Chapter 3

Asher's burning heat transferred straight through my skin.

My shifter magic automatically activated, flowing through our contact point and trickling into his mind, gently soothing his chaotic, frayed nerves.

This kind of healing was incredibly draining, which was why I hated using it.

A flicker of confusion crossed Asher’s bloodshot eyes, and his grip on my throat loosened slightly.

"You..." His voice was incredibly raspy, his heavy breathing adding an unexpected intimacy to the air.

I didn't stop. I slid my face down to the crook of his neck, nuzzling him gently.

This was how cats comforted their companions—pure, physical touch.

Asher froze completely.

His breathing slowly shifted from rapid gasps to deep, steady breaths. My soft purring and gentle magic finally calmed his raging mind.

I nuzzled him a few more times just to be safe.

Asher let go of my neck entirely, but his arms slid around my waist instead, pulling me tightly against his chest.

He held me so close I could barely breathe.

"This is nice..."

He buried his face in my shoulder, letting out a satisfied sigh.

Considering the twenty thousand dollars and his delicious, warm energy, I let him hold me, gently patting his back in a slow rhythm.

Eventually, his breathing became slow and steady.

He was asleep again.

It took every ounce of my strength to drag this six-foot-two, heavy man onto the bed.

I collapsed on the edge of the mattress, gasping for air, when a large hand reached out, grabbed my waist, and pulled me right back into his arms.

I struggled a bit, but he only held tighter, even throwing a heavy leg over mine.

Fine. He doubled my pay, so I guess this extra service was covered by the twenty-thousand-dollar fee.

Besides, I needed to soak up some of his warm energy anyway.

The next morning.

I was woken up by a quiet, repressed cough.

Opening my eyes, I saw Asher leaning against the headboard, rubbing his temples and frowning at the ruined bedroom.

Then, his gaze drifted down to me.

I was sprawled out across half the bed, with my leg draped over his.

"Woken up?"

I immediately pulled my leg back, sat up, and scrambled off the bed, kneeling politely on the carpet. "Good morning, Mr. Vance."

He stared at my neck, his eyes darkening.

Confused, I reached up and felt my throat. It was incredibly sore.

The place where he had grabbed me yesterday must have bruised.

Asher was silent for a long time before he spoke, looking slightly remorseful. "Last night..."

"Last night, your rage flared up. Thanks to my ancient head massage and vocal resonance therapy, I managed to pull you back from the edge," I answered smoothly without blinking.

"Aria," he suddenly called my name.

"Yes?"

"Move into my room. I’ll have the butler bring your things over."

"But..."

"Forty thousand a month."

"Deal."

Only an idiot would turn down that kind of money. Plus, his bed was basically a heated luxury cat condo.

Just as we finalized our transaction, a knock sounded at the door.

Evelyn stood in the doorway holding a tray. When she saw the wrecked room and me sitting on Asher's bed in disheveled clothes, her face turned incredibly ugly.

"Mr. Vance... did you have an episode last night?"

"Yes."

Evelyn looked deeply pained. "I told you, changing the treatment plan randomly is highly dangerous. Aria simply doesn't have the professional skills to help you during an episode!"

It was your garbage new medicine that caused the flare-up and almost killed me! I thought angrily. I was about to jump up and argue with her, but Asher spoke first.

"She helped. And she was far more effective than those useless drugs you prescribed."

Evelyn looked as if she’d been struck by lightning, standing there completely frozen.

I secretly stuck my tongue out at her. Serves her right!

With my constant presence, Asher’s condition improved dramatically. He started working from home more, and his temper became much milder.

But one thing puzzled me—I had basically become his personal shadow.

Asher demanded that I stay within his line of sight at all times.

When he worked in the study, I had to play on my phone on the sofa nearby.

When he ate in the dining room, I had to sit opposite him.

Even when he went to the restroom, I had to wait right outside the door.

I didn't mind too much. My energy reserves were fully topped up, and my shifter magic was growing stronger by the day.

But Evelyn was clearly losing her mind over this.

One afternoon, Asher was called away for an urgent meeting at his company.

I was soaking up the sun in the backyard glass greenhouse, feeling warm, cozy, and incredibly drowsy.

The greenhouse door opened, and Evelyn walked in, carrying a beautiful tea set.

"You look very relaxed, Aria," she said with a smile, placing a teacup on the small table in front of me.

My instincts warned me she was up to no good, and I watched her warily.

"This is a premium black tea I imported. It's fantastic for sleep and soothing frayed nerves. Mr. Vance has been so tired lately, so I wanted you to try it first. If you like it, I'll brew some for him tonight."

Her tone was polite, and she seemed to be just offering tea.

But that sour, hateful scent on her was stronger than ever.

She still despised me.

Could this tea be spiked?