~Ioana~Heated breath.Like fire.The wall behind me was strangely cool, forming a contrast. He gulped. My eyes zeroed in on the skin over his neck, a light sheen of sweat coating it. Exhaled, I shivered.Musk drilled into my nose, paralyzing me. My legs weren’t mine anymore, instead becoming noodle stands. His lips by my ear. Hovering. The hairs on my neck stood erect.I was at a crossroad.Give in, a voice whispered seductively. Lean on him, wrap your hands around his neck and pull him in—until there’s not a single gap between your bodies. You want it.I did.I knew I did. I wanted it so badly. Every muscle twitched with need.Drag him into your passion, its words tinged with the scent of alcohol.I must be drunk, because why did my hands want to slither up his muscular arms? Why did my fingers want to trace those lines? And why did my hands want to weave through his lush hair? I wonder how it smells.But Alessandro, ever the person who lived to extinguish passion, whispered a tau
~Ioana~ He held the nightwear in his grasp. The cloth that caressed my skin like a lover's kiss, washing over my body like the gentle shore waters last night, now balled in his fist like an enemy’s war flag. His nostrils flared, breathing in. My heart thudded—exhaling. He lowered his face. Slow. Deliberate. Molten pools of gold never leaving mine… then he inhaled. My cheeks flushed in shame. He's smelling my nightwear. Heat flared up, shooting straight down—my thighs clenched where I stood. There was something too personal about it, something that affected me in more ways than it should. Then he spat: "You smell like another man." It didn't come immediately, but once it did, I staggered backwards. The hail arrived—ice after ice slamming into me, chilling me to my core. 'No… I have no idea what you're talking about,' I shook my head, trying to deny. He stood up. Like a panther patrolling its territory, he stalked up to me. Green veins bulged on his arm from the force
~Ioana~ "As the ruler of the New Moon Kingdom, you must constantly pay attention to three main things: the people's state—their welfare, their mental condition, that is, if they are happy, sad, angry—and finally, their safety, against foreign forces." "Any questions?" She snapped shut her book, her gaze landed on me. "Miss," I called out softly. "Your Majesty, it's Lady," she corrected. I winced. Maybe I shouldn't ask this question, but I pressed forward, changing her title. "Lady Althea…" I eyed her, noticing she made no further comments. I continued, "You mentioned foreign forces… what do you mean by that? I thought we were the most powerful werewolf kingdom and everywhere a wolf is under our care. So what exactly are we to keep them safe from?" Ending my words, silence settled between us. Light rays danced in, landing on top of my desk. Did I say something wrong? I swore an unreadable glint flashed past her eyes. She muttered, "When you're referring to wolves, that'
~Ioana~'Okay Ioana, play it normal.' My teeth briefly sunk into my lips. Releasing it, I pulled the corners of my lips into a smile. "What do you think I'm doing?" I deflected, asking her a question instead. She shouldn't have seen anything, right? I don't think so... but... I couldn't remove the possibility. I waited with bated breath for her response, my fingers clenched the ends of my gown tighter and tighter.Thankfully, she said, "Did you perhaps have a nightmare? Or are you feeling stuffy?" She walked past me in a blur to the window. My heart skipped.'Nightmare? Why would I have one?' This was just too uncomfortable, that's all. Dismissing it, but my eyes glued to the piece of nightwear peeking out from under the bed."Strange," suddenly her voice came again. "I remember locking the window before I left. How come it's now open?"Oh no. Images flashed through my head. Wasn't that the window I had planned to sneak away through before remembering my room was on the 2nd floor? T
Ioana"I would have a quaint cottage, with an orchid outside, bees and butterflies hovering over it, the shrill laughter of my children piercing through the air, filled with the mouthwatering aroma of freshly baked bread."Images popped up—a tiny girl, age five, running past me, platinum blonde twin braids dancing in the wind, weaving skillfully across the fields, a black-haired boy, similar to her age, hot on her trail.Their figures backlit in golden light by the setting sun, I would walk out, a hand on my hip, the other supporting a bowl of dough, calling them in."That's the life I wish for. Calm, without stress. Just me and… my children," sidelining who the father could be.My heart burned slightly. The spoon made a clink against the porcelain bowl. I had finished the soup without realizing it.My cheeks faintly heated up in embarrassment. Hope he wouldn't think I'm a starving wolf, Vivian whispered how noble wolves never finished their meals, leaving a part. My etiquette had flo
~Ioana~It seems my words have really irked you; that wasn’t my intention. He stood up, went around the table, and came up to me, his head bent, eyes like liquid chocolate, towering over me, slowly enveloping me. It wrapped around my skin, inch by inch.It didn’t have the oppressive feeling like a predator staring at you, but like I was under a warmth, the good kind.He held onto the arm of my chair, the veins on his arm bulging out, softly pushing the chair forward, its cushion gently nudging me. "The soup is getting cold, Queen. Don’t you want to have a... taste?" He stared straight at me.My gaze flickered to the bowl of soup. It wasn’t as enticing as the food hastily made by the kitchen on a random night when I’m craving it, but I gulped and sat down, folding my hands over my lap, fingers curled uneasily.Wouldn't he be sad if I walked away just like that? I swept my gaze over everything again. He just made all these for me— that would be rude, right?He smiled, leaving the chair.