CHAPTER 113: CHAPTER 113 CONFESSIONS AT NIGHT.

Daniel hugged his legs, the cold biting deep into his skin. Regret filled his heart as he remembered the miserable crop top he had worn. Why did the weather have to be so weird? It was supposed to be summer, yet the cold always found its way in at night or evening time.

The fire flickered endlessly, the only source of light keeping the darkness away. If not for the burning wood, the whole place would have been swallowed by shadows. The moon was nowhere to be seen, and the silence hanging around was chilling.

Fear crept into Daniel’s heart as he realized just how alone he was. The firelight wasn’t enough, and the isolation made the memories of his childhood start slipping back—dark, bitter memories.

"No... please, I don’t want that..." Daniel clutched his head, trying to shut out the images. All those vile treatments, the cruel punishments from his so-called family—parents who felt more like a curse than a blessing. But even that wasn’t the end of it.

He still had a plan—an interest in watching them suffer bit by bit. Before destroying their happiness completely, he wanted to make them drop their guard, let him back in. Then he’d take everything—properties, belongings, money—and finally end their lives. None of them deserved to live. Not even his dear little sister.

"Sweet hubby’s back!" Xylander’s cheerful voice cut through the silence. He smiled brightly but paused when he noticed the gloomy expression on Daniel’s face. Dropping the huge leaf he carried, he moved closer and sat on the rock beside him.

"Were you afraid? Was it your parents again?" Xylander asked softly.

Daniel felt a tear slide down his cheek. He wasn’t sure he could ever truly heal. He was trying, but even a little darkness was enough to drag the old pain back out. So many memories buried deep—too heavy to endure, too painful to let free.

"Oh dear," Xylander said gently, "it’s fine. As long as a brand-new day keeps coming, it gives us hope—hope that everything will be alright one day. I might not know exactly how you feel, but as long as hope exists, nothing can steal it from us."

That was all Daniel needed to hear. His walls broke. He let it all out.

He had been carrying that pain for so long—bottling it up back in his family mansion, pretending to be strong. But with Xylander and the other companions, he could finally breathe. He could finally cry.

"Life is just... too hard. Why does it have to be mine?" Daniel sniffled, his voice trembling.

Xylander reached out and wiped the tear away. "Crying isn’t weakness, Dan. Don’t ever try to hide it—especially not from me. We all love you the way you are. Omega or not, society or not, it won’t change who you are, Daniel. You’re my sweet hubby, and you’re so cute I can’t even keep my hands off you."

Then, in an instant, Xylander tickled his torso, moving up to his underarms until Daniel burst into laughter.

"Stop it, Xylander! My reputation—Xyle!" Daniel laughed uncontrollably, his legs flailing until both of them ended up on the ground, tangled in each other’s arms.

The sadness was gone—just like Xylander wanted.

"Much better," Xylander grinned. "I’ve gotten rid of the boring part of Daniel. Now I want the fun one."

Daniel rolled his eyes dramatically.

"Before we stand, I need a kiss—a power-boosting, awakening kiss," Xylander said with mock seriousness.

Daniel crossed his arms, eyeing him from head to toe. "Emotional blackmail, Xylander?"

"Nothing emotional," Xylander replied, matching his serious tone. "Just a random thought. And something you must fulfill, Daniel Wolfe."

For a few moments, they locked eyes, neither willing to back down. Then Daniel’s lips curved into a deep smile.

"Done." He stood on his toes and pressed a quick kiss against Xylander’s lips—but the greedy man wasn’t done. He seized the kiss completely, locking his mouth over Daniel’s and deepening it until Daniel had no choice but to melt into it.

"You scum..." Daniel muttered against his lips—but didn’t stop.

Just as their breaths began to sync, Daniel’s stomach growled loudly. Both of them froze before Xylander laughed, reaching for the large leaf he’d dropped earlier.

When Daniel saw what lay on it, he gasped. Fresh strawberries, papayas, and mangoes of different shapes and colors glistened under the firelight. Without even glancing at Xylander, he dived right in, stuffing his mouth full of fruit and munching with wild abandon.

Xylander watched him with amusement, plucking a few strawberries for himself as Daniel devoured half the pile until only a few remained.

"I’m full now, Xylander. Thanks so much—you can have the rest," Daniel said, satisfied.

"Don’t pity me," Xylander chuckled. "I don’t eat much. You finish it."

"Just eat. It’s my courtesy of thanks, Xylander," Daniel insisted.

Finally, Xylander gave in, eating the remaining fruits while Daniel laughed at how quickly he finished them.

When they were done, they sat side by side, gazing up at the gloomy sky. Only a few stars dotted the darkness.

"The sky looks so sorrowful," Daniel murmured.

A chill swept through him again, and he clasped his hands together, trying to keep warm. The fire helped, but not enough.

Without a word, Xylander took off his coat and handed it over. "Take this. Before you freeze your ass off."

Daniel frowned. "Good Samaritan, we should just share it. It’ll help both of us better than one of us freezing."

Xylander grinned at his reasoning and draped the coat over their shoulders. The shared warmth drew them closer, their scents mingling in the soft night air.

"Your scent keeps distracting me..." Xylander whispered near his ear.

Daniel grinned mischievously. "So, what should I do to stop the distraction?"

"Anything will do for now... I just can’t stop thirsting for you," Xylander murmured, his lips brushing close. Their mouths met under the jacket, slow and tender, tongues exploring familiar paths.

"Xylander Wolfe," Daniel breathed between kisses, "you might have brought out a side of me I never knew existed. Tonight made me think about my life, and I realized... I need you. I love you. I’ve fallen for you, Xylander Wolfe."

Xylander’s heart skipped a beat. Was this real? Daniel... confessed?

"You’re not playing with my feelings, right? You love me, Daniel? You really do?" he asked, voice trembling.

Daniel nodded slowly. "I was in denial—stuck in my regrets. But tonight, I realized that if you weren’t here, I might have been gone already. You’re my other half, Xyle. I’m still learning how to love, but I hope you’ll help me through it."

Xylander didn’t hesitate. He scooped Daniel up in his arms, bridal-style, holding him close.

"I love you just the way you are, Daniel. You mean so much to me. My world never felt this full until you came. I promise, I won’t disappoint you—and we’ll stay together."

With those words, he kissed Daniel again—this time, filled with passion, love, and promise.

Daniel’s heart raced. Xylander’s lips devoured his like he couldn’t get enough, and Daniel melted entirely under his touch.

"About the others—Draven and Alexander—I want them to stay with me too..." Daniel began, but Xylander silenced him with another deep kiss.

"This time is for us," he whispered. "Us only, hubby. Come on—show me how to get ridden again."