Chapter 2

Instinctively, I reached out and tapped, only to hear Draken's low, restrained groan rumble from above me.

My eyes widened as I watched them grow visibly larger in my hands, horrified at how big they could get.

Face burning, I yanked my hands back like I'd just been electrocuted, scrambling to hop off the bed. But before I could escape, Draken's arms locked around my waist.

He nuzzled against my back, murmuring in a soft, pitiful voice, "It hurts… Am I sick?"

His breath tingled against my back, and I felt a strange heat stirring low in my belly, rampaging into the walls. Before long, my body felt limp and weightless, and I couldn't summon even an ounce of strength.

His hands roamed over my skin, fumbling and impatiently tugging at the chunky robe I wore. With a sharp rip, my robe split in two.

The cold air kissed my bare skin. I shivered as Draken's overheated body pressed flush against mine, and a deep, comforted moan escaped his lips.

Face flushed, I froze and nervously braced myself, expecting him to take the final step. But all he did was cling to me, nuzzling and not making a single move.

That was when it struck me that he had no idea what he was doing at all!

My heart leaped. Just as I was going to guide Draken through every step, he let out a startled cry and shifted into a golden dragon.

His massive dragon form filled the bridal chamber as he hovered wildly in the air. With a crash, the glass shattered before he hurled himself through the window and darted out in a panicked escape.

He'd fled!

I sat frozen on the bed as the winter wind howled through the broken window and had me shivering in the cold.

Draken never came back, while I spent the entire night exposed to the chilly wind and fell ill. For the next two days, I was bedridden and too weak to even sit up.

Ashamed, he completely avoided me and had the housekeepers relocate me to a grander wing of the manor. Then, lavish meals and priceless gemstones were delivered to fill the chamber more than it could hold.

On the third day, Arya paid a visit.

When her eyes swept over the opulent chamber and overflowing chests of jewelry, envy flashed across her face. But when her gaze fell on me, pale and still in bed, her lips curled into a triumphant smirk.

She raised her chin, just enough to expose the red marks on her neck. "Litha, I had no idea the lions were so vigorous. I might be carrying a cub already."

I offered her a cool smile. "May your wish come true."

She smirked and cast a pitiful glance at my stomach. "I heard you fell ill on your wedding night. Was it from the shock of your groom fleeing?

"That's tragic… What kind of husband refuses his wife in bed? You may as well give up on having a baby of your own."

With a soft groan, she lowered herself into the chair with one hand resting on her abdomen. "Oh, but my back's been aching all day. Do you think I might be expecting already?"

I watched her performance silently, unmoved. Deep down, I doubted she'd still be smiling if she knew the truth that she'd never carry Kael's cub in this lifetime.

When six months passed with no sign of a cub, she'd be sent to mate with every fertile male in the lion clan. She probably had no idea that tradition even existed, yet.

Plus, what was there to brag about Kael's tiny member? I doubted if his pathetic few minutes could even satisfy Arya.

Of all people, she should know better. After all, she'd played far filthier games with the future leader of the fox clan in her past life and tried every position under the moons, even sneaking into Draken's study for a late-night tryst.

That was how he'd caught her mid-act, and the scandal spread through all the beastfolk.

At the memory of Draken's massive members, multiple times larger than Kael's, my face flushed red in embarrassment.