Heat mixed with her moist breath, making every cell in his body melt.

The nerves throughout his body burned hot, and it was unbearable not to cling to him.

Just that alone made the fear of floating in the abyss, without a place to step on, disappear.

The unease he caused was lightened by the stability he provided.

Instinctively, Delia applied more force to the arm she had clung onto.

Aaron passionately kissed her and lifted Delia, who was clinging to him, and laid her on the bed.

On the rough, militarystyle cot, her golden hair spread out messily.

Aaron stroked Delia’s hair and whispered.

“Probably as sweet as the strawberries I fed you, and as soft as soup.”

Everything about Delia melted under Aaron’s voice, his touch, and flowed out in tears.

The blue teardrop that had formed in her eye was dyed red as it traveled down her cheek, and when it fell onto her hair, it held a golden hue.

Aaron’s captive was even beautiful in her tears.

So much so, it seemed a waste to let them flow.

Regretfully, Aaron licked her tears.

As if he had found the only salvation to quench his burning thirst.

A desperate longing seeped into Aaron’s movements.

The air within the tent became damp in an instant, filled with the heat they generated.

Aaron stroked her hair, glowing in the light, with a languid expression.

His captive, seemingly exhausted, slept soundly even as he caressed her hair.

He missed her blue eyes, which were now hidden, but decided to be satisfied with the soft skin entangled in his hand.

She must be tired from the ordeal, so she should be given ample time to rest.

Aaron gazed at Delia with eyes filled with deep satisfaction.

Light seemed to shatter and dance around her.

To think that something so beautiful was coveted by a mere wolf.

Recalling the frail breath she was barely holding onto beneath the wolf made Aaron’s breath hitch.

If he was just a bit late, she might have been dragged away, bitten by sharp fangs.

The thought alone made Aaron dizzy, his gaze flashing sharply.

Strength surged into Aaron’s fingertips as he stroked her slender neck.

Even in her sleep, Delia must have felt the sharp change and started to shudder slightly.

Her tightly shut eyes fluttered and opened slowly.

She was still not completely out of her sleep, scanning her surroundings with blurry eyes.

Then, she suddenly cringed.

Aaron, who had been watching all these changes with warm eyes, chuckled softly and started a conversation.

“Wake up?”

Her golden hair was disheveled as if revealing her state of mind.

Aaron reached out to her soft back that seemed sprouting wings.

He gently soothed her trembling skin, like a comforting touch.

Her efforts to distance herself as much as possible were almost pitiful.

Like a weak animal trying to protect itself from a predator, she curled up tightly.

Where had the previously fiery presence gone?

“Why are you so tense, unlike yourself?”

“I’m not tense.”

Aaron frowned at Delia.

Her figure, hanging at the edge of the bed, looked so unstable as if she might fall any second.

“Then why are you trying to escape?”

Unable to bear it any longer, Aaron pulled Delia towards him by her waist.

“Ah!”

The more Delia struggled, the more intense her scent enveloped Aaron.

With Delia flailing in an attempt to escape, he held her closer and whispered softly.

“Hush. Don’t be scared.”

Aaron swept the fine hair that covered Delia’s face back.

As her hair, like a beam of light, neatly sorted itself out, cheeks as red as pink rose petals emerged.

When he touched her soft cheek, her skin, seemingly melting, wrapped around his palm.

He desired her, but he did not wish to see her shrink back in fear.

He was going to have her, but he did not intend to possess her as a broken, forcibly suppressed being.

He wanted her, raw and alive as she was.

“I won’t force it if you don’t allow it.”

Aaron held her gently so as not to damage her.

He breathed moist breaths into her neck and stroked her hunched back to ease her tension.

He gently rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb, helping to unfold her tightly clenched fist.

Despite his efforts, Aaron’s prisoner struggled desperately to escape.

“But you forcibly held me and locked me up.”

“Prisoner, that was a military operation as a soldier. It’s different.”

“I am very grateful. Thank you for clearly distinguishing between official and personal matters.”

“It’s natural as an imperial soldier with strict military rules and high pride.”

“Great imperial soldier, you are. Invading Iorenti.”

With her lips pouting, Delia turned her back to Aaron and chewed her lower lip.

Aaron lightly licked his lips and brought his finger to Delia’s moist lips.

“Tsk, you’re doing it again. I told you not to. You’ll hurt your lips.”

Aaron gently swept Delia’s lips apart.

“Rather bite my finger.”

Like before.

Aaron brought his lips to Delia’s ear and whispered lowly.

Remembering the sight of her enduring by biting his finger with a face like she was going to cry, his voice naturally became moist.

If he could see that expression, those tears again, he could give her his finger anytime.

The hand of Aaron, who was stroking her lips, gained more strength.

“That’s not something the commander should care about.”

“How can I not care between us?”

“We are not anything.”

Aaron frowned.

“Do you really think so?”

“Yeah. Once was fine. It wasn’t bad.”