Chapter 7: Beneath the Moonlit Shadows

The moon hung high in the midnight sky, casting its silvery glow through the towering trees surrounding the hidden estate deep within Nyxaris. Inside one of its lavishly furnished chambers, the air was thick with an unspoken tension. Melinoe stood near the ornate bed, her heartbeat hammering against her chest as she faced the man who had claimed her lips in a bold act of possession.

Nyxpanther Draeven, the enigmatic black leopard beastman, leaned against the window's edge, his striking blue eyes locked onto her, unreadable yet undeniably heated. His presence alone sent an electric shiver through her. He was dangerously alluring—tan skin kissed by the wilderness, taut muscles carved by years of battle and discipline. Even standing still, he was a predator watching his prey, calculating, waiting.

The flickering candlelight cast shadows over his sculpted chest, highlighting every ridge and valley of his form. His broad shoulders exuded strength, his strong arms corded with muscle as they flexed subtly whenever he shifted. Lower, his abdomen was a masterpiece of hardened sinew, tapering down to his firm waist, and the towel loosely hanging from his hips only served to emphasize his raw masculinity.

Melinoe swallowed hard. She had been thrown into a world unknown, surrounded by beastmen with intense gazes and inhuman strength. Yet, this man in front of her, with his calculating mind and shadow-like presence, had ensnared her attention completely.

"I want to understand something," she finally spoke, her voice quieter than she intended.

Nyxpanther tilted his head, intrigued. "Speak."

She hesitated, then gathered her courage. "Why… why did you kiss me?"

His lips twitched, not quite a smirk, but something close. He pushed off the window, approaching her with slow, deliberate steps. Each one made her pulse quicken. When he finally reached her, his large hands came to rest on her waist, firm but not forceful.

"I do not share," he murmured, his breath fanning across her cheek. "From the moment I saw you, I knew I wanted you. Not just in my bed, but by my side."

Melinoe's breath hitched. The intensity of his confession left her speechless. She could see it in his eyes—this wasn't mere desire. It was deeper. Darker. The kind of need that consumed.

When he leaned down, she didn't move away. His lips brushed hers again, testing, savoring, before pressing fully against them. His kiss was unrelenting, possessive, drawing her into his embrace. She melted against him, hands finding their way to his shoulders, tracing the hardened muscle beneath her fingers.

His hold tightened, one arm snaking around her waist while the other buried itself in her hair. He deepened the kiss, tasting her, drinking her in as though she were the only thing that mattered. A small moan escaped her, and it was his undoing.

With a low growl, he lifted her effortlessly, carrying her to the bed. His body hovered over hers, his intense gaze drinking in every expression she made. "Say my name," he commanded, his voice husky with desire.

"Nyx…" she whispered, her fingers trailing down his chest.

He groaned, capturing her lips again, letting his hands roam, letting his instincts take over. And under the moon's watchful gaze, he showed her exactly what it meant to be claimed by a beastman who had no intention of letting her go.

____

The morning came too soon, and as Melinoe stirred, she found herself tangled in Nyxpanther's embrace. His arm was draped possessively over her waist, his breathing steady and deep. As the reality of what had happened settled in, she realized that everything had changed.

And she wasn't sure she wanted it any other way.