Ariana's eyes fluttered open, her long lashes parting softly above her cheeks. She closed them again, snuggling deeper into the warm, firm sensation beneath her. Whatever it was wrapped around her so perfectly, so comfortingly, that she let out a small sniff the another and another.., pushing her body closer, her legs shifting atop the strong—something. Or… someone.
Her eyes shot open wide as memories came rushing in. Slowly, she lifted her head—and froze. The soothing warmth she'd been clinging to all this while had been Zavren. And he was bare-chested.
His eyes were open, watching her with dark amusement dancing in their depths. A chill swept down her spine, and her face burned hot with embarrassment. She tried to shift away, but his grip held her firmly in place, his hands now resting on her thighs. Her legs were draped across his stomach.
'H..how'
She hadn't even realized just how tightly she had clung to him—practically smothering him in the process—not to mention the sniffing.
"Oh heavens, Ariana. Of all things, how could you even do that?" she scolded herself, mortified. And worst of all—he was awake.
"Oh my…" she whispered.
She pressed her lips together.
Why was he still silent?
Oh…What was wrong with her.
"I had no idea my snowflake was this addicted," he finally spoke.
Ariana's body melted, butterflies fluttering wildly in her stomach. That voice—that deep, groggy silk morning voice—was everything. For some unknown reason, her heart began to thud louder in her chest.
"Addicted? This man must really be full of himself."
"No need to act like that, sweetheart. I don't mind my wife being addicted to me."
Ariana pressed her lips tighter as her heart pounded against her chest. She prayed silently that Zavren wouldn't move his hands—hands now resting on her bare thighs. Her nightgown had ridden up during the night, and as realization hit, her eyes widened.
'Night gown…how..who..when..' Her head began to spin lightly.
"You don't have to worry," Zavren spoke. "I didn't do anything to you. I just changed your clothes, that's all."
Her eyes flew wider as her hands moved to her chest slowly, checking if her bra was still on. Zavren watched her behavior with amused eyes.
'Fuck, Aria. Why did you have to do that?'
Her mouth opened in shock.
He must have removed it last night when he… changed her
"I've seen all of you," he said calmly. "There's nothing to hide from me anymore."
'This man, must he make that clear?'
Only the heavens knew how hard it had been for Zavren to change her without giving in to temptation. The countless sighs, the deep breaths, the freezing countless cold showershe had taken the way he had fought every instinct not to wake her up and…
Damn.
Ariana's face burned. No wonder she hadn't realized anything. But just as she was about to move, Zavren's hands shifted.
Her eyes snapped to his, wide with alarm.
Zavren's lips curled into a chuckle. The look on his face was that of a mischievous child caught stealing meat from the pot.
"We're married now, sweetheart. Don't act like what we're doing is some kind of taboo."
He chuckled again deep and low, Ariana's heart pounded even harder as his face leaned closer—just inches away from hers.
"We didn't even spend our wedding night properly," he murmured, his hand beginning to caress her thigh slowly. Her smooth, soft skin had surprised him—so much softer than he had imagined.
His hand moved upward, slow and deliberate. Ariana's body froze, her lips parting slightly as her chest arched upward ever so subtly.
Just as he was about to reach her—
Her legs shifted.
"Oh, sweetheart… you want me, don't you?" he whispered huskily, making Ariana shiver uncontrollably.
She shook her head quickly, her breath now fast and unsteady, her chest rising and falling with every beat. Zavren's hand moved gently to her tummy, caressing it with a tenderness that made her freeze.
That was unexpected.
"Our little one is in here," he whispered in a deep, quiet voice—surprisingly less cold. "I'm guessing he's very handsome… just like his dad." his lip curled up into a smirk.
'Look at this man already deciding.
And how is he so sure it's a boy? What if it's a girl?'
Zavren's deep laugh echoed through the quiet room.
"It seems my wife is already doubting me," he teased.
Ariana's face flushed even more, completely forgetting that his large hand still rested against her bare stomach. Without meaning to, a small smile curled on her lips. But then her heart nearly stopped as Zavren's hand moved up, cupping her breast under the thin fabric of her nightgown.
She gasped softly, her hands flying up to press against his and oh that made it even…. But he didn't stop.
"So much softer than I remembered," he murmured.
Ariana's heart leapt in her chest as he brushed his thumb gently over her already hardened nipple. Her breath hitched.
Then, without warning, Zavren slowly pulled away and stood up.
Ariana's eyes widened in shock as she stared at his sculpted bare back.
He had just… left?
Her mouth parted slightly.
Wait… why am I feeling this way?
She was supposed to be glad. Wasn't she?
Don't tell me… you wanted him to go further? Oh, Ariana, she screamed at herself internally.
The bathroom door closed behind him.
Why did he leave like that?
And why… why did she kind of wish he hadn't?
**
Zavren stood beneath the cold shower, the icy water cascading down his body in steady streams. He growled low under his breath, jaw clenched.
"Fuck… fuck. fuck, Aria. What are you doing to me?"
His normally emotionless voice cracked with strain, filled with something raw and barely contained.
Water glistened over every inch of his sculpted body—from the dark strands of his wet hair down to the defined planes of his chest and abs. He looked almost unreal, like something carved from marble, too perfect to be true.
But he knew one thing for sure: if he had stayed with her any longer, he might've scared her with the intensity of his desire. That was why he was here—trying to calm himself down, to cage the beast clawing inside him.
"Just admit it, you are already…"
"Shut up, Zan," Zavren's cold voice echoed through the bathroom, chilling and sharp, as he spoke to his wolf.
***
Ariana walked quietly through the hallway, her steps slow, her thoughts scattered. For some reason, her heart thudded loudly in her chest. Why?
Why was she… relieved it had been Zavren who changed her?
Her face flushed as the memory of that morning crept back in—his touch, his voice, the way he looked at her. Still, she couldn't help but wonder why he had left so suddenly.
A soft sigh escaped her lips.
If you keep overthinking, your head will explode, she whispered to herself, shaking her head as she tried to clear her thoughts.
She gently pushed open the large dining hall doors and stepped inside. But the moment she did, her body refused to move.
Her heart stopped.
Her chest tightened.
There—sitting at the long dining table—were her father and sister.
But they weren't alone.
A fat man sat beside them.
Her eyes widened slightly.
Was that… her sister's husband?