Chapter 69

Aderyn wanted to pull away to let some space stand between them, but he held her waist firmly with his other free hand, pinning her close to him. He didn't say a word, but his gaze was somewhat pleading for her not to move. With a mute silence, she rested back on his arm. Shamelessly, deep down, she felt herself suddenly loving it.

They were in this awkward yet comfortable position for what felt like forever, remaining in a comforting silence. She could feel the familiar burn in her stomach again. She relaxed more, leaning much more comfortably on him.

An almost unnoticeable growl vibrated from him, and the next second she felt his other free hand wrap around her. Aderyn's blue orbs turned to meet his, and she found his eyes closed shut. If she didn't know this perfect creature before her, she would have actually thought he had drifted into sleep, but she did know him, and he was shamelessly faking it.

But Aderyn didn't move; her gaze remained on him as she watched his fake sleepy face. It was so peaceful and perfect. There wasn't any other expression on his face—no worry or his usual thinking face. All was just peaceful, and she wished it always stayed this way. 'Hell, I want it too.' The past days had been hell for him, just like every other day. Brielle and Nina had filled her all in.

About the Vampire kingdom from the South, even his company's work weighed on him, and let's not forget this fucking curse that was hovering around. She could recognize the anger and frustration that now engulfed her. It was the same as this morning when she almost burnt her room down with blue fire. As if on cue, her stomach began to boil. Now she didn't just feel uncomfortable; she felt sharp pains all over. Aderyn felt as if something in her wanted out, wanted freedom from years of being locked up.

"Dylan," she called out his name, which instantly brought serenity to the pains all over. But he didn't respond. She called again, but he was silent. It seemed he had actually drifted to sleep. Aderyn moved closer to him again, watching him as her eyes immediately felt heavy and sleepy. Then she drifted into sleep right next to him.

There was utter silence between us. It was comforting and nerve-calming. He loved the way her beating heart echoed in his ears. Even his aching muscles could all relax because she was here, next to him.

Dylan didn't know when he drifted into a slumber. He had maxed out every hour of the day tending to one task or the other. Relating to the company's work, everything going on in the pack, even the sudden daily discovery of danger coming from the Blood Stone kingdom seemed to have worn him out.

He had known she was at the witches' quarters. He waited, hoping to at least get a good image of her before he turned in for the night. Dylan knew the next day he would leave for the Circle meeting before dawn and would be back at midnight; he wouldn't have the time to see her then.

Some minutes later, he shook out of his brief slumber, only to find his beloved mate also sleeping soundly beside him. Her breathing was calm, her face all so relaxed, not having her usual demeanor on. He had noticed her creased and worried expression earlier. He wanted to ask her exactly where the frustration and anger came from.

Celeste had told him that for days she had tirelessly clung to Cora's journals and notes, studying and figuring out a way to translate the weird language.

Dylan heaved out heavy breaths, his amber orbs never leaving her beautiful face.

He hated seeing her like this. He could say he missed the calm and irresistibly annoying mate of his. These days, she appeared to be partly angry and terrified of something.

This was all his fault. He had dragged her selfishly into his cursed life and now, this was the consequence of his selfish actions. He didn't want to see her tangled up in his wretched life, but yet again, he wouldn't last a second without her, his mate.

Dylan's finger trailed her sleepy face, brushing back a strand of hair that fell to her face. He just couldn't get enough of her. He didn't deserve her; he knew it. The Moon Goddess had definitely made a mistake pairing them up. She deserved better, away from all this. Cora had taken her away for her safety; fate should have just allowed her to stay away. Why bring her back to all this insanity and problems?

He felt like a headless chicken walking on a thin thread. Any single mistake made, or even an ounce of carelessness, could leave him dead, could leave his people dead. He wasn't certain of his future. He wasn't certain of anything. As it appeared, he still hadn't rid himself and the pack of the curse Gretchen placed on him before her death. Now, even the vampire king wants his life. He wasn't a bit scared of the ancient king—he was an Alpha hybrid, after all. What worried him more was his people and—and her, his mate.

He sighed again, cupping her soft, tender cheeks.

'Oh Aderyn, what to do?'

He kissed her forehead, caressing her cheek. A gentle, light moan ran from her throat. Dylan couldn't help but smirk at this. Well, it was good; even in her dreams, she still thought of him.

Gently, he raised her into his large arms. Her soft, petite body folded well in his arms. He felt the tingles and sparks that weren't lazy to form at their bodies' closeness.

Dylan walked to her room; once inside, he placed her on the bed. Dylan pulled out the sheets, covering her. He stole one more gaze at her sleepy face before he left her in the silence of her room.

He walked out to his room. Then his ears picked up the quiet noises coming from the first floor. He knew exactly who the midnight walkers were and could also tell they were trying to be as quiet as possible, but considering his ears seemed like an antenna constantly picking up things, they were, in one word, noisy!

At this rate, the little sleep he could have had would be lost by their ruckus.

In a flash of speed, Dylan teleported down to the first floor. His eyes quickly found the midnight walkers, Mason and Allegra, of course, sitting all curled up on the sofa of the small parlor closest to the kitchen, eating ice cream. His jaw dropped the instant his amber pair fell on the TV screen.

'Fuck!' They were sitting so comfortably, eating ice cream while watching this! He couldn't even let his lips speak the name of the childish cartoon playing on the flat screen. It was a Tom and Jerry cartoon, and by the looks of it, Allegra seemed to have a giant smile covering her face while watching it. She was happy watching that! He could understand how the brain of such a young girl worked, but Mason had no excuse. He was the pack's great warrior, for fuck's sake.

Dylan cleared his throat, bringing the attention of both Mason and Allegra to him.

"Alpha, you aren't asleep yet." Mason shifted on his seat as his eyes were on him. Soon Allegra twisted her head to meet Dylan. Her brown orbs shined instantly and she was on her feet, moving to Dylan. Her hands grabbed his arm, pulling him to the closest seat.

"Come watch with us!" excitedly, she chirped, pulling him closer.

She was happy. Well, with the couple of days she had spent here, she had been happy and had adjusted surprisingly well. Dylan knew it was all thanks to the pack members, most importantly Mason.

Yes, Mason. At first, he was worried about Mason's fondness for the newborn, and he even couldn't believe his sudden protectiveness over her. But then, Mason also had a special connection with this young newborn; even though she's not his mate, he treats her merely as a younger sibling.

"Not today, Allegra. I swear I might pass out any moment from now." He came to a halt, patting her on her slender shoulders. "Good night!" He turned to both of them, throwing a cautious look at Mason before leaving for his room. Dylan plopped onto his bed, falling asleep.