"I've decided I'm going to give you a cub." "What…What?" Marcus genuinely thought wolf fur had stuffed his ears. I must be hearing that wrong. He stared at Emma in disbelief. "Ms. Tibarn, what… what did you just say? I didn't hear it clearly. Could you repeat that?" People really did unlock strange superpowers when they were up to mischief. On a normal day, Emma would've already burst out laughing. But now, she held it in effortlessly, kept a straight, solemn face, and repeated herself. "I said I'm compensating you by giving you a baby. Oh no—not just one." Emma held up three fingers. "At least three." Marcus was appalled. He stared at her in absolute horror. He shot upright in bed. "Ms. Tibarn, how could you come up with something that terrifying?" Sure, back when Silas used Remy to compete for affection, he had briefly wanted a cub. But ever since Malrik turned goofy and kept calling him 'Daddy', that desire vanished forever. If he produced a cub as dim as Malrik, and had to feed him fruit all day, could he even survive? Emma watched his reaction and nearly lost it. She ducked her head quickly, grabbing the blanket he'd tossed aside so he wouldn't see her expression. "How is that a terrifying thought?" Emma tucked the blanket back around him. She cupped his face, eyes full of dreamy admiration. "My Marcus is so handsome. Our pups would definitely be just as handsome." "Just imagining three little wolf cubs, all cute and gorgeous like you… It makes me so happy." Happy? No… Marcus was not happy at all. "No, Ms. Tibarn." He grabbed her hand, desperate. "I wasn't cute as a child. Our cubs definitely won't be as sweet and well-behaved as Remy. If you really want a baby, why not have Edric's?" He even started getting out of bed, as if he was going to fetch Edric. He really doesn't want cubs that badly? Emma grabbed him and shoved him back down. "Edric said he doesn't want little snake children right now." "Corvin, then." Marcus seized the next option instantly. "Corvin's a liger beast. Liger cubs are adorable." Emma shook her head. "Corvin's not home today." He was still stuck in the lab. Marcus tried again. "Lucien then. He's a phoenix. Phoenix chicks are even cuter." The more he thought about it, the more Lucien seemed perfect. "Ms. Tibarn, Lucien is your first mate. He's the best choice." He sat up again, trying to get out of bed. "Ms. Tibarn, don't worry about compensating me. I'll go call Lucien right now."Whoever wants those cubs could have them. I absolutely do not. Not even one. Emma dragged him back again. "Alright, I'll stop teasing you." If she kept going, he might seriously drag Lucien over. Smiling, she pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth. "I don't want cubs. I was just teasing you." Marcus was utterly speechless. Ms. Tibarn is so mischievous! He watched her laughing, silver-gray eyes narrowing. Suddenly, he snatched the fine chain he'd unlatched earlier and fastened it around her wrist. "Ms. Tibarn, not only did you not compensate me, but you also lied to me." His canine grazed the pulse in her wrist. His tone dipped dangerously. "Tell me, Ms. Tibarn… how should I punish you?" Emma was trapped beneath him, a faint sting brushing her neck. She saw the dangerous glint in his eyes. Instead of fear, she smiled. "Punish me?" Her warm breath ghosted over his ear. Softly, she asked, "How do you want to punish me? By biting me? Or…" Her finger tapped his Adam's apple, feeling it bob sharply at her words. Marcus went rigid. He had meant to scare her a little, take back control. Instead, she wasn't afraid at all. Emma was cunning. She always knew how to make him unravel. "Ms. Tibarn…" His voice turned hoarse, the earlier danger melting into something that sounded almost like pleading. "You know I could never bear to hurt you." He buried his face in her neck, inhaling her warm sweetness, nuzzling like a large wolf finally finding home. Emma laughed softly, threading her fingers through his soft silver hair. The chain on her wrist chimed lightly with her movement."I know you can't. Which is why…" With a swift motion, she flipped them, reversing their positions in an instant. Marcus stared up at her. "Ms. Tibarn, you—" Emma leaned down, brushing her nose against his, and murmured, "What about me?"