Chapter Seven – A Punishing Kiss

Leandros’s POV

I couldn’t help the crazy thumping of my heart as she gave me a confused look. Her threat sounded like music to my ears. I wondered what punishment she had planned for me. Much as I would have liked to kiss her and taste those luscious cherry-hued lips, I couldn’t. I had to wait for at least four months to taste her sweetness! It was taking a toll on my system.

I had never experienced this predicament in my life. There has been no dearth of females and I led a colorful life, taking what was available. Now, ever since I met my mate, I lost the wish to go out for random females. Lyra was all I could think about! Her innocent beauty, her doe-shaped eyes beckoned me like the mirage in a desert lures the parched traveler towards it. 

Ever since I met her, I’ve been celibate! It was a huge thing for a passionate wolf like me. Yet I battled with my desires and stayed away from her! 

“What? I’m waiting to be punished!” I challenged her while she stood there, biting her luscious lips with confusion, her wide eyes mulling over her next move. It aroused the hunger I was trying hard to restrain for the last few hours! 

“Oh! So you don’t have an answer to my question!” I shook my head, not because I had no answers, but because I didn’t remember her question at all. My entire concentration was on curbing my wolf, Leo, down from doing anything stupid. 

It was the most difficult thing to do since Leo had been a feral wolf until a year ago. It was only because of the wish to rule Lucania that I transformed my ways! Zephyrus helped me tremendously, and I was indebted to him. 

“No, I don’t. Punish me! Are you having second thoughts? Don’t give out useless threats, my little mate!” Her eyes lit up just as I had expected, her innocent face flushing with fury. I knew she had risen to the bait, and I waited for her to act on it. 

“I’m not little and neither am I your mate!” The fire in her eyes scorched me and before I realized her intention, she fisted her hands in my hair and pulled my head down to her level only to smash her luscious lips to mine. 

It took my breath away, transporting me to heaven! 

This was the worst punishment ever, knowing I couldn’t give in to the temptation nor resist her! This kiss would make me sleepless for sure! How would I stay sane around her for four long months? 

She froze for a minute, unsure of how to kiss me! Then she nibbled at my lower lip, tugging and sucking it, making my c*ck harden with need. I wanted to plunge my tongue deep into her mouth and devour those soft, pillowy, sweet lips of hers, but I curbed that wish. I couldn’t take advantage of her now! She was still underage! 

I opened my mouth to ask her to stop the punishment. I had learnt my lesson not to mess with her! However, she plunged her tongue into my mouth and a groan escaped my throat! It was the most inexperienced kiss of my life, but the best. It was enough to make me burn for more. 

I closed my eyes and fought a mental battle, taking my hands out of my pockets at last. Although I longed to wrap them around her, I didn’t. Instead, opening my eyes, I gripped her arms to push her away from me. But my touch made her freeze and come to her senses.  

Before I could push her away, she released my lips, abruptly realizing what she had done. Instantly, I missed her warmth and wanted to resume where we had left off, but the harm was done. 

She stepped away without meeting my eyes. In a split second, she whirled around and ran to her bedroom and if the devil was after her. Did she consider me the devil? 

But I wasn’t! In fact, I was too intoxicated by her sweet kiss to take a step forward. It wasn’t the sort of kiss I indulged in, yet it took my breath away. Now I was crazy to complete it, to kiss her back with equal fervor. I would die waiting for four months for another chance! 

This was an injustice. Was the Moon Goddess testing my patience?

She had locked her door, and I missed her immensely. I could still feel her lips on mine so if she had branded them forever! 

“Couldn’t you think of an alternative punishment, Lyra?” I muttered to myself, starting my laptop to drown myself at work. 

Ever since I left Lucania, I hadn’t been able to look after my business, LeV Finance Corp. Unlike Zephyrus, I had built this business right from scratch after completing my education in Aromania. Of course, the credit went to Zephyrus’s uncle, Georgios Averoff, the Alpha King of Aromania! It was Uncle Georgios who inspired me, helped me, funded my business idea and guided me during the initial years. It was because of him I gained success at such a young age, earning billions from my venture. I was indebted to him for everything. He was like a father figure in my life. 

Later I shifted my business to Lucania but haven’t been able to concentrate on my work. The pack needed me more. For the next few hours, I was neck deep at work while the blizzard continued non-stop outside. I just hoped the connectivity and electric supply weren’t disrupted. Then I would have to take Lyra to Lucania! 

The entire house was eerily quiet, and I wondered what Lyra was up to. Ever since she punished me with her smoldering kiss, she had been hiding in her room. Was she scared of me? Did she think I would harm her?

It was evening, and I walked out of the room to check upon my little mate. I shouldn’t have played mind games with her and compelled her to react. But I was a mere puppet in her hands. Her sass rubbed me in the wrong places, making me want to get under her skin. Yet every time, her reaction aroused me even more. 

Did she enjoy the kiss as much as I did? Was she dreaming of it all the time, like I was? There was no way I could get the answers to those questions. Obviously, I couldn’t ask her without giving myself away! 

I stood in front of her door, trying to hear her, but not a sound echoed from within. Was she there inside or escaped in the blizzard like a fool? Anything was possible for Lyra Andreadis! I had to find out. 

A sense of dread filled my heart at the thought. I wanted nothing untoward to happen to her. Rushing into my room, I picked up the bunch of master keys to the house. There were keys to every room in it. I tried her door, and it gave way. 

Pushing it open, I scanned the room bathed in darkness. Why hadn’t she switched on the lights yet? Relief washed over me as I saw her lying on the bed in a deep sleep. I switched on the light and gazed at her calm, angelic features. Her lips still looked swollen from the kiss when I hadn’t kissed her yet. 

I longed to have them back on mine! 

She stirred, and I felt like a deer caught in the headlights. Should I flee? She would surely panic at the sight of me, but my feet remained stuck to her bedside as I gazed at her, completely under a spell. 

As if sensing my presence in the room, her eyes flew open, and she gasped with horror. Pulling the blanket up to her chin, she sat up to confront me. 

“What are you doing here? How did you come inside?” I gazed back at her, unable to think of an excuse without looking like a creep. 

“I have keys to all the rooms in this house.” 

Her mouth hung open as her gaze fell on the bunch of keys in my hand. “But it’s breach of privacy. You can’t come into my room.”

“I can and I will. So what will you do to stop me? Will you kiss me again, Lyra Andreadis?” I took a step towards her, but she scooted backwards. 

“Stop. Get out of my room.” I didn’t pay any heed as I watched her longingly. Didn’t she know I was harmless? I had fallen for her totally. I would never harm her but protect her with my life! 

“No, you’re mine and so is the room. Don’t lock it from now on.” She glared at me, ready to fight me. 

“Prove it, enemy Leandros. Prove that you’re my mate!” I took it up as a challenge. 

“Surely I will, little mate. From this minute, I’ll start proving the mate bond between us! Are you ready?” She gave me a hesitant nod while Leo purred with excitement!