Balam could hardly fathom the incredible reality before him—he had captured a human. The weight of this astonishing truth settled heavily in his chest, threatening to overwhelm him. His arms were firmly wrapped around the unconscious figure, and a maelstrom of thoughts and emotions swirled chaotically through his mind.

What should he do now? From childhood, he had dreamed of encountering a human, but now that the moment had arrived, he felt an intoxicating blend of nerves and exhilaration. As he stared at the unconscious human in his grasp, a soft rustle captured his attention, and he looked down to find them sleepily pressing their cheek against his chest.

A bolt of panic shot through him. Oh no, stop! If you keep doing that…

His heart began to race, hammering wildly against his ribcage. The gloved hands that held them felt unsteady at the gentle contact with their soft skin, sending his pulse into overdrive. He was gripped by worry, terrified that one misstep could shatter this beautiful dream into a million irretrievable pieces. “T-This isn’t a dream… right?” he stammered, attempting to ground himself in this surreal moment. Memories of Iruma flashed through his mind—an unexpected encounter that had nearly turned his world upside down. “After what happened with Iruma, I didn’t expect this…” He observed the delicate features of the human's face, their serene expression lending an air of tranquillity to the chaotic thoughts swirling in his mind.

Gradually, he allowed his fingers to brush softly through their hair, captivated by how surprisingly silky and vibrant it felt beneath his touch.

Is this how humans are? Unlike Iruma, with a scent masked by the robust aroma of his adoptive grandfather, this human emanated a pure, unfiltered fragrance that was entirely her own. It was invigorating, fresh, and utterly enchanting.

This scent… it’s…

He breathed in deeply, savouring the moment, and the realisation struck him.

Divine…

After a moment's hesitation, curiosity tugged at him, compelling him to remove his mask and lower his nose closer to their neck, drawn inexplicably to the source of that intoxicating aroma.

At first, he approached with caution, inhaling their scent with a mixture of wonder and trepidation, but soon his instincts took over. He found himself burying his nose against their warm skin, and his breath hitched in his throat as he took in their essence, craving a deeper connection. It wasn’t merely a need for physical touch that stirred within him; it was a longing to explore the complex tapestry of curiosity that bubbled deep inside, aching to unfurl. Feeling emboldened, he allowed his tongue to barely graze their throat, and a shudder of desire coursed through his large frame, igniting the urge to draw her even closer.

In the depths of his heart, he recognised a profound truth—there was no need for anyone else to know of her existence. If word got out, this human would be in grave danger, caught in a world where their life was worth far less than he was willing to acknowledge.