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2025-03-28 08:01:14The night was eerily quiet. The winds that usually howled through the cliffs of Kal'Raksha were still, as if the land itself was holding its breath.
The dense jungle surrounding the nesting grounds lay shrouded in darkness, the only movement the occasional flicker of bioluminescent flora. Ishaan sat at the mouth of the hut, staring out at the vast expanse of the land beyond. His silver eyes burned with exhaustion and frustration. It had been months. Months of waiting. Months of searching. Months of fighting off the crushing realization that Ayaan might never come back. His tail flicked restlessly against the ground. The hatchlings were suffering without her. He was suffering without her. But no matter how much he told himself that he would find her, that he would drag her back if he had to, doubt whispered insidiously at the back of his mind. What if she didn’t want to be found
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Tangled In Scales 87
The nest was warm, the scent of soft furs and lingering sandalwood clinging to the air as Ashwin lay sprawled on the bed, his body still heavy with sleep. The golden hues of Kal'Raksha’s dying sun filtered through the woven slats of the hut, casting shifting shadows along the curved walls. His breathing was slow, deep, rising and falling like the steady rhythm of the tides.The peaceful moment was broken by the sound of footsteps—familiar, firm, and slightly impatient. Ishaan entered the hut, his expression stormy, his shoulders tense. The shift in the air stirred Ashwin awake, his lashes fluttering as he blinked up at his mate, his mind still sluggish with the haze of sleep."What’s wrong?" he murmured, his voice husky, his lips parting in a small yawn.Ishaan exhaled sharply and ran a hand through his dark, tousled hair. "Dhruv is being annoying."Ashwin chuckled softly, the sound light and teasing. "And here I was thinking s
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-29Tangled In Scales 88
The air inside Freya’s hut was thick with the scent of burning sage and something older, something woven into the very fabric of Kal’Raksha. The dim lighting from the lanterns cast shadows across the walls, making the space feel smaller than it was. Ashwin stood close to Ishaan, heart hammering in his chest, feeling the raw tension rolling off his mate in waves.They hadn’t been expecting this summons—not from Freya. And certainly not through Ishaan’s youngest brothers, the last clutch—Aarav, Dev, Rian, and Samir.Aarav had been the first to speak when they arrived at their nest, his voice hesitant yet carrying the weight of something unspoken. “Mother wants to see you both.”Ishaan frowned in confusion, tilting his head in question. “What for?”“She didn’t say,” Rian admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “But we think it’s about the pendant.”At that, Ashwin had stiffened slightly, his fingers curling around the fur
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-29Tangled In Scales 89
The air inside Freya’s hut was thick with the scent of burning incense, aged herbs, and something older—something that made Ashwin’s skin prickle as though unseen hands traced along his spine. The flickering light from a lantern cast shadows along the walls, the wavering shapes making the room feel smaller, like the walls were closing in.Ashwin barely had a moment to adjust to the shift in atmosphere before the entrance curtain swayed, and a figure stepped inside.The sorcerer.His breath hitched as recognition struck him. The old woman he had met in Mount Haven. The one who had grabbed his wrist with a knowing look, dragging him into the dimly lit corner of the marketplace. The one who had spoken cryptic words about fate and entanglement.Back then, he had brushed her off as just another eccentric, someone lost in her own delusions. But now… now, looking at her wrapped in that same aged shawl that smelled of herbs a
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-30Tangled In Scales 90
The moment consciousness returned to Ayaan-Ashwin-both selves now merged into one, panic gripped them. A sharp gasp tore from their lips, eyes snapping open as they bolted upright. Their breath came in quick, uneven pants as they clutched their chest, their heart hammering like a war drum."Key... it's a key," Ayaan rasped, gripping Ishaan's wrist with sudden urgency. Her fingers trembled, the weight of realization settling heavily in her chest. "The pendant is a key."Ishaan, who had been kneeling beside her in alarm, tightened his hold on her shoulders, trying to steady her. His eyes, usually sharp and calculating, softened with worry."Ayaan," he said carefully, his voice low and steady. "Breathe. You're safe. What do you mean the pendant is a key?"Ayaan forced herself to take a slow, shaky breath, but her mind was still spinning. Images, sounds, emotions-everything she had lost came rushing back like an unforgiving tide. M
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-30Tangled In Scales 91
Three years ago...Morning had barely begun when Hayden left his small apartment, the crisp mountain air biting at his skin as he made his way to the clinic. He liked early mornings—Mount Haven was still quiet, the streets empty except for a few shopkeepers setting up for the day. A peaceful, predictable routine.He barely noticed the figure lurking at the alley’s edge.He was thinking about his patients when he heard footsteps behind him.At first, he ignored them, assuming it was another early riser. But the sound didn’t fade. It stayed, matching his pace.His stomach twisted.Hayden turned his head slightly, just enough to glance over his shoulder.A man followed him. Tall, broad-shouldered, his dark hair tousled as if the wind had run through it too many times. His skin had a slight unnatural pallor to it, but it was the eyes that set off alarms in Hayden’s mind—golden, almost glowing in the dim light.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-31Tangled In Scales 92
Every Naga knew the legend—the whispered tale of the cursed ones, those who had willingly given up their true nature for something far worse.It was said that a Naga who abandoned their natural form and fully embraced the curse could only be s̶l̶a̶i̶n̶ by one being: their beloved.The method was precise. The beloved had to pierce the cursed one with a blade, then press a pendant soaked in their own blood to the wound. The pendant would act as poison, unraveling the cursed Naga from the inside out, reducing them to nothing but dust.Ishaan listened in silence, his jaw tense as the elders recounted the myth. His hands curled into fists, nails pressing into his palms as he processed the information.Finally, he exhaled sharply and said, "Everything will be done after the season. For now, family is the most important."His words held weight, and no one dared to contradict him.Ashwin—Ayaan—watched him for a moment before tu
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-31Tangled In Scales 93
The scent of Ishaan’s rut was suffocating.It clung to the air, thick and carnal, a scent so potent that even the most reckless males wouldn’t dare step foot near his hut, because every one of Ishaan’s brothers knew—their eldest would kill them without hesitation if they so much as lingered in his territory.The females knew better too—none of them would survive if they even so much as breathed too close because even in his exhausted state, Ashwin would rip them apart for trying.Everyone in the clan knew.The first son was in full rut.And his mate was inside, completely at his mercy.Inside the hut, the world blurred into heat, sweat, and raw animalistic lust.Ashwin was on his stomach, legs spread, his ass in the air, body trembling with exhaustion and overstimulation.It was only the second day of Ishaan’s rut.And Ashwin was already ruined.But Ishaan wasn’t done with him.Ishaan
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-01Tangled In Scales 94
Two more days had passed.Ashwin sat propped against the headboard, legs still weak, body sore, his mind sluggish from the overwhelming exhaustion that clung to his bones. Every inch of him bore marks of possession—deep purples, flushed reds, and faint imprints of teeth that had sunk into his skin over and over again.Yet, despite it all, he was content.Ishaan sat beside him, his powerful form relaxed, but there was still a simmering heat beneath his skin, a faint edge of lingering rut that hadn’t completely faded. His grey eyes flickered to Ashwin, watching him like he was something fragile and precious, yet still undeniably his.A bowl of warm food sat in Ishaan’s large hands, its aroma filling the air—a mixture of savory spices and slow-cooked broth, with hints of fresh herbs that soothed the stomach. It had been prepared by Kire and Oti, their mates, Ravi and Dhruv, having brought it to the hut earlier before qui
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-01
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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
