Free Web NovelChapter 41: Chapter 41 Just One Second
"I will investigate your identity, why you appeared in my territory, why you tried to abduct me, and everything you’ve told me." Every sentence became heavier than the last, and his sharp gaze remained fixed on her face as his voice dropped another degree. "If I discover that you’ve lied, or that you’ve come here with ulterior motives, I will personally rip your throat out."
Xue Yao instinctively covered her neck as a chill ran down her spine. For some reason, she believed every single word. This wolf was absolutely capable of doing it. She swallowed hard before forcing a stiff smile onto her face.
"I... don’t have any ulterior motives. I really don’t."
Lie Lang said nothing, and the silence made her even more nervous.
"...I also don’t plan on abducting you again."
His expression remained cold, so she quickly added, "...Probably." The moment his eyebrow twitched, she immediately waved both hands. "I mean definitely! Definitely!"
Only then did the frightening pressure around him lessen slightly. Lie Lang turned away from her and walked toward the opposite side of the large bed. Without another word, he removed the outer layer of his leather cloak before placing it neatly over a nearby chair.
"We leave this room after sunrise," he said before sitting down on the very edge of the bed, leaving almost the entire mattress for her. "Sleep."
Xue Yao stared at him blankly. "...Just like that?"
He didn’t answer. Instead, he simply lay down on the outermost edge of the bed with his back facing her before closing his eyes.
Xue Yao remained sitting exactly where she was. Sleep? How could she possibly sleep beside someone who had threatened to rip out her throat not once, not twice, but three different times? She glanced at Lie Lang’s broad back before quietly shifting farther away.
’What if he suddenly changes his mind in the middle of the night? What if wolves sleepwalk? What if his claws come out while he’s dreaming?’ She immediately imagined herself waking up to find her head rolling across the floor and shuddered. ’No. I absolutely refuse to sleep.’
She folded her arms stubbornly. "I’m not sleeping."
Lie Lang didn’t even open his eyes. "Suit yourself."
The room gradually became quiet. Outside, the night breeze gently brushed against the windows, while the moonlight stretched across the wooden floor.
One minute passed, then another, then another. Xue Yao continued sitting upright with the determination of someone preparing for battle, but unfortunately, her body had very different plans.
A yawn escaped before she could stop it, and she quickly slapped both cheeks. ’Stay awake.’ Another minute passed. Her eyelids slowly drooped, and she slapped herself again. ’I haven’t slept properly since arriving here...’
Between escaping through the forest, being imprisoned, worrying about Honghong, cooking rabbits, arguing with wolves, and getting dragged around by arrogant maids, she genuinely couldn’t remember the last time she had enjoyed a proper night’s sleep.
The bed beneath her was surprisingly soft. Not as soft as the one back home, but soft enough that every exhausted muscle in her body quietly relaxed. She secretly looked toward Lie Lang. He hadn’t moved once, and his breathing remained slow and even.
’Maybe... I’ll just close my eyes for one second... only one second.’ A strange sense of déjà vu quietly surfaced inside her heart. It felt oddly familiar, almost as though she had made this exact promise before. She frowned faintly. ’Have I... said that before?’ The thought came and went so quickly that she didn’t dwell on it. ’Just one second...’
She slowly leaned back against the pillow, and her eyelids closed. Almost instantly, a soft snore echoed through the quiet room.
Lie Lang’s eyes slowly opened. He turned his head slightly toward the sleeping human and stared at her in silence. She had actually fallen asleep within seconds. His gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he silently closed his eyes again, but peace lasted less than half a minute before something heavy landed across his waist.
Lie Lang opened one eye. Xue Yao’s leg now rested comfortably on top of him. Without a word, he lifted it away and placed it back on her side of the bed before closing his eyes again.
Three breaths later, an elbow struck him squarely in the ribs. His eyelid twitched, and very slowly, he pushed her arm away. Surely that would be the end of it.
Unfortunately, five seconds later, a heel slammed directly into his thigh. Lie Lang inhaled sharply. He reminded himself she was human. He reminded himself she was useful. He reminded himself the elders were probably still watching.
Just as he managed to calm himself, Xue Yao suddenly rolled over, and her fist shot forward without warning. A perfectly aimed uppercut landed squarely against his jaw, sending his body tilting sideways before he was unceremoniously shoved straight off the bed. He landed heavily on the wooden floor, and silence filled the room.
Very slowly, Lie Lang stood up. The veins on his forehead throbbed, and a dangerous growl rumbled deep within his chest as razor-sharp claws slowly extended from his fingertips. His golden eyes burned with murderous intent while he stared at the sleeping human, who remained completely unaware of what she had just done.
She even smacked her lips before hugging the blanket tighter. Lie Lang closed his eyes, took one slow breath, then another. He repeated to himself over and over that killing her now would only create more trouble.
When he finally opened his eyes again, the murderous look inside them had disappeared, replaced by nothing but exhausted resignation.
In all the centuries he had lived, he had never met a female this crazy, nor one this utterly unruly.
He closed his eyes before walking towards the wooden chair. He glanced towards the bed again before lowering himself to sit down. He relaxed one of his elbows on the chair’s armrest to support his head.
He closed his eyes. ’Why do I feel she is going to bring me nothing but endless trouble.’
