Chapter 14: Wild Dog
This was a determination without a bottom line. Even in his most panicked moments, Koeyle hadn’t uttered the words to give up on removing the imprint.
He Yue leaned closer, his long hair draped over his back sliding forward over his shoulders. His fingertips lightly touched the still-wet tear stains on Koeyle’s cheek.
“I don’t need worthless promises.”
He smiled, pointing to the damp spots on Koeyle’s clothes.
“Clean yourself up, think it over, and come find me again.” A cunning glint flashed in his eyes, as if plotting some torturous scheme. “We’ll have a good chat about this topic, Colonel Koeyle.” He hadn’t refused, nor had he agreed, leaving room for hopeful speculation, yet the uncertainty was unsettling.
Koeyle lowered his eyes, his voice hoarse from crying: “Thank you, Master, for this opportunity.” He felt his gratitude was absurd. He was the one suffering, yet he felt a sense of relief.
Relief that he hadn’t been completely rejected, that there was still a glimmer of hope.
“You’re welcome.” He Yue replied with distant politeness.
He Yue’s every word and action constantly reminded Koeyle of their relationship, reminding him that He Yue still hadn’t accepted him.
No matter how many times he had spoken words of flattery.
The sound of footsteps faded away after a heavy closing of the door, leaving Koeyle alone in the broadcasting studio.
The small iron ball rolled outwards as his body relaxed, every tiny movement along its trajectory clearly perceptible. The imprint point, untouched and unnourished by pheromones for so long that it had withered and shrunk, felt a slight, unusual sensation after the vibration of the iron ball, a faint, intermittent itch.
Koeyle closed his eyes wearily, the only sound in his ears the faint electrical hum from the disconnected signal source.
——
He Yue finally dropped an ice ball into a glass, picked it up, and took a sip of his homemade cocktail.
The taste was refreshing, slightly sweet but not cloying, perfectly masking the spiciness of the liquor while retaining the alcohol content and aroma, quickly inducing a pleasant buzz.
He opened the studio window, leaned against the wall by the window, and let his thoughts drift and merge with the alcohol, warmth creeping up his cheeks. The cool breeze blowing in made it even more comfortable.
For several days, Koeyle hadn’t even returned to his own home. He Yue didn’t know whether the colonel’s work was too busy or if he was deliberately avoiding him.
It wasn’t a big deal, though. He Yue enjoyed the peace and quiet. He occasionally went out to explore this new world, or stayed at home leisurely painting, buying things he liked online.
Like this complete set of barware.
The impact of the last incident must have been significant, so he needed to loosen the net a bit, give his prey a chance to breathe. Besides, his prey needed time to think and make a wise decision.
However, he believed his prey wouldn’t make a choice that would disappoint him.
He Yue raised his glass, observing the light reflecting off the glass in different colors. Drunkenness clouded his eyes, masking his usual sharp gaze, instead adding a touch of charm not usually seen.
His only regret was not knowing Koeyle’s physical reaction as he replayed this experience over and over in his mind.
This body, long parched from being deprived of pheromones, and the undeveloped imprint point, had been teased for the first time by a cold, merciless iron ball.
It must have been an unforgettable experience, right?
He Yue experimented with various ingredients, creating one new cocktail after another, treating it like an artistic creation, letting his inspiration run wild. He was determined to drink until he was drunk tonight, merging his intoxication with the night.
He swirled the glass in his hand, the ice ball clinking against the glass.
A knock on the studio door sounded at the right moment.
He Yue, still holding the glass, went to open the door.
The visitor was Colonel Koeyle, holding an exquisite small square box, its edges inlaid with golden carvings.
This kind of box was usually used to store medals and honors. Now, it contained the iron ball He Yue had given him.
He Yue recognized the visitor, leaned against the doorframe, and asked softly, “What brings Colonel Koeyle here so late?”
His voice was thick with drunkenness, much softer than his usual stern and cold tone.
Koeyle looked up, his gaze fixed on He Yue’s face. He stared at the flushed cheeks and slightly hazy eyes, the words he had prepared catching in his throat.
He had never thought a long, mullet-like hairstyle could suit someone so well.
He Yue glanced at the box in his hand, not mentioning it, and said, “If there’s nothing else, would you like a shot?”
And so, Koeyle found himself sitting on the sofa, holding a shot glass filled with liquor. Under He Yue’s gaze, he downed the drink in one gulp, coughing from the spicy taste.
Under years of high-intensity self-discipline, besides social gatherings, Koeyle had never allowed himself the opportunity to get drunk.
Warmth quickly surged through him, his cheeks burning.
He opened the box in his hand and carefully placed it on the table: “I’ve come to return Master’s item.”
The iron ball rested safely on the velvet lining of the box, having been thoroughly cleaned, looking brand new.
“Normally, when I’m mixing and drinking by myself, I would send away anyone who comes looking for me.” The ice ball clinked against the glass as He Yue took a sip of his drink, smiling. “I thought you would say something interesting. Are there any words you can’t say sober, but can only utter with liquid courage?”
He Yue finished his drink and placed the glass on the table, casually resting his head on one hand and looking at Koeyle.
Although his eyes were clouded with drunkenness, they still held a discerning power when looking at people.
Under He Yue’s scrutinizing gaze, Koeyle spoke the words he had drafted and rehearsed countless times.
“I’ve carefully reflected for a while… My performance last time was terrible. I didn’t fully trust you, so I resisted. I said I would obey your commands completely, but at that moment, I made the wrong prioritization, not putting your command first. Please forgive me.”
He Yue countered, “Can you put my commands first now?”
Koeyle nodded firmly: “Please command me.”
He Yue laughed, as if hearing a joke. He lay on the sofa, almost sinking into it, his tone lazy and casual.
“What if I order you to die? Or to be my dog and proclaim it to everyone? Can you do these things?” He Yue watched as the color drained from Koeyle’s face, not even a single shot being able to give him a healthy flush.
He suppressed his mocking smile: “Colonel Koeyle, I hate lies and concealment the most. If you had honestly admitted your schemes to me, it would have been more sincere than these empty words.”
His voice was thick with drunkenness, his tone not cold, but full of pressure: “You don’t understand at all why you’re always disappointing me.”
“In your so-called prioritization, which one is more important than my commands: your life, honor, dignity, or future?”
His voice was as melodious as an ancient zither, but it didn’t lessen its impact.
“Colonel, you’ve never had room for your insect master in your heart. And I don’t want a wild dog that can’t be tamed.”
