Chapter 449

[ 1,121 words ]

[Meredith].

My cheeks still burned as Draven stepped back, giving me space.

But space didn’t mean absence.

He leaned a shoulder against the doorway of the dressing room, arms crossed, watching me with that look—the one that slid over my skin like a touch. Not hungry, but claiming. Knowing.

I swallowed and stood up from the stool, then turned toward the wardrobe, trying to pretend my pulse wasn’t tripping.

I reached for the long cream dress. The fabric was soft between my fingers, but my hands trembled slightly because I could feel his gaze burning into my back as I dropped the towel and began slipping the dress over my head.

Draven made a low, barely audible noise that made my breath catch.

I didn’t turn or bother to comment because to me, that was a trap.

I just let the dress fall into place, smoothing it down my sides, forcing the heat in my cheeks to settle. Or at least calm enough for me to breathe normally.

When I finally looked at him, Draven’s expression was mainly composed. His eyes, however, were anything but.

He pushed off from the doorway and walked past me into his section of the closet.

I watched him now.

He pulled open a drawer, the muscles along his back rippling with the movement.

I got an unfiltered view of broad shoulders, sleek strength, and the faint trail of water still glistening on his skin.

He grabbed a black shirt and tugged it over his head, the fabric clinging to every inch of him. I pretended not to stare, but he definitely noticed.

A slow, teasing smirk ghosted across his lips. “You’re staring,” he murmured.

“I am not,” I lied too quickly.

Draven hummed, amused, and chose dark trousers, turning his body slightly, just enough for me to realize he was giving me a view on purpose.

’So now he was teasing me for a change? Fine. Two can play that game.’

I lifted my hair, pinning it loosely with a gold clip, exposing the slope of my neck and the soft line of my shoulder, a move I knew he would notice. And he did.

At that moment, his eyes darted to me—lingering, darkening. Then he cleared his throat, barely controlling himself again.

When he stepped into his boots and straightened, he moved back to me, slowly taking in everything. My dress, my hair, the way my breath hitched when he got close.

Then, he reached out and adjusted a stray piece of fabric near my waist, his fingers brushing my hip.

“I like this,” he murmured. “You look…” His voice lowered further. “…very hard to ignore.”

I swallowed, trying to appear composed. “You’re impossible,” I whispered.

Draven smirked, leaning close enough that his breath warmed the side of my neck.

“And you look like you’re about to make me break my own word and pull you back into that bed.”

My knees almost buckled. Then, he stepped back before I could melt entirely, offering his arm.

“Let’s go before I change my mind.”

I looped my arm through his, still warm from the shower, and we stepped out of the room together, both of us wearing the faint, dangerous smiles of people who knew exactly what awaited them later tonight.

—

As Draven and I made our way down the hallway toward the dining room, I could feel the shift in the air the moment we stepped onto the ground floor.

Servants bowed deeply and respectfully as we passed, but their eyes lingered a moment too long when they rose.

Their stare wasn’t disrespectful, just aware of him, me, and the scent.

My cheeks warmed.

Of course. Werewolves had strong noses, and no matter how composed Draven and I tried to look, the smell of him on my skin, and mine on his, wasn’t going to be masked by a simple bath and perfume.

I straightened my back and lifted my chin. If I pretended not to notice, maybe it would lessen the embarrassment burning under my skin.

Draven, however, looked thoroughly unbothered, walking with that calm, powerful gait of his, arm linked with mine, thumb rubbing lazy circles against my hand as if to reassure me, or claim me.

I wasn’t sure which.

We turned a corner and bumped straight into Dennis.

Dennis, who was already smiling even before he made eye contact, was walking toward the dining room with that effortless swagger of his.

But the moment he got within three steps of us, he slowed, narrowed his eyes and then—

He sniffed the air hard.

I shut my eyes for a fraction of a second. ’ Perfect!’

Dennis blinked and looked between Draven and me. Then that knowing smirk stretched across his lips like he had just uncovered the world’s greatest treasure.

“Well, well…” he drawled, leaning closer, “were you—” He sniffed again. “—busy making pups a few minutes ago?”

My soul left my body.

Dennis’s tone wasn’t crude, just obnoxious in the most Dennis way possible. But still, I wanted to melt into the floor.

“Dennis,” I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose.

He only grinned wider.

Draven, on the other hand, stayed perfectly composed. Even his breathing didn’t change.

He simply rubbed his thumb over the back of my hand again—calm, and protective, but I could feel the warning beneath it as he stared at his brother.

“Unfortunately,” Draven said dryly, “you can’t relate to this experience.”

Dennis placed a dramatic hand over his heart in mock injury. “Ouch. My brother, my Alpha, wounding me like this.”

Draven continued, unbothered, “At least not until the Moon Goddess finally decides someone is desperate enough to be your mate.”

Dennis gasped loudly, clutching his chest even tighter. “Desperate? Really? After all I’ve done for this family?”

I couldn’t help it—I laughed. Dennis was impossible to dislike, even when he embarrassed me to death.

He looked between the two of us again, nose twitching, and smirked.

“You know,” he added, leaning forward conspiratorially, “you two should at least try to tone it down before dinner. Father is already strict enough. If he smells—”

Draven lifted a brow, just slightly.

Dennis immediately straightened. “—I will shut up now.”

“Good,” Draven said.

Dennis grinned widely, completely unoffended, and gestured for us to walk with him.

“Come on, lovebirds. Let’s go before Father wonders why we are late… though I’m sure he will guess.”

“Dennis,” I hissed under my breath.

He just wiggled his eyebrows.

Draven finally released a low, amused breath and tugged me gently forward.

I followed with a warm face and a full heart, but was undeniably proud to walk beside him, even if Dennis made it impossible to keep my dignity.

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