Episode 4 — “The First Kiss That Shouldn’t Happen”

The growl in the forest was low… hungry… close.

Kael didn’t hesitate.

He grabbed Rose’s wrist gently but firmly.

“Stay behind me,” he ordered, his voice dropping to a deep Alpha tone.

Rose’s heart pounded—not just from fear.

From the memory of how close they were to kissing seconds ago.

Kael’s body shifted slightly, ready to attack, but the presence faded into the trees.

He listened carefully.

Silence.

Still, he didn’t relax.

“Kael… was that a wolf?” Rose whispered, her breath still unsteady.

“A rogue,” he answered, turning toward her slowly. “And rogues don’t come this close unless they’re after something.”

“Or someone,” Rose said quietly.

His eyes softened.

He reached out and touched her face again, thumb brushing her cheek.

“You shouldn’t be this close to danger,” he murmured. “You shouldn’t be this close to me.”

Rose swallowed. “But I want to be.”

Kael exhaled—half frustration, half desire.

“Rose… I almost lost control back there.”

“You can lose control with me,” she whispered.

His breath caught.

He stepped closer again, slowly, giving her every chance to pull away.

She didn’t.

Kael cupped her face with both hands.

His forehead touched hers, warm and protective.

“Just one,” he whispered. “One kiss… and then I stop.”

Rose tilted her head up. “Then kiss me.”

He didn’t hesitate this time.

Kael’s lips brushed hers—soft at first, testing.

Rose’s breath trembled.

Then his mouth pressed more firmly, pulling her into him, his hand sliding to her waist as if he’d been waiting centuries to hold her.

The kiss deepened—slow, warm, hungry—but still gentle, full of the tenderness he tried so hard to hide.

Kael finally pulled back, breathing hard.

“That was a mistake,” he whispered.

Rose touched his cheek. “It didn’t feel like one.”

He let out a low, defeated laugh.

“That’s the problem.”

Kael didn’t trust the forest anymore.

The presence was still near. Watching.

He took Rose’s hand—interlocking their fingers without thinking—and led her deeper into the woods.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“A place where the rogues can’t reach us.”

After several minutes, they reached a small, hidden cabin built from stone and dark timber. Flowers grew wild along the path, untouched by the outside world.

Rose blinked.

“This is… beautiful.”

Kael didn’t respond.

He was staring at their joined hands like he didn’t remember taking hers.

He let go abruptly. “Sorry. That was—”

Rose caught his wrist before he could step away.

“Don’t apologize,” she whispered.

Kael froze.

Inside the cabin, it was warm and softly lit. A fireplace glowed with embers.

A blanket was draped over a couch, books scattered like someone lived here only sometimes.

Rose ran her fingers along the shelves.

“This is your place.”

Kael nodded. “Only a few wolves know about it.”

“And you brought me here.”

He didn’t answer, but the silence said enough.

When she turned, he was already watching her—eyes soft, unreadable.

“You’re hurt,” she realized, touching his arm where she saw a scratch from earlier.

Kael stiffened at her touch.

“It’s nothing,” he said gruffly.

But Rose stepped closer anyway, her hands brushing his skin.

His breath hitched.

“Rose…” His voice dropped dangerously. “If you touch me like that, I—”

“You’ll what?” she whispered.

He closed his eyes.

“Lose every ounce of control I have left.”

She didn’t move.

“Then lose it.”

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***