CHAPTER 42: A TEMPTATION NAMED KODA

Elian;

"Stop it!" I snap as I wipe off his saliva again, and he tilts his head as he looks at me.

He suddenly moves one of his paws, and my heart dies in my chest.

What now??

He grabs me, and I yelp in panic as he pulls me to himself. I try to wriggle out of his grip, but it’s ironclad.

I look up at him in annoyance, and he huffs at me. A soft, gentle one this time. Like he’s telling me to relax.

I stop struggling and look up at him. He stares down at me, and as the silence stretches, I can’t ignore my pounding heart.

He moves his other paw, and I shut my eyes in fear, but he simply rubs my hair. I open my eyes, and his attention is on my hair as he meticulously messes it up.

"What are you doing?" I demand as I try to push the heavy paw away.

"Alana worked for minutes to get my hair looking presentable!" I rant, but he doesn’t stop.

"Ugh, stop!!" I scream in annoyance, and only then does he pause. He releases his grip on me, and I wriggle out of his grip.

I sit in front of him, and for a second, I swear he looks... hurt. Like he didn’t expect me to yell.

"I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled. I just... I just don’t like being treated like a toy." I apologise, and there’s silence.

He suddenly leans forward. He buries his face in my stomach. He nuzzles his nose into my stomach, and I can’t help the laughter that escapes me at how ticklish it feels.

"That tickles..." I laugh hopelessly, and then he turns. Rolling onto his back with his paws and legs hanging in the air.

I blink at how unguarded and trusting this position is. I look down at him in amusement, but his eyes are shut as he rubs his back into the grass beneath us. My eyes travel to the bed of beautiful, blonde fur.

It looks so healthy... so luscious... so...

My hand moves before my brain can catch up, and in a matter of seconds, my fingers are buried in the fluffiest, softest fur ever.

He’s so soft!! Like a teddy bear.

I bury my other hand in the luxurious fur, and I can’t help giggling and smiling like an oaf as the silk hairs slip through my fingers, tickle the back of my hand and make me want to share the warmest, longest hug with him...

Koda is so lucky. It’s like he gets to have a fluff, high-quality sweater whenever he wants it. It’s like being hugged by nature. I want fur too!!

Wait... what the fuck did I just think??

I want fur!??

The fuck?!

I pull my hands away from him, perplexed by my thought, and Koda boops my stomach. I look down at him, and he tilts his head as he stares at me.

I thought I was going to spend the day watching a high and mighty, stuck-up, powerful Alpha. But here I am giving belly rubs to a grizzly bear.

An... undeniably... beautiful creature.

I never knew bears were this gorgeous... or majestic. Then again, I never thought I’d have a bear’s head in my lap as it stares at me like a curious puppy.

Why do I kind of like this??

He suddenly rolls to his side, and I watch as he stands back up on all fours. He turns away from me and walks into the stream.

I watch with creased brows as he stands still for about two minutes, just watching the water gush past him.

Then it starts.

He nose dives into the water, and my eyes widen when he pulls his head out of the water with a fish in his mouth. He tosses the fish out of the water, and I scamper back as the huge fish lands just a few feet away from me.

I watch with wide eyes as he slashes his claws and chomps his canines through the water. I don’t know how long this goes on, but the heap of fish just a little distance from me has grown dramatically.

He’s caught about 20... if not more.

"Should we stop him? He’s going to wipe out an entire generation of fish at this rate!" I whisper to Alana as I stand up, and we both stare at the bear in the stream.

"I don’t know. He’s never caught this many before.... I think it’s because you’re here." Alana says, and I blink at her speechlessly.

She didn’t have to be direct about it. Koda is trying to show off.

Does he think knowing he’s a good fisher...bear? Does he think knowing he’s good at fishing will make him attractive to me??

"You’re going to kill all the fishes in the estate!" I yell in annoyance as he tosses out about five extra fishes.

He pauses and looks at me. The cloud of brown suddenly appears again, covering him, and I watch in awe as he reverts to his human form.

"Ugh... That was refreshing." He breathes as he throws his head back and runs his fingers through his wet hair.

I watch his skin glisten under the sun. My eyes follow the droplets of water that race down his dark, elegant skin, and I feel a lump form in my throat.

"We’ll have a fish meal feast for lunch. Would you like that?" He questions, and as I stare at his glorious, wet body... his built biceps... broad chest... firm abs... My mouth goes dry.

How... Is this the same cute, cuddly bear who was rolling on its back just a few minutes ago??

"Elian?" He calls, and my eyes dart up to his face.

"You’re drooling." He adds, and my heart dies in horror as I quickly take my fingers to my mouth.

Shit, I am drooling!!

I wipe my saliva away in embarrassment, and I feel my cheeks heat up.

I hear him chuckle, and suddenly, I want more than anything for the ground to open and swallow me up.

I drolled. I was actually drooling!! This is going to haunt me for life!!

"Alpha Koda?" An unfamiliar male voice suddenly calls as he runs over to the stream.

"Rowan? Why are you just coming?" Koda’s deep, naturally authoritative voice demands, and I steal a glance at the young man who has just come.

He has bright blue hair, eyes with slit pupils that blink in a reptilian manner, and scales on the left side of his face, starting under his cheekbone and travelling down to his neck.

What animal is he?

"Alpha Zethar is at the gate. He’s brought a procession with him. Knowing your brother, I suggest you’re there when he meets the King, Alpha." The new guy says, and Alpha Koda falls silent.

"Hmm..." He replies, and the guy holds out a robe.

"We have about five minutes to get you dressed." The guy says, and I just watch from under my lashes in confusion.

As Koda makes to step out of the water, I look away, and find that Alana has done the same. Like if Koda ever stripped in front of her, she would rather sell her eyes than dare to look.

I freeze when I suddenly feel Koda wrap an arm around my waist.

I turn to him in alarm, and he leans closer to me with his wet hair framing his face.

"I’m going to get ready to see my brother. You can rest during that time..." He says, and I blink at him.

Is he chasing me off? He doesn’t want me to see the last brother? Why? Is this Alpha Zethar a madman??

"Oh. You look pissed." He says before suddenly taking my chin between his thumb and index finger as he tilts my face even closer.

"Do you want to be with me even while I get dressed?" He questions, and my eyes widen.

I smack his hand off and step away from him.

"I never said that! I’ll go get some rest. I’m very tired as it is. I’ll take my leave now! Thanks for letting me come here. It was nice watching you fish." I ramble, and with each word, I take a step away from him.

I turn around and am about to bolt when he speaks again.

"Elian?" My face scrunches in annoyance, and I almost stomp my feet, but I turn around nonetheless.

"Sir?" I reply, and he smirks at me.

"You have just five minutes to rest. When my brother is in the hall meeting my father, I want you there. You should see who your last Alpha is." He says, and I swallow.

"Y-yes, Alpha," I reply with a small bow, and I don’t care if he still has something to say... I don’t care how embarrassing it may look.

But as soon as I’m facing the opposite direction, I bolt.

I’ve embarrassed myself enough this afternoon. I need to get away from that living... breathing... alluring temptation named Koda.