UR Chapter 103

Chapter 103

Between the peaks of the steep rocky mountain, a sharp snowstorm blew through. Fine white sleet settled on the beast’s fur, turning the golden coat dazzlingly pale.

Unlike the light, drifting snow, his words carried weight. I-bom lowered his gaze, his lashes dipping long, and slowly nodded. A blush bloomed across his round, peach-like cheeks.

〔…Strange, isn’t it? I always lose my composure in front of you, I-bom.〕

His low voice rumbled deeply, mixed with a steady, resonant growl that sounded almost impatient.

〔From the day I was born, I was raised under strict training to live as the Mountain Lord and as a pureblood beastman. I lived by the rules, never questioning them. I never once broke them, nor did I ever feel guilty over anything.〕

Their eyes met—his amber tiger eyes locking with I-bom’s brown ones.

He suddenly understood why people long ago might have mistaken a blazing will-o’-the-wisp in the night for a tiger. Round pupils glistened as if ready to hunt at any moment, yet there was no fear—because snow dust clung to his white eyelashes, trembling faintly. His breathing was raw and warm, coming in heavy puffs.

〔But in front of you, the rules keep breaking. I find myself turning away from who I usually am. From the moment I first saw you, I wanted to be involved with you—by any means necessary.〕

It was a confession laid bare, the glassy depths of his eyes filled entirely with I-bom.

〔If winning you over meant overturning everything, I’d be willing to do it.〕

“…B-but…”

〔That’s what I mean by asking you to be my mate.〕

Beom-ho slowly blinked.

〔I’m not talking about dating you out of curiosity.〕

“……”

〔I want you to feel the same way I do.〕

A pause settled between them. His clear gaze never wavered from I-bom. From the very beginning, he had never hesitated to show his interest—never avoided it, never acted lukewarm.

The one who had lacked courage… was I-bom.

“…I don’t think I’m someone worth that much. Honestly… I’m not as brave or strong as you think I am. I’m a coward. I couldn’t even sleep the night before I went in your place to that blind date. I was so nervous.”

I-bom’s voice dropped to a whisper.

“But…”

He pressed his lips together, speaking each word slowly and deliberately.

“No… actually, I didn’t even know. I didn’t know I was a coward, or what it meant to share something serious with someone.”

The emotions swelling deep in his chest made his whole body tremble without him realizing it. I-bom wrapped his arms around the back of his neck, the tickle of whiskers brushing against his cold cheek.

“I never thought it was strange, because no one had ever given me something to look forward to before.”

The bridge of his nose bumped softly against Beom-ho’s.

“But this time… I want to take the risk and hope for something. I want to try… to do well.”

They say there are times in life when you must gather your courage. I-bom’s small world, gently nudged by Beom-ho’s warmth, peeked out from its shell. He was afraid, but he was ready to step into Beom-ho’s world.

“So… I—”

I-bom’s eyes shone as he spoke firmly.

Kang I-bom—brave Maltese, Dog Kang—

“I want to date you, Beom-ho.”

For a moment, it felt as though the air itself had stilled. Then, Beom-ho slowly opened his mouth and, with his thick tongue, gave I-bom’s face a wet lick.

〔Thank you.〕

It was a careful gesture, as though handling something precious.

“…Eh—”

The cold wind hit his tiger-slicked face, making him shiver. I-bom hunched his shoulders, then suddenly sneezed.

“Achoo.”

〔Ah, the weather…〕

Flustered, Beom-ho quickly rubbed his face again, his warm, clumsy grooming leaving trails of heat down I-bom’s cheeks. Blinking, his wet lashes blurred his vision.

〔We should head back.〕

His soft whisper warmed I-bom like a touch to cold fingers. Beom-ho lowered his body so I-bom could climb on more easily.

〔Hold on tight.〕

This time, he leapt down the cliff. There was no safety gear, but the way down didn’t feel frightening at all.

* * *

The resort, empty of people, was lit only by the faintest indirect lights. If not for a single parked car, one might have thought the building was completely unoccupied.

Thump—

Breaking the silence, a pitch-black shadow landed inside the resort as if it had been flung there. The massive figure stopped precariously at the edge of the roof, a thick, dignified tail swaying above the muscular form.

〔I’ll let you down now. Be careful.〕

The tiger’s voice was gentle as he leaned forward, allowing I-bom to dismount. Slowly, I-bom slid off his back. The massive tiger licked his damp hair tenderly.

His broad front paws were planted not at the main entrance, but on the balcony of a second-floor window.

With a push of his paw, Beom-ho opened the window connected to the balcony. Rattle, rattle—breaking the stillness of the quiet interior, the frame swung open with noise. Warm indoor air mixed with the biting winter wind, and condensation began to cloud the once-clear glass.

The way he leapt over the wall to the balcony and opened the window seemed practiced, as if he had done it more than once.

〔Let’s go in quietly. If we make too much noise, we’ll wake the others.〕

Stretching his back like a cat waking from a nap, Beom-ho straightened his tail. As his body lengthened, a faint wind passed over him, and the great beast began to change shape. The heavy shadow thinned, the tail replaced by the straight lines of a man in black.

“Phew…”

I-bom exhaled with relief. Back from the mountain to the comfort of the resort, the tension finally eased from his body. The climb to the summit had been exhilarating, but now, lingering muscle stiffness reminded him how tense he had been.

“I-bom, aren’t you tired?”

Beom-ho reached out and drew him closer by the waist.

“Your eyes look a little puffy.”

He tapped his forehead lightly to I-bom’s. At some point, they had drawn close enough for I-bom to feel the tickle of his lashes.

“I-it’s just because I didn’t sleep well last night.”

Embarrassed, I-bom lifted his shoulders, trying to pry the man’s arm from around his waist with a gentle push. But Beom-ho only pulled him closer, his expression turning serious.

“Why couldn’t you sleep? Did something happen?”

His breath brushed close. I-bom hadn’t expected someone to approach him so naturally, without hesitation. Startled by the nearness of Beom-ho’s face, he shook his head quickly.

“From now on, if something’s wrong or you’re worried, don’t keep it to yourself—tell me everything. Understand? I’m your boyfriend, after all.”

He smiled warmly, brushing I-bom’s cheek with his hand.

“B-boyfriend…”

It was the first time he’d heard that word said about himself. For someone who had never been loved, never been treated with such tenderness, those sweet words felt dangerously unguarded. As I-bom’s lips parted, searching for a reply, Beom-ho reached up to ruffle his hair with a concerned look.

“Ah… your hair’s frozen. Must be from climbing to the top.”

Frost clung to his fingertips, melting into dampness as he brushed I-bom’s pale face.

“Your face is cold too. You’ll catch a cold… hmm.”

One brow arched as his eyes scanned I-bom’s hair and face slowly, as if checking for any other problem. Under that hot, unwavering gaze, I-bom’s eyes darted restlessly, unsure where to look.

“I should make you some warm tea. Getting sick would be bad.”

He brushed I-bom’s cheek again and patted his shoulder.

“After tea, I’ll pat you to sleep. That way any cold will run off, and you’ll sleep well.”

I-bom blinked up at him. Beneath the fresh, easy smile stretched a firm neckline and a broad, solid chest that swayed slightly in his view.

“Alright?”

Somehow, though he understood Beom-ho’s intention, his own thoughts strayed. Pat you to sleep—was that really all for tonight? Once the idea crossed his mind, he found himself reluctant to move.

“B-Beom-ho.”

Sniffling softly, he tried to calm his pounding heart.

“Are you worried I’ll catch a cold?”

Beom-ho stopped mid-step toward the hallway. His eyes widened slightly, as though surprised by the question.

“Of course. And it’s my fault, isn’t it? Who would be happy knowing their partner might get sick because of them?”

I-bom reached out and gently cupped his face, pressing his lips to his.

“…They say colds go away faster if you work up a sweat together.”

Not the kind to joke or tease lightly, the act of initiating anything flirtatious felt as weighty as leaning into him. He had even added a soft, crinkled smile, thinking Beom-ho might laugh. But the man’s expression, usually so smooth and composed, seemed to freeze.

“Ah.”

The faint curve of his lips stilled. What crossed his face was surprise—maybe even embarrassment, as though caught off guard. The man who had always been perfectly poised before him now looked, for a moment, like a boy with his guard stripped away.

“…What do you mean by that?”

I-bom instinctively wet his dry lips before answering.

“Tonight… let me stay in your room.”

His voice lingered, his face still flushed. Beom-ho’s expression remained taut as he replied slowly,

“I-bom… if you say things like that, anyone would misunderstand.”

His voice was low, a faint growl underlining the words, and his sharp gaze locked onto him. I-bom understood the meaning in those burning eyes—he was conflicted.

“It’s better not to say things that can be misunderstood.”

“I… meant it that way, though.”

Shuffling his toes, I-bom stepped half a pace closer, reaching out to gently tug at the hem of Beom-ho’s sleeve.