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Chapter 69
~Valerie’s POV~
I wanted to ignore it. I didn’t want to let him intimidate or anything, but Dristan moved then. One step forward. Then another.
I took a step back, not because I was afraid, but because I couldn’t breathe right when he got too close.
I felt sothing snapping into place within —the matebond. I tensed as I felt Astra rise within . I couldn’t let the mate bond manipulate , though.
"And now what?" I demanded. "You bring here, keep in this house like I’m so fragile vase about to break. Like you’re doing a favour. Do you even realise what it feels like to be tossed around by people’s decisions and still have no idea who’s trying to kill or why?"
"Valerie—"
"Stop saying my na!" I snapped, my voice sounding sharper than I intended. "Say sothing else. Say anything else. Tell the truth, Dristan. Don’t just stand there and look at like I am saying sothing stupid."
"That’s because you are, Valerie. Give him a chance," Astra purred in my head, and I ignored her.
He looked like he wanted to yell. Or slam his hand through a wall. Or walk away. But instead, Dristan exhaled deeply. A muscle twitched in his jaw.
And then he walked right next to —close, too close.
His presence hit like a wall—cool and thunderous, but not angry. Just... charged. He towered just slightly, his shadow brushing over mine, his scent—stormy and sharp—curling around my throat like a challenge.
"Stop yelling," he muttered lowly.
"No." I shook my head, pulse thudding. "Not until you answer . Why, Dristan? Why did you co for if you don’t care? Why even try if I’m just a fucking problem to you? Any other heir could have co so... Or do you have sothing to do with all this?"
His eyes flickered, and sothing in him snapped. A raw intensity flared in their depths, and I swallowed, not expecting it.
I expected him to get angry, seeing as I had instigated his rage. In anger, people lost their composure, and I was hoping to see one with Dristan.
However, in the next second, his hands cupped my face. A tremor ran through his fingers. Before I could react, Dristan kissed .
I froze.
There was no warning. No gentle build. No ti to catch my breath.
Just heat, raw fire.
His mouth moved over mine with a hunger that rattled sothing deep in my chest, sothing I didn’t even know was waiting.
It wasn’t perfect or slow or tender like I had watched in the movies—it was chaotic and possessive and desperate.
And gods... it burned.
My heart slamd so loudly against my ribs, I swore he could hear it. My hands rose instinctively, grabbing his shirt like it was the only thing anchoring to this mont.
Dristan kissed like he didn’t know if he’d ever be allowed to do it again.
Like he’d been holding back for too long and finally, finally, let himself lose control.
My knees wobbled. Astra let out a soft purr of contentnt in my mind.
I barely noticed my own gasp against his lips when his thumb brushed my cheek, grounding , steadying —and making it worse, because it was gentle.
Sohow, in the middle of all that heat, there was tenderness.
His fingers threaded lightly into my hair. His other hand moved down to my waist, gripping—not to hold in place—but like he couldn’t not touch .
Astra literally leapt for joy in my head, a delighted squeal echoing within .
And just when I thought I would lose myself completely... he pulled back.
Not far. Just enough to look at .
We stood there, eyes locked, both of us breathing like we’d run miles.
I blinked, but then again, it was because my brain had just caught up with what had happened.
Dristan Alexander had kissed .
No, not just kissed.
He’d taken my first kiss. And I... let him.
My lips still tingled. My cheeks were on fire. And my heart... it wouldn’t stop. It raced like I had run a marathon and fought the battle of my life.
"I—" I swallowed, unable to finish the sentence. My mouth felt dry, my thoughts scrambled. Why now? Why like that?
He watched carefully, like he was afraid I’d bolt. A part of wanted to.
"I didn’t..." I started, my voice shaking. "I didn’t expect that."
"Good," he said roughly. "Because neither did I."
I blinked again, trying to keep my footing—ntally, emotionally, physically—but everything felt like it had shifted. The air. The silence—him and I.
Dristan stepped back finally, just one step, and that alone made feel like sothing had been ripped out of my chest.
Then he reached up, brushing a finger along the corner of my mouth.
"You asked why I ca," he said quietly.
"Stop it, Dristan," I interrupted him, not ready for what would co out next from those soft, possessive lips of his. "I... I don’t want to hear it."
"Well," he ignored my request and continued. "That’s your answer."
And for once... I didn’t know what to say. Because even if I didn’t trust him fully—even if I shouldn’t—
That kiss didn’t feel like a lie.
And that scared more than anything else.
Seeing as I did not speak, Dristan reached for my hand, and I took a step back.
He gave a long look before finally uttering, "If you need to use the bathroom, it’s down the hall, second door on the right."
I didn’t argue. I didn’t press further. I just nodded. "I can find it," I said. "Thank you."
And I walked away, feeling everything I had been holding inside weigh heavily on my chest again.
Because even after all the tension, the fights, and the mix of truths and lies, there was still sothing unsaid between us.
And for the first ti, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to hear what was left to say. But Astra, my stubborn wolf, wouldn’t let ignore it.
"Ahhh!" Astra squealed like she had just gotten the best thing in life.
"Shut it."
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