32 – Iris
I laid my brother down to sleep in his new room. It was cozy, to say the least. The way his old room in our old pack could never be. It was luxurious but did not lack that child–like charm that would make it perfect for a boy his age. There were toys arranged on a shelf, wooden horses, and its blue palette pulled them all together nicely. I would have decorated it better myself. It made me wonder how long it had been undergoing the beautiful change
“How do you like your new room?” I asked as I stroked his hair, something that I knew would put him to sleep quicker. I wanted to make sure he was asleep before I retired to Cassian’s ron
“1-1-1 love —,” he squealed before yawning wide.
I smiled, pleased, in response. I continued to stroke his hair until he finally fell asleep, his soft snoring filling up the silence of his new room. I watched him for a moment longer, making sure he was truly asleep. His peaceful expression, framed by the soft glow of the nightlight, filled me with a sense of contentment. He deserved this peace, this comfort, after everything we had been through.
I quietly stood up and tiptoed out of the room, gently closing the door behind me. The hallway was dim, illuminated by the moonlight streaming through the large windows. I paused for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady myself, and made my way to the room.
I entered the room, only to be spooked by another person already present. I should have known that he would come to sleep here, now that Abel had his own room. Cassian was by the window looking up at the night sky, the moonlight illuminating his tall, built muscles form. He had discarded his shirt and he stood completely bare if not for the flimsy pants that hung low on his hips. He was still. Too still
“Cassian?” I called with a lot of trepidation.
But he did not even flinch or move a single muscle. It was almost as though he did not hear my voice. Worry gnawed at me. I picked up a candle and
moved towards him.
“Cassian, is something the matter?” I asked.
The closer I moved, the more the illumination of the candle shone light on his back. Ripped with muscles and scars. From the large ones, to the much smaller ones, to the ones that were red as though just inflicted not too long ago.
For whatever reason. I found myself wanting to touch them, wanting to feel them. I hesitantly reached out, my fingers lightly touching one of the scars on his back. He flinched slightly at my touch, but I couldn’t stop. My fingers traced the rough lines, feeling the history etched into his skin. As I continued, Cassian let out a deep, throaty groan that sent a shiver down my spine.
“It’s the sixth full moon of the year,” he said ominously, his voice low and strained.
I paused, my heart pounding. “What does that mean?” I asked, my fingers still on his scar.
He turned slowly to face me, and I gasped. The dark orbs of his eyes were crimson, and his expression was filled with a row, camal yearning. Desire burned in his gaze, intense and almost overwhelming
“Cassian.” I whispered, my voice trembling
His hand came up to gently cup my face, his touch both tender and possessive. The sixth full moon,” he began, his voice husky with emotion, “is when the mate bond is at its strongest.” His gaze was predatory as though he saw me as something to devour. There were dark circles under his eyes that I had not noticed before. Like he had not slept at all in days.
I could feel the heat radiating from his body, the primal energy
gy thrumming just beneath the surface. “What do y
thick with fear.
youn
i need?” I asked,
my own voice
His eyes never left mine as he leaned in closer, his breath warm against my skin. “I need you,” he said simply, the words laden with deep. unrestrained passion.
Before I could respond, he captured my lips in a searing kiss, one hand tangling in my hair while the other pressed against the small of my back, pulling me closer. The intensity of his need was palpable, and I found myself responding with equal fervor, lost in the tempest of desire.
His kiss was engulfing, consuming every part of me as his hands roamed over my body, pulling at my clothes. There was so much desperation in his movements, so truch urgency. This was what my life I had been spared for. To sire his heir and free him from his curse. I did not fight it, despite not feeling the urgency he was feeling. It felt wrong, but I had no choice. I did not fight it, but when he tore my nightdress, he suddenly cessed and pulled away. He looked into my face in the light of the moon and the candles that illuminated the room. His expression was unreadable, we were both breathing heavily and a bit of the tension still remained. None of us said a word.
Then, as I watched, his expression crumbled into anguish as though he hurt him to look at me. “Iris…” He said, his voice sounding tortured. “Please,”
I did
know what he asked for, but I wrapped my arm around his neck and pulled him into an embrace. He stilled in my arms as I began to stroke dark long hair. Then he slacked and pulled me closer to him.
“You are so warm..” He mumbled. Then he pulled away again, and suddenly he hooked his arms behind my legs and neck. I was in his arms and he walked towards the bed. He laid me down gently as though I was a precious flower before he came back to lie on my chest. I resumed stroking his hair until he drifted to sleep, sooring softly on my chest
Setting
