CHAPTER 43: WAS IT A ROGUE?

The marking was over, but the tingling sensation remained. It lingered warmly, almost addictive and I gulped.

Would I have to go through this process over and over?

It wasn’t uncomfortable but it felt like my insides were being stirred.

When Fenric stepped back, I slowly lifted my gaze and looked down.

There, between my breasts, the faint glowing outline of a Tiger’s head emerged. The smoke-patterned stripes curled upward like wisps, elegant and fierce, as though it were breathing against my skin.

I touched it... gently and a soft gasp escaped me.

It was warm.

It didn’t burn against my skin like I had been scorched with something hot, but was warm like his breath, warm like his arm around my waist earlier, warm like the promise he had just made.

My cheeks heated as I traced the lines with my fingertip. It was surreal, so fantasy-like. So... So Beautiful.

Fenric stared with eyes wide in excitement. He must be happy to see his mark on me.

But then doesn’t this mean I went back on the promise I made with Damar? I told him he would be my first spouse, so he should’ve been the one to mark me first.

I palmed my face, suddenly worried.

I hope he won’t take this the hard way.

While I worried, Fenric couldn’t contain his excitement. His tail was wagging so hard it splashed the lake water behind him and echoed in the serene night.

If he were a wolf, he would definitely howl.

"I can’t believe how good it looks on you," he whispered, getting closer. "It suits you perfectly."

"It does feel... right," I admitted, cheeks burning bright red. "But," I sighed softly, staring at the symbol as it locked away every escape route. There’s really no going back now, huh?

"But what?" Fenric asked but I shook my head.

"Leave it. It’s nothing."

"Are you worried about the snake?" He asked and I paused.

Yeah, I was worried that this would hurt Damar’s feelings.

"Let’s start heading back. We shouldn’t stay out too long." I said and he nodded.

We stepped out of the water, droplets sliding down our skin, the air colder now that the heat of the moment was fading.

Fenric grabbed our clothes first, but before I could take mine from him, a sharp rustle came from the bushes.

I froze.

Fenric’s instincts kicked in immediately — shoulders squared, ears perked, tail stiffening and he stepped closer to me to protect me from whatever was approaching.

Was it a rogue?

The forest seemed to have stilled in that moment, like it was holding its breath. Even the cries of the owls had ceased.

What’s going on?

My heart began to go pitta-pat in anxiety.

"Don’t worry, Arinya. I’ll protect you." Fenric promised and I felt safe with those words.

But the moment I got a glimpse of what was approaching, I gulped and wondered... Who’s going to protect you?

White hair dripping with moonlight, emerald eyes like tempered steel, and a body so long it could span for meters.

Damar.

As soon as he revealed himself, I felt instant relief flood over me but Damar’s gaze did not go to Fenric.

Not the water behind us or our clothes in hand.

The first thing his eyes landed on, was the snow tiger mark etched proudly on my chest.

His expression didn’t flinch, but his jaw did.

Enough to announce how bitter he felt about the situation in front of him.

It was as if something had cracked inside him. Inevitable and painful and that dropped a rod in my stomach.

I had indeed hurt him.

I felt it would be better for me to start explaining before he came up with whatever conclusion his head could cook up and get even more hurt.

"Damar, before you say anything—"

"Arinya," he called, interrupting with a cold voice.

All he did was say my name but I felt so many things from that one word.

He spread his arms as he waited for me to come into his arms.

It seemed like that, but without any words, it was hard to understand.

Then, he finally said it,

"Come,"

I was obedient.

I moved my feet before my head could think and slowly walked towards him, my feet digging into the grass and sand until I got to where he was.

He wrapped his arms around me, took in a good whiff, and then said,

"I’m hurt, Arinya."

Those words stabbed at my heart, and made me feel like I had indeed made a mistake.

"But all your choices belong to you. I don’t have the right to tell you what to do." He said. "Still, it’s like you betrayed me, Arinya."

I wanted to explain. Wanted to say that I was caught up in the moment and that was why I did it.

But I couldn’t.

Was I scared of him?

Was I scared that I would make him mad?

Was I scared of seeing him angry?

I gulped, my chest tightening.

It was probably like that, since he always looked so cold and would probably be cruel if he was angry.

So, instead of making any excuse, I owned up to the fact that I disappointed him when he was looking forward to being the first so badly.

And so, I apologized.

"I’m sorry," I said softly. "I’m sorry, Damar."

Those were the only words I could say to him and this made Fenric feel awful.

"Hey, don’t take it out on her." He said, marching towards us. "I’m the one who lured her into it so don’t make her apologize to you."

"It’s fine, Fenric," I said. "And though it might be true that you lured me, there’s nothing else to expect when a male and female are alone and naked. We didn’t even cross the line." I lowered my gaze and then looked up at Damar who was glaring with hatred at Fenric. "I also wanted it, so it’s not entirely your fault. But Damar," I reached my hand towards his face and caressed him, hoping he would turn his anger away from Fenric. "Won’t you look at me? I... I want to carry your mark as well. So," I swiped my hair back, exposing my neck and, though trembling, invited him for a marking. "...please mark me."