Chapter 65 Chapter 65
I woke slowly, drifting from sleep. Warmth surrounded me. An arm laid heavy across my waist, holding me in place while another curved beneath my head. My back was pressed to a broad chest and the rise and fall of it told me everything before my mind fully caught up.
Lucian.
For a second, I didn’t move. I held my breath. The memory of his lovemaking, unfurled in fragments. From his low voice at my neck showing me the exact spot his mark would rest. The way his hands held me as he rammed into me hard. The heat of his body everywhere around me.
My wolf stirred, utterly pleased with herself.
‘We woke up claimed’ she purred.
“But not marked” I whispered internally, already smiling.
Yet.
Heat flooded my cheeks. Lucian shifted behind me, his grip tightening just slightly as if he was aware of where I was even in sleep. His breath brushed the sensitive skin of my neck, warm and slow and then his lips followed.
The kiss was soft at first. A press of warmth that sent a shiver straight through me. I froze. Then he kissed me again, more deliberately this time, his lips trailing along my neck as if inhaling my scent. U stayed still pretending to be asleep. I felt his smile against my skin.
“I know you are awake” he murmured. I sighed, abandoning the pretense.
“Was it that obvious? I was hoping you wouldn’t notice” his low chuckle vibrated against my back. His arms tightened slightly, pulling me closer.
“I knew from the moment you woke up, your breath was uneven” his mouth was close to my ear.
I turned slowly in his arms until I was facing him, his eyes were already open, dark and piercing but softened by something I couldn’t name.
“Good morning” I said quietly.
“Morning” he replied, his morning voice was deep.
His hand came up to cup my face, his thumb brushing along my cheekbone like he was reassuring himself I was still there. He leaned closer and his lips met mine, it was slow and deep, it was warm and full of hunger.
We kissed for a long while, pulling apart only to breathe, our foreheads resting against each other as the morning light crept across the room. Laughter slipped out of me, soft and unguarded.
“What?” He asked.
“Nothing, it just seems weird waking up like this. We haven’t even brushed but don’t get me wrong, this is the best way I’ve woken up in a very long time” his lips curved.
“Then I suppose I’ll have to make a habit of it. You’ll have to get used to it because I’m not changing it” the words sent a flutter through my chest.
We stay tangled together, talking quietly about how the light came in through the window, about how everyone would be awake now and about how my body felt stronger than it had in days. Then the thought I had been holding back pressed forward.
“Lucian” I said softly.
He hummed in response, his fingers tracing slow, absent patterns along my arm.
“I want to talk about Dahlia” I finally let the cat out of the bag, his expression shifted. The air shifted instantly and his body stilled.
“What about her?” He asked carefully.
“I want to know the truth about you and her. Not what the pack whispers. What do you two have?” I asked. He studied my face for a moment, then sighed.
“We were just sex buddies. There was no bond, we both used each other for pleasure” he said firmly. It pained me the kind of relationship they had but I was not saint either and I didn’t come to him a virgin.
“And now? What’s the relationship?”
“Nothing. Everything ended the minute I found out you were my mate” I raised a brow.
“All those times you were upset with me, you never went to her bed?”
“Honestly, I tried one time and that’s because I wanted to get you out of my mind but I couldn’t go on with it and I had to send her away” I heard the sincerity in his voice.
“Why do you still keep her close?”
“She’s a very good warrior but lately she’s been acting dubious” he said quietly.
Yes. I was glad that even Lucian could see something was up with Dahlia.
“I don’t trust her anymore” something in his tone shifted. “Don’t bother about Dahlia again. There’s nothing between us”
“It’s clear she wants you and would do anything to have you” I added because I wanted to see his reaction.
“Are you scared that’s going to happen” he asked snuggly.
Am I? I didn’t think that was possible but it might be when Lucian found out everything. He kissed my shoulders.
“You are thinking too much. Don’t let Dahlia spoil our moment” he said softly.
“I’m not thinking about Dahlia” I said truthfully.
“Then what had occupied your mind”
“I’m just thinking about everything from my poisoning to the attack. I wonder why someone wants me dead”
“The people who tried to poison you have been apprehended and killed. Same as those who attacked you although we are yet to find the last man you said was present but we’ll catch him eventually” he paused then continued. “I don’t want any of that to bother because I’ll protect you”
“Your protection comes with restriction so I don’t want it. You won’t always be around to protect me”
“I know but I’ll still protect you no matter where I am” he replied. My lips curved in a smile.
After a moment, he stood up and his gaze shifted towards the window, his jaw tightening.
“I have something to take care of this morning. Something that would take my time” he said. It sounded like he didn’t want to go.
I knew what that meant without him having to spell it out. Pack business or maybe something dangerous. I nodded even though I didn’t want him to leave. He leaned down and kissed me again, slow, his hand resting over my chest.
“I’ll see you later” he said quietly.
“Stay safe” I replied.
When the door finally closed behind him, the room was too quiet. I lay there for a long moment, staring at the ceiling, my lips still tingling and my heart fluttered. My wolf practically danced inside me, humming with satisfaction.
‘He’s ours. We belong here’ she said. I closed my eyes.
“I feel it too but let’s not rush it. We agreed to take things slowly this time” I reminded her but the truth settled gently but firmly inside me.
I loved him.
I wasn’t ready to say it yet. At least not aloud. It would remain a secret between my wolf and I until when I was sure Lucian felt the same way.
This place and this pack was slowly becoming my home or it was already my home. I just need to accept it fully.
I stood up and went to freshen up. I dressed slowly, choosing clothes that matched with my mood, simple and happy. I felt like myself rather than a patient. I couldn’t call myself a patient though after the vigorous activity of last night. I smiled as I remembered it.
Everything felt lighter today too. I had just finished wearing my clothes when a knock sounded.
“Come in” I said happily.
Lina burst through the door, her eyes immediately narrowing as she took me in.
“You look suspiciously happy” she said winking at me. I laughed.
“Do I?”
“Yes. You are radiant, glowing and practically humming” she reduced her voice. “You look like someone that has been throughly fucked” she giggled. I rolled my eyes, though I couldn’t stop smiling. She wasn’t lying.
“I thought you said your body was sore from your wounds? Your bandages had just been removed. Weren’t you uncomfortable?”
“A little pain cannot stop me” I said winking at her and she laughed.
“I love that” I smiled. “Then this is the perfect time. Then because you are in good mood you are definitely ready” she continued brightly.
“For what?” The smile disappeared from my face. She clasped her hands together, excitement dancing in her eyes.
“We are going to see the witch”
“The witch?” I echoed. She nodded eagerly.
“Yes, you remember you asked for a meeting with her before. I told you we would go soon and now the time has come. We can go freely, no one is going to question us because everyone knows what you and the Alpha are. So, this is the perfect time”
Although, I really wanted to see the witch so I could know more but I didn’t think today was a good time.
‘It’s best to go once and for all and be done with this’ my wolf advised but I was skeptical. I just wanted to bask in the happiness I woke up with.
“I don’t…”
“Before you say no…..she is the one that asked you come today”