?Chapter 140:

I bit my lip to keep from screaming, biting down so hard I tasted blood.

My pussy was bare, open to his gaze, and I was forced to open my eyes. That look—his eyes locked on me, burning with intensity.

“I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again. You’re damn pretty, Vixen. You were made for me.”

He didn’t wait for me to agree before his mouth feasted on my cunt.

My hands flew to his head, wrapping around him, begging—though I couldn’t even tell what the hell I was begging him for.

Iy on the grassy hill, the scent of pine and earth filling the air, grounding me as I rested my head on Ryder’s chest. His heartbeat was steady, slowing from the high of our lovemaking. The cool breeze against my skin made me shiver slightly, but Ryder’s fingers, soft and sure, traced my jawline, igniting a lingering hunger. Despite the exhaustion, the feel of his skin against mine kept the ember of desire burning.

“Hey,” Ryder murmured, his voice a gravelly whisper as his fingers trailed along my corbone, leaving tingles in their wake. “Where’s your ne?”

The question hit me like ice water. Oh, hell. I’d been hoping he wouldn’t notice.

My mind raced. Think, Jasmine. “I left it at home,” I managed to stammer, struggling to keep my voice steady. So smooth, right? Lying wasn’t exactly my strong suit.

Ryder frowned, his gaze sharpening just slightly as he watched me, a flicker of something in his eyes. “You never take it off. I mean, it means a lot to me, seeing it on you every day.”

I swallowed, my face warming. He was right; I usually didn’t take it off. That ne had practically be a part of me since he’d given it to me. I’d just never expected I’d lend it to someone else—or rather, someone would borrow it without asking. Jason, that idiot.

“You gave it to me, so I like to cherish it,” I mumbled, my voice barely above a whisper, knowing my excuse sounded hollow.

Ryder’s brow creased, his eyes narrowing a fraction. He let the subject drop, though I could tell he wasn’t fully convinced. Instead, he turned his gaze upward, staring at the sky as if lost in some far-off memory. A hint of nostalgia softened his usual hard expression.

g?lnσνe??s has the stories you love

“There’s a lot more to that ne than meets the eye,” he finally said, his voice holding a trace of reverence.

My curiosity got the better of me. I propped myself up on one elbow, watching his face closely. “Really? What’s the story?”

He met my gaze, his silver eyes darkening as he spoke, each word weighted with an intensity that made my skin prickle. “That ne has been in my family for generations, passed down through my bloodline. It was crafted by one of the most skilled silversmiths of the Lycans centuries ago.”

I wrapped my arms around myself, the weight of his words settling ufortably in my chest. This was starting to feel less like a tender post-love moment and more like a history lesson I wasn’t ready for. I bit my lip, ncing away to hide my difort.

Ryder continued, oblivious to my unease. “It’s said to hold a connection to our ancestors, a bridge between the past and present, meant to protect our lineage. My family has guarded it fiercely for generations.”

“Protect?” I echoed softly, feeling my pulse quicken. Shit. Shit. Shit. He shifted, rolling over to face me. His gaze seemed to pierce straight into my soul, leaving me no room to hide.

“It’s more than just a family heirloom,” he said, his voice steady. “There’s a legend attached to it, one that says the ne was created to safeguard the strength within our bloodline. It ensures our power isn’t lost. And when worn by the right person, it strengthens the bond between mates, sealing their connection in a way nothing else can.”

I felt my stomach drop, as if a lead weight had settled inside me. Why hadn’t he told me this before? And of all times, it had to be now—when Jason had the damn thing! How was I supposed to get it back? Panic surged through me, my mind racing through every possible way this could blow up in my face.

“Why didn’t you tell me any of this?” I managed, my voice barely holding steady. My hands were clenched so tightly my knuckles turned white.

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