Gray stepped toward the grand doors of the White Wolf Mansion, his gaze fixed on the garden beyond. The sun shone warmly on the marble tiles, casting soft light across the vibrant garden. His eyes settled on Bella.
She was sitting quietly on a carved stone bench, surrounded by blooming flowers, lilies, roses, and bright golden blossoms that hadn't existed before the city transformation. She looked breathtaking in the middle of the flowerbed, like a living goddess among divine flora. Her long black hair fell gently down her back, her golden one-piece dress flowing elegantly around her figure.
As if sensing his presence, Bella turned her head. Her sky-blue eyes widened slightly as she saw Gray standing at the garden's entrance, watching her.
"Hello, beautiful," Gray said with a confident smile, his voice warm but casual.
Bella quickly stood up and gave a respectful bow. "I greet the Big Boss," she said politely, her eyes not meeting his.
Gray winced internally.
"Seriously?" he thought with a sigh. "Why is she still calling me Big Boss now…?"
But then it hit him—he had ordered all werewolves to refer to him that way. She was just following the rule.
He cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck. "Cough... Can't you, I don't know… not say that right now?" he said with a small, awkward smile. "Anyway… I'm here about the date we talked about."
At his words, Bella's cheeks turned a soft shade of red. She didn't respond immediately, she just stared at him, her expression unreadable.
Gray tilted his head slightly, studying her face. "She really does look gorgeous right now…"
He stepped forward, his tone gentler this time. "Bella, would you like to go on that date with me?"
Bella's lips parted, but no words came out at first. Her thoughts were racing.
"Does someone like him really like a simple girl from the slums?" she wondered. "Everything I have… all the power and respect I've earned, it's all because of him. He's not just a leader. He's a conqueror, a force of nature… and I… I'm just me."
In her heart, she didn't believe she deserved to be loved by someone like him. She feared he saw her as nothing more than a subordinate, a tool, or a temporary interest. The gap between them felt insurmountable.
Still, she slowly nodded, her head lowered as she whispered, "y-y-hmm."
Gray watched her carefully. Her shoulders were tense. Her posture wasn't relaxed. Something was clearly bothering her.
He extended his hand toward her. "Let's go inside and talk for a bit. I don't think you're thinking clearly right now."
But Bella didn't take his hand. She remained still, her eyes cast downward.
Gray's brow furrowed slightly. He could feel the storm of emotion swirling inside her. Whatever she was thinking, it wasn't good.
He stepped closer, reached out, and gently wrapped his arms around her. Then, without a word, he lifted her into a princess carry.
"Ahh!" she gasped in surprise, her eyes wide as she looked up at him. Her voice was soft, unsure. Her blue eyes shimmered, and Gray noticed the faint glint of tears starting to form.
"She's hurting," he realized. "But why…?"
He carried her gently toward the mansion. The maids and staff in the hallway stopped and stared, surprised by the sight of their Big Boss holding Bella like that. They quickly bowed as he passed, but as soon as he was out of earshot, hushed whispers echoed behind him.
Bella noticed. Her face flushed in embarrassment, and she instinctively wrapped her arms tighter around his neck, burying her face into his chest to hide.
Gray smiled faintly and continued walking, carrying her all the way up to the first floor, into his private room.
There, he softly set her down on the velvet couch.
Bella blinked in surprise at the softness under her. When she looked up, she saw Gray pulling a small stool in front of her and taking a seat, his crimson-gold eyes locking with hers.
"Tell me what's on your mind," he said calmly. "You've seemed distracted ever since I mentioned the date. Something's bothering you, right?"
Bella lowered her head again. Her voice was barely a whisper. "I… I can't say it."
Gray frowned, confused. "What is it? What can't you say? If something's troubling you, just tell me."
But Bella only shook her head and repeated, "No… no, I can't. It's… it's just…"
Gray exhaled slowly. She won't say it like this, he thought.
So, he moved beside her, sat down on the couch, and gently pulled her into his lap.
Now, she was straddling him, her face directly in front of his. Her long, silky hair fell down around them, some strands brushing against his face. The scent of her perfume mixed with the natural fragrance of the flowers outside. Her breath caught.
"Ah! Please don't do that, Big Boss," she whispered. "It scared me for a bit…"
He chuckled softly. "Okay, okay. But seriously, tell me what's wrong."
But Bella didn't speak. She simply stared into his eyes, her lips quivering slightly.
Gray narrowed his eyes slightly, then raised his voice, not in anger, but with a firm intensity. "Tell me!"
Bella flinched at his tone, and finally, reluctantly, she began to speak.
"I don't feel worthy of you, Big Boss."
Gray blinked. "Not worthy? What do you mean?"
Her voice trembled as tears began to stream down her cheeks. "You're strong… so powerful. You killed a level 50 person without even using your full power. You created this entire city. You gave me power, gave me the chance to stand in this world. But…"
She looked away.
"If I started to love you… if I became yours… I would feel like I was using you. Like I only clung to you for power. I'm afraid you'll think less of me. That you'll think I'm just some girl from the slums pretending to care."
Her voice cracked, growing hoarse as she let everything spill out.
"I don't even think I'm that beautiful. Not compared to the other women in this world. Everything I have… it's all because of you. The strength, the respect, the authority. And if I love you too, it just… it feels like I'm stealing something. Like I don't truly deserve it."
She wiped at her eyes but more tears fell. "That's why I couldn't respond when you asked me out earlier. Not because I didn't want to. But because I was scared. I didn't want to hurt you or myself."
Her words came out in a long, breathless confession, like a dam that had finally broken. And once she was done, she slumped slightly, as if a great weight had been lifted from her chest.
Gray didn't say anything at first. He simply stood up, Bella still in his arms, and looked deep into her eyes.
"You think too much," he said gently.
Then he leaned in and kissed her.
It was a soft kiss, just a brief, tender touch of lips. But Bella instinctively responded. Her arms tightened around his neck. Her lips trembled but didn't pull away.
As they parted, Gray smiled and looked into her eyes.
"You really do think too much," he said again with warmth.
"Do you know why I like you?"
Hearing those words, Bella's breath hitched, and her heart raced as she looked at him, hanging onto every word that would come next.