Confrontation

Once the intense emotions subsided, both became aware of each other's presence. Arella could feel his strong chest and firm muscles, while Adrian found her soft and slender waist extremely tempting.

Both were full of doubts. He wondered how could a waist be so small. He could hold her so easily! And she was stupefied at the strength that was leaking out of his strong stature. His body was firm and tight. It felt great to be held by him like this.

Both had their thoughts running wildly in their heads. They knew it was time to separate and let go, but both were reluctant. If allowed, they would want to stay like this for longer.

But their thoughts were cut short. A knock sounded in the empty room. And both separated at a lightning fast speed. As if they were afraid of being seen like this.

Arella's face was adorned with a light blush, and Adrian's breath was a little chaotic. But both of them recovered soon.

He gently picked her up in a princess carry and carried her to the bed.

"You have some rest. I will check who is there," he spoke without looking into her eyes. Arella, too, lowered her head. Her face was burning with a flush. She didn't want him to notice it! 

He walked towards the door and closed it behind him.

Standing outside was the cook.

"Sir, Madam's discharge formalities have been completed. We can take her home now." She politely reported.

"Okay. Do we need to take any precautions?"

"Madam is only exhausted and needs rest to recover." The cook responded reasonably.

"Hmm. Where is the hound that attacked her?" Adrian couldn't let go of anything or anybody who had harmed his beloved wife. The Hound was constantly on his mind. If given a chance, he would like to kill it himself. But death was too easy an escape. For it, Adrian wanted something more brutal than death!

"It is at the beast clinic. When it was found, its fur was burnt, and it was unconscious. It is being rescued now."

"If it regains consciousness, send it to the military laboratory. It will be used for torture experiments later on." Adrian made up his mind and coldly sealed the Hound's fate. 

In the military, various methods were required to open the mouths of opponents. Tortures beyond imagination were a reality there. Poisons were nothing. Hallucinations, playing with the internal organs, and using their body for various experiments were just the tip of the iceberg. What lay beneath was the real hell. 

People would either speak or pray for death. There was no other alternative for somebody trapped in the military laboratory. In the future, he would personally make sure to use the most gruesome torture techniques on it. 

"Yes Sir, I will make the arrangements." The cook left once again.

Adrian entered the ward. Arella was lying on the bed like a quail.

"Do you want to stay here, or would you like to go home to recuperate?" A gentle glint appeared in his eyes when he looked at her and mentioned their home.

"Home." A soft whisper left Arella's mouth and hit straight at his core.

"Okay." He, without wasting any minute, picked her up in his arms.

"Ahh!" Due to the sudden shift, she screamed a little. But her voice was too soft. It felt like a kitten was purring in his arms.

"I, I can walk!" Arella found it a little embarrassing to be carried like this.

"No need. I can hold you forever." Adrian's deep, firm, and mellow voice made her blush. The redness, which had just subsided, made its way to her cheeks once again.

She didn't want to leave his embrace, but she didn't want to be seen by others like this either. Trapped in a fix, she hid her face in his chest. The sudden closeness tickled him. He felt satisfied with her. Seeing that she no longer resisted intimacy put him in an elated mood. Maybe she has finally accepted him.

Adrian's pace was stable, neither fast nor slow. His hold was firm. She felt safe like this.

Meanwhile, Adrian's mind was filled with nothing but concern. Still so light? Didn't she eat enough in his absence? Looks like he will have to monitor her diet from now onwards.

Both were surrounded by their own thoughts and suddenly, a loud voice attacked them.

"Where are you taking her?"

Instinctively, Adrian shifted the girl in his arms. He covered one of her ears with his chest and the other with his palm. Once satisfied that she was shielded properly, he looked up.

A man stood in his way.

Adrian evaluated the man and remained tight lipped.

Meanwhile, Arella tilted her head. Looking up to the intruder. Nicholas? Why was he here? And what was he shouting for?

Nicholas looked straight at Adrian and launched questions like a cannon.

"Where are you taking her? Have you asked for permission? Who told you that she could leave?" Nicholas stood in front of them like a boulder.

"You are too loud." Adrian didn't want to answer any of his queries. He started moving past him.

Nicholas's calm shook a little. 'How dare he ignore me! Wait and see how I straighten his limbs later!'

But he soon regained his composure.

"She needs plenty of rest." Nicholas caught up with a few steps.

"So, you should stop talking and clear the way. You are disturbing her rest." Adrian maintained a deadpan expression. 

Here, he was happy at the thought of being accepted, and now, in front of him was a stranger asking after her well being. Adrian's mind had automatically labeled the concerned man as a 'love rival'. He had to show his supremacy!

"Have you…" Nicholas was cut short by Arella this time.

"Umm, Nicholas this is my husband Adrian. And Adrian, meet Nicholas. It is because of his prompt rescue that we got treatment in time." Arella could feel that something was off about both of them. She didn't know why. Maybe because they were strangers? So, she thought an introduction was the best way to solve it.

"Hmm, thank you for saving my wife." Adrian stressed the word 'wife'.

"My honor," Nicholas responded immediately. He shifted his gaze from Adrian and looked at Arella. His gaze softened unknowingly.

"Arella, you have overdrawn your spiritual energy. It is better to rest here. If any situation arises, we will be able to tend to it immediately."

Looking at the way Nicholas softened his tone to convince Arella, a faint anger burned inside Adrian. He did not like his treasure being coveted by anybody else! He felt a mad rush to hide her in his arms. He felt extremely sour.

"We have a healer at home. You don't need to worry." Adrian's voice dripped with impatience. Adrian wasn't backing away a bit.

Both men stood firm. The smell of gunpowder covered the entire corridor. Neither was ready to back up.