aseon’s eyes widened. Heeyeon had never seen them open that large before.
“What? Is that true? You’re going to be together on the full moon night?”
Aseon repeated it, silently moving her lips at the end.
Huh? That looked like a curse just now… Heeyeon blinked in confusion.
Unable to curse while looking into Heeyeon’s clear eyes, Aseon exhaled sharply.
“Listen well. You are far too cute and fragile,” Aseon said.
Heeyeon froze, unable to believe that was directed at her.
“Being cute and fragile awakens the desire to devour. Never let your guard down just because the master appears gentle. Understand?”
Aseon shook Heeyeon’s shoulder insistently. Heeyeon, unable to resist, nodded.
The master who hated humans and now planned to pull Heeyeon into his room on the full moon night? Wow… this feels… dangerous. Aseon muttered a silent curse, moving only her lips again.
Time passed quickly, and the full moon night arrived. Heeyeon, fully dressed and adorned, left her room before sunset. Aseon’s eyes narrowed sharply as she saw Heeyeon’s appearance.
“You’re going like that?”
“Why? Is it strange?”
Heeyeon, made beautiful with the help of the servants, frowned at Aseon’s tone.
“No, it’s just… too pretty!”
Aseon’s voice carried a hint of anger.
Heeyeon blinked, confused by her reaction.
“Remember what I said? If anything happens, even pick up a water bowl and hit the master’s head with it.”
Just then, Taewoon, who had come to escort Heeyeon, looked at her with a calm, piercing gaze.
Why? What? Seeing Aseon’s fierce aura directed at him, his eyes instinctively shifted elsewhere.
Heon didn’t need a sword to become Gwangseon. On the full moon night, the wolf would run wild, and Taewoon didn’t want to face that. He quickly bowed to Heeyeon.
“I shall escort you. Please proceed.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Heeyeon signaled a nod to Aseon and followed Taewoon toward the main hall. Her heart pounded as they walked.
“Master will arrive shortly. He will appear after transforming, so do not be alarmed,” Taewoon said.
Heeyeon imagined Doheon’s teasing smile.
“Shall I send the wolf elite unit as well?”
The thought made her bite her lip firmly. I will not be startled. Not even an inch.
“I understand. Don’t worry,” she told Taewoon, stepping resolutely into Doheon’s room.
After bowing, Taewoon left, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
Ah, now I understand why Aseon made such a fuss.
Heeyeon looked fierce, yet to him, she resembled a rabbit before a wolf. The outcome seemed obvious.
Whether Gwangseon went berserk with blades at night or the master claimed the human woman first, he only wished for the night to pass quickly. Taewoon exhaled a long sigh, gazing at the darkening sky.
Alone in the room, Heeyeon surveyed her surroundings. Several sliding doors hinted at multiple connecting chambers.
Her own quarters were bright and colorful, but Doheon’s space was dominated by dark, weighty tones.
A lacquered chest with intricate designs, wolf statues perched atop it, and various swords reflected the owner’s personality.
As she examined the room, night fell. The lantern’s yellow light flickered. A shiver ran down her shoulders as a cold aura approached, and a massive wolf entered through the sliding doors.
“Ah…”
Heeyeon gasped.
She had imagined Doheon transforming into a wolf countless times, but seeing it in person made her realize how limited her imagination had been.
Every strand of fur moved vividly, golden eyes gleamed, ears twitched, and massive paws could tear a prey in an instant. The wolf radiated an overwhelming presence.
The wolf approached close enough that she could almost feel its breath. Its golden gaze fixed on her, unreadable.
Naturally, she should feel fear—but looking into those eyes, she recognized Doheon unmistakably, and her heart calmed.
“You’re… incredible. And huge.”
Heeyeon had to crane her neck to look up at him. Her eyes sparkled like stars, and her cheeks glowed with a rosy hue.
Heon, observing her wide-eyed curiosity rather than fear, chuckled softly.
‘She’s not weak. Not from the start. Even as a sacrifice, she did not cower before death. That’s why she draws attention.’
‘Perhaps I should really put her in the elite unit.’
Heon, unable to speak in wolf form, simply stared at her.
Heeyeon sensed his aura soften. She reached out, gazing at the glossy fur, and asked,
“May I touch it?”
How brave. Heon nodded, granting permission.
Heeyeon’s fingers brushed the fur. Soft… irresistibly soft. She couldn’t stop.
A little more… a little more. Her touch grew bolder.
When she pushed her fingers deep into the fur, he felt a sudden jolt. Every nerve stood on end, breath heated like fire.
How could this bonding happen so easily?
Startled, Heon growled lowly.
