The other young wolves didn’t join in to gang up on anyone. Instead, their gazes were fixed on the little Mixed Breed in the tub, who was secretly trying to gather her clothes.
Just as they were about to approach her, they heard their leader shout:
"Attention! All of you, face the wall and stand straight!"
The young wolves were all stunned, but their bodies subconsciously obeyed the pack leader’s command, striding over to the wall to stand at attention.
Vine added, "Get dressed and hold your breath!"
The young wolves were confused, but they did as they were told.
’Could a Mimic Mixed Species have really snuck in?’ they all wondered silently.
’Otherwise, why would there be that kind of smell?’
’But sniffing carefully, it doesn’t quite seem like it...’
Gu Ning, who was struggling to pull on her clothes in the water, jumped in fright at Vine’s stern, deafening voice.
’What’s happening?! What’s happening?!’
’Barto, where the hell are you!’
Gu Ning was about to lift the clothes from her head to see what was going on, but in the next second, a strong arm reached into the tub, wrapped around her waist, and lifted her out.
Gu Ning froze for a moment, then pulled the clothes away to be met with a handsome, cold face.
"..."
Her pupils dilated in shock for two seconds before she shot up like a startled rabbit.
’HOLY SHIT SHIT SHIT!!!’
’I’m naked!!!’
Gu Ning struggled, jumping twice, but Vine’s arm held her like a steel band. Even when she straightened her body, she couldn’t break free in the slightest.
Vine took a deep breath, held her still, and pulled the clothes hanging over her head down, stuffing them between their pressed-together bodies. He suppressed his tone and said, "Don’t move! I’m getting you out of here."
"Barto!" Gu Ning couldn’t stay calm.
A red shadow shot out from the thick steam, grabbing Vine’s arm and using leverage to pull him to the ground.
Afraid of injuring the young female in his arms, Vine suppressed his instincts and let his entire back crash onto the floor.
The moment he hit the ground, the bathroom door was thrown open, and the lights went out.
Gu Ning didn’t know how she escaped Vine’s grasp. Clutching the clothes, she hastily wrapped them around herself and scrambled toward the door. After just a couple of steps, her feet slipped. Just as she was about to fall, a long, slender arm reached out in time and scooped her up.
Terrified out of her wits, Gu Ning thrashed in the Beastman’s arms.
"It’s me."
Hearing Alex’s familiar voice, Gu Ning clung to him like an octopus.
Alex quickly took off his coat and wrapped it around Gu Ning, carrying her out without a backward glance.
.
Alex carried Gu Ning to the second floor and pushed open the door to the room next to hers.
"It’s okay now."
Alex closed the door, turned on the living room light, and soothingly patted the young female.
The noise around Gu Ning quieted, and her taut nerves finally began to relax.
She hugged Alex’s neck and looked around the room. "This is?"
Alex replied, "The room next to yours. I prepared it for myself."
He didn’t hide anything, but Gu Ning only understood the gist of it.
She let out a breath and slumped listlessly on Alex’s shoulder.
’Honestly, I haven’t had a single day of peace in Zone 19.’
Alex held her patiently, patting her back gently again and again, letting her recover.
After a while, Alex whispered warmly in her ear, "You’re still wet. I’ll find you some clothes to change into, okay?"
Listening to his slow, gentle voice, Gu Ning answered softly.
Alex set her down on the sofa. He wrapped a blanket around her, placed a heater in front of her, and pressed a cup of hot water into her hands before turning and heading into the bedroom.
Gu Ning took a couple of sips of hot water and looked around Alex’s new place.
It wasn’t much different from his previous place.
Even though it was right next door, she felt as if she’d never seen Alex use the room. Perhaps he was always busy until late at night, and their paths just never crossed.
Not even two minutes later, Alex came out with a set of clothes.
"Change into these." He placed a pair of fuzzy slippers at Gu Ning’s feet and handed her the clothes.
Gu Ning looked down at the cute slippers, which had two little pom-poms on them, set down her cup, and took the clothes, jogging into the bedroom to change.
She had initially thought they would be Alex’s own clothes, but after putting them on, she discovered they fit her perfectly.
Moreover, it was a white, fluffy, winter pajama set with a rabbit-eared hood. The overall style even matched the fuzzy slippers on her feet.
Gu Ning looked down at the clothes on her in astonishment, feeling the fabric again and again.
’The material is so soft and comfortable.’
’Where did Alex get such perfectly fitting clothes?’
"CLANG—"
A muffled thud came from outside the door.
Gu Ning paused. She walked out of the bedroom, stood at the corner, and peeked toward the entrance. Vine’s tall figure was blocking the doorway, looking like a debt collector.