Chapter 91 Chapter 91. A Puppy Held Hostage
Zephyr lifted it out of the box and set it on the floor. The puppy wagged its tail in delight and, as if it knew better, trotted around Zoria, tongue out, trying to lick her leg. Zoria took a step back, afraid she might step on it. But the puppy was fearless, pressing even closer instead. It clearly liked Zoria very much.
Zephyr’s expression softened a little. “See? It really likes you. Let’s raise it together.”
Zoria bit her lip. “I won’t.”
Zephyr’s gaze gradually turned cold. “If you don’t want it, then keeping it is pointless. How about I hand it over to the kitchen and have them roast it?”
A fierce killing intent burst across Zephyr’s face. With a slow, malicious motion, he grabbed the small golden puppy. The puppy whimpered, “grrr, grrr,” its short legs flailing helplessly in the air as it struggled to reach toward Zoria. Its round, bean-like eyes were soaked with tears, pitiful beyond words.
Zoria avoided his gaze and bit down hard on her lip. When she still did not waver, Zephyr called the server back.
“Take this dog away. Skin it and roast it.”
The server hesitated, caught in an awkward bind. “Sir, we can’t—”
Zephyr’s eyes turned icy. He pulled a black card from his wallet and tossed it onto the table. “How much?”
“I—no…”
Zephyr shoved the puppy straight into the server’s arms. “Go.”
The server trembled as he clutched the puppy, stealing a pleading glance at Zoria. Cradled against his chest, the puppy seemed to sense that its fate had already been sealed. It opened its mouth and let out a piercing cry, thrashing wildly as it tried to leap down.
The server hesitated for a brief moment, but the oppressive presence of someone who always sat above everyone else like Zephyr left him no courage to disobey. He was just about to turn and leave with the puppy when a voice suddenly called out from behind. He let out a silent breath of relief.
A flicker of reluctance finally surfaced in Zoria’s eyes. Zephyr knew exactly where her weakness lay, just as she knew how cruel he could be. If he said he would roast the dog, then he truly meant it.
Zoria could not bear to watch a small life be taken right in front of her. She stepped forward and took the puppy from the server’s arms. The taut string in her heart finally loosened.
The golden-furred puppy licked the back of Zoria’s hand, leaving behind a smear of drool. It tickled, and she could not help but laugh softly as she held it carefully against her chest, afraid that even a moment’s carelessness might make it fall.
Zephyr moved in behind her, as if naturally. His long arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her firmly against him. The tip of his nose brushed the back of her neck, the place where an Omega’s scent glands were most delicate. His voice was low and hoarse, coaxing. “Let’s raise it together. Keep it by your side to keep you company.”
Zoria frowned, but in the end she nodded. Zephyr’s lips curved upward, pleased as though he had just claimed a prize. He bent down and kissed her, greedily drawing in the sweetness from her lips.
In truth, Zephyr did not like dogs. He hated dirt. The first time he had bought one, it had only been to please Zoria, to make her fall for him. And now, once again, he was using a dog to win her over. He could not help thinking how nice it would be if everything stayed the same as before, if nothing had changed.
Zoria would get pregnant and obediently stay home, waiting for him.
“What should we name it?” Zephyr sat beside Zoria, teasing the puppy with his finger.
“Hamburger.” Zoria stroked its fluffy head, murmuring as if to herself.
Zephyr chuckled softly and pinched the tip of her nose. “You little glutton.”
Then he followed her lead, rubbing the puppy’s belly and calling it by name. “Hamburger.”
Hamburger opened its mouth and stuck out its tongue, its bean-black eyes sparkling, looking as though it were smiling.
When they got home, Zephyr went to take a shower. Zoria turned the gift box into a makeshift nest for Hamburger. In the unfamiliar surroundings, the puppy became even more restless, wagging its tail and scratching at the cardboard box, refusing to sleep.
Zephyr stepped out of the bathroom and immediately saw Zoria squatting on the floor, playing with the puppy. He approached her quietly from behind. With her head lowered, a stretch of smooth white neck was exposed; her collar was slightly loose, revealing the soft lines of her collarbones.
For some reason, Zephyr’s throat went dry. His Alpha instincts surged, and he wanted nothing more than to tear everything apart and swallow his Omega whole, right then and there.
Sensing the burning gaze behind her, Zoria pressed a hand lightly on Hamburger’s head. When she turned around, she caught Zephyr licking his lips.
“Zoria, stop teasing it. Let’s go to bed.” His pale violet eyes carried an unmistakable invitation.
He wanted her badly, but he still remembered Dr. Luke’s warning. He did not dare act recklessly, afraid of harming her body. Still, at the very least, he wanted to hold her while they slept tonight.
Ever since the miscarriage, Zoria had always slept separately from him, never giving him a chance to get close. Today he had done so much for her—taking her to the amusement park, watching a movie, even giving her a puppy. Surely she would soften toward him a little, wouldn’t she?
But just as the thought crossed his mind, Zoria scooped Hamburger up into her arms, walked past Zephyr, and headed straight for the bedroom.
Zephyr froze for a beat, then slowly leaned in close, lowering his voice by her ear as he coaxed, “Zoria, put it down. You must be exhausted today. Let me give you a massage.”
“No need.” Zoria refused coldly. She did not wait for him to say anything else and quickly walked into the bedroom. Her attitude made it painfully clear to Zephyr: she would rather sleep holding a dog than sleep with him.