Chapter 118

Chapter 118
Late afternoon light filtered through the trees as Winter and Valtor finally shifted back into their human forms, their wolves feeling content after hours of running wild through the land. The grass beneath them was cool, the air still humming with the thrill of the chase. Today had been long but filled with happiness for Winter.

It had begun with her standing at Valtor’s side as he inspected the tribes, meeting the leaders, and then discussing some business matters. Afterward, they visited the orphanage. 

The building was already undergoing renovation, and Winter knew she would always remember the way the pups beamed at her, the caretakers’ happy tears as they welcomed them this morning. And then she also saw Valtor’s expression; a faint, fleeting smile she caught when he thought no one was looking.

Now, stretched out on the grass, she rested her palm against his bare chest. Valtor lay beneath her, one arm bent beneath his head while the other idly threaded through her hair. He’d left his shirt open, unwilling to put even that small barrier between them.

“Is our honeymoon phase ever going to end, Valtor?” Winter asked softly. “Ah, I think I’m going to miss this too much.”

He glanced down at her, amusement flickering in his eyes. “I don’t remember us starting a honeymoon yet, wife.”

“Then I suppose this must be it. I thought life after our marriage would be heavy with duty and strain. But everything feels softer and every day fills itself with blessings. Im so happy." She smiled as she spoke, her fingers drifting in slow patterns across his skin.

“Is that so?” he asked.

He realized then how little he had consciously given her. He had simply brought her along into his world, folded her into his daily routine. And yet she seemed content, even glowing.

“You’ve given me an idea,” Valtor said after a moment, his thumb lifting to trace the soft line of her jaw. Her skin was impossibly soft beneath his roughened fingers. “We should have a real honeymoon. One, or maybe two, full months. Just the two of us, somewhere faraway from here.”

Her breath caught.

“That long?” she asked. “What about your people? Your duties? And what exactly would we do for an entire month alone?”

The genuine surprise in her widened eyes made him laugh quietly.

He loved it when she was being so expressive like this.

“What do married couples usually do?” he said lightly. “We’ll make a lot of pups.”

Winter gasps instantly.

“Why does that shock you?” he teased. “Surely you knew it was one of the expectations after marriage.”

She fell silent, color blooming across her cheeks. “I did. I just didn’t think you’d want them so soon. Or so many.”

Valtor spoke without thinking at first, half in jest. But as the words settled, the idea of children rooted itself deep in him. Especially with Winter, he realized, maybe he didn’t want just one. 

While he smiled, Winter’s gaze drifted away, her expression dimming. Her thoughts slipped back to this morning when the tribe leaders had smiled warmly at her, they had spoken of heirs and future King as if it were already decided. She had smiled in return, all the while swallowing the poison of her own fears.

What if she can never give Valtor what they all expect?

“Winter,” Valtor called quietly.

“Hm?”

Before she could react, he moved. In one smooth motion, he shifted their positions gently. Winter found herself pressed into the grass, his body hovering over hers, his arms braced around her like a cage. His scent enveloped her and Khione purred contentedly inside her.

“You're so beautiful. I can't hold it anymore,” he murmured, his eyes darkening with desire.

“We already did it this morning,” she protested weakly, heat flooding her face. But her hands betrayed her, sliding over his hard abdomen, tracing downward without permission.

The slow glide of her fingertips across his skin sent a sharp thrill through him. A low growl slipped from his chest before he could stop it, his jaw tightening.

“Fuck.”

Valtor caught her wrists and lifted them above her head, pinning them there with ease. He leaned down until their breaths tangled. His gaze held hers, 

“I don’t care,” he murmured, “I’ll fuck you again. Here."