CHAPTER 413: NIGHT OF SCENTED CANDLES (II)

Draven:

She let out a startled squeal, her hands instinctively flying to my shoulders as her feet left the ground.

"Draven!" she hissed, trying to keep her voice low, though her laughter betrayed her surprise. "You’ll make me wake our son!"

Just then, I noticed our pup stirring in his crib, squirming lightly before letting out a soft sigh and settling again. I waited until I was sure he was still asleep before glancing over at my brothers.

Kieran arched a brow, smirking faintly. "Should I even ask what this is about?"

Oscar’s lips twitched in amusement. "I would say you don’t want to know."

I gave them both a look that made my intentions clear enough. "Goodnight, brothers," I said simply.

And without another word, I turned and walked out of the nursery, with Eva still in my arms.

She was too stunned to resist at first, though her fingers curled against my chest as she whispered, "Draven, what are you doing?"

"Taking care of you," I said without slowing down. "Like I always do."

Her pulse quickened against my arm. "I can walk, you know."

"I know," I murmured, glancing down at her with a grin. "But I like carrying you."

Her face turned slightly red as she muttered, "You are impossible."

"Maybe," I said, pushing open the door to my room with my shoulder, "but you love me anyway."

The scent of lavender and warm water filled the air the moment we stepped inside the bathroom. Her eyes widened as she saw the steam rising from the bath, the flickering candles reflecting off the surface like tiny stars.

I set her down gently, letting her feet touch the floor. She blinked, then looked up at me, speechless for a heartbeat.

"You did all this... for me?" she asked quietly.

I brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and nodded. "You have been training hard. You deserve... a special bath today."

Though warm baths were in her daily schedule, they hadn’t included the scented candles, flower petals... and definitely not my most recent purchase sitting proudly beside the bath essentials - a vibratory.

Her lips parted slightly, the faintest hint of a smile forming there. "You didn’t have to’"

"Yes," I interrupted softly, tracing my thumb along her jaw. "I did."

Because if anyone deserved to be cherished tonight, it was her.

I leaned in, close enough that my breath mingled with hers. "Now," I whispered, letting my voice drop lower, "get in before it gets cold."

Her cheeks flushed as she whispered back, "Are you joining me?"

My grin widened. "What do you think?"

The soft laugh that escaped her was all the answer I needed.

Her laughter still lingered in the air as I reached for the edge of her top. My fingers brushed against the soft fabric before tugging it upward, my action slow and deliberate. She let out a quiet breath, her hands moving up to help me. I could see the faint blush dusting her cheeks, the kind that made something warm twist in my chest.

"Still shy?" I teased lightly, though my voice had gone rough around the edges.

Her amber eyes flicked up to mine, a mix of affection and embarrassment shining in them. "Maybe," she murmured, "but only because you are staring like that."

"Like what?" I asked, leaning closer, my lips just a breath away from her ear.

"Like I’m the only thing that exists in the world," she whispered back, her voice trembling slightly.

I smiled, because she wasn’t wrong. "That’s because you are."

Her lips parted, but before she could reply, I pressed a gentle kiss to her shoulder, then another just below her ear. She shivered, her hands instinctively finding their way to my chest. The sound that escaped her when I kissed my mark on her neck was barely audible, but it sent heat straight through me.

I helped her step out of the rest of her clothes, every movement slow, careful, reverent. There was no rush tonight - only the quiet rhythm of our breathing, the soft sound of water rippling in the bath, and the way her heartbeat seemed to echo in the space between us.

Once she stood bare before me, I took a moment to simply look at her - at my mate. The candlelight danced across her skin, highlighting every curve, every mark that made her her. My wolf stirred beneath the surface, growling softly in approval, in awe.

"You are staring again," she said, smiling faintly this time.

I met her gaze and stepped closer. "Can you blame me?"

Her reply came in the form of a gentle push against my chest. "Your turn," she said softly.

She undid the buttons of my shirt with steady hands, though I could see the tiny tremor in her fingers. When the fabric slipped from my shoulders, her palms lingered on my skin as if memorizing the feel of me all over again. My breath caught as she reached for the clasp of my belt, her movements slow, deliberate, teasing.

"Eva," I breathed, catching her hand halfway through.

She looked up at me, feigning innocence. "What?"

"Nothing," I said, a low chuckle escaping me. "Just... you."

She smiled, and I bent down to capture her lips. The kiss started soft, almost hesitant, but deepened quickly when she leaned into me. Her fingers tangled in my hair while my hands framed her face, holding her close. The world seemed to narrow down to the warmth of her mouth, the taste of her breath, the quiet hum she made against my lips.

When I finally pulled back, we were both breathing hard.

"Bath," I managed, my voice hoarse. "Before it really gets cold."

She laughed softly, and I led her toward the tub. The warm water lapped gently against her skin as she stepped in, sighing in relief. Then she looked over her shoulder and held out a hand to me. "Come in."

I didn’t need to be told twice.

The moment I joined her, she moved closer, her back pressing against my chest, her head resting beneath my chin. My arms slid around her waist, holding her there as if she belonged in no other place.

For a long moment, neither of us spoke. The water was warm, her heartbeat steady against me, and I could feel every small rise and fall of her breathing.

She tilted her head slightly, brushing her lips against my jaw. "You are quiet."

"I’m thinking," I said softly.

"About what?"

"How lucky I am," I whispered, kissing the side of her neck, "that you are mine."

Her smile was small but radiant, reflected in the water’s glow. "And you are mine, Draven."

I kissed her again, slower this time, letting it linger. The kind of kiss that wasn’t about need but about belonging. Her hand found mine under the water, fingers intertwining, fitting perfectly.

In that quiet moment, surrounded by candlelight and warmth, it didn’t matter that the world outside would demand our strength again tomorrow. Tonight, she was in my arms - safe, cherished, loved.

And I intended to keep it that way.

* * *

Author’s Note:

An extra Chapter today because it’s my birthday!!

I hope you will enjoy the coming Chapters tomorrow...!