All Chapters of Tangled In Scales: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

The wrench in Ishaan's hand felt solid, the rough metal pressing into his calloused fingers as he tightened a stubborn bolt. The engine of the old truck he was working on let out a metallic groan before settling into place. The garage smelled of oil and hot metal, but even as he worked, his mind wasn't in Mount Haven.It was in Kal'Raksha.The heat of the jungle, thick and humid, clung to his skin like a second layer. The sound of water, the rhythmic drip of a waterfall against stone, echoed in his ears. Kal'Raksha wasn't just a place-it was a living, breathing world of its own. It had shaped him, nurtured him, and even now, miles away, it still called to him.He could see it as if he had never left. The sky above was vast, a deep violet at dusk, streaked with fiery oranges and fading golds. The jungle was alive, teeming with creatures both seen and unseen. Fireflies danced between thick trees, their trunks ancient, their roots sprawling across the damp earth like the veins of the la

The cell was small, barely large enough for the cot bolted to the wall and the metal toilet in the corner. The air was stale, thick with the scent of disinfectant and something metallic—blood, perhaps, long scrubbed away but still lingering beneath the surface.Ishaan Arthava sat on the cot, back straight, hands resting on his knees. His wrists were sore from the cuffs they had slapped on him hours ago, but he didn’t complain.Complaining was weakness.The officers outside whispered among themselves, their voices muffled through the steel door. He knew their type—cops who thought they had him cornered, who thought a few hours in a holding cell would break him.They didn’t know him.They had no idea what kind of patience lived inside him, what kind of restraint he had mastered over the years.The door creaked open.A uniformed officer stepped inside, gesturing for him to stand. “Move.”Ishaan exhaled slowly throu

The door clicked shut, and before Ashwin could even exhale, Ishaan was on him. His larger frame loomed over Ashwin’s smaller body, radiating heat and pent-up frustration. Rough hands cupped Ashwin’s jaw, tilting his face up just before Ishaan’s lips crashed down, swallowing him whole.The kiss was all-consuming—hungry, desperate, and demanding. Ishaan didn’t just kiss; he took. His lips were firm, his teeth grazing Ashwin’s bottom lip before sucking it into his mouth with a possessive pull. The force of it sent a jolt down Ashwin’s spine, making his knees weaken, but Ishaan’s grip on him was ironclad. There was nowhere to run, no room to breathe. Only Ishaan.Ashwin let out a muffled sound against his mouth, pushing lightly at Ishaan’s chest, but the man was relentless. His large hands slid from Ashwin’s jaw down to his waist, fingers pressing into the slight curve of his hips, gripping, grounding. It wasn’t just a touch—it was a claim. Ashwin’s breath hi

The afternoon sun hung lazily in the sky, casting a golden glow over the quiet streets as Ishaan strolled toward Mrs. Patel’s bakery. The warmth of the light contrasted with the crisp breeze that whispered through the town, rustling the leaves in gentle waves. It was a beautiful day, idyllic even—but his mind was far from the peaceful surroundings.All he could think about was Ashwin.The memory of last night clung to him, refusing to let go. How Ashwin had trembled beneath him, his small frame helpless against the force of Ishaan’s desire. How he had taken him again and again, until Ashwin was utterly spent, boneless in his arms. The soft, gasping sounds he made had left an imprint on Ishaan’s mind—sweet, broken little noises that sent heat straight through his veins.Even this morning, before Ishaan had left, Ashwin had still been dripping, slick and warm, all over their bed. The thought alone made Ishaan’s fingers twitch at his sides, itching

Dark, fathomless blue stretched in every direction, but Ashwin wasn't afraid. He floated effortlessly, the gentle current cradling him like a familiar embrace. Cool water swept past his skin, yet there was no discomfort-only a soothing sensation, as if the ocean itself recognized him. He inhaled, and instead of drowning, his lungs filled with something light and pure.Breathing underwater felt natural.His body moved with a grace he never possessed on land, his limbs slicing through the water with ease, as if he had been born for this. Above him, golden rays of light filtered down from the unseen surface, scattering in ribbons that illuminated the space around him. Schools of fish darted past in shimmering waves, yet Ashwin barely paid them any attention.Because he wasn't alone.The enormous dark blue snake was there again, gliding through the water like a shadow given life. Its massive form coiled and uncoiled effortlessly, the deep hu