Chapter 188: A Little Bit of Taking
Wyatt Yardley first helped Seraphina Caldwell put on the Beast Skin cloak.
He crouched in front of her, carefully arranging the thick fur edges and pulling the hood snug.
He checked every seam and every clasp.
"If you feel cold on the road, just tell me, and I’ll wrap you up tighter."
Seraphina was pulled into his arms.
The cloak, still warm from the oven, carried a cozy scent.
She was wrapped up tightly, the misty rain outside couldn’t even touch her skin.
Not a single drop of rain could seep in.
She looked up, peeking at him from the small gap in the hood.
Her gaze fell on his chin, where the lines were taut.
He was staring down at the ground as he walked, his fringe hanging before his eyes.
When she first entered this world, it all felt unreal.
Every day she had to remind herself that this was not a dream.
She saw these Beast Husbands as characters from a story, mere tools in a novel plot.
Because they would kill her sooner or later, she never allowed herself to feel their kindness.
But now she suddenly realized maybe she should face her own heart, instead of always avoiding it.
She didn’t need to presuppose an ending, nor should she deny the current warmth with past prejudice.
Seraphina lightly sniffed, her nose feeling a bit sore.
She nestled her head further into Wyatt Yardley’s embrace, seeking a more comfortable position.
Raindrops pattered against Wyatt Yardley’s snake tail.
His hold on her was steady, as if wrapping her in an impenetrable cocoon.
No wind, however strong, could penetrate.
She suddenly felt she had been blind before.
This person had always been silently protecting her, shielding her from rumors, dealing with troubles for her.
Yet she always treated him as an outsider, building a wall with vigilance and detachment.
But looking back now, the person standing outside the wall had long entered her life in the quietest way.
The rain hadn’t stopped, the mountain road was still damp and slippery.
The cold wind slipped through the collar, but Seraphina no longer felt that piercing cold.
She no longer tensed her shoulders or deliberately avoided Wyatt Yardley’s warmth.
Instead, she nuzzled into his chest, tilting her head, staring at him dazedly.
Her gaze fell on his slightly damp eyelashes, on the corners of his tightly pressed lips.
Then slowly moved to his dark red pupils.
Wyatt Yardley noticed, his pace unconsciously slowed, his silvery tail gently curled up in the pile of fallen leaves.
His dark red pupils reflected the gray sky, his voice still soft.
"What is it?"
He thought she was tired and instinctively adjusted her hat.
His fingers accidentally brushed against the side of her ear, which was already blushing.
In the next second, Seraphina suddenly lifted her face, her expression somewhat bewildered.
"Wyatt... can I kiss you?"
Oh no!
As soon as she uttered this, it was like a spark falling into a haystack, igniting Wyatt’s entire mind.
The tips of his ears trembled slightly, his tail instinctively stiffened.
Then gradually relaxed, as if confirming this wasn’t an illusion.
Raindrops continued to pour onto his shoulders, the cold air drilling into his collar.
But in his heart, it felt like a furnace was lit, warming him thoroughly.
This was the first time Seraphina had spoken such words to him proactively.
More stirring than any vow.
He opened his mouth, but couldn’t immediately make a sound, his Adam’s apple bobbed, finally asking in a low voice.
"What did you say?"
Seraphina was startled herself.
What did she just say?
Was she crazy?
They were still trudging through the muddy water, and she actually asked if she could kiss him?
It must be hormones acting up!
Seeing Wyatt’s stunned look, her face blushed down to her neck, hot like it was going to smoke.
She quickly waved her hand to deny.
"No... nothing! I just spaced out! Don’t take it seriously, just pretend I farted!"
She hurriedly lowered her head, staring at the ground, not daring to blink.
But how could Wyatt possibly pretend he didn’t hear?
He slightly adjusted his arms, holding her closer.
Then, he lifted a hand, his fingertips gently brushing against her burning cheek, his thumb slowly caressing her skin.
"I took it seriously."
His voice was much huskier than usual, low.
"Seraphina, those words... I’ve been waiting for them for a long time."
His gaze remained on her lowered lashes, silently waiting for her reaction.
After speaking, he slightly bent down, his fringe falling forward.
There was still rainwater on the strands, bringing a touch of chill.
Yet, accompanying it was his warm breath brushing against her face.
He didn’t rush in but first touched the corner of her lips lightly, as if testing her agreement.
This time, he gradually deepened the action, more entanglement between his lips and teeth.
He gently pressed against her lips, carefully lingering.
At first, Seraphina was a bit stiff, her fingers unconsciously clutching his coat sleeve.
But as time went on, she relaxed.
She even noticed that at the moment of contact, Wyatt’s fingers trembled for a moment.
Breathing became heavier, but didn’t lose control.
He knew she was accepting, so he didn’t dare to be greedy, only daring to take little by little.
Rain continued to fall outside, rustling as it hit the leaves.
The whole world seemed to be just the two of them.
Not long after, Wyatt withdrew, his forehead still resting against hers.
Their noses touched, breaths intertwined.
"Seraphina, if you want to kiss me, just say it anytime. For such things, I’ll definitely cooperate."
Seraphina’s face was still warm, but she mustered the courage to look at him.
Listening to his voice, her fingers unconsciously tugged at the corner of his clothes.
Wyatt felt her movement, his arm instinctively tightened a bit.
He chuckled, lifted his foot, and continued walking forward.
Droplets of water fell on the leaves, making a subtle and dense sound.
Occasionally, a few slid down the branches and leaves, hitting the shoulder or top of the head.
The bushes beside the mountain road were soaked by rain, appearing deeper in color.
Several figures hid behind the trees, their gazes all directed at the pair walking in the middle.
With the naturally stronger hearing of males.
Even with the masking sound of rain, they still caught every whisper between Seraphina and Wyatt.
To others, she always appeared courteous, her face always with a gentle smile.
But there was an unmistakable sense of distance in that gentleness.
No matter who she was facing, she would never truly get close.
Even when faced with trouble, she was accustomed to solving it on her own.
Especially during her heat, they had witnessed her endure alone.
That stubbornness was heartbreaking, yet they were helpless.
If not for them repeatedly stopping her from breaking the contract, she would have left long ago.
Seraphina no longer deliberately avoided Wyatt like before.
This gesture itself symbolized trust.
And trust was precisely what they longed for the most.
If she could let down her guard with Wyatt.
Then in the future, might she also do the same with them?
This thought quietly surfaced in everyone’s minds.
Although this first step was taken by Wyatt, there was some unwillingness in the hearts of the others.
But they also knew, compared to jealousy.
What mattered more at this moment was that she was finally beginning to accept.
As long as an opening was made, there was hope.
The rain continued to fall.
The mountain path became even more muddy, soft underfoot.
Each step had to be taken with extra caution, the sole of the foot first testing the ground’s stability before shifting weight.