The next day, Nelly woke up and saw an arm resting on her body.
At the same time, she could feel someone's body tightly pressed against her back. That was when she looked over her shoulder and found Alpha Kilian hugging her from behind while sleeping soundly.
The man kept himself close to her. Stray strands of hair fell loosely in front of his forehead, giving him a messy yet attractive look. His nose was sharp, and his facial features had a sense of indescribable graciousness.
As Nelly fixed her eyes on him, her gaze gradually softened. Unknowingly, she quirked her lips into a smile. The aura she exuded was gentle.
Then, she reached out to stroke his facial features. However, a pucker appeared between her eyebrows as she used her fingers to move the hair strands away from his forehead.
There were heavy and light bruises and wounds all over his forehead as well as his face. Alpha Kilian must have gotten injured last night. Who could have possibly hurt him?
While Nelly was spacing out, she accidentally tapped on Alpha Kilian 's eyelid, which woke him up. He moved slightly and opened his eyes.
Their eyes met.
It was evident that he was still half-asleep. Gazing at her with sleepy eyes, he voiced lazily, “Good morning, Nelly .”
Nelly looked at him and responded in a low voice, “I must have woken you up.”
“No, you didn't,” Alpha Kilian said in a hoarse voice, tightening his arms around her. With his chin resting on the top of her head, he nuzzled her gently as if he wanted to cling to her forever.
Nelly could smell the faint woody scent combined with the smell of antiseptic from his body. “You're injured!” she voiced abruptly.
Still holding her in his embrace, Alpha Kilian replied nonchalantly, “It's nothing serious.” The man was not at all bothered by his injuries.
Nelly wanted to say something. Her lips moved for a bit, but she held her tongue eventually.
In an attempt to get up from the bed, she budged a little.
Then, Alpha Kilian uttered, “Nelly , stop moving around, or I can't sleep in.” There was a hint of suppressed emotion in his tone.
“I'll get up now so that you can have a good rest,” murmured Nelly .
“No. I only sleep better with you in my arms,” he replied. With that, he held her tightly and nestled his head against her neck. By the end of his sentence, his magnetic voice carried a touch of hoarseness, deepening further. It was a perfect blend of laziness and elegance, rendering it impossible for her to resist him.
Since he had behaved in such a way, she could say nothing in refusal. Instead, she stopped moving around and let him hug her to sleep just like that.
Nelly , already feeling somnolent, somehow drifted to sleep as she lay unmovingly in Alpha Kilian 's embrace.
The sun was out by the time she awoke again.
Nelly checked the time and realized that it was already eleven. No signs of Alpha Kilian could be seen on the bed.
Her brows drew together. Just as she got up from the bed, the door was pushed open from the outside, and in came Alpha Kilian .
At that moment, he had changed into a new set of clothes. The man looked invigorated, unlike his sluggish self from a while ago.
Alpha Kilian walked in her direction. Looking at Nelly , he asked, “You're awake?” His voice sounded gentle as always.
In response, she nodded with a bemused expression. “When did you wake up? I didn't even realize it.”
Her reaction evoked a chuckle from him. “I woke up long ago. I didn't want to wake you up since you were sleeping so soundly.”
As he spoke, he placed the things he was carrying on the table. “You woke up right on time to eat.” Nelly frowned. “I just woke up. Do I have to eat now?”
“The food is still hot. How about you go wash up first?” Alpha Kilian suggested.
She sighed in resignation and replied, “All right.” After standing up, however, she did not head to the bathroom immediately. Instead, she walked toward her and bored her eyes into his as she asked, “How do you feel? Are you okay?”
“Me? What's wrong with me?”
All of a sudden, Nelly leaned forward. Staring at the wounds on his face, she furrowed her brows and stroked them. “Does it hurt?”
When Alpha Kilian heard her question, a smile touched his lips, and he replied, “Yes, it hurts.” He fixed his gaze on her before continuing, “Are you going to reward me for my painful injuries?”
“Reward?”
“A reward such as a kiss. It won't hurt anymore if you kiss me.” His words rendered Nelly speechless.
Alpha Kilian chuckled, his handsome and fair face lighting up with delight. At that moment, he gave out a regal bearing.
“It seems like you're not in pain anymore,” she said.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his embrace. “No, it hurts.” The next instant, Nelly held his face and stood on tiptoes to kiss his wounds.
His gaze was tender as he looked at her. “Do you feel better now?” she asked.
“Yes.” Alpha Kilian 's eyes were still on her as he nodded.
Nelly looked at him and beamed. Nonetheless, her bright eyes seemed to be brimming with worry. “Are you not going to ask me about last night?” he asked, staring at her.
“There must be something that you need to do. It's fine if you don't want to talk about it. You must have your reasons,” she voiced.
Alpha Kilian lowered his eyes and fixated his intent gaze on her. “Nelly , I promise to tell you everything after the matter ends.”