Chapter 183 Marked and Claimed

Chapter 183 Marked and Claimed
Chapter 183

RAVENNA

Darius sighed, the sound deep and satisfied, and rolled onto his back with me still on top of him.

His arms wrapped around me immediately, holding me so tightly I could barely breathe. Like he was afraid I might disappear if he loosened his grip even a fraction.

I felt his chest rise and fall beneath me, steady and warm, and for a moment I just let myself sink into him.

He turned his neck to the side, exposing the smooth stretch of skin there, and his voice came out quiet. "Are you going to mark me now or later?"

I stared at his neck.

The pulse beneath his skin beat steadily, calling to something primal inside me.

Moonlight surged forward immediately, her presence filling my chest, her voice a low whisper in my mind. "Let's claim what is ours." 

Darius turned his head slightly, his eyes finding mine. "You can do it whenever you want."

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding. "Now."

He smiled at me, slow and warm, and tilted his head further to give me better access.

I leaned forward, my hands trembling slightly as I placed them on either side of his neck. I licked his skin first, tasting salt and warmth, and felt my fangs spring out without warning.

I hesitated for just a second.

Then I bit down.

Darius moaned, his hands tightening on my waist, his body arching slightly beneath me.

I held him there, feeling the bond snap into place like a physical thing—solid, unbreakable, "ours." 

When I finally pulled back, I raised my head and looked at the mark I had left on his shoulder.

Two crescent-shaped punctures, already healing but still visible, still "Mine." 

I licked my lips, tasting him, and met his eyes. "Mine."

The word came out possessive, final, and I felt Moonlight purr in satisfaction.

I collapsed onto his chest, utterly exhausted, my body heavy and warm.

Darius traced lazy circles on my back, his touch soothing, grounding.

We stayed like that for a while, quiet and content, and I think we were both dozing off when a loud knock sounded on the door.

Not a knock. A pound

Then a voice yelled from the other side, sharp and furious. "Darius! Open this door right now or I'm going to break it down!"

My father's voice.

My eyes flew open, and I sat up so fast my head spun.

Darius groaned beneath me, clearly not ready to move.

"I'm fine!" I called out quickly, my voice still hoarse. "I just need a moment before I come out!"

There was a grunt from the other side. "Hurry up."

I turned to Darius, my cheeks flushing. "Are you going to join me in the bath?"

He nodded immediately and scooped me into his arms before I could protest.

I let out a surprised giggle, wrapping my arms around his neck as he carried me toward the bathroom.

Darius would not let me wash myself.

He insisted on doing everything—washing my hair first, running his fingers through it gently, massaging my scalp until I nearly melted. 

Then he moved to my body, his hands slow and deliberate, sometimes stealing kisses from my lips and breasts.

"Darius," I warned, trying to sound stern but failing completely. "There's an angry father waiting outside."

He grumbled under his breath. "We'll do this properly later."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

When we returned to the room, I grabbed one of his shirts and a pair of his trousers, pulling them on quickly.

They were far too big on me, but they smelled like him, and I loved it.

I turned and caught him watching me, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'm keeping these. You can forget about getting your clothes back."

He laughed and came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder. "Whatever's mine is yours now. Feel free to take anything you want."

I raised an eyebrow, meeting his eyes in the mirror. "Anything?"

He nodded.

"You should be careful," I teased. "I might take full advantage of your kindness."

He kissed my neck softly. "Nothing I can't handle."

I opened the door to find my father pacing the hallway.

But he wasn't alone.

Sam, Dorian, and Theo were all there too, watching him with varying degrees of concern.

I rushed forward immediately and threw my arms around my father, holding him tightly.

He kissed my cheek, his voice rough with emotion. "Theo called me. He told me everything. I had to stop what I was doing and get here."

I pulled back slightly, and that's when his nostrils flared.

He leaned closer and sniffed me.

His eyes narrowed. "What is that smell?"

My stomach dropped.

I tried to feign ignorance, praying he was mistaken. "What smell?"

He turned sharply to Darius, who had stepped out of the room behind me.

My father sniffed the air again.

Theo chuckled from the side. "Whilst everyone was busy clearing the rogues, these two were busy making hot love."

My eyes widened, and my cheeks burned so hot I thought I might combust. I covered my face with my hands, mortified.

My father stepped around me and grabbed Darius by the front of his shirt, yanking him forward.

"Did you force her?" he yelled, his voice shaking with fury. "Did you take her without her consent? You bastard! You think you can just take my daughter from me like that?"

Darius looked genuinely shocked, his mouth opening and closing like he had no idea what to say.

I stepped between them immediately, forcing my father to let go of Darius.

"I did it of my own will," I said firmly, my voice steady despite my racing heart. "Darius is my mate. It was bound to happen."

I pulled my shirt down slightly, exposing the mark on my neck. "Look, he marked me" And then I turned and pulled Darius shirt exposing his neck. "I marked him too and I love him. I've always loved him and I wanted this."

My father stared at the mark for a long moment, his jaw tight.

Then he took my hand gently and turned to Darius, his voice dropping lower. "If you hurt her, I will kill you."

Darius let out a shaky laugh. "I wouldn't. Our lives are tied together now. If she dies, I die too."

My father studied him for another moment, then nodded slowly.

Sam rushed forward and hugged me tightly. "I'm so happy you're alive. You saved the academy, Raven. I'm so proud of you."

I hugged her back, my chest tight with emotion. "Thank you."

My father cleared his throat. "I'll leave you to catch up. But come home as soon as you can. Torren needs to check on you."

I nodded. "I will."

Dorian stepped forward next, grinning widely. "The pheromones are heavily scented on you. What kind of sex did you two have?"

I smirked. "The hot kind. The kind you've never imagined. He fucked me left, right, front, back, middle—"

Dorian's eyes widened, and he held up a hand. "Stop. Don't talk anymore."

We all laughed.

Theo hugged me last, his smile soft. "You look different with the mark. I'm jealous. I hope I find my mate soon."

I squeezed his hand. "You will."

We went back inside the room, and they all groaned immediately.

"This room reeks of sex," Dorian complained, wrinkling his nose.

Darius threw him an innocent look. "I don't know what you're talking about."

We all laughed again, and after a few more minutes of teasing, we agreed to head into the academy.

We were about to walk out when the speaker in the hall crackled to life.

A voice boomed through the entire building, sharp and commanding.

"All students report to the main hall immediately. This is not optional."