Chapter 34: Chapter 34

I looked up as Gray released his kiss, shifting his attention to the curve of my neck, his touch gentle. I could only grip Gray's hair, feeling its thickness and softness between my fingers, as his warm lips continued to explore my skin, causing my body to grow increasingly warm.

For some reason, the temperature seemed to rise as Gray's fingers moved around my back, slipping beneath my clothes. My mind felt hazy, my body light, and I could only grip Gray's shoulders tightly. Until a sigh escaped my lips unexpectedly, causing me to immediately bite down on my lower lip.

Until a sigh escaped my lips unexpectedly, causing me to immediately bite my lower lip. And that's when Gray looked at me, extending his hand to gently stroke my lips.

"Don't hold back. I like hearing that sound," Gray said, prompting me to slowly release my lip from my bite. Following that, Gray's lips replaced mine, greedily capturing my lower lip. He slowly pushed my body until I was lying on the small bed, barely big enough for its owner. Our lips remained locked.

I could sense Gray's body temperature rising for some reason, his kisses growing more intense as time went on, leaving me slightly overwhelmed by the intensity.

"Gray," I managed to say, attempting to break our lip lock. Gray released his kiss, but this time, he moved to the curve of my neck, trailing kisses along my shoulder and moving his fingers around my stomach. My whole body shivered as his touch sent tingles through me. My eyes widened as Gray's hand moved upward, over the front of my body, and suddenly, I felt a sensation like electric shocks spreading through my body, unfamiliar but strangely enticing. It wasn't that I didn't like it, but it was my first time experiencing something like this.

As the kiss grew more intense, Gray suddenly stopped, making me slightly startled as he sat up, his expression unfamiliar. I could only grip onto my clothes, feeling a bit confused.

"Gray," I said, noticing the strange look on his face.

"Are you okay?" I asked again, extending my hand towards him, but Gray forcefully swatted my hand away, leaving me silent as I cast my gaze downward. Gray abruptly got up from his seat, looking uneasy. He was about to descend the stairs of the treehouse, but I stopped him.

"Can you wait for me? Just a moment, I promise I'll be back," Gray said, but before he could fully descend, I rushed off the bed and ran towards him, grabbing his arm. For some reason, his body felt incredibly warm.

"Are you sick? Are you alright?" I asked, my concern evident. Gray looked down at his wrist.

"I promised just a moment, okay? I'm not feeling well, I need to calm myself," Gray responded. Was he holding back because of what we had done earlier, I wondered.

"I'm okay, Gray," I replied, but he shook his head, releasing my grip on his hand.

"I'm the one who's not okay, Aurel. So let me go. I don't want to appear in a bad state in front of you," Gray said, but I shook my head, disagreeing with him leaving me alone in the middle of the forest like this. While I did trust him, I didn't want that to happen. I held onto his hand with a pleading expression.

"Whatever you're going to do, I want to see it. I'm fine, so please don't leave me alone. I'm really scared," I said, my face filled with desperation, causing me to fall silent. He seemed even more restless, sweat dampening his face as he brushed off my hand forcefully.

"Then go back to bed. I'll be over here. I don't want to be near you," Gray stated, making me weakly nod. I turned back towards the bed while Gray moved to the corner of the room, hidden in the darkness far from the lamp's light. The sky outside had started to darken as well. I squinted my eyes, imagining only the dark figure of Gray in that corner.

Although the treehouse wasn't very big, the lack of light prevented me from seeing clearly what Gray was actually doing. I was surprised to hear Gray's groans growing louder, wondering if he was in pain.

"Gray, are you okay?" I asked again to make sure.

"Stay there, whatever happens, Aurel. Never come near me, even if I scream in pain," he said, causing me to grip onto the bed's sheets as I sat, feeling a cold draft entering the room. My body shivered, especially with Gray's increasingly intense groans. He truly seemed to be in pain. His groans turned into roars, making me genuinely frightened.

"Gray, I hope you're okay. I'm really scared," I said again, but this time Gray didn't respond. His sounds grew louder, and I began squinting at his shadow. For some reason, the room seemed to be growing darker, and I could feel the atmosphere in that corner becoming more ominous. I couldn't explain the feeling that suddenly came over me. I slowly rose from my seat, my curiosity compelling me to check on Gray, just to make sure he was fine. I needed to confirm it. I began to take hesitant steps forward as Gray's sounds subsided.

"Are you okay? Can you hear me?" I asked again as I slowly approached the dark figure, which was becoming clearer. It was unmistakably Gray's back, turned away from me.

"Gray, maybe we should go home if you're not feeling well. We should get you checked," I suggested, now standing just a few steps away from him.

"I beg you to stay where you are, Aurel," Gray said once more.

"I just want to see you. Are you okay?" I asked once again.

"For now, I'm fine, so please go back to your spot. I don't want to look pitiful in front of you. I'll make sure everything will be okay," Gray responded, leaving me no choice but to turn back and return to the bed.

However, Gray's sounds of distress resumed, even louder this time. He was curled up on the wooden floor, his body trembling violently. I couldn't continue like this.

"Gray, I'm worried about you. Don't scare me," I said, my intent to help him overcoming my fear. I had to see Gray's condition.

But when I approached, what I saw was not Gray's body. It was like a massive, fierce animal. Though not entirely clear, the black silhouette was definitely not human. I was shocked, so much so that I jumped and ended up sitting on the wooden floor. I couldn't even scream. It felt as though someone was choking me, and my legs were too shaky to stand. Gray's earlier sounds of pain now resembled the growls of a wild creature in agony.

I was rendered speechless, blinking back tears. I had no idea what was happening, and slowly, the fierce creature began to emerge from the dark corner. Its glowing gray eyes fixated on me, and I could make out its sharp fangs, drooling with saliva.

It looked ravenous, and my heart raced as I stared at the enormous wolf before me. Its gray fur and ash-colored eyes were unlike any ordinary wolf I'd seen, and its size was overwhelming. I trembled, feeling helpless as it approached, its gaze fixed on me as if it wanted to pounce and devour me right then and there. In that moment, with a racing heart, I could only manage to utter one word.

"Gray."

I said, hoping that Gray, whether in his original form or within the creature, would hear me. At this point, I wasn't sure if I was addressing the wolf-like creature or the essence of Gray within it. But I wanted Gray to know that I was here, watching, and that I recognized him in those eyes.

Slowly, the light in its eyes dimmed, and the creature seemed to retract its fangs, no longer trying to emphasize its danger. It sat down in front of me, no longer staring at me as prey. I wasn't sure what to do in this situation, but my trembling hand moved on its own, reaching out to touch its face. Despite my shaky touch, I continued to stroke its smooth fur. The wolf remained calm, as if it understood that I meant no harm.

"Do you recognize me?" I asked, looking into the eyes of the creature before me. It remained silent, as if wanting to answer my questions.

"I'm fine, Gray. I'm not scared. I was just startled," I reassured him, trying to convey that regardless of his form, I wasn't afraid. Initially, I had been afraid when I thought I was being hunted by those fierce eyes. But now, as Gray looked at me with the same eyes I recognized, I felt a sense of reassurance.