Chapter 76
Simon’s lips parted as he watched Melva move around with ease, as if the house already belonged to her. She had taken a quick bath, changed into clean clothes, and was now humming softly while cooking dinner in his kitchen.
“What is it?” Melva asked, glancing over her shoulder. “Say what you want to say instead of staring at me suspiciously like that. You’re making me feel shy and embarrassed p>
Simon frowned. “You don’t look like someone who was beaten. It’s as if you didn’t suffer at all. Is your healing ability different from ours?” He hesitated, then added, “And… you seem to be in such good spirits. Shouldn’t you be angry at your Lady for letting you get beaten like that p>
Melva only smiled as she set the dishes on the table and sat across from him. “Hmm, first of all, why would I be angry? My Lady is a very smart woman. She always knows what’s best. I trust her completely. Whatever she did, and whatever she will do in the future, it’s all to protect me in the long run. Secondly She leaned forward slightly. “My Lady already made sure I’d be healed p>
Simon’s eyes widened. “What?! But you were locked in the dungeon. How could she heal you p>
Simon froze when her fingers wrapped around his. Her touch was warm, almost too warm, and the way she looked at him with those steady eyes made his chest tighten. He wasn’t used to this—having a woman sit so close, speaking softly as if they were already bound.
Awkwardly, he cleared his throat and tried to pull his hand back, but Melva’s grip lingered. Her scent drifted to him, light yet intoxicating, filling his senses before he could push it away. It was the same scent he remembered from before—sweet, alluring, and dangerously distracting.
“You don’t have to… sit this close,” he muttered, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. His gaze flicked to the half-finished food on the table, anything to avoid staring at her lips that curved in a faint smile.
Melva tilted her head, still holding his hand as if she didn’t notice his discomfort. “I only wanted to thank you properly,” she said, her voice soft but firm. “You risked yourself for me. I won’t forget that p>
Simon let out a heavy breath, caught between pushing her away and letting her stay. The closeness unsettled him, but her presence pulled at something inside he didn’t want to admit.
Finally, he gently but firmly loosened his hand from hers and stood. “Eat,” he said gruffly, his tone sharper than he meant it to be. “That’s thanks enough p>
But even as he moved to put distance between them, her scent lingered, clinging to him like a shadow he couldn’t shake.
Melva pouted as she watched Simon disappear into his bedchamber. Left alone, she quietly finished her dinner, cleaned the table, and then wandered to the window. From there, she had a clear view of the main palace. She took a deep breath, her voice barely a whisper. “I hope you’re alright, My Lady p>
Her lips curved into a proud smile even as tears welled in her eyes. ‘She can read minds… No wonder I was always saved before,’ Melva mused.
She remembered the times Althea’s half-brothers or cousins had tried to abuse her. Each time, before anything terrible could happen, misfortune would strike them, incidents too precise to be a coincidence. Now she understood it had been Althea, subtly pulling the strings to protect her.
A soft chuckle escaped Melva’s lips. Pride swelled in her chest. ‘I hope she masters her energy soon… then we can finally escape this place together p>
“Smiling and crying at the same time p>
Melva jumped at the sudden voice. Simon was standing there, his frown deep, watching her closely.
“Oh—I thought you’d already gone to bed,” she said quickly, forcing a smile as she brushed away her tears.
Simon’s gaze didn’t waver. He looked as though he wanted to say something, but hesitation kept him silent.
“What is it? You seem like you have something to say,” she pressed, stepping closer. She couldn’t help it—she loved the warmth he carried, the way his scent tugged at her senses. The source of this content ɪs.net
Earlier, when she thanked him, she had barely restrained herself from leaning into him completely.
Simon wasn’t like Osman. He reminded her more of the Alpha King—stern, unreadable, and always wearing that serious frown. The exact opposite of her, really.
But then again, opposites were said to attract. Maybe, just maybe, she and Simon could make something work… at least while her Lady prepared for their grand escape.
“About the marking,” Simon began, his tone steady but serious. “Tell me when you’re ready. I’ll need to mark you so the Queen Mother believes it was the mate pull that drove me to take you away. If you remain unmarked, she’ll suspect the Alpha King… or Lady Althea p>
Before he could finish, Melva tugged her strap down, baring her shoulder and neck. She leaned closer, eyes burning with determination. “Do it now,” she urged. “Mark me now. There’s no reason to delay it p>
Melva shifted closer, her scent thick and intoxicating, making Simon’s chest tighten. He tried to lean back, keeping the space between them, but she pressed forward without hesitation. Her shoulder brushed against his arm, her breath warm against his neck.
“Do it now,” she whispered again, more forcefully this time. She tilted her head, baring the smooth skin of her neck to him, pushing it closer as though daring him to refuse.
Simon stiffened, his jaw locked, but Melva didn’t stop. She caught his wrist, pulling it toward her as if anchoring him in place. “Stop hesitating,” she said, her voice trembling. “Please, Gamma Simon, mark me p>
Simon gulped, then leaned closer, his lips brushing against her skin. As his fangs bared, he sank them into the spot between her neck and shoulder, marking her.
Melva’s eyes fluttered shut, her arm instinctively wrapping around his neck. ‘So this is what it feels like to be marked?’ she wondered with a small smile. The sharp sting was impossible to describe—painful for a moment, yet strangely thrilling, leaving behind a wave of pleasure.
“MINE Simon growled, the word spilling from him in raw instinct.
Simon pulled back slowly, his lips brushing against the fresh mark. His eyes darkened as he stared at the small wound, already healing, glowing faintly under the moonlight that slipped through the window. The scent of the bond was sharp, undeniable, filling the cottage like a silent declaration.
“You’re mine now,” he said hoarsely, still struggling with the mix of instinct and restraint burning inside him.
Melva looked up at him, her smile soft and sweet. “And I won’t let you take it back p>