Beta Osman escorted them into the forest and stopped in front of a cave. “This is it,” he said. “Your handmaiden and I will keep watch from here. Please proceed inside. Just walk straight and you’ll see the hot spring.”
“I should go with my lady,” lva said, taking a step forward.
But Osman blocked her with an arm and said firmly, “No. You stay here and make sure no one else goes inside.”
“But you’re already here. You can-”
“It’s alright, lva,” Althea interrupted with a gentle smile. She reached out and took the towel and change of clothes from her handmaiden. “I can manage.”
With that, she walked ahead on her own.
The cave was dark at first, but as she ventured deeper, warm light glowed from ahead. Her eyes lit up the mont the hot spring ca into view. The water was crystal clear, steam rising from its surface. The weather outside was nearing winter, and the cold air bit at her skin but in here, it was warm, soothing.
Just as she stepped forward, her body froze.
Her heart stilled when her gaze landed on soone already in the spring.
Gavriel.
Half of his body was subrged in the water, his bare chest on full display. His arms rested lazily on the edge, and his eyes were closed. He looked... relaxed. Too relaxed.
‘Why is he here?’ she wondered, a mix of dread and nervous energy coiling in her stomach.
She was just about to turn around quietly when his deep voice rang out.
“I thought you needed a dip.”
Althea held her breath as his eyes opened, locking directly onto hers.
“Take off your clothes and co in,” he said, his tone calm but commanding.
“I’ll just co back later... after you’re done,” she replied with an awkward smile.
His expression darkened. “You’re disobeying , little pet.”
“Little pet?” she muttered under her breath, annoyed. First it was little wolf, then my vixen, and now little pet?
Her lips pressed into a tight line, frustration mixing with confusion.
What’s next? Will he call ‘my breeder’? The very thought made her stomach churn.
But what unsettled her even more was how fast her heart pounded just from the way he was looking at her.
Suddenly, he moved.
Her eyes widened in shock as he rose from the water.
He was naked.
She tried not to look but her gaze betrayed her. It dropped, and her face flushed crimson as she caught sight of his manhood. It was... massive. Standing proud and tall.
It was the first ti she really saw it. Before, she hadn’t dared to look. She had only felt it.
‘How did that even fit inside ?’ she thought, panicking, as she quickly shut her eyes.
She heard his steps draw near, felt his warm breath at her ear, droplets of water dripping from his body.
“Stop closing your eyes,” he said lowly. “You’ll see my naked body often. You’re my breeder, after all. So expect to take you to my bed or co to yours whenever I want.”
Althea’s eyes snapped open, glaring at him. She didn’t say a word.
Instead, she stripped off her clothes, one piece at a ti, her dark, angry gaze never leaving his face.
She was pissed.
Not just because of what he said but because he always reminded her of what she was to him. Nothing more than his breeder.
‘If only I could read what’s in those eyes,’ she thought bitterly. Why can’t I ever tell what he’s thinking?
There was nothing. No emotion. No hint of what he truly felt.
She tore her eyes away and walked toward the spring without looking back, not even checking if he followed.
She focused on the water. Slipped in, letting the warmth envelope her entire body. Only then did her muscles finally relax.
What she didn’t know was that Gavriel never took his eyes off her, not even for a second.
He’d controlled himself with every step she took. Every sway of her hips. Every glance she tried to avoid. The beast inside him, always on edge, was howling. A wolf in heat who wanted to claim her again, right there, on the cold cave floor.
She was Cain’s daughter, but in appearance, she was nothing like him. That was the only thing that put Gavriel at ease. He could look at her, desire her, and not see his enemy in her face.
Thank the heavens she got all her facial features from her mother.
Her long, wavy hair was the color of red wine. Her forest-green eyes, frad by long lashes, burned with a wildness he couldn’t ta. Her lips were full and heart-shaped, her eyebrows sharp, and her nose perfectly pointed. She was too beautiful. Too dangerous.
She looked like a fox sent to tornt him and he was already burning in her fire.
And her body...
Perfect curves. Soft skin. A form molded just for him. A body made to be bound and entangled with his.
Gavriel growled under his breath.
Just looking at her made him ache.
He finally moved, slowly stepping into the water again.
But when he noticed she was still fully subrged, not surfacing, his brows furrowed.
She’s taking too long...
“Althea,” Gavriel called out.
He moved toward her quickly, concern and sothing darker flickering in his eyes. Just as he reached out to pull her up, she finally lifted her face from the water and their faces ended up inches apart.
Startled, she backed away slightly, but not fast enough.
Gavriel’s arms snaked around her, pulling her close.
The warmth of his body pressed against hers, and her breath hitched.
He stared into her wild, defiant eyes, then let his gaze drop to her parted lips.
“I think I’m done,” she muttered nervously, her voice barely above a whisper. “This dip is enough already.”
But her trembling gave her away and Gavriel liked it.
He felt the way she moved slightly within his arms, unsure, resisting and yet not pushing him away. That only made him tighten his hold around her waist until their bodies brushed fully against one another beneath the water.
“You’re done dipping?” he echoed with a smirk, his face lowering until his lips ghosted over hers.
“But I’m not,” he whispered darkly. “I haven’t dipped inside you yet... my vixen.”
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