The Cursed Beast Caught My Leash - Chapter 88

Stella pushed back the hood of her soaking-wet cloak and stepped inside the tower.

Though only a day had passed since she had been sent away, the warmth of the space had already dissipated. The room was cold and desolate, swallowed by the darkness brought by the torrential rain. The fireplace no longer needed lighting, and all the candles had been extinguished.

Leaving wet footprints on the cold floor, Stella headed for the top floor. Her steps showed no trace of fear or hesitation as she ascended the stairs.

When she finally entered his bedroom, Islay was sitting by the window.

Had he seen her approaching through the downpour? His downward gaze remained fixed beyond the window. Between his fingers, a cigarette emitted pale, wispy smoke. He occasionally brought it to his lips, taking deep drags and exhaling long streams of smoke.

After repeating the action a few more times, Islay shifted his gaze to where Stella stood. The sound of the relentless rain filling the silence between them was all that bridged the gap.

“…You really don’t listen, do you?”

His muttered words were more to himself than to her. There was no reproach in his tone for her defiance in coming to the tower despite his warning.

“Don’t do this, Estella.”

Stella didn’t answer. Instead, she removed her rain-soaked cloak. A faint shiver ran through her shoulders as the chill finally seeped in. Though she hadn’t felt it while walking across the courtyard, the rain had drained her body of warmth.

Watching her with a complicated expression, Islay began to speak but fell silent, his gaze landing on her pale, trembling lips.

Stella softly approached him, walking toward the window where he sat. She extended her arms and wrapped them around his neck, resting her cheek against his broad chest. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply, taking in his familiar scent.

As expected, Islay didn’t reject her. Nor could he ignore her as she clung to him. He wrapped one arm around her trembling back, lifting her onto his lap.

Stella exhaled a shallow breath, nestling her face into the crook of his neck. Like a child seeking comfort, she rubbed her cheek against him, tickling his skin with her nose. His deep, musky scent enveloped her.

His large hand cradled the back of her head, gently stroking her hair. His touch, as always, was slow and tender as his fingers slipped between her delicate strands.

How wonderful it would be to feel his warmth for the rest of her life. To embrace him whenever she wanted, to savor the firm texture of his skin, to breathe in his heavy scent.

Her closed eyelids slowly lifted. Tilting her chin, she locked eyes with him at close range. His hand, which had been caressing her hair, moved to cup her flushed cheek.

“I love you.”

This time, her confession was not pitiful. At least, Stella believed it wasn’t.

Her voice didn’t tremble, her eyes brimmed with love, and her heart beat lightly against his chest. This was a love she wouldn’t regret, no matter how many times she looked back on it.

Islay said nothing. The sound of rain against the window filled the heavy silence. At least the noise spared him the discomfort of an awkward reply.

“You don’t have to say anything.”

She didn’t need to hear his feelings voiced aloud.

“Because I know you love me.”

A clear smile broke through her pale complexion. Had she ever felt so certain of anything before? This might have been the first time. The realization filled her heart to the brim.

Stella’s fingertips traced his face. She touched his sharp jawline, the curve of his ear, and the faint veins visible on his neck, caressing him with all the affection he had shown her.

Slowly, she lifted her head. Islay instinctively pulled back slightly, as if caught in a traumatic flashback. Stella, careful not to alarm him, gradually closed the gap between them. Their breaths mingled, and their lips met in a soft kiss.

The contact lasted only a moment. As she pulled back, Stella searched his eyes, then leaned in again. She pressed her lips against his softly, letting her breath scatter as a quiet sound escaped. Twice, three times, she repeated the same gentle kiss.

At some point, his arm around her tightened, and the kiss deepened. His lips parted, allowing him to graze her moist inner mouth. Without a moment to breathe, their saliva mingled, and their breaths intertwined. Islay kissed her with such desperation, as if he wouldn’t be able to breathe if he pulled away from her.

The kiss grew rougher, his grip on her jaw firm as their mouths locked more passionately. Despite the airlessness of the embrace, Stella didn’t pull away. Wrapping her arms around his head, she urged him closer, pleading for more.

It was then she felt his hardness press against her through her lower body.

Islay abruptly broke the kiss, his forehead pressed against hers as he panted heavily. His ragged breaths sounded like those of a boy experiencing such feelings for the first time, struggling to suppress the overwhelming desire surging through him.

Stella’s gaze dropped before meeting his again. He averted his eyes, turning his face away.

“Stop.”

“Islay.”

“No, stop it now.”

Despite his firm tone, Stella remained seated on top of him, unmoving. Islay couldn’t bring himself to push her away as she clung to him gently.

“It’s okay.”

Stella brought her feverish lips, slightly bitten, to his in a short kiss.

“I just want us to create as many memories as possible. Like lovers do.”

“……”

“Do you understand what I mean? They call this act of sharing love.”

Stella gazed deeply into his eyes, which wavered between reason and desire, and kissed him repeatedly.

“So, if it’s you, everything is fine.”

There was no need for long explanations. She truly meant it. Even if he hurt her, even if he held her tightly in his rough grasp and stirred her to her depths, she would be fine.

She understood the emotions behind his desires, and she could accept them. More than anything, she desperately wished he would cast aside his guilt.

She could feel his excitement in the breaths he couldn’t hide, carried on the proximity between them. Islay, whose chest heaved deeply, lifted Stella into his arms. Even on the short walk to the bed just a few steps away, their kisses didn’t break.

Laying her on the bed, his every touch became more urgent. As he undressed her, his teeth grazed her trembling shoulder, and his hands gripped her chest with a hunger that spoke volumes. Before she could lift her hips, her undergarments were torn apart, reduced to tatters.

His hands, incapable of controlling their strength, were already veined and darkened. The muscles along his arms and shoulders bulged as if alive, and his ragged breathing no longer sounded human.

Lying on the heat-soaked bed, Stella let out a stream of soft moans. Even as Islay rubbed her to the point of blurring the contours of her sensitive peak, she didn’t whisper a word of pain.

When his fingers insistently pressed into her damp entrance, she only clenched the sheets in her trembling hands, her thin thighs quivering. Even as his mouth enveloped her swollen chest, she bit her lower lip hard. She didn’t dare show any sign of pain, fearing he might pull away.

As the sensations overwhelming her body persisted, a sudden electric jolt ran down her spine. Heat gathered low in her abdomen, simmering. Her moans carried faint traces of excitement as they slipped from her lips.

“Ah, ah…”

Just as she began to climb toward the peak of pleasure, his fingers withdrew. The sudden absence left her aching with disappointment, especially since she hadn’t expected what came next. Islay spread her legs wide and plunged himself deeply inside her.

“……!”

The heavy, thick intrusion reached the very end of her inexperienced interior. The sensation of tender flesh being stretched open was vividly sharp, leaving Stella’s lips parted in a silent cry. The tight space expanded to its limit in an instant.

“Ah…!”

She had no time to prepare as the pain furrowed her brow. The thick, hard flesh pressed against her deepest wall, its outline visible against her flattened stomach as it repeatedly entered and withdrew. Each movement brought with it an unbearable ache.

“Estella.”

Her vision darkened as she let out a soundless moan, her mind blank. Then, like a flicker of light piercing her darkness, she blinked in response to his voice. Leaning down, he exhaled warm, uneven breaths against her ear.

“…Estella.”

His desperate voice burrowed into her ears. Looking up through tear-filled eyes, she met his gaze. The pupils in his crimson eyes contracted and dilated, flickering with intensity.