“What was that?” Lucian asked the couple, an eyebrow raised.
“Hmm?” Darius said, feigning innocence.“What was what?” Ravenna asked, blinking at Lucian.Lucian stared at them with a bored expression. “That.” He waved at them. “Whatever it is the both of you just did.”“I do not know what it is you speak of,” Ravenna said.Mia’s eyebrows furrowed. “Why are you talking like that?”Ravenna turned to her. “Like what?”“Like that stressful way people of the old age speak,” Dalian was the one who answered. “You could have said that sentence in like five words, but you chose to prolong it.”Darius rolled his eyes. “Nerd.”Ravenna nudged him with her elbow. “He’s not. Or maybe just a little.”“People!” Lucian cut in, frustration tightening his features. “Can we just go back to what we were talking about?”“Ah, yes,” Darius answered. “We were talking about how Mia was going to accompany DalMia slid back into her seat beside Dalian, forcing a smile that felt awkward. Her hand, still clenching the cold, tiny serpent scale. The festive noise of the feast, which had been a beautiful and cheering moment before she had gone to the washroom, now felt like a suffocating area."Everything alright, Wildstar?" Dalian murmured, leaning closer to her. His eyes were warm and concerned but completely oblivious to the fresh terror she embodied."Fine," Mia lied, her voice a little too high. She subtly loosened her grip on the scale while still keeping the scale discreet and out of sight."You seem a little... quiet tonight," Dalian observed, his brow furrowing slightly. "Usually, you're the first one to raid the dessert table with the twins."Mia managed a small, unconvincing laugh. "Just enjoying the quiet, I guess. You know, sometimes all this excitement can be a lot." She hoped her casual tone would convince him of his growing concern.Just then, Lucian walked over. He had a half-ea
The older woman offered a slow, deliberate smile that didn't reach her unwavering, intense eyes. Her gaze held a serious, ancient quality, as if she saw through Mia, like she saw something that no one else saw, something far deeper."I have merely come to observe," she said, her voice a low sound that seemed to vibrate in Mia's bones. "And to deliver a message."Mia’s jaw tightened."A message from whom?"The woman's smile widened, revealing a set of white teeth."From those who watch. From those who wait. And from a past that is not as buried as some may wish it to be."Her eyes blinked with knowledge that Mia didn't seem to grasp."You carry a powerful gift, my child. A legacy. And it stirs things that have been dormant for long."Mia simply stared at her. Her heart no longer raced, but she still had chills just staring at the woman. Where had she come from? Mia was sure as hell that she wasn't from their pack or any of the visitors’ pack. "What gift?” she demanded, a tremor that s
FOURTH DAY OF THE CELEBRATION The morning of the fourth day of the celebration came with ease. Dalian woke with Mia curled beside him, her head resting on his chest, every inhale and exhale was a sweet whisper against his skin. As Mia stirred on the bed, her eyelids fluttered open. Her gaze which was still heavy with sleep, met his, and for a short moment, a shared warmth. He leaned in, murmuring against her hair, "Morning, my wildstar. You look so beautiful when you sleep."A faint blush flushed over her cheeks, "Morning," she replied, her voice soft. "Uhhm… Dalian, about today..." She paused, taking a slow and shaky breath. "I... I need to go back to the boarding house."Dalian stiffened. He pulled back slightly, his brow ached, his features tight with surprise and confusion. "Mia, what are you talking about? Why?"Her gaze drifted to anything else but him, trying to avoid his stare. "I'm not trying to leave you, but this place... the packhouse, it's too much for me. The eyes, t
Aria chuckled, a dry, bitter sound that grated on his ears. She took a step into the space, her gaze sweeping over the spring as if she were inspecting the place."Oh, Dalian. Always so direct. No pleasantries? Shouldn't we at least exchange greetings? At least… after such... a vigorous morning?" Her eyes, filled with hate, flicked to Mia, then back to him, leaving no doubt what she implied. "Did you really think I wouldn't feel it?"He knew that she had felt his emotions, but he cared less. Dalian's jaw clenched so hard he thought his teeth might crack."And did you really think I care about what you feel?" he snarled. Aria's smile only widened, a cruel twist of her lips."Of course you don't, Dalian. The air here practically hums with the aftermath of your little… fluid exchange. Little ritual, wasn't it? Very... satisfying for you, isn't it?”Her gaze lingered on Mia's nakedness again. "Though I must say, for all your supposed innocence, you're quite a little whore, aren't you?" H
"Oh!” Her head tilted back, exposing the delicate line of her throat to the cloudy sky as she completely gave in to the feeling.He began to move in a slow, powerful rhythm that quickly sped up. With each deep thrust, he was making a declaration, claiming her in this sacred space in every way he could, binding her to himself.Mia met him thrust for thrust, her hips bucking instinctively against his, her legs wrapped tightly around him. She was desperate for more, and he knew it. His Mia loved control, but he wanted to show her what control really was. As the water splashed around them, he leaned in, his mouth finding the sensitive skin beneath her ear. He nipped gently on it, making her gasp sharply. "Mine,” he rasped, the word coming out as possessive as could be; it sent shivers through her already trembling body. His hips drove harder, faster, the rhythm of his plunges deepening. He had wanted the water to make this moment a very memorable one, and this was no doubt what he had wa
Mia’s entire body sparked, the hairs on her skin suddenly alive. Dalian had taken full control now, and it would be a lie if she said she wasn't enjoying this. He had just given her a climax that left her utterly breathless and boneless for some minutes. And now, after she just barely survived that wave of pleasure, he was asking her to kneel.Without hesitation, she was already on her knees. She wanted to fully experience every single drop of pleasure that came with that moment. Dalian's eyes, blazing with possessiveness and raw hunger, locked onto hers. A dark, possessive grin stretched across his lips. Then his hands gently moved to cup her face, his thumbs caressing her flushed cheeks. His voice dropped to a low, commanding growl. "Good, Wildstar. Very good," he rasped, his gaze moving from her face. His hands moved from her face down to the fabric of his pants. He loosened the knot of his pants, and the fabric slid down from his waist, dropping to his feet, revealing the full,