Chapter 92
Valencia’s POV
“For… what exactly?”
Even as I asked the question, apprehension gripped me, twisting in my chest like a vice.
His teal eyes were piercing, but his shoulders sagged ever so slightly, like a man carrying a burden too heavy to bear. I was afraid of his answer. As much as Dante had proven over and over that he wasn’t like Jaxon, the shadow of my ex still haunted me. It made me expect the worst from every Alpha, no matter how irrational that might seem.
“For hurting you…” Dante finally said, his voice low, tinged with something raw and vulnerable.
I blinked at him, startled. “That’s it?” I asked, and before I could stop myself, a faint laugh escaped me.
He tilted his head, confusion flickering in his eyes.
“You do realize that you warned me beforehand, right? Don’t apologize. I did this willingly…” I trailed off, suddenly nervous as my gaze darted toward him. Would he bring up the mate mark now?
But Dante only sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m aware, he murmured. His lips curled into a soft, bashful smile, and something about it tugged at my heart. “And… thank you. That was honestly…” He hesitated, the faintest blush creeping up his cheeks.
I raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Amazing?”
His grin widened slightly, his usual cocky demeanor returning in full force. “Among other things. I’d say it was… otherworldly. Divine-”
“Do NOT say holy next. Please,” I interrupted with a giggle, my cheeks heating as he wiggled his eyebrows mischievously like he was about to say exactly that.
For a few moments, the tension between us seemed to dissolve. The heaviness in my chest lightened, and I forgot about the weight of the mark on my neck or the uncertainty of what it all meant.
I didn’t know what to do with my feelings about the mark. Should I be angry at him? Cry? Scream? Or just… accept it? The truth was, I didn’t think I could get rid of Dante–at least, not anytime soon. And as ashamed as I was to say it–especially after everything I had done to get away from him- I didn’t want to get rid of him now either.
So what was the point?
I sighed, standing up with a slight wince. My muscles protested the movement, but I ignored them, draping my towel loosely around me as I made my way to the bathroom. Stopping in front of the mirror, I frowned at my reflection. My hair- was still wet, my eyes slightly puffy from the lack of proper rest, and my neck–my neck was marked.
The mate mark stood out boldly against my skin, a deep crimson curve that almost seemed to pulse faintly under the bathroom light.
I reached up to touch it, hesitating when I realized the ointment Dante had applied earlier was faintly sticky. I frowned. Wouldn’t it get my clothes dirty?
I heard footsteps and soon Dante stood behind me.
10:57 Wed, Jan 22
Chapter 92
“Why didn’t you just heal me with your… powers?” I asked, glancing over my shoulder.
Even as I said it, the word ‘power‘ seemed inadequate. But what else could I call what he did? It was definitely magic.
Dante’s lips quirked up into a small smirk as he leaned casuallygainst the bathroom doorframe. “Would you The way I usually do?”
like
me to?
My mind fitted through the countless times he had healed me with skin to skin contact, each time more intimate then the
last.
I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to ignore the heat creeping up my neek. “That’s not what I meant,” I muttered, looking
away.
He chuckled softly, stepping further into the room. “Believe it or not, I have a limit to how much I can keep going, you know?”
I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “Really? With the speed you were going, I assumed you had an endless supply of… energy.” My voice faltered slightly on the last word, and I bit my lip, willing myself not to blush.
“Was three days not enough?” he teased, and I didn’t realize he’d moved closer until I felt the warmth of his breath on the back of my neck.
My eyes snapped to the mirror, widening when I saw his reflection behind me. Dante pressed a soft kiss to the nape of my neck, and a shiver raked down my spine as he met my gaze through the mirror. His blue eyes glinted with something sharp and dangerous, and for just a moment, his eyes shimmered gold
“That’s not what I meant,” I said quickly, my voice breathless.
He hummed, his lips curling into a small smile as he straightened. “Don’t worry,” he said, his voice tow, almost a purr. “From now on, I’ll make sure you’re always satisfied. And I don’t need any spiritual energy to do that. All you have to do is look at me, and I’m ready.”
I flushed, smacking his chest lightly. “Stop! That’s really not why I asked. I’m just curious… like how your eyes change colors all the time. It’s kind of fascinating, you know?”
“Mhmm,” he murmured noncommittally, his gaze flickering to the towel draped around me. Without warning, he tugged it down slightly, revealing the marks around my shoulders and upper chest covered in the sticky ointment.
“What are you doing?” I asked, laughing nervously.
“Putting on bandages,” he said simply, pulling out some bandages from the cabinet behind the mirror.
I huffed. “It’s not that bad, you know.”
“Yeah,” he muttered dryly, “just a couple of gnarly bites. Painful–looking ones.”
Before I could respond, he bent down and pressed a soft kiss to one of the marks on my shoulder, Istiffened, a strange warmth spreading through me as a faint trickle of his spiritual energy seeped into my skin.
“See?” I said, my voice softer now. “You’re healing me again,”
Dante frowned slightly, his brows knitting together. “I don’t have much spiritual energy left to give,” he admitted, his voice quiet.
blinked, surprised. He really did seem drained. His touch lacked the usual intensity of his ‘spiritual energy‘–it was faint.
10:57 Wed, Jan 22 G O
Chapter 92
10 78%
He finished wrapping the bandages around my waist, then placed a square bandage over my mate mark. His fingers lingered for just a moment, his expression unreadable.
“Don’t touch these,” he said finally, his voice firm. “I’ll change them myself. They should heal completely in three days.”
I nodded, turning around as he stepped back to let me leave. I could feel his eyes on me as I walked out, the air between us heavy with unspoken tension.
After he finished showering, we sat down together to eat the snacks the maid had brought–milkshakes and dry fruits to replenish our strength. My stomach churned nervously the entire time, not from the food, but from the thought of what lay ahead.
Everyone in the house would know. Three days. That wasn’t exactly… subtle.
Dante chuckled softly, clearly picking up on my spiraling thoughts. I shot him a glare, hugging Castor’s egg protectively to my chest.
When we entered the breakfast hall, my fears were immediately confirmed. The maids‘ gazes lingered for just a moment too long, their knowing smiles making my face heat.
And then, as if to make matters worse, as soon as we entered the dining hall Caius hollered from across the room, his voice carrying effortlessly.
“So,” he called out, grinning, “when can I expect to meet my second nephew? Or will it be a niece this time?”
My jaw dropped, and I immediately wanted to dig a hole and bury myself in, groaning in embarrassment as Dante smirked.
Stupid alphas. Acting all smug.
