Chapter 152 Chapter 152

Chapter 152 Chapter 152
PULLED  

TIANA’S POV

I walked down the hallway, with anger brewing within me. If anything has told me Seraphina could do a thing like that, I wouldn't have believed it. 

Just when I was to turned the corner that lead to the garden, someone suddenly wrapped their arms around my waist from behind. And before I could scream, I was pulled into a nearby chamber. 

The door slammed shut with a loud click. At the same time my back hit the wall, and a warm, hard body pressed against mine, pinning me there.

I opened my mouth to shout for help, but a familiar scent filled my nose. A clean, masculine scent, with a hint of pine and fresh rain. My body relaxed instantly even as my mind still raced.

I opened my eyes slowly, and found Ezekiel right in front of me. He looked down at me, with his dark, intense eyes. His hair was still damp from a recent bath, water droplets clinging to the ends and falling onto his bare shoulders. 

Ezekiel wore only a pair of loose black trousers, his chest and arms exposed, muscles glistening under the soft light from the window. 

He smelled so good, so safe, that for a moment I forgot to breathe.

Every sensible thought told me to pull away, to demand an explanation for dragging me into an empty chamber without warning. Yet standing this close to him awakened memories of every gentle smile, every reassuring touch, and every promise he'd made to protect me. 

It became harder and harder to remember why I had been so angry only moments ago.

“Where are you going with such a look on your face?” he asked, his voice low and rough. One hand stayed on my waist, holding me gently but firmly against the wall. 

The other came up to brush a strand of hair from my eyes.

I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out at first. My body reacted to him as the mark on my neck gave a small, warm throb.

Heat spread through me instantly, and I tried to push him away lightly, but my hands only rested on his bare chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart.

“Ezekiel… I was just… walking,” I managed to say, my voice shaky. 

“I needed some air.”

Ezekiel leaned closer, his forehead resting against mine, his breath warm on my lips. 

“You look troubled, Tiana. Your eyes are full of worry. Talk to me. Let me carry some of that weight.”

I scoffed and closed my eyes slowly, letting him hold me.

However, ihated how easily he could calm the storm inside me. 

Just hearing his heartbeat made the fear from the mysterious letters seem farther away. For a few precious seconds, I allowed myself to believe that nothing outside this room existed. 

There's no secrets. No hidden enemies, and no mysterious mark. Just the quiet comfort of being held by someone who genuinely cared about me.

Ezekiel's body was warm and solid, a safe place in the middle of all my chaos. He kissed my forehead softly, then my temple, then the corner of my mouth. Each kiss was gentle, full of love and care.

“You are mine,” he whispered against my neck. 

"All of us, me, Ethan, Ezra. We belong to you. Whatever is troubling you, we will face it together.”

His hand slid down my side, and rested on my hip. 

Ezekiel pulled me closer, and I felt the hardness of his arousal pressing against me. 

I held my breath and bit my lower lip as a thought suddenly flashed into my mind. From the look of things, I could tell Ezekiel really missed me. I could feel it in the way he held me, and in the way his body reacted. 

Before I could say a word, mother's words echoed in my head, forcing my mind back to reality. However,  Ezekiel suddenly made it hard to think clearly.

He bit his lips seductively, and looked deep into my eyes.

“Ezekiel…” I whispered, trying to find the strength to push him away. “We can’t… not right now. The competition is coming. We have to focus.”

He smiled softly, his eyes full of warmth and desire. “The competition can wait a little longer. I need you, Tiana. I missed you. Let me remind you how much you mean to me.”

I tried to say no. I really did. But when he kissed me again, my resistance melted. His hands explored my body gently, sliding under my dress to caress my skin. He was careful, loving, never rushing. 

He made me feel wanted, safe, and of course beautiful.

After a long, tender moment, he pulled back slightly and looked into my eyes again. “We have to leave soon for the river. The competition training is important, but I want some time with you first. Just us.”

“Ezekiel, I…” I started, but he kissed me once more, silencing my doubts.

“Come with me,” he whispered. “Please.”

I could not say no. Not when he was looking at me with those pleading eyes that always managed to soften my heart. 

It was the same innocent expression he wore whenever he wanted my forgiveness or hoped I'd indulge one of his stubborn requests. I had never been very good at saying no to that face.

As soon as I agreed, Ezekiel packed what we needed, and without wasting much time, we stepped out of the chamber and headed straight to the river.

All the way there, he wouldn't let go of my hand. And I tried as much as possible to enjoy the moment, but deep inside, I made a silent vow.

I would not let him get that close to me again as I always do. 

With all that's happening, who knows what might happen if I did?