68 – Intimacy
Iris.
After the long day. I was giddy. Ione was back, and I felt happier than I had in days. It was like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders, and the atmosphere around the pack was lighter, more hopeful. Everyone seemed to share in the relief and joy, some more visibly than others. But the collective sense of calm was a balm to my soul.
I stepped out of the bathroom, the steam swirling around me as I dried myself off. I felt rejuvenated, the hot shower having washed away the grime and stress of the past few days. I wandered over to my wardrobe, rifling through the hangers until I found a nightdress I’d never worn before. It was a silk, shimmery gown, shorter than my usual choices, with a delicate lace trim. The fabric was cool and luxurious against my skin, and for the first time in a while, I felt like indulging in something beautiful. A change felt right, like a small step toward reclaiming a part of myself.
As I walked over to the large mirror, I admired the way the dress clung to my curves, highlighting the soft lines of my body. My cheeks were still flushed from the hot shower, and a healthy color had returned to my face. The past days of worry over lone had taken their toll, leaving me sleepless and unable to eat properly. But now, a genuine smile curved my lips, and I felt a lightness in my heart. The goddess had looked graciously upon us, and I was deeply grateful.
For a moment, my eyes caught the scars on my legs and arms. In the shimmery fabric, they seemed more noticeable, standing out against the pale silk. Normally, I would have felt the urge to cover them, to hide away from the world and its judgments. But tonight, something had shifted. The instinct to conceal the marks of my past battles didn’t strike me. Instead, I felt a strange sense of acceptance. These scars were a part of me as Cassian has told me. And I was truly starting to believe it. I was healing, both inside and out, and it felt like a revelation.
I smiled at my reflection, seeing not the broken woman who had been rejected and betrayed, but someone new–someone stronger, ready to face whatever the future held. The woman in the mirror was one who looked forward, unafraid of what might come.
My heart stopped when a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist. A warm breath ghosted over my neck, sending a shiver down my spine. Cassian. His presence was unmistakable, his scent a mix of forest and musk, grounding and intoxicating all at once. Like exquisite wine.
“You smell so good,” he groaned, his voice a deep, husky murmur that resonated through me. It was more than just a compliment; it was a confession, raw and honest. His arms tightened around me, pulling me closer, and my body responded with a delicious thrill. His warmth seeped into me, making me acutely aware of every point of contact between us.
He rocked gently against me, a steady, comforting motion that set my heart racing. The intimate contact was electrifying, yet oddly soothing, as if I
had found a missing piece of myself in his embrace.
“Cassian,” I whispered, the name escaping my lips with a mix of surprise and longing. It felt strange yet right, like a word I had been waiting to say. His arms were gentle yet possessive, and I could feel the silent question in the way he held me. Was this okay? Did I want this as much as he did?
He nuzzled into the crook of my neck, inhaling deeply. His breath was hot against my skin, sending goosebumps racing across my body. “You are so warm, I could hold you forever,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. There was a vulnerability in his words, a raw honesty that made my heart skip a beat. It was a side of Cassian that I always craved to see, the stoic Alpha letting down his guard.
I closed my eyes, leaning back into his embrace, allowing myself to savor the moment. The familiar scent of him, the strength in his arms, the way he seemed to fit perfectly against me–it all felt so right. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt safe. The world outside could crumble, and I wouldn’t care as long as I had this, as long as I had him. As long as I had my family, safe and sound.
Yet, doubt nagged at the edges of my mind. What if this was all a pretense? A means to an end? The scars of past betrayals ran deep, and the memory of Kavriel’s rejection, after using me to secure the Alpha throne, still haunted me. He had discarded me like a tool, choosing another woman. Was Cassian different? Was this genuine, or was it another cruel twist of fate?
He lifted his head, meeting my gaze through the mirror. Our eyes locked, and for a moment, the world fell away. There was an intensity in his eyes, a depth of emotion that took my breath away. It was like staring into a stormy sea, turbulent and endless.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispered, his voice husky and filled with reverence. His eyes were dark and half–lidded, as though he was on the edge of sleep, yet they held a sharpness, an awareness that spoke of a man fully present, fully captivated.
I gulped, my lips parting slightly in surprise. His gaze flickered to my mouth, lingering there. The room seemed to close in around us, the air thick with unspoken desires. My heart pounded in my chest, my body reacting to the sheer magnetism of his presence. The tension was palpable, a charged current that buzzed between us, making it hard to breathe.
My core ached with a need I had been denying for far too long. His arms around me felt like both a cage and a sanctuary. I was trapped in this moment, yet I never wanted to leave. His hand moved slowly, deliberately, until it rested on my breast. The touch was electrifying, sending a jolt of pleasure straight to my core. A breathy moan escaped my lips, unbidden and raw. “Cassian,” I whispered, his name a plea, a prayer.
I felt him harden against me, the evidence of his arousal pressing against my lower back. The realization sent a thrill through me, a heady mix of power and vulnerability. He wanted me, just as much as I wanted him. At least for the moment.
The intensity in his eyes deepened, his need as palpable as my own. The past few days had been a whirlwind of fear and anxiety, with little time for anything else. Now, with the heavy shroud of despair lifted, all the suppressed cravings surfaced with a vengeance.
He cupped my face, turning me to face him fully. The look in his eyes was one of pure, unadulterated desire. He leaned in, and our lips met in a fierce, passionate kiss. It was not gentle; it was a clash of emotions, a desperate claiming. His mouth moved against mine with an urgency that took my breath away, his tongue exploring, tasting, owning. I tried to keep up, but it was overwhelming, a tidal wave of sensation that threatened to sweep
me away.
His hands were not idle. They roamed my body, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. His fingers found the thin straps of my nightdress and slipped
Setting
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68 Intimacy
them off my shoulders, the cool silk sliding down my body and pooling at my feet. The night air kissed my skin, making me shiver.
Cassian’s hands were everywhere–caressing, kneading, teasing. He cupped my breasts, his thumbs brushing over my nipples, sending shockwaves of pleasure through me. My knees buckled, and I clung to him for support, lost in the maelstrom of sensations.
He broke the kiss, trailing his lips down my neck, nipping and sucking at the sensitive skin. I gasped, my head falling back, giving him better access. “Cassian.” I moaned, my voice breathy and filled with need. “Please…” The words slipped out before I could stop them. I wasn’t even sure what I was begging for, but the ache between my legs was unbearable, a burning need that only he could satisfy.
His hand traveled down my body, slow and deliberate, as if savoring every inch of me. When he reached the apex of my thighs, he didn’t hesitate. His fingers slipped between my folds, finding me wet and ready. There was no teasing, no slow buildup. He plunged two fingers inside me, filling me completely. I cried out, my back arching at the sudden intrusion.
He was a Lycan, and his fingers were thick, stretching me in a way that was both overwhelming and delicious. He moved them with expert precision, curling them just right to hit that sweet spot inside me. I felt the pressure building, a tight coil in my core that threatened to snap at any moment.
My hands clutched at his shoulders, nails digging into his skin. The pleasure was intense, almost too much to bear. His thumb found my clit, rubbing in slow, torturous circles that had me writhing against him. My breath came in short, ragged gasps, the world narrowing down to the point where our
bodies met.
“Cassian, 1- My words were cut off by a choked moan as he added a third finger, stretching me further. The sensation was exquisite, a blend of pleasure and pain that had me teetering on the edge of oblivion. I was so close, the tension building to an unbearable peak. My entire body was trembling, every nerve on fire. Cassian’s breath was hot against my ear, his voice a low growl that sent shivers down my spine.
“Let go,” he murmured, his voice filled with a dark promise. “I want to see you come for me.”
His words pushed me over the edge. The coil inside me snapped, and I was thrown into a realm that I had never known My climax hit me with the force of a tidal wave, my body convulsing around his fingers. A strangled cry tore from my throat as pleasure surged through me, wave after wave, leaving me breathless and shattered.
Cassian held me through it, his fingers still working me, drawing out every last bit of pleasure. I felt like I was floating, lost in the sensation, my mind blank with bliss. When the last tremors subsided, I collapsed against him, utterly spent. My chest heaved as I struggled to catch my breath, my head resting against his shoulder.
He gently withdrew his fingers, and I whimpered at the loss, feeling empty and achingly sensitive. He brought his hand to his mouth, his eyes never leaving mine as he licked his fingers clean, tasting me. The sight sent a fresh wave of heat coursing through me, a reminder of just how much power
he held over me.
Here’s the corrected passage:
Cassian’s eyes were dark with desire, his expression intense. He cupped my face, his thumb brushing over my bottom lip. “You’re incredible,” he murmured, his voice thick with lust. There was a softness in his gaze, a tenderness that made my heart ache, but it was tempered with a dark desire that made my core ache. It was as if he was seeing me for the first time, and the realization that he truly wanted me made my heart swell.
He leaned in, capturing my lips in a tender, lingering kiss. This one was different from the earlier, frantic passion. It was slow, deliberate, filled with an unspoken promise. I could tell that he was holding himself back, but I melted into it, my hands sliding up to tangle in his hair, pulling him closer. The kiss deepened, and I felt the stirrings of desire once more, a slow burn igniting in my core.
He was still painfully hard, the heat from it unmistakable. With trepidation, I reached for him and palmed him. He was so hot, it almost burned my
palm.
“Fuck–” he hissed at the contact, as if it hurt him.
Cassian pulled back, his breathing ragged. He rested his forehead against mine, our breaths mingling in the space between us. “If you knew the things I want to do to you…” he whispered. He gritted his teeth as he slowly ground himself against my hand.
“Iris–” he groaned. “Fuck–”
His eyes glowed red, and I froze. At that moment, all I saw was Vorax, and it scared me.
Cassian noticed and kissed me again, a gentle, loving kiss that spoke of all the things we couldn’t yet put into words. When he pulled back, he took my hand and led me to the bed. We lay down together, wrapped in each other’s arms, the events of the day finally catching up to us.
As we lay there, our breathing slowly evening out, I felt a deep sense of peace settle over me. The future was uncertain, and there would undoubtedly be challenges ahead. But for now, in this moment, I was content. I had Cassian by my side, and that was all I needed.
I nestled closer to him, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath my cheek. His arms tightened around me, holding me close as if he never wanted to let go. I closed my eyes, a smile playing on my lips as I drifted off to sleep, the warmth of his embrace all that I could feel in the dark cold world in which we found ourselves.
Zahila.
He was fucking that bitch! I thought in anger, staring up at the ceiling. Rolan was asleep beside me, so I couldn’t sneak out and confirm whether what my wolf, Mora, sensed was correct or if it was just my paranoia.
I could tell that he was aroused, that he was close. And it wasn’t me making him feel that way. Ever since I chose Rolan over him, Cassian had eyes for no other woman. I used to feel his lingering gaze on me, but after that maggot had come into this castle, he had changed. And of all people, a werewolf. Was I not better than a mere, treacherous werewolf?
Setting
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68 – Intimacy
It was infuriating. It only took a few months for her to seduce him. It only took a few months to get the servants on her side. And from what I heard, her heroic escapade saving that worm had spread like wildfire. Information was even leaking out of the castle walls. I had been here all my life and had never been credited like that. Yet, an unworthy, rejected, wolfless bitch comes and gets praise showered on her.
This was not good; this would be disastrous. If, within a few months, she could manage to manipulate everyone, what would she accomplish in a year during the time that she would carry the bastard? She would have the Grimmoon pack under her thumb. She was playing the long game, but she would not win. Not on my watch.
I rose from bed as I began to brainstorm. There had to be something I could still do. I had to discredit her somehow. She was not as innocent as the looked. She would have secrets, things she could never tell Lycans. I was sure. I had to find something anything against her that would make this court realize what she is. Before I lost my pack to her. Before I lost Cassian to her.
Hi, guys.
Lilac here, I am so nervous right now. This was my second time ever attempting a scene like this. I have been prepping to get it just right. And after a few chapters of barely any romance, I thought to make a little treat for you guys. If it was disappointing, I am sorry. If it was out of nowhere, I apologize. Thanks for sticking with me this long, the book just reached 100k words and I would not be writing if not for you guys. If you have any complaints and grievances with my writing, please let me know, so as to keep you guys better immersed.
Love you all
