"Your agent handed you over to me. I'm telling you now, be good, do what I say, or I'll make sure you're blacklisted in this industry."

Serena Marks felt like her head was spinning. Before her eyes was the blurry image of a man swaying, his yellow teeth flashing every time he opened that disgusting mouth.

A chill shot through her. Only one thought was screaming in her head — run! She had to get out. Humans were seriously terrifying!

Out of nowhere, strength surged through her. She shoved the man who was reaching to undo her clothes and made a break for it.

Nothing else mattered. Just escape.

“You little tramp! You dare run? Believe me, I can make you disappear from this business forever!”

The man lunged, trying to grab her. But before she even thought about it, Serena sank her teeth into his hand.

“Ah—!!”

His scream echoed through the room.

Seizing the split-second opening, Serena dashed out.

But... the more she ran, the stronger the effects of the drug kicked in.

"Mom..." Her vision blurred.

She was pretty sure her ears and tail popped out again on their own.

In the haze, she collapsed. "Mom, I messed up… I’m sorry... I just wanna see you again…"

Just before she passed out, she saw a pair of men's dress shoes.

So this was it? She didn’t make it out after all?

Long, pale hands, cool as jade, brushed gently over her burning forehead. That chill was the only comfort against the fire roaring in her body.

“Where did this little fox come from?”

…

When Damian West returned to the room with Serena cradled in his arms, his agent Ryan Hart nearly fell over in shock.

“Dude! Damian! You’re allergic to animal fur, remember? Why are you carrying a fox? Throw it out before it messes you up!”

Ryan rushed over, trying to snatch the little fox from Damian’s arms, panicking that his star would break out in hives before tomorrow’s shoot.

Damian didn’t say a word. He just shot Ryan a look.

Ryan froze like he’d been hit with a stun gun.

He knew that look way too well.

Damian might have that flawless face that screams harmless, but when something he cares about’s involved? He turns into a freaking wolf, ready to rip you apart without blinking.

Ryan shivered and backed off.

Damian scratched the little fox’s chin, a rare hint of interest flickering in his dark eyes. “Weird thing is, I’m not reacting to it at all.”

This tiny fox, about the size of Damian’s palm, was ridiculously fluffy with this soft white fur that felt ridiculously good to the touch. One stroke and it was game over.

The second he saw her, he felt this strange urge to keep her all to himself.

“Go get some stuff for foxes — food, toys, whatever. Three meals a day from now on. This one’s your second boss,” Damian said without even looking up.

Ryan wanted to cry but had to obey anyway.

What could he do? The first boss was already a headache — and now there’s a second one.

…

The next morning, Serena woke to someone poking at her.

Someone was touching her face, jawline, then down her neck.

Soft. Slow. Tingling against her fur.

Then— the hand landed right on her fluffy little belly, fingers lazily curling around her tail.

Serena’s eyes flew open.She let out a sharp yelp and chomped down on the guy’s hand.

Her ears gave a twitch, and just as those sharp little teeth were about to dig in, her jaw was gently pried open.

"Owwu!" Serena shed tears from the stinging pain, but that well-defined slender hand just lightly patted her furry little head.

"You’re really a piece of work, huh." Damian let out a small chuckle. "Don’t like having your tail touched? Since when were you this dramatic?"

Serena finally snapped back to her senses when she got a good look at the face in front of her.

Right! She remembered now—last night, someone picked her up. And not just anyone… a ridiculously handsome guy!

That hand of his moved almost like it was petting a cat, gently rubbing behind her ears and under her chin, the technique so spot-on Serena couldn’t help squinting her eyes in bliss.

Oh man… that feels way too good.

She even started purring like a kitten, shamelessly leaning her head into his hand.

But then—boom—his hand shifted and went straight for her tail!

"Mmph!" In a flash, her eyes snapped wide open, and all her fur puffed up like a fuzzball!

"Mmm mmm mmm!" No way, hands off the tail!!!

A girl’s tail isn’t something you just grab like that! Hasn’t anyone told him how sensitive fox tails are?!

Serena arched her back, her whole body stiff as a board.

But then, something super weird happened.

She should be struggling to get away, right? Then why… why the heck was the tip of her tail wrapping itself around his hand on its own?

Noooo… why is he so good at this? This is way too nice.

Damian couldn’t help but laugh seeing the once over-alert fox now flopped on the blanket, clearly loving the attention. “Feels that good, huh?”

Serena let out contented little purring noises without meaning to, then hurried to cover her face with her front paws.

So… so embarrassing!

“Well, would you look at that—you're even shy now?” Damian’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “You can actually understand me, can’t you?”

Serena’s head shook like crazy. No no no! That cannot be found out! Mom always said: a fox should act like a proper fox! If humans found out she could understand them, she might end up being dragged into some freaky lab!

Horrified by that thought, she gave a desperate shake of her head.

Her ears drooped down too, making her whole body look pitiful and terrified. “Mmm~”

That over-the-top reaction made Damian chuckle again, his voice low and amused.

And then it hit Serena like a truck—she’d totally given herself away!!!

She was such an idiot. Seriously.

Just when she was panicking hard, a sudden knock came at the door.

Ryan Hart walked in right after. “Damian, time to head to set. I’ve got all that fox food stuff you asked for sorted.”

He muttered as he glanced around, “But raising a fox… I checked online, man, it’s nothing like owning a cat or dog. Totally wild animals. And... I mean, low-key... there’s a chance it might smell funky, right? Foxes and all…”

The second those words left his mouth, Serena flared up like a lit firecracker!

Fox odor?!

Excuse me?! You’ve got fox odor! Your whole family reeks!

She bared her little teeth at him, even picked up her paw to sniff it—hmph! Smells amazing! She’s the most fragrant fox around, thank you very much!

Damian, watching this unfold, straight up busted out laughing. "Ryan, this little fluff of mine? She totally gets what we’re saying.”

“C’mon then, time for breakfast.”