Marked by Her Scent

Chapter 4 Lick Her Fingers

Surely no one in this world could resist the fluffy charm of a spirit form.

Take Silas's Black Belgian Malinois, for example. It had a perfect build, a coat so black it gleamed. It didn't shed, didn't leave any waste, had no odor—and even when it licked you, no sticky drool came with it.

It was the ultimate stress-relief tool.

Iris absolutely adored it. So during that dog-walking session, she pet it to her heart's content. By the time she got back, she felt a little guilty. Fortunately, the Malinois dissipated on its own once they reached the kennel—she didn't have to return it to Silas personally.

She thought letting her walk his spirit had been a one-time whim. But the next morning, the Malinois showed up at the kennel even before she did.

It sat there like the undisputed boss. Behind it, the three normally proud Alaskan Malamutes cowered in perfect obedience, wearing the most pitiful expressions.

Iris didn't know whether to laugh or cry. So triple the pay wasn't for free. I might be walking four dogs from now on.

That was fine. With the Malinois around, the three big dogs behaved so well that her job actually got easier.

After finishing the dogs, Iris headed to Grandma Emily's. Unluckily for her, she ran into that Alpha again in the elevator that afternoon. The small space was thick with the smell of gunpowder and smoke.

She pressed herself into the corner, pretending not to see or hear him. The Alpha stood with his back to her, apparently sharing the same strategy.

Iris let out a quiet sigh of relief. Then, the next second—

She was suddenly pressed against the elevator wall by a warm, heavy force, barely able to move.

What the—

She reached out. Her hands met thick, heavy fur.

She craned her neck upward.

"…"

Wait. Could someone please explain why a polar bear had suddenly appeared inside the elevator?

Her brain short-circuited for a second. Then it clicked: this had to be the Alpha's spirit form.

Dude, releasing something this massive in an elevator is just uncalled for. I'm being squeezed to death here.

Just as she was about to speak, the enormous polar bear shrank—and dropped. Iris's body moved faster than her thoughts. She caught it instinctively.

Now the spirit, no bigger than a kitten, rested easily in her palms.

The tiny polar bear rolled around happily in her hands, then stuck out a pink little tongue and licked her fingers.

The tiny barbs on its tongue scraped against her skin. Iris shivered violently.

She had no idea how to react. She looked at the Alpha, stammering, "This—you—"

Gabriel's tongue tingled. His voice came out even rougher than before. "Sorry."

He shot the polar bear a look. The spirit reluctantly jumped from Iris's hands and landed on the floor, growing until it stood as tall as she did. Then, utterly shameless, it leaned against her.

Iris took a step. The polar bear took a step.

She moved again. It followed.

She was backed into the corner—about to brush against Gabriel himself—when the elevator doors mercifully opened.

First floor.

Iris bolted.

The polar bear started after her, but Gabriel recalled it just in time.

He watched her flee until the doors closed again.

Then he braced one hand against the elevator wall, head bowed, shoulders shaking. The car filled with the sound of his rough, labored breathing.

The elevator reached B1. Gabriel didn't get out. Instead, he pressed the button for the eighth floor.

He lived on eight. Nine was Grandma Emily's apartment, right above his.

He knew of Grandma Emily—an elderly woman with limited mobility. Her children worked in the Capital District and rarely visited, so a caregiver usually looked after her. He'd been away for two months on a mission. When he came back, he noticed the caregiver had changed.

His hearing was sharp. Sounds from upstairs drifted down to him often. He'd heard the old woman call her Iris.

He'd also heard her say goodbye. So he'd deliberately waited outside the elevator to "run into" her.

Only this time, he hadn't been able to control his spirit. Or maybe, deep down, he hadn't wanted to.

Gabriel felt a twinge of regret. Because he'd discovered something dangerous: being close to Iris actually soothed his restless instincts.

And an Alpha desperately in need of comfort?

That's an addiction waiting to happen.