The Belgian Shepherd lifted its head and wagged its tail at me.
Animals only wag their tails when they're relaxed and being friendly, so clearly it didn't mean to bite me.
"Alright then, let's go to the empty yard in the back and play."
I picked up the frisbee and walked toward the backyard. The shepherd followed behind me with a dignified gait, every step looking unusually noble.
When we reached the backyard, it circled around my legs, its dark eyes fixed on me reminding me that it was time to play.
I smiled and hurled the frisbee with all my strength. Under the moonlight, the disc flashed, and the shepherd lunged after it with astonishing speed. In the blink of an eye, it had reached the frisbee, leaped up, caught the tail of it, and came bounding back toward me with pure delight.
When it reached me, it nudged my leg affectionately, tail wagging like crazy such a contrast to the fierce beast it was a few days ago.
I swallowed and carefully took the disc from its mouth.
"You want to play more?"
I held the frisbee tightly and looked down at it.
The shepherd panted lightly, its eyes sparkling as it glanced at me, then at the frisbee, clearly asking for another round.
I threw it again. A second later, it had already dashed away and retrieved it.
I crouched down and rubbed its head carefully.
"You're too fast. Do you know you'll tire me out at this rate?"
The shepherd tilted its head adorably.
I sighed fine. It was so happy; I didn't have the heart to disappoint it.
I threw the frisbee again, but suddenly a glint flashed in my eyes an idea.
The dog didn't know what I was planning; it only stared at me with eager eyes.
I lifted my arm and pretended to throw.
Predictably, the shepherd bolted forward at lightning speed… until halfway through it suddenly slowed, confused.
Where was the frisbee?
I saw the bewilderment in its eyes and burst out laughing.
"Haha! I tricked you. I didn't throw it at all!"
The dog seemed to understand, because it spun back toward me, circling my legs again with a pitiful look, as if whining.
I bent down and rubbed its head gently, still laughing.
"Haha, I fooled you. Serves you right for being mean to me earlier. Don't look at me like that I can hold grudges too."
I didn't notice that someone else had appeared at the far end of the yard.
Captian had just finished dealing with work and driven home. He originally intended to go upstairs to look for me, but then he heard my soft, sweet laughter drifting through the night air.
The sound tugged at something inside him, irresistibly.
He followed it.
When he reached the backyard, he saw me along with the shepherd he raised.
Yesterday, when I saw this dog, I'd gone white as a sheet. But tonight… I was playing with it comfortably.
He'd only let the shepherd smell my scent once, to help it get familiar with me so it wouldn't be too aggressive.
He hadn't expected it to go this far.
Still, he thought, perhaps this wasn't a bad thing.
He stood there quietly, eyes fixed on me.
It was the first time he had ever seen me this lively laughing under the moonlight, full of youthful energy. Even the little teardrop mole beneath my eye seemed more vibrant.
Beautiful.
So beautiful that even my laughter was beautiful.
I kept laughing, stroking the shepherd's head, completely unaware he was home.
"Woof!"
The shepherd suddenly looked up, having smelled its master. It shot off toward Captian and circled him, tail wagging rapidly.
Seeing the dog run off, I paused.
When I turned back, I saw Captian standing there in the shadows. I had no idea how long he'd been watching.
My body stiffened, and the smile on my lips disappeared instantly.
Captian looked at me and then his brows furrowed slightly.
Did I look… unhappy he was home?
I quickly inhaled, forcing a gentle smile, the same polite Mrs. Anderson smile I always used.
"Director Anderson, you're back?"
He had just seen me laughing freely moments ago, but now that smile looked… forced.
He frowned again, something unpleasant forming in his chest.
He answered coolly. "Mm."
Sensing the coldness, I shrank instinctively.
"Director Anderson, I was just playing frisbee with the dog. It's gotten much friendlier with me now."
He unbuttoned the top of his shirt, his dark eyes sweeping over me.
"Go change my bandages. Tonight, you're staying."
My face went pale.
Changing his bandages was fine… but why did I have to stay?
The last time I slept beside him, I'd been terrified.
Uneasily, I followed him to his room, my steps stiff and awkward.
The bedroom was the same as always black, cold, pressuring. My fingers twisted together. I stood at the foot of the bed, nervous.
Was I really sleeping here tonight?
"Hurry up," he said softly, but the chill in his tone made my back tense. "If you keep stalling, I can't promise I won't do something."
I froze in panic and rushed to his side.
"I... I'll change your bandages now."
After I finished, we both lay down.
Captian turned toward me, one arm sliding around my waist, drawing me into a small corner of the bed where I couldn't move at all.
His body radiated heat. I felt my breath catch, overwhelmed by the proximity.
I twisted slightly.
"Director Anderson, could you… ease up a little? It's uncomfortable."
"Uncomfortable?"
His hand brushed my waist not inappropriate, but lingering in a way that sent a shiver through me. His voice dropped, low and hoarse with restrained teasing:
"If you move around like that again, I might make you even more uncomfortable."
I went still immediately.
He placed a firm hand behind my neck, guiding my forehead gently against his chest—not forceful, but unmistakably possessive.
Pressed against him, I could hear his heartbeat strong and steady.
I gasped lightly, curling into myself like a startled kitten, completely lacking a sense of security.
My scent against him, my small body trembling, he wrapped his arms around me even tighter, but not painfully.
Just… as if wanting to keep me within reach.
I could feel his warmth, his strength, the sharpness of his clean masculine scent something that made my thoughts scatter.