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2025-03-10 14:01:51A few days had passed, and Ashwin still couldn't predict when he would shift. It came involuntarily, one moment human, the next wrapped in gleaming scales with no warning. The unpredictability of it all was infuriating.
It had forced him to extend his leave at work yet again, calling in to request another two weeks. At this rate, he was sure he'd be fired. His boss had been understanding so far, but there was only so much patience in the corporate world.They're going to think I'm making excuses.Or worse, they'll think I just don't care.He had worked too hard to build a stable life here. He couldn't afford to just throw it all away because his body had decided to undergo some insane supernatural awakening.But what can I even do?With a sigh, Ashwin pushed the thoughts aside, shifting slightly in his spot on the bean bag chair near the large windows. The sunlight was dimming now, casting warm golden hues across the living room
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Tangled In Scales 51
The Arthava-Lockwood household was deep in sleep.The stillness of the night was only broken by the occasional rustling of blankets, the soft sighs of shifting bodies, and the steady rhythm of breathing.Ishaan lay on his back, one arm loosely wrapped around Ashwin, whose lower half had returned to human legs for the night. Snuggled deep into Ishaan's chest, Ashwin's breathing was slow and even, his soft white hair fanning over the pillow.And nestled against his chest, curled up like a tiny, warm bundle, was Imara.Koa and Kai had sprawled out on their own beds across the hall, their small bodies tangled in their blankets, murmuring in their sleep. Everything was quiet. Still.Until tiny fingers began to tug.Imara shifted in her sleep, whimpering softly as her little hands grasped at Ashwin's unbuttoned sleepwear. Her small fingers pulled at the fabric, loosening it until his chest was fully exposed.Then, without hesi
Last Updated : 2025-03-11Tangled In Scales 52
For a while, life settled.Ashwin went back to work. The twins started kindergarten. Ishaan continued working at the auto shop.And little by little, they wove Imara into their world.Adopting her was the next step.The story they gave the cops was simple—they had found Imara on their way to another town, a child abandoned, lost.Of course, the officers weren’t convinced.One of them, a bored-looking man with a coffee cup in hand, arched a brow. “First the twins, now this?” He gave Ishaan and Ashwin a pointed look. “You guys planning to start an orphanage?”The other cop, however, was too busy cooing at Imara, wide-eyed as he took in her goddess-like features.“Look at her,” the officer murmured. “She’s like a tiny moon deity.”Imara, ever the charmer, merely tilted her head, blinking innocently before flashing a sweet, sharp-toothed smile.Ashwin held his breath, but the officer simply sighed.
Last Updated : 2025-03-11Tangled In Scales 53
The weekend sun bathed the park in golden light, casting long shadows over the grass. A cool breeze carried the scent of damp earth and flowers, ruffling Ashwin’s hair as he sat on the wooden bench, watching the kids run wild. The twins darted through the playground, their delighted shrieks ringing in the air as they chased each other. Imara toddled after them on unsteady legs, her tiny hands stretched out, determined to keep up.Despite the picture of perfect domestic bliss, Ashwin felt anything but at ease.His muscles ached from exhaustion. His thoughts were a tangled mess, filled with questions he had no answers to. His body—his instincts—felt like they were on edge, restless in a way he didn’t understand. Everything felt off lately, like something was pulling at him, trying to lead him somewhere he didn’t want to go.Then Ishaan’s arms wrapped around his waist.Ashwin barely had time to react before the warmth of Ishaan’s body press
Last Updated : 2025-03-12Tangled In Scales 54
Dinner was quiet that night.The clinking of silverware against plates was the only sound that filled the dining room. The twins, usually full of chatter, only spoke when necessary, their little voices subdued. They weren't old enough to understand everything, but they knew enough. Naga children were perceptive, attuned to shifts in energy, and right now, the air was thick with something bitter and unspoken.When they finished eating, they quickly excused themselves, hurrying off to their bedroom without their usual bedtime protests. Even Imara, usually the most demanding, barely whined when Ashwin placed her in her crib.Ashwin barely noticed the quiet. His mind was too full, drowning in the weight of his own thoughts. He cleared the table in silence, pointedly ignoring the way Ishaan lingered in the kitchen, his silvery gaze heavy on him. The tension between them was suffocating, pressing into Ashwin's lungs until every breath felt like a battle.
Last Updated : 2025-03-12Tangled In Scales 55
Ishaan collapsed onto the couch, his body sinking into the worn cushions as he buried his face in his hands. His head throbbed, his chest ached, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the bitter taste left behind by Ashwin's rejection.He replayed the night's events in his mind, each moment hitting him like a blow. Ashwin snapping at him in front of the kids, pushing him away in bed, flinching from his touch like it was something vile. The words still echoed in his head— Don't touch me.Ishaan's hands curled into fists.What had he done wrong?All he wanted was for Ashwin to come home with him—to be where he belonged. Was that so terrible? Was it selfish to want to be with the person he loved, to crave the warmth of his mate?His mate.Ashwin belonged to him.Ishaan clenched his jaw, exhaling harshly as doubt crept into his mind. But did Ashwin see it that way? Did he even want to belong to him?The
Last Updated : 2025-03-13Tangled In Scales 56
The house was quiet, the early morning light filtering through the curtains as Ashwin sat in the kitchen, feeding Imara. The twins were still asleep upstairs, leaving the kitchen unusually peaceful, just the soft clinking of utensils and Imara’s tiny hums filling the space.She was perched on the counter, swinging her chubby legs back and forth, happily munching on small pieces of diced fruits accompanied by a bowl of milky oatmeal. Her green eyes—so much like Ashwin’s—sparkled as she kicked her feet, her little hands grasping at the next bite Ashwin offered.Still dressed in his oversized sleep shirt from the night before, Ashwin’s boxers barely peeked out beneath the hem, his bare legs cold against the tile. He rubbed a tired hand over his face before picking up a napkin to wipe a bit of fruit juice from Imara’s chin.The sound of footsteps padding into the kitchen made him glance up.Ishaan walked in, yawning, his muscular frame only clad in a
Last Updated : 2025-03-13Tangled In Scales 57
The house had been changing.Or rather—Ashwin had been changing it.He didn’t notice it at first. It started small—fluffing the pillows on the couch, rearranging the blankets, making sure the bed was just right. Then, without thinking, he found himself drawn to softer textures, collecting them without realizing why. Extra cushions. Silk sheets. Warm throws. Anything comfortable.They all ended up in one spot.The corner of their shared bedroom had slowly transformed into a cozy, padded space. It was subtle at first, just a few neatly arranged blankets, then a pillow or two. But as the days passed, he found himself unconsciously adding more—adjusting, rearranging, perfecting.It wasn’t until he sat on the bed, folding yet another blanket, that it hit him like a brick.Oh.His fingers froze in the fabric.He stared at the growing pile of comfort, his heart thudding in his chest.No. No. No.He wa
Last Updated : 2025-03-14Tangled In Scales 58
This was the first time Ashwin would be entering Hayden’s space since he had gone missing.He wasn’t supposed to be here.The apartment had been under strict lockdown, sealed off by police tape and guarded by officers for weeks. It was an active investigation—one that had yielded no real answers. Ashwin had been forced to stand on the sidelines, waiting for news that never came. No updates. No leads. Just silence.But he couldn't wait anymore.He had spent too many nights lying awake, wondering what had happened to Hayden. Too many days fighting the unbearable ache of his absence. He needed to be here—to breathe in his presence, to grasp at anything that might tell him where Hayden had gone.Or who had taken him.His fingers trembled slightly as he turned the knob. The lock had already been broken during the initial search, and the door creaked open with a quiet groan. He hesitated at the threshold, his heart thudding in his ches
Last Updated : 2025-03-14
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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
