Chapter 280: Recruitment (I)

Chapter 280: Recruitment (I)

In the twilight hours, when the world lay hushed and still, Franceska Mila Rose would often be caught in a restless dance between wakefulness and slumber. The accumulated weariness from the rigorous training with Apacci and Visored would force her to sleep about the whole day on the living room’s couch, leaving her wide awake at night.

Whenever she found herself unable to sleep — which she usually did — she would roll around in the bed, tune into the television, and then take a nap and repeat until the sunlight spilled through the window. Her lusterless night schedule couldn’t fill the gap left in her heart by Kazuya, and to a certain extent, Cirucci. She could understand Kazuya’s absence from her side, but Cirucci... Her old friend had moved into her own room to look after her precious little kittens.

The memory of Cirucci’s departure still stung whenever she found herself alone in her room; it was like a thorn embedded in the proud flesh of her soul.

‘You can stay here with them!’ Mila Rose had pleaded to Cirucci. ‘I won’t eat them, I promise.’

‘Franceska, you don’t stay still when you sleep. You’re gonna crush my kittens if we stay together!’

Mila Rose had tried every trick that day, from throwing a tantrum to acting cutesy. Yet nothing could put a dent in Cirucci’s determination. The fierce adopter of kittens had made it her life’s purpose to protect them.

Suffice to say, Mila Rose would lose most of her cheerfulness without true companionship.

Today, too, she was lying on her bed, hoping to fall asleep watching the most mundane weather recaps of drama shows. Yet even as her eyelids grew heavy, sleep remained just beyond her grasp.

As if summoned by her yearning for companionship, a familiar scent wafted through the open window, carried on by the night breeze. In an instant, Mila Rose’s senses stirred, her nose twitching as she inhaled her true companion’s aroma.

“Kazu!”

“Rose, not here. Anyone on the street can see us.”

“I have done more shameful things with you and Snake,” she said in an assertive voice and gripped his collar. “Do you think I give a fuck now, huh?”

She could drag him back to the sanctuary of her room, a more private place, where the equally passionate Sung-Sun could foil her plans. Or she could give in to the wild urgings of her heart and claim him here.

The stupidly courageous lioness chose the latter.

Recognizing the futility of resistance, Kazuya's hands found their way to her waist. “No, probably not. I’ve taken away all your shame if there was any in the first place.”

She threw her head back and laughed boisterously. “I’m the alpha lioness. How can I lead the pride with you if I shy away from everything?”

He couldn’t help but nod, acknowledging the truth in her words. “Valid reason. I'll let you win this time.”

She had let Cirucci take away her twenty minutes in their last meeting. It would be criminal of him to not give her some bits of happiness.

“I love how my mate puts up zero resistance.” She leaned down and gripped his chin before giving a peck on his lips. “I’ll have so much fun riding you till sunrise~.”

“I don’t have that much time,” Kazuya replied with a gentle smile, tempering her expectations even as desire coursed through him. “Let’s end it in fifteen minutes.”

“Huh?!”