Hayden sat stiffly on the bed, staring at the ceiling, Ohas’ confession still echoing in his head.
"I have accepted my fate.""If you ever get your hands on the pendant, I won’t stop you."His fingers curled into the sheets.He should have felt relieved. This should have been easy. Ohas was giving him an out—offering him the choice to end it all.And yet...He didn’t want to.Hayden squeezed his eyes shut, frustration rolling through him.He couldn’t explain it. Maybe it was the exhaustion. Maybe it was the way Ohas had looked at him—raw and unguarded.Maybe it was the quiet resignation in his voice, the way he had spoken about himself as though he had never once believed he could be saved.Maybe it was something worse.Something primal.Hayden’s pulse jumped at the thought, his body flushing with heat that had nothing to do with the thick Kal’Raksha air.Because theThe air in Kal’Raksha felt different today—charged with something Hayden couldn’t quite name. Maybe it was the weight of Ohas’ presence beside him, the curious gazes of the Kaur clan, or the realization that he was now one of them.A human among Nagas.Hayden wasn’t sure what he expected. Outrage? Resistance? Rejection? Instead, there was a quiet sort of acceptance. A wariness, yes, but also something else—gratitude.Because Ohas was changing.They had seen him teeter on the edge of madness, a beast barely holding itself together. But now? Now, he was stable.And they all knew who to thank.Hayden.That realization sat heavy in his chest as he moved through the clan’s territory.Because Hayden wasn’t just any human to them. He was Ohas’ mate.And that meant everything.Ohas hadn’t prepared him for the sheer scale of the clan. The lands stretched far and wide, golden savanna grasses sw
Ohas was building something again. Not a home, not a sanctuary—no, right now, he was building Hayden’s pleasure, dragging him deeper and deeper into a haze of unbearable bliss.His mouth was wrapped around Hayden’s length, warm and slick, his forked tongue curling, teasing, pressing in all the right places. He was thorough, like he had all the time in the world, savoring every inch of Hayden like he was something precious, something worth worshipping.The wet slide of Ohas’ mouth was maddening, slow and indulgent, his lips sealing tight around him as he sucked, hollowing his cheeks before pulling back only to tease the head with delicate flicks of his tongue. His hands—large, warm, possessive—held Hayden’s hips still against the furs, preventing him from moving, from thrusting up into that sinful heat.Hayden’s breath came in ragged pants, his body trembling as pleasure coiled hot and tight in his stomach. "Ohas," he gasped, voice break
The dream always started the same way.Ashwin found himself standing in the middle of a vast, misty landscape. The air was cool, carrying the scent of damp earth and wet stone. The light was soft, muted—like the world had been swallowed up by the fog. But the strangest part was the water. Everywhere. It surrounded him, rushing through rivers, cascading over jagged rocks in waterfalls, pooling in dark lakes that seemed to stretch on forever. The mist rolled across the surfaces like a living thing, curling around his ankles, making it feel as though the land and the water were one.He could hear the distant sound of rushing currents, the soft splash of water hitting stone, but it wasn’t the peaceful sound it should have been. There was an undercurrent to it—something wild, something dangerous, as if the water itself was alive, restless, calling out to him.And then, the figure appeared.Ashwin’s breath hitched in his throat as he saw him for the first time. A silhouette at first, standi
The morning sunlight spilled through the thin curtains of Ashwin’s bedroom, painting the room in soft golden hues. He blinked against the brightness, his body still curled beneath the thick blankets. For the first time in a while, he’d slept through the night without waking up in a cold sweat, his dreams free from the haunting images of water and the dark figure that always lurked beneath its surface.Beside him, Hayden’s warmth was familiar, comforting. His arm was draped loosely over Ashwin’s waist, and his soft breathing fanned against the nape of his neck.Ashwin shifted slightly, careful not to wake him. There was something peaceful about these quiet mornings before the day truly began. He pressed his palm against his forehead, exhaling slowly. Maybe today would be different. Maybe today, he wouldn’t feel the lingering pull of something he couldn’t understand.He carefully slid out of bed, pulling on a loose sweater before padding toward the small kitchen. The house he and Hayden
The rain had started as a light drizzle, misting the streets of Mount Haven in a damp, eerie fog. By the time Ashwin left the bookstore, it had turned into a steady downpour, soaking through his thin jacket. He cursed under his breath, shoving his hands deep into his pockets as he hurried down the slick pavement.He hadn’t expected rain today. Then again, Mount Haven’s weather had always been unpredictable, much like the town itself.His apartment wasn’t far—just a few more blocks—but the cold was beginning to seep into his bones. The streets were nearly empty, the distant glow of streetlights flickering against the wet asphalt.Then, out of nowhere, a car barreled down the road, hitting a deep puddle.A sheet of icy water surged up and crashed over Ashwin’s legs.“Shit—!” He stumbled back, the chill shooting straight through his clothes. Water dripped from his jeans, his shoes squelching against the pavement as he tried to shake off the worst of it.The car skidded to a halt a few fe
The rain had stopped, leaving the air thick with the scent of wet earth. As he walked up the porch steps, he resisted the urge to glance back.The sound of Ishaan’s car driving off was the only sign that he had finally left.Ashwin unlocked the door, stepped inside, and let out a slow breath.The house was still and quiet, just the way he liked it.He barely had time to settle before his phone buzzed.Hayden.Hey, I heard about the storm. You okay?Ashwin sighed, rubbing a hand through his damp hair.Yeah, got caught in the rain, but I’m fine. Just tired.The response came instantly.Do you need anything?Ashwin shook his head, smiling faintly. Hayden was always like this—warm, steady, thoughtful. It was a sharp contrast to the strange, lingering tension Ishaan seemed to carry wherever he went.I’m good, promise. Let’s grab lunch tomorrow?Okay. Get some rest.Ashwin set the phone down and stretched. He needed sleep.But as soon as he closed his eyes, the dream started.He was underwa
Ashwin adjusted the display of freshly baked pastries at Mount Haven Bookstore and Café, his fingers brushing against the warm surface of a croissant as he arranged them neatly on the counter. The smell of coffee, sugar, and aged books blended into a comforting atmosphere that made it one of his favorite places in the world. He had been working for a few hours now, the usual routine keeping him occupied. The café was moderately busy for a weekday morning, with a few locals reading by the windows and some chatting over their breakfast. He had barely glanced at his phone all morning, so when it vibrated in his pocket, he quickly pulled it out, expecting a text from Hayden confirming their lunch date. Instead, Hayden’s name flashed across the screen with an incoming call. Ashwin swiped to answer. “Hey, babe,” he greeted, wiping his hands on a napkin. “You calling to tell me you’re early? Because I wouldn’t mind sneaking out a few minutes ahead of schedule.” There was a pause, followe
Ashwin wasn’t sure what made him finally agree, but here he was, standing in his small two-bedroom bungalow, leading Ishaan through the house while trying to ignore the heavy, heated gaze on his back.He had dressed comfortably, unaware he’d be giving someone a tour of his home—loose, oversized tee hanging off his shoulders and shorts that hugged his thighs in a way that made Ishaan’s attention linger far too long. It wasn’t just that Ishaan was looking. It was how he was looking.Every time Ashwin turned, Ishaan’s grey eyes flickered, shifting between their normal shade and something… different. Slitted. Like a predator watching prey.“This is the living room,” Ashwin said, motioning to the space with its deep brown leather couch and bookshelves lining the walls. “Kitchen’s through there.”Ishaan hummed, his voice low, deep, and appreciative. “Cozy.”Ashwin moved toward the hallway, leading Ishaan further inside. “Your room would be this one.” He gestured toward the door beside his o
Ohas was building something again. Not a home, not a sanctuary—no, right now, he was building Hayden’s pleasure, dragging him deeper and deeper into a haze of unbearable bliss.His mouth was wrapped around Hayden’s length, warm and slick, his forked tongue curling, teasing, pressing in all the right places. He was thorough, like he had all the time in the world, savoring every inch of Hayden like he was something precious, something worth worshipping.The wet slide of Ohas’ mouth was maddening, slow and indulgent, his lips sealing tight around him as he sucked, hollowing his cheeks before pulling back only to tease the head with delicate flicks of his tongue. His hands—large, warm, possessive—held Hayden’s hips still against the furs, preventing him from moving, from thrusting up into that sinful heat.Hayden’s breath came in ragged pants, his body trembling as pleasure coiled hot and tight in his stomach. "Ohas," he gasped, voice break
The air in Kal’Raksha felt different today—charged with something Hayden couldn’t quite name. Maybe it was the weight of Ohas’ presence beside him, the curious gazes of the Kaur clan, or the realization that he was now one of them.A human among Nagas.Hayden wasn’t sure what he expected. Outrage? Resistance? Rejection? Instead, there was a quiet sort of acceptance. A wariness, yes, but also something else—gratitude.Because Ohas was changing.They had seen him teeter on the edge of madness, a beast barely holding itself together. But now? Now, he was stable.And they all knew who to thank.Hayden.That realization sat heavy in his chest as he moved through the clan’s territory.Because Hayden wasn’t just any human to them. He was Ohas’ mate.And that meant everything.Ohas hadn’t prepared him for the sheer scale of the clan. The lands stretched far and wide, golden savanna grasses sw
Hayden sat stiffly on the bed, staring at the ceiling, Ohas’ confession still echoing in his head."I have accepted my fate.""If you ever get your hands on the pendant, I won’t stop you."His fingers curled into the sheets.He should have felt relieved. This should have been easy. Ohas was giving him an out—offering him the choice to end it all.And yet...He didn’t want to.Hayden squeezed his eyes shut, frustration rolling through him.He couldn’t explain it. Maybe it was the exhaustion. Maybe it was the way Ohas had looked at him—raw and unguarded. Maybe it was the quiet resignation in his voice, the way he had spoken about himself as though he had never once believed he could be saved.Maybe it was something worse.Something primal.Hayden’s pulse jumped at the thought, his body flushing with heat that had nothing to do with the thick Kal’Raksha air.Because the
Ohas sat up slowly, the dim firelight casting long, wavering shadows over his scarred back. The thick, jagged mark that ran down his spine was a cruel testament to his past—a wound that had never truly healed, no matter how many years had passed.His hazel eyes, fractured and haunted, stared into the flames, his breath slow and measured, as if gathering the courage to speak."Before all of this," Ohas finally said, his voice low, rough, like something dragging over broken glass, "I was the eldest of twenty-two siblings."The weight of the words hung heavy in the air.Hayden’s breath hitched slightly, but he didn’t speak. He just listened, sensing that whatever Ohas was about to say wasn’t meant to be interrupted.Ohas exhaled, rubbing a hand down his face, his fingers lingering against his temple, as if trying to hold himself together.The outskirts of Kal'Raksha had always been dangerous, even for Nagas. His parents ha
Hayden took a slow bite, chewing thoughtfully. Ohas’ gaze was heavy on him, burning into his skin, and for some reason, it made him restless.“You’re staring again,” Hayden muttered.Ohas didn’t deny it. His tail twitched behind him, a slow, deliberate movement.“You’re eating,” he said softly. “That’s good.”Hayden scoffed. “Would you rather I starve?”Ohas went quiet. His expression didn’t change, but something flickered behind his eyes.Hayden swallowed, unease curling in his gut. Ohas had always been a storm—violent, unpredictable, something that tore through Hayden’s life and left nothing but destruction in its wake. But now… now he was something else. Softer. Almost hesitant.He should have fought against it—should have pushed back, should have resisted. But Ohas was warm at night, and Hayden had been cold for far too long.That terrified him more than anything."We're going back," Ohas
The air was cold.A crisp, biting chill that clung to Hayden’s skin despite the heavy fur coat draped over his shoulders. He lay on his side atop the thick bedding of furs, his body aching in a way that left his limbs heavy, his mind foggy with exhaustion. His breath curled in soft puffs of white, vanishing into the frigid night as he stared at the sky above him.The three moons of Kal’Raksha hung in perfect alignment—red, blue, and white. Their glow bathed the frozen land in an eerie, dreamlike light, painting the snow in hues of violet and silver. The sight was breathtaking, otherworldly, and for a fleeting moment, Hayden allowed himself to simply exist beneath their gaze.And then—A shift in the air.A presence behind him.Heat.Ohas.Hayden barely had time to react before a strong, familiar arm wrapped around his waist, dragging him back against a solid, burning-hot chest.
It started subtly.At first, Ishaan barely noticed anything—Ashwin was always meticulous, always particular about his comfort. But then, little things began to shift.Ashwin’s appetite waned. He’d push food around on his plate, eat a few bites, then shove it aside with a wrinkle of his nose. When Ishaan brought it up, Ashwin snapped at him. "Maybe I just don’t want to eat, Ishaan. Stop hovering."That was new.Then came the restlessness.Ashwin was always moving, slithering from one room to the next, muttering about how the air felt too dry, how the furs on their bed were too rough, how everything was just wrong. More than once, Ishaan caught him standing by the bathing pools, dipping his fingers into the water with a pensive frown, as if debating whether to submerge himself for hours.And the nest—gods, the nest.Ishaan had seen brooding behavior before. He had watched females obsess over their nests
The hut was warm, carrying the faint scent of burnt herbs and whatever incense Ishaan had lit the night before. Ashwin was sprawled out on the bed like a discarded offering, his green tail stretched lazily across the soft nest of blankets, still sluggish from—well, from being absolutely ruined.Unfortunately for him, he was not alone.Two other tails—one a deep, shimmery purple, the other a bright, fire-kissed orange—were tangled up with his own. Kire and Oti, his so-called friends, were on either side of him, watching him like he was the funniest thing they’d ever seen.And judging by their barely contained laughter, he probably was.Oti let out a loud, dramatic sigh, dragging a single finger down one of the many bite marks on his shoulder. “Ishaan is a menace,” she announced as if she had just made the greatest discovery known to Naga-kind.Kire, who had been admiring a particularly dark bruise on Ashwin’s thigh, sno
The hut was alive with the soft giggles and hissing whispers of the twins. Koa and Kai tumbled across the fur-draped mattress, their small tails tangling as they rolled, shrieking when they landed in a pile of twisted limbs and scales.Imara, ever the composed one, sat primly at the edge of the bed, watching them with mild exasperation. She reached for a discarded pillow and tossed it at them with precise aim.Their hushed laughter filled the chamber, but beyond the walls, the night was anything but quiet.Steam curled in thick, lazy tendrils, perfumed with crushed herbs and the faint mineral scent of heated water.Droplets clung to the stone walls, catching the flickering torchlight, their glow casting shifting shadows over smooth surfaces and damp, glistening scales.The water sloshed gently, the only sound breaking the heavy silence—save for the quiet, breathless gasps that escaped Ashwin’s lips.Ishaan was relentles