CHAPTER 52: CHAPTER 52

Aria’s POV.

I sat on the stool beside Kael’s cot, my hands trembling as I wiped his forehead with a damp cloth, my heart heavy with fear and sadness.

The room was dim, the air thick with the smell of herbs and blood, the candle’s light flickering, causing soft shadows on the stone walls.

Kael lay still, his face pale, his dark hair messy, his breathing shallow but steady, his ash-gray shirt torn, showing the bandage on his side.

My chest ached, my eyes burning with tears I wouldn’t let fall, my wolf, Kyra, whining softly, her worry matching mine.

I’d been tending to him for hours, checking his pulse, his breathing, making sure he was okay after his collapse.

The thought of losing him, my mate, the man I loved, was too much, my heart racing with fear.

I’d pushed him away, ignored him, scared he’d hate me, scared of Seraphina’s threat, but now, seeing him so weak, I just wanted him to wake, to be okay.

My eyes soon grew heavy, my body tired, my hands slowing as I wiped his face. I didn’t know when I moved to the bed, my head resting near his, my face turned to his, my hand still holding the cloth.

The room was quiet, his breathing the only sound, and my sadness pulled me under, my eyes closing, sleep taking me without warning.

I drifted, my dreams a blur of his voice, his touch, his eyes, mixed with fear of losing him.

****

A gentle touch on my hair woke me, my eyes snapping open, my heart jumping. Kael’s hand was there, his fingers soft, brushing my silver hair, his onyx eyes open, watching me, his face still pale but warm, alive.

My breath caught, my body tensing, realizing how close I was, my face inches from his, my hand resting near his chest.

Relief flooded me, my heart racing, but fear followed, my sadness loud. I’d ignored him, avoided him, and now he was awake, touching me, looking at me.

I stood, my blue dress swishing, my hands shaking, my voice small. "I should go," I said, my eyes dropping, my feet moving to the door, scared of his gaze, scared of what he’d say.

But immediately, Kael’s hand grabbed mine, his grip firm but gentle, pulling me back, my body stumbling, falling against his chest.

His heartbeat was loud, steady, alive, and my heart skipped, my breath catching, my hands pressing against his shirt, feeling his warmth.

"Stay," he said, his voice low, rough, his arms tightening around me, holding me close.

"Please, just for two seconds." His words were soft, pleading, his eyes meeting mine, full of longing.

"I missed you." His voice broke, his hand still in my hair, his touch warm, and my chest ached, my sadness mixing with love, my tears close but not falling.

I wanted to pull away, to run, to hide from the fear that he’d hate me, but his arms held me, his heartbeat grounding me, Kyra purring softly, her warmth spreading.

My eyes met his, his gaze soft, searching, and my heart raced, my hands trembling against his chest.

"Kael," I whispered, my voice shaky, my eyes locked on his, seeing his pain, his love.

He leaned in, slow, his breath warm, his lips brushing mine, soft at first, then deeper, his kiss gentle but hungry.

My heart pounded, my body melting, my hands gripping his shirt, pulling him closer, my fear fading, my love taking over.

His hands trailed forward, one on my back, one in my hair, his kiss deepening, his warmth wrapping around me.

I kissed him back, my lips moving with his, my heart racing, my body alive with need. His hands slid down, pulling me closer, my body leaned against his, the cot creaking under us.

My dress bunched, his fingers finding the hem, lifting it, his touch warm on my skin, sending shivers through me.

I pulled back, my breath heavy, my eyes meeting his, seeing his desire, his love, and I nodded, my hands reaching for his shirt, tugging it off, careful of his bandage, my fingers brushing his skin.

He pulled me back, his lips on mine, his hands gentle but firm, undoing my dress, the fabric falling, leaving me naked before him, my skin warm under his touch.

My heart raced, my body trembling, Kyra purring louder, her joy mixing with mine.

His hands roamed, soft but sure, his lips trailing to my neck, my shoulders, his breath hot, making me shiver.

I moaned, my voice soft, my hands in his hair, pulling him closer, my body aching for him. "Alpha..." I moaned softly.

He moved, his body over mine, his eyes locked on mine, his hand cupping my face, his thumb brushing my cheek.

"I love you," he whispered, his voice rough, his eyes warm, and my heart skipped, tears of pleasure burning, my love for him overwhelming.

I nodded, my hands on his face, my lips meeting his, my body arching, wanting him, needing him.

He moved slowly, his touch careful, his now hard throbbing dick sliding into mine, his thrusts gentle, steady, filling me with warmth, with love.

"Ahh." I moaned, my voice louder, my hands gripping his shoulders, my tears spilling, not from sadness but from the pleasure, the desire, the feeling of being his.

His thrusts were slow, deliberate, his eyes never leaving mine, his hands holding me, pinning me to the bed.

My body moved with his, my heart racing, my moans soft, my tears falling, my love for him pouring out.

Each thrust was gentle, his touch warm, his breath heavy, his heartbeat loud against mine.

I clung to him, my hands tight, my body alive, my pleasure building, my tears mixing with my moans.

"Luna..." He whispered, his voice soft, his lips brushing mine, his love clear, and I felt safe, wanted, even with the fear still lingering, the sadness still there.

My body trembled, my pleasure peaking, my moans louder, my hands digging into his back, my tears falling faster.

He kept banging me, his thrusts steady, his hands gentle, his eyes locked on mine, his love wrapping around me.

My heart pounded, my body shaking, my pleasure overwhelming, my tears of joy spilling as we had sex together, the cot creaking, the room quiet except for our breaths, our soft moans.

I held him close, my love for him stronger than my fear, my sadness fading in his arms, his touch healing me, even as I worried he’d hate me later.