CHAPTER SIXTEEN |THE INTRUDER
The TENSION! My favorite trope (:
CHAPTER SIXTEEN | EZRA POV
Her hands tangle into my hair, and I tug her body closer than it already is at this.
Closer
My wolf urges impatiently. I fight to ignore it as I continue to mold my lips with hers.
Complete the bond
My claws attempt to push their way through my fingers, and I push it back with a low growl.
I have no words for how much I want to- if I could take her here and now I would. I've fought the desire since I've come across her.
Desire?
No-
need.
It's a foreign feeling, the ferocity of my need to claim her.
But she is not accustomed to our ways, I can't afford to lose her by moving too quickly.
"You have no idea..." I mutter between our kisses,"how long I've been wanting this."
She pulls away to catch her breath, her full lips parted and red from the session. "I'd hate to admit the same." She responds lowly, "But you might have a hint, if you can read my mind."
I shake my head at this, "Only if I intentionally try, when we are connected." I hold her hand in mine as an example.
Like this.
She gives out a startled gasp in shock, "Can anyone do that here?" Amara asks once she regains composure.
"There is a pack link, however a mate bond is different- stronger. When the bond is completed that is." I murmur, before bringing my lips along her jaw.
She shudders at this,"And how is that done?" She inquires, shakily.
My lips travel down the expanse of her neck and I try to withhold a smirk at her question.
"Ezra?" She gasps, fingers intertwined in my hair.
Ezra
Ryder; His voice thundered into my head abruptly.
What is it?
The border needs your presence. Lead Troy and the North Sector.
I almost groan at his words. Perfect timing, brother.
Copy.
Amara notices my pause, now bringing her hands to rest at the nape of my neck. Her eyes search mine for an explanation.
"I have to go. I'll call Hyacinth to accompany you." I say, remorsefully taking a step away from her.
Her expression falls at this, tightly pressing her lips together with a curt nod.
"I think I'm going to give this a read,"Comes her frazzled response. She stoops down and picks up both books, before briskly walking down the aisle towards the love seat in front of the fire place.
I look towards Amara, now seated comfortably before the fire- sifting through the pages nonchalantly.
"Amara." I call. She turns to me expectantly, the glow of the fire illuminates her warm olive toned skin.
My heart tugs at the sight of her.
The stars knew what they were doing when they aligned us.
"I will see you tonight at dinner."
AMARA POV
Although I sat before the fireplace the room fell into a cold when he left.
Glimpses of earlier flip through my mind and I bite back the warmth that spreads across my face at the thought.
When the bond is completed...
My face floods once again at the thought, when a light knock resounds.
"Come in," I turn towards the door to see Hyacinth's small figure. Golden curls illuminated in the setting sun behind the open threshold.
Her head tilts, as she sets her sight on me. "Amara...are you okay? You look flushed."
My mouth falls at this, agape like a fish out of water. I struggle to find words for an explanation.
"Perhaps, I should call the Doctor-"
I shake my head at this, "No I'm okay- It's just a little warm."
This seems to satisfy her worry, as she comes to sit beside me. "Reading on pack history?"
I look back at the books on my lap, I was in the middle of choosing which to read first before she entered.
"Yes, I figured that I might as well try to understand this world."
"I'm glad," Hyacinth says with a light smile. "I'm sure that Ezra is especially happy."
+
I brush out the stubborn knots through my hair and rest my gaze on the mirror before me. It's only been a few days but the difference in myself feels uncanny.
The traumatic events that I've been through felt like an ongoing spiral. Then suddenly meeting someone who claims to be your soulmate?
All I wanted to do is start my life. Something that's finally under my control- and fate had other plans once again.
"Are you ready now?"
I look towards Hyacinth with a curt nod and small smile, "Yeah and starved too."
She laughs at this and gets up from the chair by my window, "I feel exactly the same, but unfortunately we have a bit of time to kill. Some snacks to tide you over maybe?"
"I'd take anything right now."
Hyacinth laughs at this and guides us through the halls and towards the kitchen. The air is thick with the scent of burning wood and unique spices. My mouth waters the closer we get.
We stop before the entrance to the kitchen, "Let me get you an ember tart." She says, as she disappears into the kitchen and leaving me to wait in the hallway.
This might be for the best because I can't promise that I won't steal a bite of something else in there.
As quickly as she left she comes back with a tissue wrapped snack. "Managed to snag an ember tart for you," she announced, with a gentle smile. She gestures for me to take it and I do. It's just about the size of my palm, a pastry with a golden-brown crust resembling a puff pastry of sorts.
"Thank you,"
She nods at this, as we continue along, "It's named Ember Tarts because of the filling. It's from Ember fruits, they resemble how fire embers glow in the night."
I take a bite at this, and the flaky crust crumbled softly beneath my teeth, releasing a tantalizing aroma. The first sensation was the warmth of the ember fruit preserves, enveloping my senses with a rich, smoky sweetness that lingered on my tongue.
"This is amazing." I comment, almost trying to savor the bite. "I've never had anything like it."
This illicits a small laugh from Hyacinth. "That's because you can't find it in your world."
We finally step outside of the castle walls. We're immediately greeted by the crisp embrace of the cold night breeze. It brushes against my skin like a gentle caress. The scent of pine and earth mingled with the faint hint of wood smoke.
As we venture further into the courtyard, I observed the pack members in their human forms and wolves alike. Some were tending to the herb gardens, their voices mingling with the soft rustle of leaves as they harvested ingredients for potions and remedies. Others were gathered around a crackling bonfire, their laughter and conversation filling the air with warmth and camaraderie.
A small smile spreads across my features at the sight, it's nice to feel a part of the togetherness. Even if I may be an outsider.
Hyacinth pauses beside me, and I turn to her in confusion. Her normally bright and lively expression shifts subtly. Her eyebrows knit together ever so slightly, forming a gentle furrow between them, betraying the worry that flickers in her eyes. Despite her efforts to maintain composure, there's a tenseness in her posture. Though she tries to hide it, the unease reflects in the slight tension of her jaw and the cautious glances she casts around the area, silently assessing the situation.
As if everyone were in sync with what Hyacinth sensed, they arise in a scrambled frenzy.
"What's wr-," Before I can finish my sentence, She grips my wrist firmly- attempting to tug me away. "We need to leave."
Although confused, I follow her as we weave through the crowd. Everyone rushes towards the pack house.
Amidst the frenzy, my eyes lock with a familiar figure, disheveled and crazed amidst the turmoil. Despite his unkempt appearance, there's a haunting familiarity in his gaze stops me in my tracks.
"Jace?"
CHAPTER END
This chapter was a long time coming but I wanted to make sure it was worth the read. :)
CHAPTER QUESTIONS
What is Jace doing here?
What are his intentions?
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