Chapter 130
Chapter 130
Valencia’s POV:
It didn’t take.
The mark didn’t take.
Dante’s neck was completely bare.
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I stared at him, my mind racing to make sense of what I was secing. The golden tan of his skin was unblemished, no sign of the bite I had given him during my heat. There was no claim, no mark–nothing.
Even under the haze of heat, I could clearly remember marking him.
My chest tightened, a strange mix of confusion and unease curling inside me.
“Why?” The word escaped my lips before I even realized I had spoken. It came out small, breathless, barely a whisper.
Dante exhaled heavily, his brows knitting together as he moved in front of me. Without hesitation, he lowered himself to one knee, his large hands gently cupping my face. His touch was warm, grounding, but it did nothing to stop the anxious pounding in my chest.
“I honestly don’t know, Valencia,” he admitted, his voice low but firm. “I haven’t ever heard of such a thing happening before. But I promise, we’ll figure it out together, okay?”
His sincerity bled through our bond, and I knew without a doubt that he wasn’t lying. He wasn’t keeping anything from me He was just as lost as I was.
I swallowed past the lump in my throat and gave a weak nod, even though the knot in my stomach remained.
I turned on my heel, heading toward the bathroom, desperate to get away before he saw the tears threatening to spill from
my eyes.
But I barely made it two steps before strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me back against his chest.
His warmth enveloped me instantly, his scent wrapping around my senses like a cocoon.
“None of that,” he murmured, pressing his lips against the side of my head. “You don’t hide your sadness from me.”
I sucked in a shaky breath, my vision blurring as he turned me in his arms, holding me firmly in place.
“It doesn’t matter if you mark me or not, Valencia. I am–and always will be–your mate.”
The words should have soothed me, but instead, they sent another pang of ache through my chest.
Because I had heard them before.
Jaxon had told me the same thing once, back when I had asked if I could mark him.
That Jaxon–the one who had promised me the world and then shattered me without remorse.
I felt disgusting for even thinking about him in this moment, but I couldn’t stop the comparison from forming in my mind.
The difference was… Dante meant it. I
felt it.
Tears spilled over before I could stop them.
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10:23 Fri, Feb 21
Chapter 130
Dante sighed, his thumbs brushing away the wet streaks on my cheeks before pulling me into his chest.
I buried my face against him, clutching at the fabric of his shirt as I let myself weep.
I wanted him to be mine. Completely. Irrevocably.
My person.
My love.
My mate.
The tears slowed eventually, turning into soft sniffles. Dante didn’t let go, didn’t move away, just held me in his steady embrace until I felt my breathing even out.
Then, without a word, he guided me to sit on the bed, pouring a glass of water from the pitcher on the nightstand. He pressed it into my hands, watching as I took slow sips.
The silence between us was thick but not suffocating. He was giving me time, letting me settle.
After I finished, he stood, his posture shifting slightly. “I’m going to run you a bath,” he said, brushing a hand through my hair. “I’ll be right back.”
He disappeared into the bathroom, and soon after, the sound of rushing water filled the room.
___sighed, rubbing at my swollen eyes. As much as I wanted to push past what had just happened, the unease still lingered.
I needed a distraction.
“Dante?” I called as he stepped back out.
He raised a brow, tilting his head in silent question.
I met his gaze, clearing my throat. “How the hell did we end up in our room last night? And–why did your rut suddenly start? On that matter, are you okay?”
I searched his face, trying to find any lingering signs of the dangerous aura I had seen in him the night before.
Wait. That was last night… right?
My stomach twisted. “How long have we been cooped up in here” My voice pitched slightly. “Please don’t tell me it’s been days again.”
Dante chuckled, moving closer. Without warning, he grabbed my hands, pulling me up from the bed before wrapping his arms beneath my hips and lifting me effortlessly.
I yelped as he smirked against my neck, peppering kisses along my skin.
“So many questions,” he mused, amusement lacing his tone.
I squirmed in his grasp. “Dante-”
“Alright, alright,” he said, chuckling as he set me back on my feet “Let’s go one at a time. First and second question? The answer is the same–I think your mark had something to do with my rut being early. My senses were on overload for a few minutes, but by the time you relaxed a little in the car, we were already home. So I wrapped you up in a blanket and carried you straight here.”
I blinked, digesting that information.
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He continued, “As for your last question, don’t worry, it’s only been one night. My first rut as a dragon was longer than what was normal. This time it ended on time. Your heat on the other and should have lasted longer, but…” He gave me a mischievous grin. “I may have overworked you.”
1 scowled, swatting at his chest. “Dante-”
He chuckled, catching my wrist before pulling me against him. “Maybe we will be getting another baby with the way I stuffed yo-”
My palm smacked over his mouth before he could finish the sentence.
“What the hell, Dante!”
His grin was absolutely shameless as he licked my palm, making me jerk my hand away with a squeal.
This man.
He finally released me and turned back toward the bathroom. I followed, still flustered, only to pause when I noticed something.
The silky white lingerie I was wearing.
I didn’t remember putting it on.
My heart softened. He must have dressed me after taking care of me.
He might be a beast in bed, but he always made sure to do aftercare.
Dante caught my expression as he reached for the bath oils. He smirked. “Realizing how much I spoil you?”
I scoffed. “You’re still insufferable.”
He only laughed, tilting his head as he poured the oil. “Get in. I’ll be back after checking in with Caius.”
I nodded, pulling him down for a quick peck on the cheek. “Thank you, Dante.”
His smile softened. “Always.”
Once he left, I bathed, letting the warm water soothe my sore muscles.
By the time I was dressed and made my way to the dining hall with Castor in my arms, the mansion was quiet.
I expected everyone to have left already since it was past ten.
But as I entered, I found Seven at the table, his head down, staring blankly at his plate.
I hesitated before greeting him. “Morning, Seven.”
He jolted upright, eyes wide.
Then–he blushed.
I frowned. “Is something wrong?”
He shook his head frantically. “No… I was just startled.”
I narrowed my eyes but let it go. “Did you eat?”
He nodded. But I noticed the dark circles beneath his eyes.
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10:23 Fri, Feb 21
Chapter 130
I frowned. “Did you not sleep well?”
He hesitated. “Uh… there was a lot of noise.”
1 paused. Noise?
I turned to the maid who had entered with the tray of breakfast. Was something going on last night?”
She blinked in confusion before glancing at Seven, then back at me.
“Ah… Luna,” she said hesitantly. “Your bedroom isn’t… soundproofed well. So…”
I choked.
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