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2025-02-17 14:01:09The 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
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Tangled 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 2025-02-18Tangled In Scales 23
The morning sunlight poured through the small kitchen window, painting golden streaks across the wooden table where the twins sat, eagerly digging into their breakfast. The scent of fresh toast and honey lingered in the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of tea. The house was warm, filled with soft clinks of utensils against plates, the hum of conversation, and the happy giggles of the two boys.Ishaan stood by the sink, dressed in his mechanic’s uniform—dark overalls with the sleeves pushed up, revealing strong forearms dusted with faint grease stains. His grey eyes flicked over to Ashwin, who was standing by the counter, sipping his morning tea. Dressed in a simple oversized sweater and fitted jeans, Ashwin looked as effortlessly put together as ever, his green eyes still drowsy from sleep.The twins, Kai and Koa, were wolfing down their food, their small hands sticky with honey and crumbs as they devoured their breakfast with a speed that would put gr
Last Updated : 2025-02-19Tangled In Scales 24
The rain had been relentless since morning, a steady downpour that painted the town in muted grays and blues. Inside the cozy bookstore café, warmth and the rich scent of coffee wrapped around customers like a comforting embrace.At the center of it all was Ashwin—frazzled, exhausted, and desperately trying to keep two chaotic forces of nature under control.“No running!” he scolded as Kai and Koa darted between the bookshelves, their tiny feet padding across the wooden floors. Customers either chuckled in amusement or smiled indulgently, unfazed by the twin tornadoes.“But Mommy, we’re helping customers find books!” Koa declared proudly, clutching a thick fantasy novel.Ashwin nearly choked."What did I say about calling me that in public?!"Kai and Koa exchanged mischievous looks. Then, in unison—“Okay, Ashy!”Ashwin groaned. A few customers openly laughed, while his colleague Sarah barely held it together.
Last Updated : 2025-02-19Tangled In Scales 25
The rain had finally stopped, leaving behind the scent of damp earth and fresh air. It was the perfect kind of lazy Sunday, the kind where time seemed to slow down, and the world outside the little bungalow didn’t matter.Ashwin had planned for a quiet morning—some light reading, a hot cup of coffee, and maybe sneaking in a nap if the twins miraculously stayed calm. But, of course, that was wishful thinking.Because Koa and Kai were currently causing chaos in the kitchen."Stop eating the flour!" Ashwin scolded, snatching the bag from Kai, who had somehow managed to coat his entire face in white powder. His light skin made the mess even more obvious.Koa, standing on a chair by the counter, poked at the pancake batter with a wooden spoon, frowning. “Too lumpy,” he declared.Kai, licking flour off his fingers, nodded. “Needs more sugar.”Ashwin groaned. “It needs more patience—and for you two menaces to stop eating raw ingredients
Last Updated : 2025-02-20Tangled In Scales 26
Ashwin was one second away from breaking down and letting the twins come to work with him. Kai had his arms wrapped around Ashwin’s waist like a baby koala, while Koa clung to his leg with an iron grip. Both were wailing dramatically, their cries echoing through the daycare’s front entrance like a tragic opera.Ashwin had expected some resistance—it was their first official day, after all—but this was full-blown betrayal.“I don’t wanna go!” Kai sobbed into Ashwin’s stomach.Koa sniffled, rubbing his face against Ashwin’s thigh. “Daycare is evil!”Ashwin sighed, smoothing a hand over Kai’s hair while prying Koa’s fingers off his leg. “It’s not evil, you little drama queens.”Kai’s grip tightened. “What if they don’t like us?”Ashwin’s heart ached. He knew this was hard for them—new places, new people—but there was no way he could let them think like that.“Who wouldn’t like you?” Ashwin asked, kneeling down to cup their
Last Updated : 2025-02-20Tangled In Scales 27
The daycare was eerily quiet when they arrived. When Ashwin walked through these doors earlier today, he was greeted by the sounds of playful screaming, laughter, and tiny feet scurrying around. But right now, the atmosphere felt off.Miss Lila stood at the front with a polite but strained smile. Her fingers tapped anxiously against the clipboard she held.Ashwin barely had time to respond before he heard the sound of wailing."Mommy!"Kai came bolting out from the back, his little legs moving as fast as they could, arms stretched forward like he was reaching for dear life. His face was red and blotchy, tears spilling down his cheeks as he collided into Ashwin’s legs.Ashwin immediately knelt, wrapping his arms around Kai. The boy clung to him with desperate fingers, his small body shaking with hiccuped sobs."I’s sorry, Mommy! I’s so sorry!" Kai’s voice cracked as he buried his face in Ashwin’s chest.Ashwin’s heart cle
Last Updated : 2025-02-21Tangled In Scales 28
The police station smelled like old coffee, printer ink, and the kind of disinfectant that never fully masked the underlying scent of sweat and exhaustion. Ashwin sat stiffly beside Ishaan at the front desk, his fingers curled around his phone, though he wasn’t really looking at it. Ishaan, on the other hand, exuded his usual air of cool confidence, one arm resting casually on the chair’s armrest, the other draped possessively over the back of Ashwin’s seat. They had been waiting for about ten minutes before a uniformed officer finally approached them, a stack of paperwork in hand. The officer, a burly man with graying hair, skimmed over the documents before nodding at them. “Alright, gentlemen. I have the finalized paperwork here,” he said, flipping through the pages. “The kids are officially in your custody.” Ashwin’s breath hitched slightly. Official. Permanent. The officer continued, “Since you opted for
Last Updated : 2025-02-21
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Tangled In Scales Side Story (The Bikers III)
The clinic was silent, but the tension inside those dimly lit rooms was anything but.Ashwin barely had time to catch his breath before Ishaan’s hand tightened around his throat again, just enough to remind him—this wasn’t a game he was going to win. Ishaan’s grip was firm, possessive, his other arm still wrapped around Ashwin’s waist, keeping him exactly where he wanted.“You like that, little snake?” Ishaan rasped against the shell of his ear, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction.Ashwin trembled, his fingers curling around the cool sheets of the hospital bed, desperate for something to hold onto. His body was caught between the unrelenting heat of Ishaan behind him and the cold air brushing over his skin, an unbearable contrast that made him shudder.Ishaan’s hand drifted lower, skimming over Ashwin’s stomach before gripping his hip hard enough to leave fingerprints. “You’re shaking,” he murmured, amusement laced in his voice. “I haven’t even started yet.”Ashwin bit his lip,
Tangled In Scales Side Story (The Bikers II)
The clinic had long since settled into a comfortable hush. The fluorescent lights hummed faintly, casting sterile glows on linoleum floors. The rhythmic beeping of heart monitors, the occasional rustle of papers at the nurses’ station, and the distant murmur of a late-night television in the waiting room were the only reminders that life continued beyond these walls.But inside Room 17, the world had narrowed to the two of them.Hayden stood at the edge of the hospital bed, arms crossed over his chest, his white coat unbuttoned and slightly rumpled from the long shift. His dark eyes were sharp, calculating, yet threaded with something dangerously close to amusement.“You’re not dying,” he stated, voice flat.Ohas, lounging against the pillows, tousled curls framing his face in careless disarray, pouted like a petulant prince. His golden-honey eyes gleamed under the dim lighting, half-lidded in mock distress.“But I could be,” he countered, pressing a hand over his chest with theatric
Tangled In Scales Side Story (The Bikers I)
The clinic smelled like antiseptic, faint traces of lavender from the recently cleaned floors mixing with the sterile scent of medicine. It was a familiar scent, one Hayden barely noticed anymore.The night shift was slower than usual, leaving the halls eerily quiet, the fluorescent lights casting cold, clinical glows along the polished floors.Outside, the city hummed with life, but inside, time felt still, the silence broken only by the occasional beeping of a heart monitor or the hushed voices of nurses making their rounds.Hayden moved through the hallways at a steady, unhurried pace, clipboard in hand, while Ashwin trailed behind him, scribbling down notes with the practiced ease of someone used to his older brother’s rhythm.“You’re slowing me down,” Hayden teased, glancing over his shoulder.Ashwin shot him a flat look. “I’m writing everything down so you don’t forget.”Hayden smirked. “That’s what nurses are for, huh?”Ashwin rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. They both knew Ha
Tangled In Scales 122
Amira's entire body locked up. She could handle a scolding. She could handle Ishaan's wrath. But Dhruv? Her father would lock her up. Her heart pounded as Ishaan pressed further, his voice a dangerous hiss. "You know what he'll do, don’t you?" he hissed. "You won’t see the outside again without his permission. He’ll make sure you never slither a single inch past the borders unless he allows it." Amira's throat went dry. Ishaan wasn't bluffing. She knew her father’s overprotectiveness was nothing short of suffocating. If he found out she'd been sneaking around with Imara—if he even suspected she was involved in something reckless—he would lock her up. Panic surged through her. "Uncle, please," Amira whispered, gripping her arms. "I swear it wasn’t like that. I just... I was just making sure Imara was okay." Ishaan exhaled sharply through his nose, nostrils flaring. "You are just as reckless as she is," he snapped. "If you value your freedom, Amira, you will stay out
Tangled In Scales 121
Shadows stretched long and deep as he and his brothers, Rakesh and Arora, stepped past the towering stone archway marking their home.The courtyard was alive with movement—eight younger siblings darting around, their laughter bouncing off the walls like echoes of a time when the triplets had been just as carefree.The youngest two had somehow clambered onto their father’s thick, coiled tail, giggling as Ohas lazily let them swing back and forth. Their mother, Hayden, sat nearby, sharp eyes flickering over them, his gaze like a predator’s waiting for the right moment to strike.Irvin had barely taken three steps before Hayden’s head snapped toward him, his pupils narrowing.“Irvin.”That was it. Just his name. And yet, it sent an entire chill down his spine.Rakesh and Arora immediately took a single step back, clearly knowing what was coming. Hayden lifted a finger, curling it in a slow, beckoning motion. “Com
Tangled In Scales 120
The moons hung high in the sky, casting mixed hues over the dense jungle, the scent of damp earth and blooming nightflowers thick in the air. A soft breeze rustled the leaves as Imara slithered through the shadows, her long, pale hair shimmering like silk against the deep green of the foliage.She knew he was near before she even saw him.A strong arm shot out from the darkness, wrapping around her waist and pulling her against a warm, solid chest. Imara gasped, her hands instinctively pressing against the hard muscle beneath her palms.“You’re late,” Irvin murmured, his voice rich and low, vibrating through her.She huffed, tilting her head up to meet his gaze, the moonlight catching the sharp planes of his face, his dark eyes glinting with mischief. His hair, usually tied back, was loose in places, strands framing his angular jaw.“I had to be careful,” she whispered, though her pulse quickened from more than just the secrecy
Tangled In Scales 119
Five years later...The sun hung low over the courtyard, casting golden light over the lush garden. The once-pristine flower beds were now in ruins, trampled by three mischievous little troublemakers who slithered around, their dark, mamba-like tails blending into the foliage.Their giggles filled the air as they played, completely unbothered by the destruction they left in their wake—until a sharp voice rang out."Get out of my garden!"The triplets froze, exchanging wide-eyed glances.“Uh-oh. Papa is angry,” one of them whispered.Without hesitation, all three turned and bolted, their little tails dragging leaves and dirt behind them as they raced toward the house.A moment later, Hayden slithered out, his movements fluid and graceful despite his irritation. His hair was pulled into a loose man bun, but a few strands framed his sharp features, sticking slightly to his forehead from the heat of the e
Tangled In Scales 118
Ohas' golden-hazel eyes shone with an intensity that had never been there before. It was almost a year later and the sickness that had once drained him of his strength, his will, his very life, had vanished. His skin was warm again, no longer cold and brittle, no longer laced with the veins of the curse that had once gripped him. He was whole. He was alive.And right now, he was watching Hayden move above him, his gaze locked onto the way his mate's sweat-slicked body trembled with every bounce.The sight was mesmerizing—Hayden, flushed and radiant, his long hair clinging to his back and chest in damp waves, eyes hooded and lips parted as he panted. Every movement sent a rush of pleasure between them, a slow, teasing drag of heat that had Ohas gripping Hayden’s hips with reverence.He was healing well, but Hayden still insisted he drink the disgusting bitter concoctions he had prepared. Ohas had refused—until his cunning mate
Tangled In Scales 117
A deep, gasping breath tore through Ohas’ lungs as he jolted awake. His body trembled violently, his tail—once blackened and rotten with the curse—striking against the frozen ground. But something was wrong.The pain that had been his constant companion for years was… gone.His mind reeled, trying to grasp the agony that had shaped him, the sickness that had made his every moment unbearable. But there was nothing. No burning under his skin, no black veins creeping through his flesh, no suffocating weight pressing on his chest. Instead, there was only exhaustion, a hollowness that left him gasping for air.His vision swam as he tried to adjust to the blinding reflection of the glaciers. Ice walls towered around him, jagged and pristine, no longer a prison but a reminder of what had just happened. He blinked rapidly, his pulse hammering—Hayden.His body reacted before his mind could fully register the sight. H
