Chapter 294 Chapter 294

Chapter 294 Chapter 294
He swallowed once, his voice low and ragged when he managed to speak. “Are you alright?” The sudden shift in her body—going completely limp beneath him—told him everything he needed to know. She was spent, utterly drained from the intensity of what had just happened between them, and the realization made something protective surge through his chest.

Pressing his forehead against her hair, he placed a soft kiss, listening to the rain as it poured around them.

He felt it then.

A tug—not at his body, but at something deeper. The bond tightening, sinking its teeth into bone and soul alike. The mark on her skin burned faintly, pulsing as it recognized its counterpart at last.

Xenon let out a sound he didn’t recognize.

Not a growl. Not a howl.

Something older.

His forehead lowered until it rested against hers. The contact was light—almost reverent—but it shattered whatever fragile control he had left. His heart thundered once, twice, then steadied, falling into rhythm with hers.

There.

That was it.

The tiger settled, curling inward instead of straining outward. The wolf went still, satisfied, as though some long-standing vigil had finally ended. The constant fracture inside him—always split, always fighting—sealed with quiet finality.

Home, something inside him whispered.

She exhaled, slow and shaky, and the bond answered.

The room seemed to breathe again. Shadows softened. The air cooled, the rain pouring even harder. It looked like the heavens had approved of their union. When Xenon finally opened his eyes, the chaos that had lived there for so long was gone—replaced by something fierce and unyielding.

Not hunger.

Belonging.

His hand came to rest at the small of her back, grounding, steady.

“It’s done,” he murmured—not to her, but to the beasts within him.

And for the first time in his life, they agreed.
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Rayena came to awareness slowly. Someone was pressed tightly against her, rubbing her sides gently, and between her thighs, something throbbed, oversensitive.

What happened? She tried to ask, but her mouth only made gurgled noises.

“You passed out.” Xenon groaned, reaching up to press a kiss onto her cheeks. It took a while for her to realize she hadn’t asked that question out loud. It also took time for her to notice the emotions she was currently feeling weren’t completely hers.

“Xenon?” she called out, voice hoarse, hesitant.

“We’re bonded, love. We did it.” He murmured, his eyes smiling. Rayena tried to turn to look at him, but quickly stopped, seeing they were still joined, every muscle protesting that act.

Knotted.

Her ears registered the noise outside the room. “Is that… rain?”

Xenon nodded, his lips stretching into a smile now. “It started after… well, after.”

She gave a soundless gasp, eyes wider than saucers.

“We did it.” Xenon croaked, burying his face into the crook of her neck. “We’re bonded now. Completely mine. Just like I’m yours.”

Tears filled her eyes before she could stop them.

She could feel him now. Completely. His happiness, his awe, his concern—but most importantly, she could feel his love. She was sure if she dug a little deeper, she could hear his thoughts.

“You should…” He answered, answering her speculations.

“You can… hear my thoughts too?” she asked, surprised. He nodded once.

“Yes… if I wish to.”

Oh gods… oh gods! Is this what it means to be bonded?!

Rayena blinked rapidly, trying to listen in. And indeed, there it was. In every thought he had, she was there. He thought her beautiful, thought her brave, thought her selfless.

And most importantly, thought her his.

“You’re mine now… for all eternity.” He groaned, kissing her. Rayena responded heartily, chuckles spilling from her lips.

This was everything she’d hoped for and more. She didn’t think anything was missing between them until they were finally bonded. Now she wondered how she managed to live all these years without him.

He pulled away slightly to gaze into her eyes, his own glossed with tears. “Finally…” he croaked. “After over a century of waiting, you’re here. I’m whole. I’m complete.”

“Me too…” she cried back, sniffing. “Me too, Xenon. I love you.” She muttered, unable to get the words out clearly. Xenon chuckled, kissing away the tears that had slid down her cheeks.

He was too happy.

“I love you too.” He whispered.

They stayed cuddled together, listening as the rain poured, blessing the realm with a brand new start.

Back at the palace, thousands had gathered outside in the deluge, dancing and singing as the rain poured down on them.
Water streamed from rooftops and carved little rivers along the stone paths, soaking clothes and skin alike, yet no one seemed to care.

Many children could be seen playing in the puddles that had gathered, ecstatic giggles spilling from their lips, while other people simply had eyes filled with gladness that the rain they had sought for had finally come back to them.

It was impossible not to see it as a sign. The gods had spoken clearly: the current king’s union was blessed.

High above the celebrations, tucked safely within the palace walls, Soraya and Morvan lay tangled up together, watching as the rain pattered against their windowsill, a sheet draped across their naked bodies. Since it was the full moon, Morvan had gone to help Soraya with her heat, and she had heartily welcomed him.

“This must be splendid news to the king and his mate, wherever they are,” Soraya muttered as she lay on Morvan’s chest. The latter gave her a wry smile, threading his fingers through her auburn curls.

“Definitely…” he responded, enjoying the feel of her body against him too much.

“To think the rain started after they went for their mating ritual. They are indeed the ones destined to rule us,” Soraya sighed, leaning sideways. “This must mark the beginning of all good things for the realm. And everyone.”

“Hopefully for us too,” Morvan added gently, and Soraya glanced up at him, a small smile on her face.

“I believe so. For us,” she whispered in agreement.

There was no reason for her to live in fear and doubt that they could never be together. She had chosen to let that go and step into the future, however uncertain it might be, with Morvan by her side. She couldn’t imagine spending her days with anyone else.

Reaching up, she pressed a soft kiss against his lips, but he soon seized her, deepening it in an instant.

Soraya gave a light gasp, then fluttered her eyes closed, reciprocating with the same fervor.

The slow burn of desire simmering between them roared to a full blaze, and by the time Soraya pulled away from the kiss, she was embarrassingly slick, eager to be mounted. Morvan caught the look and allowed his lips to curl into a smirk.

“Want to go again?” he murmured, his voice husky.

“Yes, please…” Soraya responded, her voice tinged with hunger.