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2025-02-08 23:12:37Ashwin hummed under his breath as he moved around the kitchen, stretching his arms above his head before reaching for a mug.
Sunlight poured through the windows, painting the cozy space in a golden glow, while the scent of fresh coffee and vanilla filled the air. Everything was warm, peaceful—like something out of a dream. Because it was. “I hope you made enough for two,” a deep, rich voice drawled behind him. Before Ashwin could react, a firm grip encircled his waist, pulling him against an impossibly broad chest. Heat radiated from the body behind him, strong and grounding, and he felt the familiar press of lips against the curve of his neck. Ishaan. The man was a furnace—big, solid, and undeniably warm. At nearly 6’4”, he towered over Ashwin, his body sculpted from muscle, broad shoulders tapering into a defined waist and powerful thighs. His presence was overwhelming in the best way, his arms thick and dusted with dark hair, his voice low and teasing. Ashwin huffed but didn’t pull away. “Are you incapable of making your own breakfast?” “I’m capable,” Ishaan said, voice smug. “I just prefer yours.” Ashwin turned, his breath catching slightly as he met Ishaan’s dangerously beautiful grey eyes. They were sharp and piercing, framed by thick lashes, with an intensity that always left Ashwin feeling exposed. The man’s jawline was strong, shadowed with the faintest stubble, and his dark hair was slightly tousled, as if he’d just woken up. He looked like something out of a dream. Because he was. Ashwin shook off the strange thought and narrowed his eyes. “That’s a convenient excuse.” Ishaan smirked, reaching around Ashwin to pluck a pastry from the counter. “It’s not an excuse. It’s a compliment.” He took a bite, moaning exaggeratedly. “See? Delicious.” Ashwin rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide his smile. “You’re ridiculous.” “And yet you still let me stay.” They moved around the kitchen in an easy rhythm—Ashwin making coffee, Ishaan stealing bites of food and leaning in far too close whenever he had the chance. At one point, Ashwin reached for a plate on the top shelf, only for Ishaan to grab him by the waist and lift him effortlessly. “Ishaan!” Ashwin yelped, gripping his shoulders. Ishaan smirked up at him. “You’re so small.” “I am not—” Ashwin cut off with a glare, cheeks heating when Ishaan ran his hands slowly down his thighs before setting him down. “You’re perfect,” Ishaan corrected, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to Ashwin’s cheek. Ashwin turned away before he could react, hiding his flustered expression as they settled at the dining table. Their legs brushed beneath the table, a subtle touch neither of them acknowledged. It was easy. Too easy. Ashwin let himself sink into it—the warmth, the playful teasing, the way Ishaan watched him like he was something precious. It felt real. So achingly real. Then the doorbell rang. Ashwin frowned. The sound was distant, out of place. The doorbell rang again. His stomach twisted. And then— He woke up. The warmth vanished instantly, replaced by the cold air of his bedroom. Ashwin sat up abruptly, his breath uneven, his sheets tangled around him. The remnants of the dream clung to him, Ishaan’s voice still lingering in his ears. The doorbell rang again, sharp and insistent. Still disoriented, Ashwin stumbled out of bed and made his way to the door, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He opened it without thinking, only to be met with the sight of two uniformed officers standing on his porch. His stomach dropped. “Ashwin Lockwood?” one of them asked. Ashwin blinked, suddenly awake. “Yeah.” The officer nodded. “You reported Hayden Hayes missing?” Reality slammed into him. “Yes,” Ashwin said quickly. “He—he didn’t show up to work, and no one’s seen or heard from him. His phone goes straight to voicemail. He wouldn’t just disappear.” The officers exchanged a glance before the taller one—Officer Neilsson, Ashwin realized, someone he’d known since he was a teenager—spoke again. “We just wanted to follow up,” Neilsson said, his expression softening. “You know how it is. Small town, people disappear for a day or two, and they turn up later with some story about getting lost in the woods or their car breaking down.” “This isn’t like that,” Ashwin insisted, gripping the edge of the door. “Hayden wouldn’t vanish like this.” The officers studied him carefully. “I know this is hard,” Neilsson said after a moment. “Especially since—” He hesitated. “Since Mary raised you both.” A lump formed in Ashwin’s throat. Hayden’s grandmother, Mary Hayes, had been the one to take him in. She’d raised him like her own, alongside Hayden, treating them both with a kindness that Ashwin had never experienced before. She’d been his home. And now she was gone, leaving only Hayden. And now Hayden was missing. Ashwin swallowed hard, nodding stiffly. Neilsson sighed. “We’ll do everything we can to find him.” Ashwin barely processed the rest of the conversation, his thoughts spinning. He answered their questions as best as he could, his stomach twisting with each passing second. Movement in the corner of his vision caught his attention. Ishaan. He stood near the staircase, his large frame partially shadowed, watching silently. Ishaan’s gaze shifted, smoothing into something concerned as he stepped forward. “Is everything okay?” Ishaan asked, his deep voice breaking the silence. The officers turned to him, their eyes scanning over his massive frame. Ishaan was impossible to ignore—broad, muscular, and imposing, with thick arms crossed over his chest. His dark hair was slightly tousled, the sharp lines of his jaw softened by the morning light. The cops studied him, clearly taking in every detail. “And you are?” Neilsson asked. “Ishaan,” he answered smoothly. “I just moved in.” The officers exchanged another glance before nodding. “We’ll be in touch,” Neilsson said to Ashwin. “Call if you remember anything.” They left without another word. The moment the door closed, Ashwin exhaled shakily, pressing his forehead against the wood. His hands trembled slightly, his mind racing. A warm hand landed on his shoulder. Ashwin turned, finding himself face-to-face with Ishaan’s piercing grey eyes. The man’s expression was unreadable, his fingers firm yet oddly comforting where they rested against Ashwin’s skin. “Breathe,” Ishaan murmured. Ashwin swallowed, forcing air into his lungs. “I’ll help you look for him,” Ishaan said, his voice steady. “We’ll find him.” There was something so certain about the way he said it, like it wasn’t even a question. Ashwin didn’t know why, but hearing those words—coming from Ishaan of all people—made him feel just a little less alone. He nodded. And for the first time since waking up, he let himself believe it.
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Tangled In Scales 8
Ashwin hadn’t planned to go out today. Not when the town felt quieter than usual, not when his mind was plagued with thoughts of Hayden's sudden disappearance. But somehow, Ishaan had convinced him. With his smooth words and steady presence, he'd coaxed Ashwin into leaving the house, promising that a walk around town would help take his mind off things.“Come on,” Ishaan had said earlier that afternoon, standing by the front door with his arms crossed, his broad shoulders nearly filling the doorway. “You need a distraction. Sitting inside won’t change anything.”Ashwin had hesitated at first, shifting on his feet. But he couldn’t deny that staying cooped up wasn’t helping, either. So now, here they were, walking through the streets of Mount Haven, the late afternoon sun casting golden light over the quiet town.They started at the town square, where Ashwin pointed out the small shops lining the cobbled streets. “That’s the bakery,” he said, nodding toward a warm-looking building with
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-08Tangled In Scales 9
After finding the bodies at the lake, Ashwin did his best to keep his distance from Ishaan. It wasn’t that he suspected him, but something about Ishaan—his presence, his gaze, the way his body had felt against him in the water—had Ashwin on edge.He buried himself in work at Mount Haven Bookstore and Café, but it didn’t help when Ishaan walked in like he owned the place, ordering the same thing as always: black coffee and macarons.“I was starting to think you were avoiding me,” Ishaan mused, leaning lazily against the counter.Ashwin didn’t look at him. “I’ve just been busy.”“Busy ignoring me?” Ishaan teased, his voice smooth.Ashwin glared at him, but Ishaan only chuckled, his gray eyes gleaming in amusement. Then he did something unexpected—he reached out and fixed the collar of Ashwin’s shirt, his fingers brushing lightly against Ashwin’s skin. It was nothing, just a small touch, but it made heat coil in Ashwin’s stomach.And Ashwin couldn't stop thinking about it for the rest o
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-11Tangled In Scales 10
The moon hung low over Mount Haven, its silver glow spilling over the landscape, casting eerie shadows between the trees. The night was thick with the hum of crickets, the rustle of unseen creatures, and the distant hoot of an owl. But none of it disturbed Ishaan as he moved through the dense woods, his bare feet silent against the damp earth.He had left the house quietly, ensuring Ashwin was deep in sleep before slipping into the trees. The cool night air wrapped around his heated skin, but he barely felt it. His mind was elsewhere—on the hunger that twisted deep in his gut, on the beast clawing beneath his skin.He reached the lake, the same one where he and Ashwin had swum earlier, though now it was quiet, undisturbed. The water was dark, its surface glassy and still, reflecting the night sky in shards of silver. Ishaan stood at the edge, his tall, broad frame bathed in moonlight. He let out a slow breath before shedding his clothes, the fabric falling away to reveal the powerful
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-11Tangled In Scales 11
The weekend sun poured through the open window, spilling golden light across the hardwood floor. A soft breeze drifted in, carrying the scent of pine and fresh morning dew. Outside, birds called to one another from the thick trees surrounding the house, their chirping a pleasant backdrop to the stillness inside.Ashwin stood at the counter, waiting for the coffee to finish brewing, his body still warm from sleep. He rubbed a hand over his face and ruffled his dark curls, his boxers hanging loosely on his hips. It wasn’t like he was trying to be indecent—this was his home, after all.And yet, he felt it.The heavy, unrelenting weight of Ishaan’s gaze.It prickled against his bare skin, tracing the curve of his spine, the sharp lines of his shoulders, the dip of his waist. Ashwin didn’t need to turn around to know Ishaan was watching him.Appreciating him.Ignoring the heat creeping up his neck, Ashwin grabbed a mug from the cabinet and poured his coffee. “You’re up early.”Behind him,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-13Tangled In Scales 12
Ashwin didn’t remember much about his earliest years—just flashes of movement and hushed voices. The memory that stuck, the one that always surfaced when he let his mind wander, was of the bus stop. The cracked pavement, the dull hum of traffic, the way his small hands gripped the edge of the bench as he sat there, waiting for someone who never came back.It was Hayden’s grandmother who found him. A kind woman with tired eyes and soft hands, she took one look at the abandoned boy and made a decision that changed both their lives. She raised Ashwin alongside Hayden, treating him as her own. And when Hayden lost his parents in a car crash, they became each other’s whole world—two boys with no one but each other, finding warmth in shared grief.But there were gaps in Ashwin’s memory, things that didn’t quite fit. Sometimes, when he thought too hard about that bus stop, the image wavered. Had he really been abandoned by a family of tourists, as Hayden’s grandmother always assumed? Or was
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-13Tangled In Scales 13
Ashwin stirred his tea half-heartedly, the spoon clinking against the ceramic as he gazed out through the kitchen window. The morning was quiet, Mount Haven still wrapped in the soft embrace of dawn, but his mind was anything but peaceful.His thoughts twisted, tangled, pulled in directions he didn’t understand.Hayden was missing. That should have been the only thing on his mind. The investigation, the police, the whispers around town—it all should have consumed him. And yet, here he was, sitting at the kitchen table, fingers curled around his cup, unable to think about anything except—Ishaan.Ashwin exhaled sharply, pressing his forehead against the cool rim of the mug.It didn’t make sense. None of this made sense.He had known Ishaan for a handful of weeks—less than two months—but it felt like Ishaan had been there forever, like he had slotted himself into Ashwin’s life so seamlessly that Ashwin couldn’t tell where the intru
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-13Tangled In Scales 14
Mount 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-13Tangled 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 : 2025-02-14
Bab terbaru
Tangled In Scales 104
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
Tangled In Scales 97
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
Tangled In Scales 96
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
