[redith].
I woke up feeling like my body had been wrung out and put back together again.
The pleasant kind of exhaustion—the kind that lingered deep in my bones, heavy and warm, reminding that the night before had been very real, very intense, and very much Draven.
His arm was wrapped securely around my waist, possessive even in sleep. My cheek rested against his bare chest, his steady heartbeat thrumming beneath my ear like an anchor.
I shifted slightly, testing how sore and spent I felt, then tilted my head up, and nearly jumped.
Draven was already wide awake, staring straight at with a lazy, satisfied smile that instantly made my stomach flip.
"That’s creepy," I muttered, my voice rough with sleep.
His smile widened, unabashed. "You will get used to it."
I groaned and dropped my forehead against his chest. "Then, moving ahead, don’t question my weird actions anymore. I’m learning from the best."
He laughed, the sound low and warm, vibrating through . "I take full responsibility."
We didn’t bother with modesty. There was no awkwardness, no hesitation—just the quiet, practised intimacy of two people who had constantly crossed sothing important together.
We slipped out of bed naked, his hand briefly steadying when my legs protested, and went straight to the bathing area.
The pool welcod us with rising steam. I sank into the hot water with a sigh that I didn’t even bother to hold back.
Instantly, the warmth seeped into my muscles, loosening everything the night had taken out of . I leaned back against the stone edge, closing my eyes and letting the heat revive .
Draven watched the whole ti attentively.
When we were done, he helped out without a word, wrapping a towel around and drying with slow, careful motions—as if I were sothing fragile, sothing precious.
Though I didn’t tease him for it.
By the ti we dressed and made our way to breakfast, I felt human again.
We entered the sitting area together, and the atmosphere shifted imdiately.
Dennis and Jeffery were already seated. Conversation dipped the mont we arrived. Both n rose instinctively, bowing their heads in greeting.
The respect was automatic, but I caught Dennis’s smirk a second later, his gaze flicking between Draven and with far too much amusent.
I ignored him as Draven, and I settled down side by side, close enough that our shoulders brushed.
The seat where my grandmother usually sat remained empty. I guess she was running a little late because she was held up by sothing.
But her absence didn’t stop the servants from serving us food.
Draven and I had barely taken our first bites when Dennis leaned back on his palms, stretching like a man who had absolutely nothing to lose.
His eyes flicked between his brother and I—slow, deliberate, and infuriatingly amused.
"Well," he drawled, "that explains why you two vanished last night."
I froze for half a heartbeat. Then I rembered the bonfire, the dancing, the sweet drinks, and the way the air had shifted when Draven stood and pulled away.
And the worst part?
Everyone there could sll it.
I lifted my chin before the heat could reach my face.
"Explain what?" I asked calmly, scooping a bit of food onto my spoon as if my pulse wasn’t suddenly very loud in my ears.
Dennis grinned wider. "Co on. You didn’t even try to be subtle." He tapped his temple. "The pheromones alone could have knocked a weaker wolf unconscious."
Jeffery coughed hard into his fist.
Draven didn’t look at Dennis. He didn’t even need to. Instead, he reached for his cup, unhurriedly and took a slow drink, looking utterly unbothered.
I could feel his presence beside —solid, steady, and unapologetic. So, I swallowed a gulp and t Dennis’s gaze head-on.
"And here I thought we left quietly," I said dryly.
Dennis burst out laughing. "Quietly?" He shook his head. "redith, the mont you stood up, half the circle knew you weren’t coming back."
Just then, I felt the heat blooming low in my stomach from defiance this ti, instead of the usual embarrassnt.
I set my spoon down and smiled. "Well," I said evenly, "I suppose it’s a good thing we didn’t owe anyone an explanation."
The table went still for a second. Dennis blinked, then his grin turned impressed. "Huh. Look at you."
Draven finally turned his head, just slightly, his mouth close to my ear. "You see," he murmured, just for . "Just beco more shaless than him, and he can’t get under your skin."
I elbowed him lightly under the table. But Dennis wasn’t done.
"So," he continued, eyes dancing, "was it worth abandoning the party for?"
I didn’t answer right away. Instead, I leaned back just enough that my shoulder brushed Draven’s arm, and deliberately took another bite of food, slowly.
Then I looked at Dennis. "Absolutely."
Jeffery lost it and burst out in full-on laughter.
Dennis threw his hands up. "Alright, alright. I surrender." He ended his craftiness right there.
Draven leaned closer, his voice low and unmistakably pleased.
"You see what I told you," he whispered.
I chuckled as warmth spread through my chest this ti. I wasn’t hiding from my actions last night, and I definitely wasn’t sorry about it.
---
My grandmother arrived midway through breakfast, her presence felt long before her walking stick tapped softly against the floor.
Conversation dipped instinctively, then resud as she was guided to her seat. I smiled without thinking, my gaze following her with a warmth that settled deep in my chest.
Everyone greeted her respectfully. Even Dennis straightened.
Breakfast continued easily after that—quiet laughter, clinking bowls, the steady comfort of shared food.
When we were nearly done, Draven rose to his feet. The movent alone drew attention.
He inclined his head toward my grandmother. "Thank you," he said sincerely, "for welcoming us, caring for us, and allowing us to stay these past days."
My grandmother smiled, the kind that felt layered—fond, knowing, and dangerous in the gentlest way.
"If you truly wish to thank ," she said calmly, "then co visit again. When you are King." Her head tilted slightly in my direction. "With my granddaughter."
My cheeks ward instantly.
"And," she added, without missing a beat, "with a pup."
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