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2025-02-13 19:01:51Mount Haven’s market was a staple of small-town life, brimming with color, chatter, and the lingering scent of spiced bread.
Ashwin found a sense of peace here—watching the townsfolk barter over fresh produce, admiring the handiwork of local artisans, and indulging in the occasional sweet treat.He sat on a rickety wooden chair outside a café, half-heartedly stirring his tea as he gazed through the kitchen window. But right now, his mind wasn’t on the market or the list of groceries he needed to buy. His thoughts were tangled—wrapped around something he couldn’t quite shake off.Or rather, someone.Ishaan.The man had only been in his life for a short while, but already, he was everywhere. In the spare room Ashwin had rented out. In the corners of his mind when he least expected it. In his dreams.Especially in his dreams.Ashwin sighed, his fingers tightening around his spoon. He told himself this was just an inconveni
Bab terkait
Tangled In Scales 15
Ashwin stirred the spoon in his tea half-heartedly, the rhythmic motion almost hypnotic as he gazed out the kitchen window. The glow of the streetlamp outside cast long shadows against the walls, making everything feel still—too still. The apartment was silent, save for the occasional creak of the wooden floors, the distant hum of a car passing by, and the soft ticking of the clock above the stove.Despite the quiet, Ashwin's mind was anything but calm.His grip on the ceramic mug tightened. Ishaan.It had only been a few weeks since he had moved in, but his presence was already disturbing Ashwin in ways he couldn’t understand. The man was too intense, too watchful, always lingering just close enough that Ashwin could feel him, even when he wasn’t looking.And that wasn’t the worst part.The worst part was the way Ashwin reacted to him.Every glance, every low murmur of his voice sent something sharp and confusing through Ashwin’s chest. His body tensed whenever Ishaan was near, but
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-14Tangled In Scales 16
Ashwin had been feeling… off.It had started subtly at first—a faint itch along his arms and legs, an odd tightness in his skin, as if it were stretched too thin. He had assumed it was just the changing weather, maybe dry air or the stress catching up to him. But by the time the weekend rolled around, it had worsened.The sensation wasn’t painful, just strange. Like something was crawling just beneath his skin, waiting to break free.Standing in front of the mirror, Ashwin frowned as he rubbed his hands over his arms. His skin was flaking—not dry, not sunburnt—just… shedding. The patches were pale, almost translucent, peeling away in small, thin layers like an old, discarded husk.The soft shuffle of feet outside his door made him glance up, and before he could react, his door creaked open.Ishaan stepped inside.Ashwin tensed, quickly wrapping his arms around himself, but Ishaan didn’t seem to notice.Or maybe he did.Because Ishaan suddenly stopped mid-step, his nostrils flaring sli
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-14Tangled In Scales 17
Ashwin didn’t notice it at first.The way his body responded to Ishaan without him realizing. The way he followed, the way he yielded—small, unconscious gestures that should have meant nothing.But Ishaan noticed.And Ishaan took full advantage of it.And possessed it.The morning sun poured through the window, casting golden hues across the kitchen. Ashwin stood at the counter, lazily stirring his coffee, still groggy from sleep. His oversized shirt hung loosely over his frame, exposing the smooth slope of his collarbone.Ishaan saw everything.And then—he moved.Not loud. Not rushed.Just there.A slow, purposeful step forward, closing the space between them until Ashwin felt warmth press against his back.Ashwin stilled.Ishaan didn’t touch him. Not at first.But Ashwin’s body reacted anyway.His spine curved ever so slightly, his weight shifting, his breath caught in his throat as if he expected something—wanted something.Ishaan exhaled, the sound barely audible over Ashwin’s pou
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-16Tangled In Scales 18
Back in bed, Ashwin lay on his side, his body still trembling from what had happened. His mind reeled, his heart pounding against his ribs as a sickening guilt began to claw at his stomach. He had cheated. On Hayden.The thought sent a wave of nausea through him, making him curl in on himself. His fingers clutched at the sheets as he tried to steady his breathing. He had always prided himself on being loyal, on doing the right thing, but now?Now, he felt tainted.Ishaan shifted beside him, the mattress dipping under his weight. "You're thinking too much again," he murmured, voice deep and smooth, like silk sliding over skin.Ashwin didn't respond. He couldn’t.Ishaan sighed as if amused, rolling onto his side to face him. “You cheated, huh?”Ashwin flinched at the word. "I—yes. I shouldn’t have done this." His voice was barely above a whisper.Ishaan let out a low chuckle, and Ashwin finally turned to look at him, confused by his reaction.Then Ishaan’s fingers brushed lightly over A
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-16Tangled In Scales 19
The air of Kal'Raksha was thick with humidity, fragrant with the scent of wildflowers and damp earth. Waterfalls cascaded from towering cliffs, feeding into lakes that stretched like sheets of glass under the moonlight. Mist curled lazily above the water, drifting through dense jungle greenery where ancient trees twisted toward the heavens. Their roots burrowed deep, intertwining with the land itself as if whispering secrets of a time before memory. Nestled in this paradise was the village—huts woven from sturdy reeds and clay, their roofs sloped to repel the seasonal rains. Fires flickered in the distance, casting long shadows across the jungle floor. The night hummed with the symphony of chirping insects and distant howls of unseen creatures. Among these homes was Ishaan’s home. Built with strong materials, its frame tall and grand, fit for someone of his stature. His bed was a raised frame, wooden posts wrapped in thick vines and silke
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-17Tangled In Scales 20
The afternoon hung heavy with an unsettling stillness, the sky blanketed in thick, rolling clouds that smothered the sunlight. Though it wasn’t raining, the air carried the thick humidity of an impending storm. The wind barely stirred the leaves, and every step Ashwin took felt magnified in the unnatural quiet.Even the birds had gone silent.Ashwin clenched his fists at his sides as he walked, trying to shake the unease prickling at the back of his neck. The call from the police earlier had sent his heart into turmoil, and now, as he and Ishaan made their way through the forest, his pulse thudded so loudly he could hear it in his ears.“I got a call from the police,” Ashwin finally said, his voice quieter than he intended. His throat was dry, his words hesitant, as though saying them out loud would make them less hopeful.Ishaan, who had been walking beside him with his usual unhurried grace, turned his head slightly. His storm-gray eye
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-17Tangled In Scales 21
The fluorescent lights of the police station buzzed softly overhead, casting a sterile glow over the waiting area. Ashwin sat stiffly on one of the plastic chairs, his arms wrapped securely around the two boys who clung to him like vines. They were dry now, dressed in oversized sweaters an officer had given them, but their little hands still trembled, their hazel eyes darting around warily. Ishaan leaned lazily against the counter beside him, his sharp grey eyes scanning the room as if he were bored rather than waiting to give a statement. The officer in charge, a burly man with graying hair and a permanent scowl, finally approached them with a deep sigh, placing a file down on his desk before crossing his arms. “You two are insane,” he stated flatly, fixing them both with a stern look. Ashwin blinked. “Excuse me?” The officer huffed. “Going to a crime scene alone, without backup? What the hell were you thinking?” His sharp gaze flickered to the children before softening
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-18Tangled In Scales 22
The house had never felt so alive. From the moment they stepped through the door, the twins had transformed their once peaceful home into a storm of energy. Ashwin sighed, rubbing his temples as he watched the two small boys darting through the living room at full speed. “NO RUNNING INSIDE!” he called. His words were ignored. Instead, the twins let out matching giggles, their tiny feet pattering against the floor as they chased each other, narrowly avoiding furniture. Ishaan was no help whatsoever. He lounged on the couch, arms folded, a slow smirk on his face as he observed the chaos. “They don’t listen to you,” he mused. Ashwin shot him a glare. “I noticed.” Ishaan’s grey eyes twinkled with amusement. Then, suddenly— CRASH. A decorative vase toppled off the shelf, shattering into pieces. Ashwin groaned. The twins froze, staring wide-eyed at the mess. “…Oops?” one of them offered. “…Sorry?” the other added. Ashwin pinched the bridge of his nose. “Alr
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-18
Bab terbaru
Tangled In Scales 106
The nest was ready.Tucked behind their hut, near the gentle curve of the river that fed their bathhouse, the burrow was a masterpiece of instinct and care. The entrance was shaded by thick, hanging vines, their emerald green blending with the damp earth. Inside, the space was warm, lined with layers of woven reeds, dried moss, and soft pelts stolen from the upper caves of the clan. The scent of fresh water mingled with the deep, musky aroma of their den, making it the perfect place—safe, hidden, and waiting.And now, it was time.A massive emerald-green serpent slithered forward, powerful coils rippling as he made his way into the nest. Ashwin’s full naga form was breathtaking, his sea-green eyes glowing faintly in the dim light as he moved with effortless grace. He was over ten feet tall, sleek muscles shifting beneath his glistening scales, and his belly was just slightly swollen—a sign of the life growi
Tangled In Scales 105
The days passed in a steady rhythm, each one settling into a routine that, for once, felt almost… normal. The kitchen and storage room were finally completed, and Hayden found himself pleased with how well everything had come together. The space wasn’t extravagant, but it was efficient, built into the rock near the entrance of Ohas’ cave. Inside, shelves were already lined with clay pots, woven baskets, and bundles of herbs hanging from the ceiling to dry. The servants, though initially unsure of his methods, had adapted quickly, and Hayden had no problem giving orders.That morning, he had spent hours outside in the courtyard, kneeling in the dirt with his sleeves rolled up, his hands buried in the soil. The large courtyard had been neatly swept, leaving it an open, empty space, but not for long. He was determined to change that. Carefully, he planted the beginnings of his nursery, arranging the herbs in neat rows
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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
Tangled In Scales 103
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
Tangled In Scales 102
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
Tangled In Scales 101
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
Tangled In Scales 100
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
Tangled In Scales 99
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.
Tangled In Scales 98
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
