27. It will never change.

Amara soaked herself in the bath without thinking about the time. The sun was still present yet she felt so tired already. When Azer knocked on the door accompanied by a worried voice, and threatened to enter, she realized she had been sitting for longer.

No wonder she was dizzy. The steam of the warm bath had already made its way to her head and she felt hot.

"Did you fall asleep? I'll enter."

"No!" Amara hurriedly submerged herself in the water again. "I'm done now. I'm getting change."

Silence answered her. She stepped out of the tub in haste, unable to notice the slippery floor that got wet when the water overflowed from her aggressive dip. Her foot slipped and her vision rolled up.

However, she bit her lips so as not to create a noise because she was certain Azer would barge in as soon as she did. As she quickly stretched her arm to grab the curtain next to the tub, her fall was broken.

Yet it still made a sound.

Thud.

It was too low which made her sigh in relief. Azer wouldn't have heard it. Unfortunately, contrary to her expectations, what she feared happened. The door swung open and Azer stood by the entrance.

"Don't look!"

Amara didn't think twice at all. She pulled the curtain with force which made the curtain rod fall and covered the fabric to her naked body. Her heartbeat was racing frantically. Where was the woman who said she was willing to give in?

But getting stared at her birthday suit was embarrassing! She curled herself on the floor and hugged the curtain tightly. On top of being seen naked, slipping added to her humiliation. She was so ashamed that if Azer wouldn't ignore what happened and stay by the door, she planned to lie there until she fell asleep.

On the other hand, Azer was frozen in his spot. He was quick to enter after hearing the thick sound of something falling, but as soon as he did, his eyes caught a glimpse of her naked body. Her auburn hair was sprawled on the floor like a petal of roses scattered around, highlighting a goddess who had just broken out from her cocoon, in her entire nudity.

The bite marks he left on her shoulders and neck didn't help either. It made him growl inside as though his wolf had been starved for so long, and now ready to feast on the delicious meal served at him.

'Shit.' Azer thought inwardly. He looked up, cupping the back of his neck with his hand, while the other was gripping his waist. He tried to calm himself down. A healthy yet naughty part of his lower body was excited, yet he couldn't shut the door and leave.

'What the hell am I doing?' Azer asked in his mind as he saw himself walking to Amara.

"The cold is floor…!"

He clamped on his mouth hard and looked away. He laughed inwardly at his stupidity. Amara flinched upon hearing his voice but he ignored it. Instead, he cleared his throat and spoke again.

"The floor is cold, Amara. Don't lie there."

There was no answer. Amara simply buried her face on the floor even more. Azer sighed and gently tapped her shoulder before gathering her knees on his arm and her back on the other. He carried her to the bed and sat her up carefully.

"I'm so ashamed."

Azer chuckled. He knelt in front of her.

"I'm more embarrassed than you," he admitted, sweeping the loose strands of her hair stuck on her cheek and tucking them on her ear.

Amara looked at him with bewilderment, but he simply looked down. She followed his eyes and understood what he meant. Heat rose in her cheeks. She immediately looked away and bit her lips. Her fingers on her lap became restless and she unconsciously made them close and open repeatedly.

Azer, "Are you practicing?"

His eyes were teasing while watching her hands do a weird routine. He looked up and caught her staring. Amara's eyelashes trembled and she shook her head stiffly. Nervousness wasn't allowing her to answer properly.

Moreover, she was astounded. How could Azer ask her something like that? He was clearly enjoying himself. It annoyed her that she was the only one getting flustered. The steam from the bath seemed to have turned her mind into mush because she deliberately loosened her grip on the curtain and it slid from her shoulders, exposing her collarbones down to her cleavage.

Only a few seconds after did her eyes widen in shock and her face paled in shame. Her hands fumbled with the curtains, and because of this, the fabric only slid lower.

Before Amara could gasp at her clumsiness, her lips were already ravished in an instant. Her pupils dilated and almost crossed at the image that suddenly appeared inches away from her. She stared with wide eyes. Her hands froze between them, not sure where to put them.

Azer's body was like an ember ignited by a simple touch. The flame rose higher until heat entered his head and now, he couldn't stop. He parted her lips and deepened the kiss. He played with the host who greeted him with the same fervor. He left no corner unexplored, tasted every bit it could offer, and conveyed his desire to delve more.

His hands caught her hands frozen in the air, and he brought them to his chest. Amara felt the rapid beating of his heart. It knocked loudly against her palms, as though it wanted her to let it enter.

When Azer freed her mouth, he whispered with difficulty, his voice subdued and husky, "I want you."

Amara could no longer push him – not because she wanted to, but because her body desired the same. She answered his declaration with a kiss – this time, she was the one who pushed her lips on his, taunting him to open and be his guest.

Her hands moved from his chest to his neck and pulled him even closer. She showed him her yearning, her choice, and her determination.

The bolts that held Azer back were unhinged, and he dived in. He had no time to wonder why his wolf was growling. His fangs appeared uncontrollably and grazed Amara's shoulders. She moaned from his bites, unaware that the curtain was already tossed somewhere far, and the next thing that covered her was his body.

His lips showered her face with kisses as he gently pushed her down. His hands caressed her curves and edges with passion and tenderness. Amara was losing her mind in his every touch. She lost all her inhibitions and urged him to go further.

Azer's gaze was so intense. His grey eyes showed his love mixed with lust and excitement. When all the things that separated their bodies were gone, Amara closed her eyes and welcomed him with all her heart.

She was in pain yet she felt ecstatic. She felt complete. Her moans became sobs and soon became words.

"I love you."

It was the first time she spoke those words to him. How long they have been together, or how long they only knew each other didn't matter.

Azer kissed her forehead and answered, "I love you, Amara. No matter what happens, I will only be yours. This will never change. It will never fade, even in the face of fate itself."

She didn't know what he meant, but his words were music to her ears. They hushed her mind from any unnecessary thoughts and brought her to paradise. She held Azer close to her, and as they reached the peak of pleasure they climbed together.

***

"His name is Nolan Turck, Your Highness."

Hansel flipped the pages of the documents he was holding.

"He's a broker whose license was revoked because of fraud and dishonesty, harassment of multiple proprietors, and acquiring deeds by force. I also found the one who hired that fraudster. It was a man named Kevin Delmore, one of Duke Vernice's knights."

"Where is he now?"

"I reported him for theft and harassment. But because of his broken bones, he was receiving treatment in the prison's infirmary right now. Once he recovers, he will be transferred to the prison cells."

Azer's jaw clenched. He should have killed the man. If they were in Leymar, no one would stop him from murdering whoever touches his Luna.

Hansel shivered upon watching the second prince. Azer looked menacing and the killing intent exuded by him was suffocating. He cleared his throat and added, "I could pull some strings to make him disappear."

"Do it," Azer replied. He glanced at Hansel and ordered, "And while you're at it, do me a favor and catch some rats."

"Rats? Are there people spying on us?"

"I mean, rats. Real ones. Send it dead to Duke Vernice's daughter. Make it bloody," Azer commanded before he left.

He climbed up the stairs in dead silence. There was no way he'd let that woman sleep soundly at night when she put Amara in peril. The distress and fear she experienced will be returned to her twice. No matter if she was a duke's daughter.

He stopped by the door. He masked his grim expression with a soft one before he stepped in even though he knew she was deeply asleep.

Without making any sound, he lay on the bed, next to Amara. Her eyebrows were furrowed even in her sleep. He softly caressed them until they relaxed. Then, he carefully gathered her in his arms, before pulling the covers up.

His eyes lingered on the marks on her shoulders and around her body. He smiled in satisfaction. Now, she smelled like him because he filled her with his scents and essence. His hand touched her belly and he already pictured small pups running around. How nice it would be if that happened sooner.

He kissed her temple, above her exposed scar which she no longer hid from him. He still couldn't believe how she was sold by her former lover when she was so beautiful and kind. And how could people ignore such a kind-hearted soul?

If only he could bring her to Leymar, she'd be loved by his people.

The necklace on her neck caught his attention again. He picked the pendant and played it with his fingers. The silver pendant hanging on a silver chain was shaped like a drop of tears. It was flat and simple, but upon closer look, Azer saw tiny characters engraved on the necklace. He tried to decipher the words, but the characters were unfamiliar. Letters he had never seen in his life.

"What is this…," he mumbled unconsciously.

Amara stirred in her sleep. She changed position and turned her back on him, pulling the necklace from his fingers. He no longer thought about it and just embraced Amara. Then, he fell asleep with a smile on his face.