NOVEL NEXT Chapter 362: Peeping Puppy
But as she melted in his arms, Cassius suddenly pulled back, his expression shifting as though a thought had struck him.
"No..." He murmured, shaking his head slightly. "Even if you're content with this, I'm not. I want to give you a proper birthday gift, Aisha, a gift you'll never forget. This is our first birthday together, and I won't just let it pass like this."
She blinked in surprise, cheeks glowing . "Cassius...you don't have to—"
He silenced her by pressing a finger gently against her lips.
"I know you'd be fine with this alone." His gaze softened, though his voice carried an edge of command. "But I feel it's my duty, as your husband, to treat you properly. To make sure your first birthday with me is one you'll treasure. I want to give you something you've truly longed for."
Her heart skipped when he referred to her as his wife. The word sank deep inside her chest, making her blush burn hotter than any kiss.
But before she could even respond, Cassius was already slipping off the bed, his tall frame casting shadows against the lamplight as he began buttoning his shirt.
"W-What are you doing?" Aisha asked, rolling onto her side, worry flickering across her face. "Why are you putting on clothes in the middle of the night? Where are you going?"
He glanced back at her as he tugged his collar into place, his smile faint yet determined.
"The gift I have in mind is...not a small one. Even for me, it'll be difficult to prepare in such a short time...But I'll manage it somehow. You'll see it by the end of the day."
Her brows furrowed. She sat up on the sheets, her bare shoulders trembling under the blanket.
"But can't you just stay with me, Cassius? I don't need anything else. I just want you, your warmth, your kisses, that would be enough."
For a moment, his steps faltered. Then he crossed back to her, leaned down, and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.
"Sorry, Aisha. There are some things a man simply has to do...and this is one of them."
His hand came to rest atop her head, patting her gently before he gave a sly grin.
"But if you want more of what just happened, you're welcome to sneak into my bed from now on...I'll make sure to please you thoroughly, without giving you a single break."
Her blush deepened, her lips trembling between embarrassment and giddy anticipation. He straightened again, adjusted his belt, and with one last smile, murmured.
"When you see me again, I'll have your birthday gift with me...You'll understand when you see it, why I'm hurrying off like this."
Then he stepped out into the night, leaving her in a whirl of mixed feelings, sad that he left so soon, but giddy with excitement about what he was planning.
Clutching the blanket to her chest, she curled back against the bed, her heart fluttering wildly as she imagined what grand surprise he could possibly be preparing.
But before she could drift into those fantasies, her blood ran cold.
A shadow shifted at the entrance of the tent and slowly, a head peeked in, watching her.
The gaze was dry, unblinking and Aisha's heart jumped into her throat, fear slamming into her chest.
Instinctively, her hands began weaving the gestures for a destructive spell, the kind that would annihilate anyone who dared spy on her in such a state.
Whoever it was, she wouldn't let them live.
But then, she froze.
There was something off about the figure.
Two long, fluffy ears twitched atop the intruder's head, and the eyes, those damned, familiar silver eyes, looked straight at her with their usual, irritating boldness.
Only then did realization crash into her.
"Skadi?!"
Her fenrir sister was standing there, peeking shamelessly into the tent and the moment her name slipped past Aisha's lips, the wolf girl didn't bother hiding anymore.
Skadi straightened her back and strode boldly into the tent, silver hair shimmering in the lamplight, her fluffy ears flicking proudly. She planted her fists on her hips and declared with absolute shamelessness,
"Of course it's me! Who else could it be?"
Her chest jutted forward like she was showing off, eyes glimmering as she touched the soft fur of her ears and tilted her head in a haughty pose.
"I mean, look at these ears, look at these pretty eyes, and.. " She spun halfway around and hugged her enormous, silver-white tail to her chest. "...especially this tail! This fluffy, perfect tail that no one could ever mistake."
"...Only I, the great Skadi, can have this much beauty and cuteness in one body!"
Aisha, still clutching the blanket tightly to her bare body, stared at her sister in pure disbelief.
"You...you idiot. Forget your appearance! Who cares about your stupid tail right now?!"
She buried herself deeper in the blanket, cheeks glowing red.
"What the hell are you doing? Why are you even peeking in here?! Aren't you supposed to be sleeping?"
The smug grin dropped from Skadi's face, replaced with a dry, unimpressed look that made Aisha shiver. She then crossed her arms and said flatly,
"I was sleeping, Aisha. Sleeping peacefully...until someone started moaning like she was about to die." Her eyes narrowed. "I thought you were being murdered, Aisha. I nearly ripped the tent open to chase and kill whoever dared to hurt you."
For a heartbeat, Aisha froze. Her chest softened, warmth stirring in her heart. No matter how much they bickered, Skadi still cared enough to come running the instant she thought her sister was in danger.
But then Skadi's expression sharpened again, a sly smirk curving her lips.
"Only, when I got here, I didn't find my poor sister fighting off an intruder. Instead…" Her eyes gleamed. "…I found that same sister rolling around, squealing, and doing all sorts of naughty things with Master. So many positions...so dirty, I thought my eyes were going to melt."
Aisha's blush deepened furiously. She pulled the blanket tighter and muttered. "Y-You...you pervert! Watching all that?!"
"Me? A pervert?" Skadi barked a laugh, baring her sharp teeth. "I was sleeping like an angel, cat. You're the one who crept into Master's bed, stealing him all to yourself."
"...So, don't call me a pervert when you're the one moaning so loud I thought the world was ending."
Aisha's words caught in her throat. She wanted to argue, but her mind went blank under the weight of embarrassment. She lowered her head, trembling, unable to defend herself.
And just when she expected Skadi to snap at her again, the wolf girl's face softened. She gave a small chuckle and shook her head.
"I'll admit, I was angry. I wanted to storm in and bite your ears off for being so sneaky and pouncing on Master first."
Immediately, Aisha clamped both hands over her cat ears, glaring nervously.
"But…" Skadi's voice dropped into a surprisingly gentle tone. "Then I remembered. Today's your birthday."
Aisha blinked in shock.
Skadi tilted her chin up proudly, tail swishing behind her.
"So I'll let it go this time. I'll let Master have you first. But don't think you've won, cat. Next time, I'll be the one beside him. I'll be one with him just as you were...That's a promise."
With that, she gave a victorious flick of her tail and turned to leave, while Aisha let out a long breath, thinking it was over.
But just as she started to calm down, the tent flap moved again and Skadi peeked back in.
"Wh-what now?!" Aisha squeaked, clutching the blanket up to her chin. "Do you want to fight? Because I'll do it, even naked!"
But this time Skadi's cheeks colored faintly. She looked away for a second before meeting Aisha's eyes and muttering softly,
"I just forgot to say this...H-Happy birthday, Aisha...T-That's all I have to say."
Then she was gone.
Hearing this, Aisha froze, her blush deepening all the way down her neck. That infuriating wolf had remembered.
Even here, even on a mission, she had remembered. Even when she forgot everything else she remembered her birthday.
Hugging the blanket tight around her body, Aisha rolled across the mattress, burying her face in it with a giddy squeal. After everything, the fierce loving from Cassius, the surprising tenderness from Skadi, her heart felt warm and full to the brim.
This was a night she knew she would never forget...