Chapter 132: Cae’ Self-Control
Cassel — POV
I was in no mood for restraint—no patience, no measured control, not even the faintest attempt at calm.
My steps rang through the corridor, sharp and forceful, striking the floor as though I meant to crack it beneath my heels. Each stride carried the weight of something darker, something barely leashed beneath my skin, threatening to spill out if given even the smallest excuse.
Rosalia rested in my arms.
Her body was warm, light, and close to mine.
Dangerously close.
Close enough that I could hear the steady rhythm of her heartbeat, feel the faint rise and fall of her breathing against my chest, sense the softness of her through every layer between us. Close enough that my thoughts began to blur at the edges, slipping toward places I should not let them go.
For a fleeting moment, my darker instincts surged, clawing upward, threatening to take control. My body responded before my mind could catch up, desire flickering to life—but it was weak.
Pathetic, compared to the storm of anger raging inside me.
Yes.
Anger ruled above all else.
Higher than instinct.
Higher than desire.
Higher than reason.
—
How dare they?
How dare she?
How could she injure herself... over a few worthless words from those pieces of trash?
I could have silenced them all.
Every single one of them.
And if it required killing them—then so be it.
As long as she was safe, I would not hesitate.
Not even if it meant slaughtering the entire world.
My hand tightened unconsciously.
One arm held her fragile form securely against me, while the other shot forward to shove the door open. The metal handle groaned under the force—I nearly crushed it as the door slammed wide, and I stepped into my room without slowing.
The door slammed shut behind us with a heavy thud.
"Put me down."
Her voice was soft, delicate... almost spoiled in its tone.
But it wasn’t afraid.
Not even a little.
This troublesome girl—after everything she had done—felt no fear toward me, nor toward the fury that had yet to leave my eyes.
That only made the fire inside me burn hotter.
I set her down.
But not completely.
Her feet touched the ground, yes—but my hand remained wrapped around her waist, holding her firmly in place.
Close.
Far too close.
I stared at her.
Hard.
Then forced my voice through clenched teeth.
"Do you really think what you did was smart?"
She didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, she met my gaze with those eyes of hers—those cursed eyes that had a way of unraveling every decision I made.
"I needed to prove it."
"To prove it?" My voice rose before I could stop it. "By hurting yourself?"
"And for them?" I continued, anger sharpening every word. "For that kind of trash?"
She took a small step back—but I didn’t let her go.
I couldn’t.
"It wasn’t a deep wound."
"That’s not the point!"
I stepped closer again, pressing her back toward me until our bodies touched once more.
"Do you have any idea what it felt like?" My voice dropped, but the intensity only deepened. "Seeing you bleed like that... so easily? Watching your blood fall to the ground in front of me?"
My breath slowed, each word more dangerous than the last.
"Do you know that even a single drop of your blood..."
My voice lowered further, almost a whisper—dark, edged with something far more dangerous than anger.
"...is enough to make me lose control of the darkness inside me?"
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Tense.
"Rosalia," I said at last, my tone low and tight, "are you trying to make me lose my mind?"
Seconds passed.
Long ones.
Then—
"And would that be so bad?"
The question hit me like a blow.
For a split second, the oppressive aura around me faltered—cracked—vanished.
I blinked slowly, trying to process her words.
I didn’t understand.
Not at first.
"What...?"
She smiled.
A small smile—just enough for her soft, wolf-like fangs to peek through.
It was infuriating.
Provocative.
"Losing control... because of me."
She stepped closer, closing what little distance remained between us until our breaths mingled.
Then she leaned in and whispered against my ear—
"I like seeing you lose control... for me."
...Damn it.
This woman.
She had to be doing this on purpose.
My grip on her waist tightened without thought.
"Rosalia... don’t test my limits."
My voice was a warning—low, restrained, barely contained.
But she didn’t retreat.
Didn’t flinch.
Instead, she raised her hand... and touched my face.
A simple touch.
Light.
Soft.
And yet, in that single moment, half my anger vanished as if it had never existed.
"I know what I did... wasn’t good," she murmured. "And I know I was reckless."
Her fingers lingered faintly against my skin.
"But I also know... you’ll protect me. You won’t let anyone hurt me."
She paused, then tilted her head slightly, a faint smile forming.
"So I’m not sorry."
I looked at her.
Really looked at her.
For a long moment, I said nothing.
Then I exhaled slowly, closing my eyes briefly.
"You..."
A quiet laugh slipped from her lips.
"...are adorable?" she suggested.
My eyes opened.
I stared at her.
Then—
I laughed.
A low, short sound.
"That’s right."
"Adorable enough that I want to eat you."
The moment the words left my mouth, I leaned in and bit her flushed, soft cheek.
Not hard.
Just enough.
A punishment.
Though, if I were honest—it was hardly punishment at all.
I simply couldn’t bring myself to be harsh with her.
And perhaps...
I wanted to take advantage of the moment.
Even just a little.
Her stunned expression—her blank, confused look—was far too entertaining. I savored it for a few seconds, amused despite myself.
She was tempting.
Far too tempting.
Before I could stop myself, I moved—quick and effortless—lifting her again and carrying her to the bed.
I tossed her down gently against the soft sheets, then leaned over her, pinning her beneath me.
—
But—
Before I could do anything more—
My body froze.
Every trace of warmth disappeared in an instant.
My mood shattered.
A presence.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
Unfamiliar.
Enemy?
The warmth drained completely from my eyes.
"...Cae?"
Rosalia’s voice carried a hint of concern as she looked up at me.
I didn’t respond.
My focus had already shifted elsewhere.
I extended my senses outward, stretching them far beyond the room—beyond the building—spreading across a hundred meters and more.
There.
Something was moving.
Not far.
Outside.
Not a normal zombie.
No.
This...
This was worse.
Much worse.
My gaze flickered back down to the girl beneath me.
She lay against the white bed, her yellow dress contrasting beautifully with the pale sheets and her fair skin. The sight was... distracting.
More than it should have been.
Damn it.
Couldn’t they have come earlier?
Or later?
I suppressed my irritation, then glanced down at a certain part of myself.
If I walked out like this, my subordinates would never let me live it down.
Clicking my tongue, I reached out and flicked Rosalia’s nose.
Hard enough to make it redden.
"That’s your punishment," I said flatly. "Get up and get your things ready. Enemies are approaching."
She looked confused for a moment.
Then her gaze shifted—to my eyes, then downward... then back to my face again.
I flicked her forehead impatiently.
"What are you staring at?" I snapped, feigning annoyance.
Truthfully, most of my anger had already melted away.
What remained was little more than resignation.
Who could stay angry at a seductive little fox like her?
"Pfft—haha—Cae, you really—haha—I’m sorry, I’m sorry, but—"
Her laughter filled the room.
I sighed, pulling her up to her feet.
"Come on. Focus. I said there are enemies."
"Oh—right." She cleared her throat, trying to compose herself. "Are there many? Strong? Zombies?"
"I only sensed them," I replied. "I don’t know the details yet. Let’s go down and see."
She clicked her tongue in irritation.
"Honestly... I just got away from that trash Mary and her group, and now we have to go back down already?"
She huffed dramatically.
"What a shame."
---
We had barely reached the midpoint of the stairs when a familiar figure appeared rushing upward.
"Boss—"
Henry stopped abruptly the moment his eyes met mine, his expression tightening as if he had already sensed something was wrong.
I didn’t waste time.
"Gather everyone," I ordered coldly, my voice leaving no room for delay. "Now."
His posture straightened instantly. "Yes, Boss."
That was all he needed.
He disappeared down the stairs at once, urgency in every step.
Beside me, Rosalia exhaled softly.
"...Looks like we won’t have any rest soon".
I didn’t answer.
My eyes were already fixed ahead while walking.
I think I do know what we will face this time.
He disappeared down the stairs at once, urgency in every step.
Beside me, Rosalia exhaled softly.
"...Looks like we won’t have any rest soon".
I didn’t answer.
My eyes were already fixed ahead while walking.
I think I do know what we will face this time.