Chapter 241

Evaline:
As the last of the aftershocks rolled through me, leaving my limbs trembling and my breaths shallow, I finally began to return to myself.
My chest was rising and falling in sync with his, and I was able to feel it – the steady, unwavering warmth of our mate bond swarming through me. It was alive now, stronger than ever before, pulsing with his acceptance.
Draven still had his face buried in the crook of my neck, his breath hot against my skin as he rode out his own release. His body was heavy over mine, but instead of feeling trapped, I felt cocooned… safe. Cherished.
When he finally pulled back, his eyes met mine for only a moment before his lips found mine again. This kiss was different – less hungry than before but still deep enough to make my toes curl. It was the kind of kiss that made me forget the world outside the bed, forget the unspoken fears, forget everything but him.
When he drew back, his gaze roamed over my face, searching for something. But then his expression shifted, and I saw it… worry.
His eyes scanned me as though searching every inch of my body, looking for any sign of discomfort or pain. “Are you alright?” His voice was low but tight with concern. “Is the baby alright?”
My brows furrowed in surprise, but before I could answer, he added quickly, “I’m sorry… I didn’t control myself.”
I shook my head, smiling at his sudden panic. “Draven… I’m fine. Perfectly fine.” My hand came up to cup his cheek. “Though you did go a little rough,” I teased softly, “I don’t feel any discomfort. And I can tell the baby’s fine.”
Relief washed over his features, though his jaw still held a hint of tension. Finally, he exhaled, as if letting go of the fear that had been holding him.
He slowly pulled out of me, the movement gentle, but it didn’t stop me from feeling the emptiness he left behind.
He shifted his weight to lie beside me, but still hovered just enough that his presence surrounded me. Then, without warning, his palm came to rest over my still-flat belly. His fingers grazed softly over the place where my child was growing.
It was the first time he had touched me there like that. It wasn’t by accident. Not in passing. But intentionally… as if he was acknowledging the life growing inside me.
I watched his eyes soften in a way I hadn’t seen before. That guarded hardness of his melted, replaced by something warm and unguarded. My throat tightened, and my eyes stung as I swallowed back the sudden rush of emotion.
“I have a gift for the baby,” he said suddenly.
“What?” I blinked at him in surprise, but before I could ask again, he was already pushing himself up.
“Stay in bed,” he said firmly, giving me a look that brooked no argument.
Confused, I watched him disappear into the bathroom. A few minutes later, he returned – not with a gift in hand, but moving straight toward me. Without a word, he slid one arm beneath my knees, the other behind my back, and lifted me effortlessly into his arms.
“Draven!” I gasped, instinctively clutching his shoulders. “What are you doing?”
“I prepared a bath for you,” he announced simply, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
He carried me into the bathroom and set me down gently beside the large tub. The water was warm, steam curling into the air, and the surface was scattered with lavender petals. The soft scent of essential oil filled the space, calming and sweet.
Before I could comment, he was already gathering my hair, twisting it into a bun, and pinning it in place with a clutcher. His touch was careful, almost reverent, as he helped me into the tub.
I expected him to join me, but instead he took a seat behind me on the bath’s edge. His strong hands found my shoulders, kneading them in slow, steady motions.
“Mmm,” I sighed, letting my head fall forward as the tension melted from my body under his touch.
But then, something tugged at my mind. I turned my head slightly, forcing him to pause mid-stroke.
“Draven,” I said softly, meeting his eyes.
His brows lifted, waiting.
“I accept you,” I told him. “As my mate.”
I didn’t complicate the acceptance and kept it simple. Still, it held all the power of an official acceptance.
The bond between us flared instantly, sealing fully for the first time. I felt his acceptance from earlier intertwining with mine, creating a depth of connection that made my breath hitch.
He bent forward and kissed me. It was slow, deep, lingering… until I felt all his love and care pouring into me through that bond. When we pulled apart, I couldn’t stop the small smile that curved my lips.
When the bath ended, he helped me into a soft bathrobe. Before I could protest, he scooped me up again, ignoring my playful complaints about being perfectly capable of walking.
Back in the walk-in closet, he picked a blue pajama set for me, handing it over before stepping out to give me privacy. While I dressed and went through my skincare, I heard faint movement from the bedroom.
When I walked out, I found a freshly made bed awaiting me.
“Draven,” I murmured, warmth flooding my chest.
He didn’t answer, just guided me under the covers and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Rest,” he said quietly, before heading into the bathroom.
He returned minutes later with only a towel slung low around his hips. The source of thɪs content is
Sliding into bed beside me, he tugged the towel away and tossed it aside without hesitation.
I raised a brow at him. “No clothes?”
He gave me a slow, almost boyish grin. “Didn’t have anything appropriate for sleeping.”
I rolled my eyes, but my heart was still fluttering at the sight of him – at the realization that tonight wasn’t just about passion. It was about him finally letting me in completely.
And I knew, without a doubt, that I had done the same.