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2025-03-22 14:00:41Morning arrived with the gentle hum of clan life stirring outside the hut. The early warmth of the sun filtered in through the woven coverings, casting soft, golden patterns across the furs. Ashwin stretched lazily, only to feel Ishaan's arm tighten around his waist.
The absence of playful chatter made Ashwin tense. He turned slightly, his mind already racing. “The kids—”“They’re fine,” Ishaan murmured, his lips brushing against Ashwin’s shoulder. “They woke up early and went to play. They’ll feed wherever they go.”Ashwin blinked, his confusion evident. “Feed?”Ishaan chuckled, finally opening his grey eyes. “Love, this is their home. The clan takes care of their own. If they’re hungry, anyone will offer them food. They’ll be back when they’re tired or want their own nest.”Ashwin exhaled, still adjusting to the idea of such a close-knit community. The concept felt foreign yet comforting, like stepping into a world that should have been
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Tangled In Scales 74
After Oti’s cryptic suggestion about unlocking memories, Ashwin hesitated. He wasn’t sure if he was ready to remember—what if the truth was worse than the emptiness? But before he could say anything, his curiosity got the better of him.“How was I?” he asked hesitantly. “The two times I came back to… mate.”Kire and Oti exchanged a glance, their expressions unreadable. Then, Kire sighed, shifting slightly on the nest of furs to face him fully.“You weren’t you,” she said, voice soft but firm. “You were Ayaan—completely, fully Ayaan. But the Ayaan who returned was just as lost as you are now.”Ashwin’s breath caught. “What do you mean?”Oti traced absent circles over the fur beneath her, as if recalling something distant. “The first time you returned, we were hopeful. We thought you’d finally come home for good.” She smiled bitterly. “You said you only went to see your clan but Ishaan had already gone to look for you there and di
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-22Tangled In Scales 75
The moment Ashwin stepped into their home, he could feel his own pulse hammering violently beneath his skin. He had let it go for too long. Let Ishaan distract him, let the warmth of their home and the presence of the children lull him into a fragile sense of peace. But peace built on half-truths and secrecy was nothing more than an illusion.Not anymore.His hands curled into fists, nails pressing into his palms as he turned on Ishaan with a glare sharp enough to cut.“Tell me everything you know about Ohas.” Ishaan stiffened at the demand. His grey eyes flickered with something unreadable before he sighed, his expression carefully neutral. “Why are you asking about him again?”Ashwin’s breath hitched, fury curling in his gut like a storm ready to break. “Don’t do that,” he hissed. “Don’t pretend you don’t know. Don’t act like this isn’t something you’ve been hiding from me!” He took a step closer, voice rising. “Ish
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-23Tangled In Scales 76
Ishaan held Ashwin close, his strong arms coiling around him, grounding him. The tension in Ashwin’s body remained, muscles tight and ready to lash out, but Ishaan’s warmth was an anchor, forcing him to stay present. The knife was long gone, discarded on the floor.“Ayaan,” Ishaan murmured, using the name that felt more intimate, more real in moments like these. “The twins are mine.”Ashwin stilled. His pulse pounded against his ribs, his mind still running wild with worst-case scenarios. “What?”“I mean it,” Ishaan continued, rubbing slow circles into Ashwin’s back. “You laid Ohas’ eggs, yes. But they were infertile. They never hatched.”Ashwin’s breath hitched, his head jerking up to meet Ishaan’s gaze. “You’re sure?”“I would never lie to you about something like this,” Ishaan promised. “The twins… our twins, they came later, from us. You and me.”A shuddering breath left Ashwin’s lips, but the unease hadn’t left him yet. “The
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-23Tangled In Scales 77
The hut was quiet, filled with the comforting scent of woven reeds and the faint traces of incense from the fire pit. Ashwin sat in the center, his fingers idly smoothing over the carefully arranged furs and fabric beneath him. He hadn’t meant to nest, but the evidence surrounded him—the softest materials gathered, layered, shaped into something instinctively right.Ishaan stood near the doorway, watching him in silence. His silver eyes reflected the dim light of the fire, unreadable yet heavy with something unspoken. He hadn’t said much since their argument, since the truth had slipped between them like venom—Ohas, the past, the accusation, the knife.Now, Ishaan finally stepped forward. “You’re quiet.” His tone was measured, but Ashwin heard the concern beneath it. “Too quiet.”Ashwin exhaled slowly, staring at the nest he had built. He didn’t answer right away.“I’m trying to make peace with this.”“With what?”“With
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-24Tangled In Scales 78
The hut was warm, the scent of fresh herbs and woven straw mixing with the familiar musk of their family.Ashwin had spent all day perfecting the nest in the center of the bed, smoothing out the woven fabric, layering soft blankets, and making sure it was exactly as he wanted. His nesting instincts had taken full control, and the sight of anything out of place sent frustration bubbling in his chest. His tail, though powerful and a deep source of comfort, had become an annoyance in this delicate process. Every time he slithered in and out, he dragged in dirt and debris, ruining his carefully arranged space. It irritated him to no end.So he shifted fully into his human form, determined to keep the nest pristine. And if he had to, then everyone else would as well.Kai and Koa had immediately grumbled when he made the rule that no one could bring their tails into bed. They were still young, still growing, and naturally found comfort in their Naga fo
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-24Tangled In Scales 79
In his human form, Ashwin couldn't walk.His legs were useless—shaky, sore, and utterly uncooperative after the night Ishaan had put him through. Taking two of Ishaan at once wasn’t an easy task, and his body was still struggling to recover. It was a humbling experience, to say the least.With a groan, Ashwin buried his face into the nest of blankets, willing himself to regain some strength. He could feel Ishaan’s satisfied presence behind him, his strong arms wrapped lazily around Ashwin’s waist, fingers idly tracing circles against his skin. The smug bastard was completely unbothered, humming in satisfaction like he hadn’t nearly ruined Ashwin’s ability to move properly.Ashwin would have smacked him if he had the energy."You'll be fine," Ishaan murmured against his neck, his breath warm. "I told you I’d take care of you."Ashwin groaned. "Taking care of me doesn’t mean breaking me."Ishaan chuckled, pressing a slow, deliberat
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-25Tangled In Scales 80
The night pressed down on her like a weight, thick and suffocating. Ayaan’s breath came in short, desperate gasps as she pressed her body against the rough bark of an ancient tree, forcing herself to stay still, to listen. The jungle around her was alive with sound—the rustling of leaves, the distant calls of night creatures—but beneath it all, there was something else. A presence.A shiver ran down her spine. She wasn’t fast enough. Ohas was relentless, a predator who didn’t stop until he had his prey. And she… she was the prey.She tightened her grip on the fabric of her wrap, the cloth barely covering the heavy curve of her breasts, sticking to her sweat-slick skin. Her long, wavy, translucent white hair clung to her back, strands catching on the branches as she tried to steady her breathing. Beneath her, her emerald-green tail coiled tightly, her muscles burning from the long hours of fleeing through the jungle.I have to keep moving.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-25Tangled In Scales 81
The night air was thick with mist, curling along the pavement in ghostly tendrils.Ashwin sat at the edge of the bus stop bench, his hands curled into fists on his lap. His legs dangled, not quite reaching the ground, his dark curls damp from the fog that clung to Mount Haven like a second skin.He didn’t know how long he had been there.He didn’t know why he was there.His mind was a haze. Every time he tried to latch onto a thought, it slipped away like water through his hands. He remembered… fire? Smoke? A voice whispering something in a language that made his skin prickle. But the harder he tried to grasp at the memories, the further they drifted.Was he waiting for someone?He didn't know.He only knew that he was alone.Then—footsteps.Soft but steady, clicking against the damp pavement. Ashwin tensed, curling in on himself instinctively.A voice, warm despite the chill in the air, broke
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-26
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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
