DON'T DO IT!

DON'T DO IT!
VAELORA'S POV

“The Luna is here?!” the inn owner yelled.

I clenched my hands tightly as I listened from outside.

“Yes,” a guard said. “Which room is she in?”

“Give me a minute. Can you show me what she looks like? Or a description will do.”

Damn it!

Elder Ryder would find out very soon that she had left.

“This is a portrait of her,” the guard from earlier said.

Silence followed for a moment, my skin itching and my heart racing rapidly.

“This...” the inn owner muttered. “This woman was here 10 hours ago.”

10 hours?!

That was a lot of time for Aerila to escape the pack!

“10 hours ago?” Elder Ryder's deep voice rang out. “Do you know where she went? Or who she came with?”

“She was with a pale-looking female guard. She seemed to be suffering from an injury, so I thought they had been attacked while traveling. I didn't know that was the Luna. I would have welcomed her properly,” the innkeeper quickly said.

“By any chance, does she look like this?”

“Y-yes, this is her!”

“Luther, return to the palace and lock Vaelora up before I return. Do not let her out of your sight for even a moment,” Elder Ryder ordered as footsteps approached the entrance.

I quickly jumped to my feet and ran away from there. I brushed past merchants carrying goods and disappeared into the crowd.

I have been caught!

He's going to kill me for lying!

“I can't go back to the palace. I have to find somewhere to hide for now.”

. . . .

NAERIS' POV

“You look beautiful tonight, Lady Naeris,” the maid washing my back said softly behind me.

“Oh, thank you,” I replied absentmindedly, my eyes focused on the message Aeron had sent. I picked up the flower and examined it carefully.

I hope he's alright.

Water poured over my head, and some droplets landed on the letter. I quickly moved it away before glancing behind me.

“I-I'm sorry, my lady.” The maid hurriedly fell to her knees, accidentally knocking the lit candles onto the floor.

I sighed heavily and placed the letter on the folded towel along with the flower before lowering myself deeper into the steaming pool.

Huge pillars surrounded the bath while several maids stood near the entrance with fresh clothes in their hands.

I swam toward the other end of the pool where two maids stood waiting and turned around, resting my back against the edge.

They sprinkled something into the hot water, and the scent slowly drifted into my nostrils.

“This is rosewater essence. It keeps the skin smooth and tender while leaving a fresh scent after use,” the maid on the left whispered.

I leaned my head back, letting them wash my hair.

Half an hour ago, they had informed me that Aeron created this place for me to bathe and receive treatment whenever I felt stressed.

My eyes slowly closed as their fingers massaged my scalp.

I never expected him to do something like this for me.

How can I thank him enough?

“Close your eyes, my lady. We are washing the chemicals away,” the first maid said.

I nodded, keeping my eyes shut.

Cool water flowed through my hair, relaxing my body as the sound of dripping water filled my ears.

I didn't know how much time had passed, but eventually, I slowly opened my eyes and realized the maids were gone.

I stepped out of the pool and picked up the towel, tying it around my chest. Droplets of water trailed down my body and pooled onto the floor.

I pushed open the exit door connected to my bedroom.

A fresh scent drifted into my nostrils while the curtains fluttered from the cold breeze blowing through the windows.

I peeled the towel off my body and let it fall to my feet.

My eyes landed on the bite mark on my breast, and memories of Aeron and me flashed through my mind.

“Not now.” I lightly slapped my cheek before turning toward the wardrobe.

However, I froze instantly.

From the mirror, I caught sight of a figure standing behind the huge curtain, and my heart leaped into my throat.

I spun around immediately and nearly stumbled backward when I saw the unmoving figure standing there.

“W-who are you?!”

My hands searched desperately for something to defend myself with, but there was nothing nearby.

My eyes darted around the room, but the only possible weapon was the iron hook near the wardrobe. Before I could even reach it, the person would already have attacked me.

The figure finally stepped forward and moved into the light.

Nyxion's exhausted face appeared beneath the dim light.

“Nyxion?” I frowned, slight relief washing through me. “What are you doing in my room without notice?”

“Naeris.” His voice sounded hoarse, and his eyes looked unfocused. They moved around frantically before locking onto me. “Mine!”

He dashed toward me, closing the distance between us instantly.

“No! Get away from me!”

I screamed and ran toward the door, but a crushing pain suddenly shot through my spine.

I crashed onto the floor only a few feet away from the exit.

His hand clamped around my leg and dragged me backward.

“Help! Someone help me!”

I dug my nails into the floor, but it was useless.

My body lifted off the ground before crashing onto the bed, knocking the air out of my lungs.

Nyxion climbed onto the bed and forcefully parted my legs while pinning my hands above my head.

He leaned down, his disgusting breath washing over my face.

He is a monster!

A fucking monster!

“Don't do anything stupid, Nyxion! Let me go this instant! Guards! Guards!!”

I thrashed violently, trying to pull my hands free, but his grip only tightened.

“Shut up!” he barked. “You are mine, Naeris! Why can't you see that?!”

“I'd rather die than be yours, Nyxion!”

I spat in his face, but that only infuriated him further.

He released my hands for a second, and I immediately tried to shove him away, but he didn't budge.

Instead, he pulled his shirt over his head and threw it onto the floor.

No, no. It can't be what I'm thinking!

“No! Ahhhhh!”

Panic exploded inside me as I screamed and pushed against him with all my strength.

Nyxion grabbed my wrists painfully and pinned them above my head again.

His head lowered to my neck, and his tongue dragged slowly across my skin.

“I'll mark you as my mate and remove the bastard's scent from you.”

“Don't do it! Don't... ahhhhh!”

A scream tore from my throat as his teeth sank into my neck.