Chapter 76 Seventy Six
DANIKA
"Are you alright, Dani?" Cora asks me, snapping me out of my thoughts. I flash her a smile. I hope she can't tell it's fake. I can't stop thinking about what happened yesterday and how Kaziel simply shut down. He went out that evening, telling me he had a meeting to attend. He hasn't returned or picked up my calls. Sure, he gave me one-word replies on text, but that made me even more nervous.
Cora places a hand on my thigh, a worried look on her face. "Do you want to talk about it?"
I lower my head, fiddling with the hem of my pink sweater. It's Kaziel's personal life. I'm not sure it's okay to talk about it with her. But thinking about it is making me tear up. I can't shake off Kaziel's expression out of my head. I can still see how broken he looked yesterday.
"I'm sorry," I sniffle, wiping at my tears, but they keep coming. And it only makes me more upset, causing me to cry harder.
Cora hands me some tissues, rubbing my back to comfort me.
"I'm really sorry," I keep apologizing and she shakes her head.
"It's okay, let it out. I'm right here for you," she tells me, and I move over to hug her tight, crying into her T-shirt.
The front door slams open, and I freeze mid-sniffle.
"Kaziel?" I whisper, my voice trembling.
He steps inside, flanked by Kira and Aaron, and stops dead in his tracks the moment his eyes land on me. His jaw slackens, his usual composure shattering.
My throat constricts at the sight of the circles under his eyes.
"Kaz..." I choke out, trying to stand, but the tears keep falling.
Without a word, he rushes to me, sweeping me into his arms. I clutch at his coat, burying my face into his shoulder. Oh, how I missed him.
"Where...where did you go?" I manage through muffled sobs. "I called you...why didn't you answer?"
Kaziel's voice is low and rough when he speaks. "Dove... I had to handle Ember. I couldn't risk you knowing until it was done."
Aaron sighs. "Turns out she really did mess with the grave. And not just that one, but seven other former Lunas. Kaziel went to her, but she... she escaped. He crippled her physically, but the witch managed to cast some spell and vanish."
I recoil, horrified, shaking my head. "She... she actually would do something like that?" My voice cracks. "Something so... disturbing...?"
What did I expect? She was such a vile monster.
Kaziel's hands tighten around my waist. "Yes. And she's dangerous. More than you realize."
I cling to him tighter, my tears soaking into the fabric of his coat. "I... I don't understand. How could anyone... anyone do something so cruel?"
Kira winces, glancing at Kaziel. "She's not just cruel, Luna. She's twisted. She's the kind of person who thrives on power, no matter the cost."
I swallow hard, still trembling. "And you... you went to stop her?"
Kaziel nods, brushing my hair from my face. "I did. And I will keep doing it. I promise you, nothing will hurt you while I'm here."
Aaron moves closer, his expression grim. "We'll track her down. She won't get another chance."
I nod weakly, still clinging to Kaziel. The horror of Ember's actions settles in, but Kaziel's presence shields me from completely collapsing. I rest my head against his chest, shivering from relief and lingering fear.
My baby... I have to protect my baby by all means.
"Stay with me," I whisper, almost inaudibly.
Kaziel leans down, pressing his lips to the top of my head. "Always, Dove. Always."
...
Later that evening, I pad into the kitchen, drawn by the smell of something tasty. Kaziel is at the counter, apron on, sleeves rolled up, chopping vegetables with his usual precision.
"You're cooking," I murmur, leaning against the doorframe. "For me."
He glances over his shoulder, a small, tired smile tugging at his lips. "After what happened the past few days, I think you deserve this." His deep voice is warm and a little hoarse. It makes my stomach flutter.
I smirk. "I have demands."
He raises a brow, his knife halting in the middle of a chop. "Demands?"
"Yes," I say, moving closer. "Pasta with extra garlic. Lots of chocolate for dessert. And you cannot complain."
Kaziel chuckles softly, shaking his head. "You're still not nauseous?" He sounds surprised. "The first trimester usually has you... struggling. That's what I read, I think."
I grin. "I'm not sure. Maybe I just like watching you cook. Or maybe..." I lean forward and breathe in his dark chocolate scent. "...maybe your scent keeps the nausea at bay."
His eyes soften, and I can see the corners of his mouth twitch into a smile. I giggle, and before he can react, I leap onto his back, my arms wrapping around his shoulders. "Tag! You're my pony now."
Kaziel chuckles, one hand going to my thigh, the other steadying me on his shoulders. "You mischievous little princess..."
I bury my face into the crook of his neck, inhaling deeply. "Mmm... you smell amazing."
He hums, the vibrating sound from his chest making my heart skip. "You're never letting go of me, are you?"
"Never," I whisper. "I plan on staying exactly like this for the rest of the night."
He begins to back around the kitchen, careful, moving with ease despite my weight.
"Good," he murmurs, "because I can't think of a single place I'd rather be than right here, with you on my back."
I nuzzle closer, my fingers threading through his damp hair. "Your hair smells so good too. Like something sweet... and warm... and something that smells like home."
Kaziel lets out a soft laugh, the sound deep and comforting. "You're ridiculous," he mutters, though the fondness in his voice makes my chest ache in the best way.
I grin, leaning my cheek against his shoulder. His warmth radiates through me.
"You're really cooking for me?" I murmur, my mouth already watering.
"I'm cooking for both of you," he says softly. "You and the baby."
I freeze at his words. "For... the baby too?"
He smiles, his dimples popping out. "Of course. They're already part of this family. They need to eat too."
We don’t even know how far along I am yet.
My chest tightens, and I nuzzle into his neck again. "I could get used to this," I whisper.
He hums, picking up a pan and expertly flipping the vegetables. Gosh, he's such a good cook.
I tighten my arms, bouncing slightly on his back. "You feel... amazing," I murmur, inhaling again. "I feel weird, though. Almost like my senses are amplified, and I just want to creep into your skin and hide there forever."
Kaziel chuckles. "Yeah. Well, that's a thing. That's why most pregnant werewolves do what we call 'nesting'."
My eyes go wide. "So, pregnancy makes me clingy and needy? Oh dear, what if I become a bother? Also, what's this 'nesting' about?"
He shrugs lightly. "The clingier, the better. As for nesting, it's more like creating a cocoon just so you can be surrounded by my scent."
"Wow. I want."
"Sure, we can get that sorted."
The smell of garlic and pasta fills the kitchen. Kaziel hums a little tune under his breath, occasionally glancing over his shoulder at me. I rest my chin on his shoulder, my hands gently kneading his shoulders as he moves. His warmth and strength anchor me, and in this moment, all the chaos and fear fade.
"You're really strong," I murmur, smiling. "I feel... safe with you. Even carrying the baby, I feel..." I trail off, squeezing his shoulders.
"Even with the baby?" he teases softly, voice low. "You're not even showing yet. Even when your bump is bigger than my head, I'll still have no problem carrying you like you weigh nothing. And of course, I think you'll be even sexier then."
Kaziel sighs. "This is bad. What if I can't keep it in my pants even then?"
I giggle, tightening my grip. "We'll figure it out then."
He leans back slightly, adjusting me as he stirs the sauce, and I nuzzle closer, brushing my nose along the back of his neck. "I want... everything," I whisper. "For the baby. For us. I want chocolate mornings, bedtime stories, tiny clothes, lullabies... all of it."
Kaziel hums, turning his head to brush his lips against my temple. "We'll have all of it. And more. I promise."
I grin, pressing a kiss to his shoulder blade. "I love you."
He exhales shakily. "I love you too, sweetheart."
I squeeze him tighter, my heart full. "Promise me you'll never let go of me."
He pauses, then he turns his head, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to my lips. "Always," he breathes.
I beam widely, holding onto him tighter, and for the first time all day, my chest feels light.
"Honestly, I've never regretted being single so much until today."
We both turn at the sound of Kira's voice. She has a fond smile tugging at her lips.
"You haven't found your mate yet?" I gape at her, and she shakes her head. I scrunch my nose, feeling bad for her.
"Hopefully, the moon goddess will have mercy on me," she adds.
Then she looks at Kaziel, who simply goes ahead to check on the pasta.
"What is it, Kira?” he asks her, and she winces.
"I just got new intel. Vanya has been gathering a vampire army, Alpha."