Chapter 45 A Husband To Kiss

"Are you going to leave before greeting your husband?" Killorn murmured in her ears, his voice deeper than usual.

Ophelia's heart skipped. He sounded irritated. She could smell the musk of his morning training. She wetted her bottom lips, for it had a surprisingly pleasant scent. One of his arms dug into her waist, but he also rested a palm on her stomach.

"H-hi."

Killorn narrowed his eyes. "That's it?"

"G-good morning…?"

Killorn sharply exhaled. He slid his palm up her throat, but kept on hand on her belly. He was bewildered by the strange and hard material underneath his palm. What the hell was that?

"Where's my morning kiss, Ophelia?"

Ophelia's cheeks burned. She was astonished by how shameless he was. He didn't seem ashamed by the request, even with Cora present. In the corner of her eyes, she saw the Head Housekeeper bow and quietly excuse herself.

"Y-you are t-tall…" Ophelia finally elaborated.

Her lashes fluttered when she made eye contact with him, for he was forcing her head back. She felt her stomach churn. His handsome face was darkened with shadows that made his eyes glint with danger. She was breathless by his exquisite features. He had a strong nose, but crooked from a fight, thick brows, mouth that did wonders to her body, and a sharp jawline.

Killorn was what people must've envisioned gods to look like. Ophelia had never seen a man more magnetizing than him.

"Is that an excuse, Ophelia?"

"I-its the t-truth," Ophelia whispered, unable to find it in herself to deny him.

Ophelia wondered if it was too late. Her hands trembled at the initiation. She had rarely made the first move. What if she kissed him and her rogue rubbed off? He'd be irritated. What if she let saliva on his cheek? He'd be disgusted. Her lips trembled at the idea.

"You're upset again. What's bothering you?" Killorn demanded in a dangerously calm voice.

Ophelia's heart skipped. She wished he was the kind of man to violently show his anger. She heard the one that kept their composure was the most frightening. They were unpredictable and calculating. Her husband was that type.

"I-I worry t-that you will h-hate my k-kiss."

"Nonsense. You're just creating an excuse."

"I-I do not d-dare."

Ophelia softly frowned. His grip tightened on her neck. She thought he'd crush her. She trembled, worried for her esophagus. He was a powerful man with large hands that overtook her face.

"Then kiss me, Ophelia."

'Why don't you ever kiss me?' she nearly retorted.

Instead, Ophelia shakily turned around. He dropped his hands and waited for her. She was terrified of displeasing him. Thus, she touched her mouth and began to rub at the rogue. Immediately, his rough hand grabbed her thin wrist.

"What are you doing?" Killorn snarled. "You—"

Ophelia kissed him on the cheek. He froze. Her mouth lingered, her legs shaking from being on her tippy-toes. She rested a hand on his face for balance. Her heart skipped in her chest. Then, she kissed his other one. Immediately, she sank her face into his chest in embarrassment.

Killorn was rigid as a rock. He was momentarily awestruck, for the sensation was strange. He felt a bizarre stir in his chest, but not from her. By reflex, he slid his palm over her lower spine, keeping her in the embrace.

"Again," Killorn commanded.

Ophelia was red as a tomato. She hid her face deeper against his hard body. She was amazed by his vigorous exercise. Training since dawn? Was he not exhausted? Especially after slaying even more monsters.

"Again, Ophelia."

Ophelia could die on the spot. Instead of responding, she wrapped her arms around his needy body and hugged him tightly. He exhaled slowly and bent his head. She felt his lips press on the crown of her hair. Then, he let out a small groan, his voice lowering.

"Kiss me more, my lovely wife. It is not enough." He softened his tone as a new technique.

"Y-you're keeping c-count?"

"Yes."

Ophelia was so embarrassed, she could cry. She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. He had the tone of a child asking for more cookies. She found it difficult to deny him, but was too much of a traditional woman.

Ophelia was raised to not make the first move—to always let the men approach. She was raised far too modest for her own good, not to mention, her Papa always warned her to not give more than requested.

"My lovely wife," Killorn softly said, nuzzling his nose upon her hair. She smelled divine. He intended to get what they didn't do in the night and morning—even if it was on these walls.

Killorn was a possessive man. He refused to share. Only he was allowed to see her panting face, to hear her soft cries, no one else can. His men were watching, he could feel their curious stress, even if the couple was hidden by the shadows of the hallways.

"What brings you to this place?" Killorn finally asked, deciding he'd steal more kisses from her in bed. When she had nowhere to run and he was buried inside of her warmth, he'll ask for her mouth. He was quite proud of the idea.

'I wanted to see you.' Ophelia was surprised by the very idea.

"I w-was touring the c-castle, a-and wanted to a-assess the t-training grounds," Ophelia admitted.

"You shouldn't worry, I handle this part of the castle, including the wall and towns. The training center utilizes a very particular kind of weapons and styles, it will bore you."

Ophelia's shoulders dropped in disappointment. She tried to not show it, but she did hope he'd have enough trust in her.

"D-does that m-mean you'll s-stay in the c-castle?" Ophelia whispered. "Y-you won't g-go off to battle?"

Killorn's expression hardened. "All Alphas serve the responsibility of handling their pack as a Commander would of an army. I've been awarded the title when I became Swordmaster."

Ophelia's heart fell.

"I command the Mavez militia. There is no cry for help we dismiss," Killorn reminded her.

Ophelia's lips trembled. She couldn't imagine the idea of parting from him for two years again. Was he going to leave her in this house to rot? Was that why he was so insistent on doing it more than once? So that he could get his heir pumped into her as soon as possible?

"B-but you are a D-Duke, and y-you have a Duchery t-to manage."

"I am only a Duke in name and title, Ophelia. The battlefield is where me and my men belong. We're werewolves, warriors of the nation, you shouldn't expect us to stay still." his voice darkened. The atmosphere around them turned icy.

"W-what about m—" Ophelia cut herself off.

How selfish Ophelia was to tie down her husband? She didn't dare to argue with him further. In his eyes, she has just damaged property. What use would he have of a stutter wife, except keeping her locked up in the castle to manage it?

Ophelia's heart fell all the way to her stomach. So that was his intention, to go off to battle and never see her again. To never hear her irritating voice or laid eyes on the woman he failed to protect.

With all these emotions washed over her, Ophelia reacted the way she once did in her youth—she shut down. Her face blanked over.

"I know our merchant trading route brings in good money and I have made stellar investments in the past, but slaying monsters and fighting is all I've ever known. You have to understand me, Ophelia."

To Ophelia, who was raised since birth to obey, how could she ever find it in herself to disagree with him? So, her arms dropped limply by her side and she said nothing else.

Ophelia didn't dare to.

Her husband made his decision, and she was to not oppose it.

"I'm departing for the empire in two days," Killorn informed her. "Everest sent his messenger bird."

Ophelia gawked in disbelief. Already?! "B-but you just returned… D-doesn't your people need you? Y-your Alpha, s-so…" "

"I came back just now to personally oversee the training, make adjustments to everything, and then, I will be leaving," Killorn stated. "I have been like this for the past two years. No one dares to attack the training centers for the empire's military men, so the Mavez Pack is always secured and can function well without my presence for half a week."

"A-and then you'll come back?" Ophelia eagerly asked. She realized her abduction to the auction house must've caused huge problems.

Killorn tilted his head, wondering why she seemed so concerned. "Yes, I try to come back from the empire at least once a week."

Ophelia's heart fell. Did that mean she could only see her husband as little as once a week if she was lucky to see him before he ran off to give instructions on how the pack can run smoothly? Was the empire that greedy they'd have to take their military Commander away from teaching the new soldiers?

What exactly was going on with the empire?

"Don't make that sullen face." Killorn reached for her, but she pulled away. He immediately frowned.

"A-are you going off to war then?"

"There might be one brewing," Killorn agreed with a slight nod of his head. "It's why I must head back to the empire more often than usual."

Ophelia was frightened beyond words. She had just reunited with him for a few weeks, and he was already leaving her for another battle.

"I-I wish to be a-alone…" Without another word, Ophelia turned. She heard his heavy footsteps following behind her. She quickened her pace. So did he. Suddenly, she broke into a run, earning a growl from him.

"Where are you going?" Killorn easily caught up to her. He grabbed her by the waist, hugging her tightly from behind. "

Anywhere but near you.

Ophelia pressed her lips together. "D-don't you have m-men to train?"

"Don't you have a husband to kiss goodbye?" he retorted.

Ophelia spun around, stood on her toes, and kissed him on the face. He was caught off-guard, his grip loosening. Immediately, she took off, turning one corner after the other. She left him in the dust, unable to look at him after he blatantly placed his duties over his people.

Ophelia could never admit that she was fine with him abandoning her in the castle. When will he ever return from another war campaign? A week? A month? A year? Half a decade? She heard of men who never sent word back home. It is through the mouth of the townspeople does a wife discover she's a widow.

Ophelia was worried she was going to become a widow soon.