Chapter 177 Chapter 176

Chapter 177 Chapter 176
Aloria.

The morning light filters through the curtains in soft, unforgiving streaks, cutting through the stale air of the apartment.

I stir awake slowly, my body feeling as though it has been tenderly—or perhaps not so tenderly—dismantled. There is a profound heaviness in my limbs, a deep-seated soreness that radiates from my hips down to my thighs, making every small movement a deliberate effort.

I lie still for several minutes, staring at the ceiling. For a terrifying moment, I expect to feel that familiar, hollow, empty feeling in my soul, that telltale sign that the bond didn't hold, the painful sting that the mark had been rejected, that it never held.

But it isn't there.

There is only a dull, throbbing ache, a physical reminder of the night before, and a lightness in my soul, paired with an unfamiliar hum beneath my skin. I look around me, trying to find my bearings, and that's when a voice speaks.

"Rise and shine, buttercup," a low, gravelly voice mumbles, filled with warmth and love.

I stiffen, my eyes widening as the words reverberate through me. And that's when I realize the words weren't spoken aloud.

It's all in my head.

My eyes widen, my heart skipping multiple beats. Who's that voice in my head?!

"You don't know who it is?" a low, amused voice murmurs behind me, and I turn around to see Draven smiling at me. My heart pauses in my chest before racing. He's propped on his elbow, watching me with that intense look in his eyes that makes my heart skip a beat before racing.

"Draven..." I whisper, my voice hoarse, turning to look at him properly.

His smile grows even wider, his eyes crinkling at the corners. Someone shifts beside me, and Kairos fills my line of vision, his face indecipherable, but a rare warmth is in his eyes.

I can feel their emotions now, feel how much they love me, care for me, and want to protect me, and it's the most jarring, most unexpected feeling I've ever encountered. It surpasses the bliss I usually feel even when I'm feeding.

And the bond... the bond...

I want to sit up quickly, but my sore muscles protest the act. A tiny wince slips past my lips, but draven's hand immediately reach out to steady me.

"Careful... Careful..." Draven says as he reaches out to help me. I dart my gaze across them, my heart pounding.

"The bond, Draven... It's working... It's alive... It's real..." I let out in a ragged whisper, feeling my eyes cloud with tears. Never have I felt anything like this.

It's maddening. It's utterly mind-boggling.

"We know..." Kairos growls, his deep voice rumbling through my bones. "It's done. It held."

"Just like we said it would."

A choked laugh escapes my lips, and I bow my head, laughing and crying into my hands, feeling so much relief and joy.

I still can't believe this, even if I pray and hope for this to happen. I still can't believe it.

"You're ours now. Completely. Eternally," Draven whispers, wrapping his arms around me, pulling me even closer until I'm pressed against his muscular chest.

I try to stop crying, to hold back the tears, but they seep out anyway. Eventually, I let them, feeling so much relief, so much gratitude, for this new chance at life. At love.

When I finally pull my hands away from my face, Draven places a finger under my chin, turning me so I'm facing him, and leans in for a kiss.

It's soft and tender. It's unlike anything I've ever felt, ever known, ever experienced. I pour all of my unsaid feelings, every emotion I wouldn't be able to put into words, into that kiss, kissing him back, letting his presence ground me.

When he finally pulls back to catch his breath, his eyes are shining, and my entire body is buzzing with the strength of the bond and something more.

"How do you feel? Tell us honestly," he groans, his gaze still tender as he looks at me.

I give a warm, bashful smile.

"Sore, but in a good way." I can still feel the phantom sensations of their dual knots stretching me out, how intense the night had been.

"That will fade in time," Draven groans, a tender smile on his face. "You just need to recover," he adds, and I nod.

"So... what do we do now?" I ask, my tone light.

"What do you want us to do?" Draven asks, throwing the question back at me again.

I take a moment to think, then let out a breath.

"Lie in bed. I can't walk around just yet," I murmur, trying to move my limbs, but they ache too pleasantly for that.

"Then lie in bed is what we'll do," Draven murmurs, a teasing expression on his face.

They both lean in to press kisses to my cheeks, and together we flop back onto the bed.

"Welcome home..." Draven murmurs, his hand splayed around my waist.

Home.

The word reverberates through me, and my breath hitches.

Home.

A small smile splits my lips as my eyes drift closed. Indeed, I am home. I've come home to them.

"Go to sleep now. We aren't going anywhere," he murmurs, the deep timbre of his voice washing over me, pulling me into a much-needed sleep.

I settle back into the bed, and with a half-smile on my face, I drift into a much-needed sleep.
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