HAPTER NINETEEN

​Ziaani's POV

The entire way back to the castle, I couldn't stop blushing. The warmth of Nikita's arms around me as she carried me made my heart race in ways I didn't quite understand. I tried to convince myself it was just exhaustion, but the steady beat of her heart against my cheek said otherwise. She held me as if I were something precious—something to be cherished.

When we arrived, she gently placed me on the bed, turning to leave. But before she could, I instinctively reached out, catching her hand. "Stay," I whispered, my voice softer than I intended.

A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "You need to rest, little squeaky," she said, teasing me with that nickname.

I pouted, pulling her hand tighter. "Please?"

With a quiet chuckle, she gave in, settling onto the bed beside me. As soon as she did, I snuggled into her warmth, feeling a strange sense of safety in her presence. My eyes fluttered shut, sleep taking over.

When I woke up in the middle of the night, Nikita was still next to me, her body relaxed, but her eyes were already watching me. The way the moonlight danced on her skin made her look ethereal, almost unreal.

"Morning, little squeaky," she murmured, a teasing smirk tugging at her lips.

I groaned, burying my face in the pillow. "Don't do that."

"Do what?" she asked, feigning innocence.

"Stare at me while I sleep. It's creepy."

She chuckled, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "I was just admiring your beauty."

My cheeks burned at her words, and I turned my face into her chest to hide my embarrassment. But as I shifted in her arms, I suddenly felt something pressing against my thigh. My breath hitched as realization struck. My body went stiff, my face turning crimson.

Nikita must have sensed my reaction because she immediately pulled back, concern flashing in her gaze. "Are you okay, little mate?"

"Y-Yeah," I stammered, pressing my forehead against her bare skin, hoping she wouldn't notice how flustered I was.

She tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet her eyes. "We don't have to do anything if you're not ready," she reassured me, her voice gentle.

The sincerity in her gaze sent a wave of warmth through me. She wasn't just saying it—she meant it. And that only made me trust her more.

I swallowed hard, my heart thundering in my chest. An idea popped into my head, a dangerous, exhilarating one. I hesitated for a moment, but then, gathering all my courage, I leaned in and pressed my lips to hers.

For a split second, she froze, as if caught off guard. But then, she kissed me back, her lips moving in perfect rhythm with mine. The kiss deepened, her tongue brushing against my lips, waiting for permission. I parted them slightly, letting her in, and a quiet sigh escaped me as our tongues moved together, fighting for dominance.

A shiver ran down my spine as her hands moved, exploring, memorizing. When her fingers ghosted over the hem of my shirt, she paused, her eyes searching mine for permission. I gave a small nod, and with careful hands, she lifted it over my head, leaving me bare to her gaze.

The air between us shifted. She hovered over me, not breaking eye contact as her lips trailed down my neck, placing slow, deliberate kisses against my skin. My breathing grew unsteady, each touch sending a new wave of sensations through me.

Then, she stopped. Her fingers grazed my cheek, and her gaze softened. "Tell me if you want to stop."

I shook my head, my voice barely above a whisper. "Don't stop."

A knowing smile crossed her lips as she leaned in once more, capturing my mouth with hers. Every movement was slow, deliberate—she wasn't rushing, wasn't pushing. She was letting me take this at my own pace, and that made my heart swell in ways I wasn't ready to confront.

As the night stretched on, wrapped in each other's warmth, I realized something.

I wanted to be hers.

Completely.

​The next day, after their tender night together, things took a sharp turn.

Ziaani woke to the sound of muffled voices just outside the door, low and frantic. She didn't stir at first, still lost in the warmth of Nikita's arms, but as the voices grew louder and more urgent, she felt an uneasy shift in the air.

"Nikita..." Ziaani whispered, her voice hoarse with sleep, but there was an edge of something else in it now—fear. Her instincts, which had been honed through years of survival, suddenly screamed that something was wrong.

Nikita's eyes snapped open at the sound of Ziaani's voice, instantly alert. She sat up, her eyes scanning the room before she pulled Ziaani into her lap, her arms tightening protectively around her.

"What is it?" Ziaani asked, her pulse quickening.

"I'm not sure yet," Nikita muttered, but the low growl rumbling in her chest gave Ziaani an answer she didn't want to hear.

The castle was under attack.

Without wasting another second, Nikita moved, her motions swift and practiced. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, and Ziaani scrambled to follow, but Nikita held her back.

"Stay here," Nikita ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument. "I'll handle this."

But Ziaani wasn't about to sit back and wait. Not now, not when everything she had just begun to trust was in jeopardy. She reached for her discarded tunic, slipping it on in one fluid motion, ignoring the way her heart hammered in her chest.

"Nikita, I'm not staying. I'm not—"

Before she could finish, there was a loud crash from the hallway, followed by a series of thundering footsteps. Nikita's eyes widened, and without another word, she grabbed Ziaani's hand, pulling her toward the door.

"Then stick close. And don't make a sound."

They moved quickly through the corridors, Nikita's sharp eyes scanning every shadow. Ziaani's heart pounded as she kept pace, her mind racing with possibilities—who could be attacking? What did they want?

A sudden, bone-chilling screech echoed down the hallway, followed by the unmistakable sound of claws scraping against stone. Ziaani's blood ran cold as an enormous creature—half man, half wolf—emerged from the shadows, its yellow eyes locked onto them.

Nikita's stance shifted instantly, protective, fierce. She shoved Ziaani behind her, blocking her from view. "Stay behind me, now."

The creature snarled, its massive frame looming in front of them. "Not so fast, Luna."

Ziaani's breath caught in her throat. It wasn't just any attacker. This was someone who knew Nikita, someone who knew Ziaani.

"I'll deal with this," Nikita said, but her voice wavered slightly.

Ziaani could see the worry in her eyes, the strain of the fight before it had even started.

But she wasn't just going to stand by. Not now, not when they were this close to losing it all.

Without thinking, Ziaani pushed past Nikita, her adrenaline fueling her as she pulled a dagger from her belt. She wasn't trained for combat like Nikita, but she had learned enough over the years to know how to fight dirty.

The wolf-creature's eyes widened in surprise, but it quickly recovered, its clawed hand swiping through the air. Ziaani barely managed to dodge the blow, the air ripping past her as the creature's claws missed by inches.

Nikita was on the creature's back in a heartbeat, her fangs flashing as she sunk them into its neck. The wolf howled in pain, thrashing beneath her. But then, in a split second, it turned, throwing Nikita off with a violent shove.

"No!" Ziaani screamed, rushing toward Nikita, but before she could reach her, the wolf's claws raked across her shoulder, sending her crashing to the floor.

Pain exploded through her chest, and for a moment, she thought she might lose consciousness. But Nikita's voice brought her back.

"Ziaani, no! Stay down!"

Ziaani pushed through the agony, rising to her feet with shaky legs, her heart beating so loudly she could barely hear herself think. She wasn't going to let Nikita die. Not when they had just started something beautiful.

With a roar, Ziaani lunged forward, driving the dagger deep into the creature's side. It let out a shriek of pain before its massive form collapsed to the ground, motionless.

Breathing heavily, Ziaani turned to Nikita, who was staring at her with wide, stunned eyes.

"You—" Nikita breathed, her voice shaking with disbelief. "You saved me."

Ziaani's eyes were wild, a mix of fear and something else—something darker, stronger, that she hadn't fully grasped yet. "I don't care. I'll always save you."

Nikita pulled her into her arms, holding her tightly as though she never wanted to let go. "You're not getting rid of me, little squeaky."

Ziaani's lips quirked into a faint smile, despite the blood staining her hands. "I wouldn't dream of it."

But the danger wasn't over yet. As they stood there, clinging to each other, a low growl echoed from the shadows of the hallway. Ziaani's heart skipped a beat.

And in that moment, they both knew this was just the beginning.