We were having a peaceful dinner with Declan, Mariana, and Daniel when Declan spoke up."Is Daniel no longer an Alpha candidate in the Rising Diamond pack, brother?"Desmond squinted his eyes at Declan. "Let's not discuss that in front of our kids, Declan. This matter should be discussed with adults only," he said frigidly.That earned Declan a silence. I knew that even if he already got married and had a family, he would always follow his brother's command. He knew when to shut up but he didn't know when to shut up if he was going to slander me.Desmond glanced at Daniel. "How's your study, Daniel? Are you guiding your sisters, too?"Daniel nodded with a smile. "Yes, Papa Mund. As their older brother, I also applied your teachings," he said politely.He nodded his head. "Good to know." He drew out a smile.I knew that Daniel had a soft spot for Desmond. He also cherished his nephew just as I cherished Daniel before.Desmond turned at our son. "Have you enjoyed your ceremony, Sander?"
Desmond made a one-week stay at the vacation house located at Elian. Sander couldn't hide his excitement as soon as he eyed the mansion."Wow! It is big! Bigger than our flat, Mama!" Sander exclaimed, raising both of his hands.I smiled and nodded. "It is, sweetheart." I heaved out a sigh, feeling nostalgic somehow."I am certain you will love it here, son," Desmond said as he got down and helped Sander to get down, too. Sander giggled when his father raised him up before he turned to me to offer his hand. "My marchioness..."I frowned at that other endearment he came up with from the past. "I do not need your help," I uttered in a harsh whisper, afraid that Sander might hear me.It was a good thing that he was being entertained by George, the caretaker of Verlice's vacation house. He was already in his mid-50s still having jet black hair and round-shaped eyes.Desmond chuckled when I got down on my own. "Feisty... I wonder if you can still put that up when I tie you up in our bed, Se
It took a lot of consoling before I managed to finally calm Sander. I convinced him that it was not his father's fault even if that was not the truth.I must not ruin Desmond's image. Sander needed a father figure. He must experience a complete family Desmond and I never got to have."Are we alright now?" I asked as I lifted him up in my arms.Sander sniffed and nodded. "Yes, Mama," he said in a meek tone before his eyes looked behind me. He frowned and immediately hid his face by burying it in the crook of my neck.Even if Sander was not saying anything, I knew that Desmond was behind me. I knew by then that he was watching us from a distance. I turned around to see his melancholy expression. He didn't dare to approach us. He was only a few meters away from my standpoint."Mama, I don't want to be here..." Sander said when he glanced at Desmond but he immediately hid his face again. "Mama..."I caressed his back while Desmond and I's eyes met. "Don't worry. We shall retire now, sweet
"Let's set a camp here," Desmond announced. "Near the lake would be suitable. What do you think, Sander?"That was what Desmond thought when we finished our morning meal and we were taking a stroll around the vacation house. We happened to halt in front of the lake which Sander didn't hesitate to wade in the water."Hmm!" Sander said. "Or a picnic. We haven't done it back in the pack, Papa."Desmond nodded. "We can do that. I shall tell George to make preparations.""No," I chimed in. Desmond looked at me, creasing his forehead. "You know that I do not want anyone who shall make the preparations," I said unhappily.At first, Desmond was perplexed at my words. It took him a few moments before he realized what I meant. He smiled. "Ah, yes. Indeed. I have forgotten. My apologies, seraphim. I shall not do that then."I almost frowned when he called me in that endearment again. I just ignored it and glanced at Sander who was looking at us."Is there something wrong?" I asked because he had
I woke up early this morning to prepare the food we needed for our picnic. I made sure that I woke up before Desmond so I could handle everything.But I hadn't gotten started yet when Desmond arrived. "Good morning," he greeted. "You're early, seraphim."I wanted to retort back but I realized it was way better to have him. My heart flipped upside down when he settled beside me."Is there anything I can do to help?" Desmond asked."Stay away." I distanced myself away from him.As stubborn as he was, Desmond went beside me. Our skin grazed each other making me feel shivers down my spine."Desmond..." I almost growled in annoyance."I want to help." He smiled sheepishly. Then his face drew closer to me. "What food should we prepare, seraphim?" he asked in his dark hoarse voice. I didn't answer him, rolling my eyes. "Can I have you for myself?"I glared at him, realizing that this man was pestering me until he got what he wanted. And was he trying to seduce me with that action of his?Wai
I was left astounded at that action coming from Desmond, wide-eyed. I received jolts of sparks flowing in my skin when he cupped my cheek and deepened the kiss.His tongue sought entrance inside my mouth, asking for an invitation. I clung to his neck, wanting him more as we were both entangled with each other.I questioned how I ended up in this situation again. Why was I inside Desmond's arms and I was allowing him to smash his lips in mine?And how dare I respond back to him? When did I even do that?Why did his lips feel so right with mine?Desmond slowly parted. I slowly peeled my eyes open, following his lips again. But when I heard a soft warning growl coming from him."Our son is here, seraphim..." he whispered near to my ear, leaving wet kisses.His words felt like a bucket of ice threw me. I pushed him away from me and immediately looked at Sander who was covering his ears, still turning his back on us.I mindlessly touched my wet lips, looking at Desmond with an unbelievable
Our picnic was finished. Sander already fell asleep in his father's arms as soon as we headed back to the house."I'll prepare our supper," Desmond said without looking at me.I only shrugged. He fell silent ever since we had come back. Sander thought that Desmond was sick at that time but he reasoned out that he was jaded for a while.It was not my fault if he was being like that. After all, Desmond thought that I could easily be persuaded again if he kept uttering such sugar-coated words.No. I was going to protect my heart this time. He would never hurt me again just like what he did in the past.Since I had nothing to do, I decided to come down and went to the kitchen area. I came to see the agitated kitchen personnel since Desmond was the one who was handling the kitchen now.So, he really was serious that he was the one preparing for our supper, huh?I turned my back. It was not my business to worry about what to eat.What I must do now was to confirm my suspicions. I changed my
"Your answer?" Desmond asked in a dark sensual tone while his fingers were swirling in the few strands of my wavy blonde hair.Nervous, I looked into his eyes.He wanted me to visit his chambers tonight. Shit... I knew it would end up in that condition.And I couldn't say no to that since I told him that I would do anything so he wouldn't dare to separate me from our son."Yes..." I gulped, answering him.But he didn't look satisfied with my answer. "You know I am still doubting you, seraphim. Your answer doesn't make me convinced that—""Yes, cinnamon." I cut him off.I knew what he was trying to mean. He sounded unsatisfied because he had been wanting my endearment to him to be used to calling on him.My theory was right as soon as Desmond's alluring lips curled up into a smile. "Good." His knuckles brushed against my cheek. "You know how to read the room, Seraphina."I shivered at what he said and the sensation he made me want to feel."Return to your post," Desmond ordered coldly.