Aurora’s Pov
I just stared at him, completely stunned. Did he just say I should move in with him? Was he serious?
I didn’t know when a laugh escaped my lips, it was loud, unexpected, and probably a little rude. But I couldn’t help it.
Ryan’s brows furrowed as he looked at me, clearly confused. He tilted his head like he was trying to figure out what was so funny.
“What did you just say, Ryan?” I asked, still laughing softly, hoping I’d heard him wrong.
“Move in with me, Aurora,” he repeated, his voice steady, but I couldn’t tell if it was a request or a command.
He didn’t do well with showing emotions, it was always this guarded, unreadable expression. I could never tell what he was truly feeling.
“I’m sorry, Ryan. I can’t move in with you,” I said, shaking my head.
I wasn’t ready for that. I was still scared of him, though not as much as before, but that didn’t mean my guard was down.
And also regardless of anything, Karen was in his life.
His eyes darkened slightly as he leaned back. “Then how will you ever get comfortable with me?”
I hesitated. “Umm, we’ll be friends?”
“Friends?” he echoed, raising a brow.
“Aren’t we friends now?” he asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
“Yes, we are,” I said, nodding nervously.
He stared at me for a moment, and I felt my palms grow sweaty.
“And you barely know anything about me,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “I barely know anything about you either.”
“Yeah… well, we’ll get closer this time,” I mumbled, my gaze dropping to the floor.
He didn’t respond immediately, but the silence was thick. Then, all of a sudden, he stepped closer, so close that I felt the warmth of his body.
His hand gently tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. My breath hitched.
“This close?” He asked, looking straight into my eyes.
He was so close…too close. Close enough that I could hear his heartbeat if I just focused.
I didn’t answer his question.
My chest tightened as I stared into his eyes. They held something raw, something intense. My breath quickened, and I suddenly stopped blinking, terrified that if I even closed my eyes for a second, he might vanish.
“Aurora,” he said softly, his voice low and filled with something I couldn’t name but could feel deep inside.
“Yes?” I whispered, barely audible, but I knew he heard me.
His eyes didn’t leave mine as he spoke. “Do you know how much self-control it takes every time I look at you? Every time I’m close to you?”
I felt heat rush to my cheeks, and I knew I was blushing.
“I want to kiss you, Aurora,” he said, his voice almost a growl, filled with longing.
“Ryan…” I started, but before I could say more, he cut me off.
“Shhh… come here,” he murmured.
His hand moved from my chin to the back of my head, his fingers threading gently through my hair. Before I could process what was happening, his lips pressed against mine.
The kiss was soft at first, almost hesitant, but it quickly deepened. My mind went blank, and all I could do was feel, the warmth of his lips, the way he held me like I was something fragile yet precious.
I didn’t know how to respond at first, but then, as if instinct took over, I kissed him back. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.
Our lips clash, hungry for more than the chaste kiss shared earlier. A moan escapes my lips as his tongue delves into my mouth, exploring every inch of it while my hands clench your hair, pulling you closer.
His hands roam down my back, tracing circles as he pull me onto his lap. Our lips never part, locked together in a passionate embrace, our tongues intertwined, battling for dominance.
I wasn’t too good at it, but I knew I was doing it right. It felt so good.
His lips were warm, soft, and demanding. I don’t even know how we got here, me on the couch, me on his lap, completely lost in him. His hands held me firmly but gently, as if he were afraid I might slip away.
The kiss deepened, our breaths mingling as his fingers traced the curve of my back. Then suddenly, I felt his hands tug at my top, pulling it over my head. My breath caught as I realized I was sitting in nothing but my bra, heat spreading across my cheeks.
I’ve never been in an intimate position with any other man except for him. I loved it.
I was shy, too shy to meet his gaze, but he didn’t stop. His lips moved from mine, trailing soft, teasing kisses down my neck. Every touch ignited a fire inside me, a warmth that spread through my whole body.
A soft moan escaped my lips, unbidden. It felt so good, too good. My mind was spinning, and I couldn’t think straight. All I knew was that I wanted more. I needed more.
But then he stopped. His lips left my neck, and when I looked at him, my heart nearly froze.
His eyes… they weren’t their usual piercing honey colour. They were red, glowing faintly, and his fangs were visible, sharp and terrifying.
“Ryan…” I whispered, my voice trembling.
His expression shifted, and I saw him blink a few times, as if pulling himself back. He swallowed hard and closed his eyes for a moment before looking at me again.
“I… I want to mark you, Aurora,” he said, his voice deep, raw, and full of need.
I couldn’t explain it, but it was as if he needed to do it right this second.
“Mark me?” I repeated, confusion mixing with the lingering heat between us.
“Yes,” he said, his gaze locking onto mine. “So that everyone will know you’re mine.”
His words sent a shiver down my spine. The intensity in his eyes, the way he looked at me, it was like he wanted to consume me, claim me in every way.
“Is that… is that what you guys do in the werewolf kingdom?” I asked, trying to steady my voice even as my heart raced.
“It’s not a kingdom,” he said, a small smirk tugging at his lips despite the hunger in his eyes. “It’s Shadowhaven. And yes, marking is how we show who belongs to us.”
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding. His gaze was so intense, so hungry, and I could see how much he was holding himself back.
“So you have to bite me?” I asked.
“Something like that,” He said,
looking at me intensely.
“I’m not ready yet,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
His eyes softened, and he reached up to gently cup my face.
“I’ll wait,” he said, his voice steady, though I could hear the strain in it.
“I’ll wait until you’re ready, Aurora.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, feeling a strange mix of relief and longing.
“But what are we right now?”
“You shouldn’t be asking this question little one, you already know the answer,”
“You’re Mine, no one gets to touch you or look at you in any type of way,” He said, and I felt him tense up after making the statement.
The moment hung between us, heavy with unspoken words. I laid down on his chest and closed my eyes. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, his lips lingering there as if silently promising that he’d wait as long as it took.
I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth of his kiss and the weight of his words. There was no denying it anymore, I was his, and he was mine, whether I was ready to admit it or not.
Maybe I could give him a chance.