redith.
I had barely digested breakfast. The turkey blanket and orange juice still weighed heavily on my stomach, dragging into a slow, sluggish walk through the backyard gardens.
Azul trailed behind like a shadow, her footsteps light, but persistent.
"My lady," she called softly, "will you be taking the concoction this afternoon?"
I winced. The thought alone made my tongue curl. That bitter brew had numbed my taste buds, and I was beginning to question if my tongue would ever feel again. I shook my head without turning to her.
"No. I’m not tasting that vile thing again until nightfall," I muttered, bringing a hand to my stomach. "Twice a day is enough torture."
If I had my chance, I would throw the entire pot out without minding the hours of effort that went into the preparation. And if I had another option, I would never try to undergo this horrible torture.
Azul sighed behind . Then sighed again. And again. Until I couldn’t take it anymore.
By the tenth sigh, I stopped walking.
"Azul," I said, spinning around, "say it. Whatever is on your mind. Just say it."
She blinked, as if caught doing sothing forbidden. She stared at for a mont, and seeing that I wasn’t letting go, she said, "My lady, I don’t think it’s in my place to discuss this with—"
"I don’t care," I interrupted, more gently this ti. "You’ve been with the longest. If there’s sothing you want to say, then say it. I promise I won’t be mad."
I guessed that whatever topic she had in mind might not be an appropriate conversation between a mistress and her maidservant.
She hesitated, clasping her hands together. Then, her voice dropped low, barely above a whisper. Then she stepped a bit closer.
"My lady... your heat. Tomorrow’s the full moon, and you said it will be strong this ti... But... it would be easier to manage if you had a close relationship with Alpha Draven."
I blinked.
"What does Draven have to do with—" I started, but she cut in with a pointed look.
And I could swear that nothing out of the question occurred to .
"He could help you," she said slowly, "if he... mated with you."
I stiffened. My face lit with heat almost imdiately. Although I couldn’t see it, I could feel it.
I turned around and marched forward as fast as my stomach would allow. "Azul," I hissed, "do you know what you’re suggesting?"
Azul caught up to quickly. "I’m not wrong," she said, a little firr this ti. "You are married to him, and it’s only nor—"
"That doesn’t an I have to throw myself at him!" I snapped.
Azul blinked at my raised voice, but still didn’t back down. "You’ve been in pain every full moon since you turned of age, my lady. Now you finally have... a husband. Soone who can help ease the pain and stop your suffering. What is wrong with that?"
I could feel my ears turning red. And not just from anger.
Sothing was... wrong with my body. My breath caught in my throat. There was a sudden, familiar warmth pulsing low in my belly—foreign and intense—and it burned all the way down between my thighs.
"Azul, stop," I managed to say, my voice more breathless than I intended.
She frowned. "My lady?"
I swallowed hard. I couldn’t... I couldn’t hear this. Not now. Not when my head was suddenly spinning and my heart racing.
"I need so monts alone," I told her.
Her expression turned alard. "Have I offended—?"
"No," I assured quickly, holding up a hand. "I’m fine. Just... give a mont."
She bowed gently, then walked off.
I stood there, breathing hard, willing the heat inside to settle. My palms were clammy. My skin tingled.
What is wrong with ?
I started walking. Again. Anywhere. Away.
"I can’t endure this. What should I do?" I panicked.
The full moon would only descend tomorrow night, yet here I was, already pulsating from my need, wild desires I didn’t ask for.
I didn’t realize I had arrived at the estate’s training grounds until I saw the warriors. Shirtless. Muscled. Glinting with sweat under the morning sun.
My eyes widened. I could see them—see them clearly—even though they were several yards away. Every muscle. Every movent. Every sharp line of their bodies.
Sothing was happening to .
I lifted a hand to my neck, tracing it slowly to my collarbone... down to my chest. The sensation made dizzy. My fingers trailed lower.
Gasping, I dropped my hand as if it had burned . I—I had lost myself for a mont.
"No... I—I can’t be here," I whispered, backing away.
"You shouldn’t be here," a voice said from behind.
I turned around so fast I nearly stumbled. My breath caught in my throat.
Draven.
His tall fra stood just feet away from . Shirtless. His chest glead with sweat. Khaki shorts hugged his hips, and his dark hair was tied into a ssy bun.
I hadn’t heard him arrive.
My tongue went dry.
"I asked you a question," he said, tone clipped. "What are you doing here?"
I tried to swallow. "I... I was just walking after eating a lot for breakfast. I didn’t an to co this way."
He narrowed his eyes at , sharp and unreadable. I couldn’t tell if he had caught my scent. I couldn’t tell if he knew. His facial expression revealed nothing.
But then... my gaze dropped to his chest again.
I imagined what it would feel like to touch it.
The next second, fingers snapped right in front of my face. I flinched.
His expression had darkened. "Back to your room. Now."
I blinked fast. "You can’t tell what to do." I suddenly regained my composure completely.
His jaw clenched. "I just did."
My body was screaming. My blood, pulsing. I couldn’t stay here—not with him like this.
I turned quickly and walked off. But the heat didn’t leave .
It grew.
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