CHAPTER 112: THEIR BOND

Ariana had begun to move her hands around his cock slowly. Zavren gritted his teeth as his head fell backward, the feeling making his body float on clouds. His breath came out ragged and slightly breathless as he spoke,

"Move your hands...faster, sweetheart," Zavren said, his eyes moving to hers. He bit his lip hard, trying his best to stay calm but it seemed he couldn’t.

Ariana began moving her hands faster as she got the hang of it. Her hands wrapped more around his hardness as she kept moving further.

Zavren groaned gently, gritting his teeth hard the feeling was just too good..and despite this being her first time, her touch felt damn good to him.

Ariana did not know why, but she felt so good just watching his expression, the way he moaned, the way his veins popped lightly in his neck, his drunkenly sexy gaze moving from her, and the way his head fell back not to mention the way his hair lightly shielded his eyes.

It made something inside her throb dangerously. She quickened her pace on him as she heard another low growl she was getting even more confident with this she hafly but her lower lips.

"Ahggg... my wife, you are so good... fuck, Aria, you are the best... yes, like that."

Ariana felt proud that she could actually make her husband feel this way. A light moan escaped her lips to her own surprise as she kept going. Zavren’s eyes stared at hers as a slow grin stretched on his lips admiringly.

He wanted to know and feel just how his cock would be in her mouth, but he did not want to stress her out, as he knew this was already too much. He would need to take things one step at a time—that was the best way.

Slow and steady.

Ariana moved even faster. Zavren watched her—the more she moved, the more her breasts heaved lightly with each movement.

Ariana’s hands grew tired as she slowed down. She had gotten tired, and then he spilled on her, his liquid coming out, some flying to her breast and face. Her eyes stared at the liquid, now turning even more lazy, and then her body moved falling to the side. Zavren moved swiftly, catching her protectively in his arms. His hands brushed the strands of her hair away from her face.as he stared at her now calm face.

His hands, despite the light sting from how swiftly he had cut the belt tied to his wrist, were burnt—yet it did not move him. His eyes moved to her hands as he gently moved his thumb to her nipple, wiping away his liquid from it.

His eyes flickered to th belt which now looked like it had been cut into two...

****

Ariana woke up, and the moment she did, her eyes widened. She felt Zavren’s hand on her tummy, he was caressing it gently. She was surprised—he hadn’t left this time, which was shocking, knowing how he always left in the mornings and she was sure it was already afternoon.

It truly surprised her that he was still here. She hadn’t expected him to stay. She turned slowly, and just as she did, a slow smile curled on his lips as he spoke calmly.

"Good morning, my wife," Zavren said, his voice soft.

It seemed he had been awake and was waiting for her to wake too.

Ariana nodded, her smile widening at him. Zavren’s lips curled up again as he added,

"I hope you slept well, sweetheart."

Ariana nodded gently, her face turning crimson. That one word alone reminded her of last night, and she didn’t know how to behave. Zavren moved, slowly adjusting the shirt he had put on her last night after cleaning her.

He pulled it down slightly so she wouldn’t feel tempted again. Ariana stared at him, her fingers tracing his jaw gently. Zavren simply watched her, enjoying the fact that she was now so comfortable with him. Then he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her lips.

"Sweetheart, you are so beautiful... tell me, are you a mermaid or a goddess?" he asked with a teasing smile.

Ariana’s smile widened. The way he said it made her want to pinch his cheeks. So, Jacky really hadn’t been joking. Even her husband, the great Alpha—was asking her the same question. She couldn’t help but smile as she nodded teasingly. Zavren chuckled at his own childish question.

"Oh sweetheart, how I wish I could show you my wolf. You have every right to see me in my wolf form," he said.

Ariana’s eyes widened. Her thoughts drifted somewhere else entirely. And it was his fault—he’d made her start seeing even that word in another way. Still, she was curious. Really curious. Why couldn’t he shift into his wolf?

"But sweetheart, after your pregnancy, I’ll shift every single time. In fact, you’ll ride on me," he added with a grin.

Ariana’s eyes sparkled. She couldn’t wait. She wondered if her pregnancy had something to do with his inability to shift. Still, she was glad he had said it himself and she knew Zavren. He wasn’t the type to go back on his word.

"I’ll go get ready now. We’ll be having a family painting today," he said as he sat up and stood.

Ariana nodded. She was happy. In fact, it meant she and Zavren would be painted together—for a portrait that would be placed on the palace wall. Zavren walked calmly out of the room, his expression relaxed. He was wearing a black shirt and pants. He must have changed after dressing her up.

**

Ariana walked beside Leah as they headed to the painting room. She had just finished her breakfast, and now Leah was taking her to the room where she and Zavren would be painted. Her crown rested on her head, and she wore a dark, royal green gown. Her hair was styled perfectly...just as a queen’s should be.

Ariana felt slightly nervous. She knew how important this moment was. It would be her first time, and she didn’t want to mess things up—like she usually did. That was her fear.

From what she had heard, one had to remain perfectly still during the painting. She wondered if she could manage that. She needed to calm down. Zavren would be there.

"Luna Ariana, we’ll stay in the garden for about ten minutes while the head maid checks the room for final arrangements," Leah said respectfully.

Ariana nodded. They walked through the hallway that led to the garden. But Ariana suddenly halted when she noticed a familiar figure approaching.

Lady Stephanie.

Her eyes widened slightly. She hadn’t expected to see her here.

"Luna Ariana," Stephanie called gently, walking briskly—forgetting her ladylike manners and rules. Her face was bright with a smile as she approached. When she finally reached Ariana, she curtsied, and Ariana returned it.

"I see you’re heading to the garden. How about I join you? My carriage isn’t here yet," she said.

Ariana nodded gently, and they walked together toward the garden. Once there, they made their way to a bench and sat. Ariana turned to Lady Stephanie and signed slowly, her smile widening.

"I loved last night’s music. It was one of the best feelings I’ve had. Thank you so much, Lady Stephanie."

Stephanie’s lips curled up as she nodded.

"I’m guessing you thought I wasn’t going to come again?"

Ariana nodded gently. Stephanie giggled and added,

"Seems I surprised you," she said with a wide smile.

She then leaned in and said,

"Mother finally gave me that musical note I had begged her for months. She had only allowed me to play it once. I was surprised she finally let me take it."

Ariana nodded, her curiosity growing.

Does it belong to Lady Emberg? she wondered.

She moved her hands and signed again.

"Does it belong to your greatest-grandmother?"

Lady Stephanie nodded and leaned in.

"She was given the note by her closest friend—a commoner. That friend wanted to join a local theatre to pursue music. But when it was found out, she was told to focus on her household instead.

A woman was supposed to stay in the kitchen, they had said to her.

Instead of letting the music go to waste, she gave it to Mother and told her to use it however she wanted."

Ariana’s eyes widened.

Her mother hummed that note... she even sang it. Ariana knew the lyrics perfectly. She had been told it was passed down by her ancestors.

Her lips parted slightly in shock.

Did this mean that the royal friend her ancestor gifted the note to was Lady Emberg?

She didn’t want to jump to conclusions...she wasn’t completely sure yet—but what shocked her most was that she had come across the same song that had been passed down for generations.

She moved to sign again, but then something else caught her attention.

Stephanie, noticing the change in Ariana’s expression, opened her mouth to speak...but her words died quietly when Ariana’s hand gently rested on her neck.

Her body stiffened.

Because Ariana’s gaze was fixed on one thing...

A hickey.