Chapter Nineteen
Adriel
The entire estate is particularly calm today as I take a walk through its lush gardens, the cool air brushing against my skin. It’s a peaceful moment, rare for someone like me who’s often hopping from one blockbuster film set to another. But my solitude doesn’t last long. Silas’ car roars through the gates, the sound reverberating across the grounds.
I turn toward the noise, my curiosity piqued. As the car comes to a halt, I saunter over, my face settling into a relaxed smile. Silas steps out of the driver’s seat, and immediately, I know something’s off. His usual calm, unshakable demeanor is absent. Instead, he seems...tense, distracted, almost flustered.
“Everything all right?” I ask, though I can already tell it’s not.
Silas doesn’t answer immediately. He strides toward me with purpose, holding out the car keys. “She wants to see the city,” he says brusquely. “I need to clear my head.”
And just like that, he brushes past me, walking away without so much as a glance back.
I watch him go. Seeing him like this is a bit jarring, but just then, the pieces start to fall into place in my mind. Danae.
Only she could possibly be doing this to him. I shake my head, a knowing smile forming on my face. He’s in denial. He’s having trouble adapting to the fact that he’s falling in love.
I turn my attention to the car, reaching it in a few quick strides. I open the driver’s door and slide into the seat. Danae is sitting there, her expression a mix of curiosity and mild annoyance. Her red hair frames her face beautifully, and I can’t help but flash a wide grin as I take the wheel.
“Well, Mi Lady,” I say, my tone playful, “it seems I’ve been charged with showing you all the sights Howls Peak has to offer. Trust me when I tell you…you’ve got the best tour guide in town.”
She raises an eyebrow, but then her lips curve, and she beams, a genuine look that lights up her whole face. It’s a reaction that fills me with a strange sense of gladness.
“Do you always talk like a knight from some medieval romance?” she teases.
“Only when the occasion calls for it,” I reply, winking as I start the engine and drive us out of the estate.
The city is alive with activity, but I steer us toward one of my favorite spots: a cozy, unassuming diner nestled in the heart of Howls Peak. The scent of grilled meat and spices wafts through the air as we step inside.
“What’s this place?” Danae asks, looking around with interest.
“The best local food you’ll find anywhere,” I say, leading her to a table. “You’re about to experience the magic of Howls Peak barbecue.”
When the food arrives, I watch as she takes her first bite of the barbecue steak. Her eyes widen in delight, and she lets out a small, involuntary sound of approval.
“This is amazing!” she exclaims, looking at me as if I’ve just introduced her to a hidden treasure.
I chuckle. “Told you. This was one of my favorite treats growing up.”
After the diner, I drive her to a park that holds statues of some of Howls Peak’s most prominent figures. We walk along the cobblestone paths, and I stop in front of a statue that holds personal significance.
“This is my great-great-great-grandfather,” I say, gesturing toward the stone figure. “He fought in the Great War over a century ago and played a crucial role in ensuring the survival of this city during its toughest times.”
Danae tilts her head, studying the statue with a look of awe. “That’s incredible. Your family has such a rich history.”
Her appreciation brings me unexpected joy. It’s rare for someone outside of the Jorg family to truly understand what this legacy means.
We spend a few more minutes at the park. But my anticipation is already building for the next spot. The spot I really want to show her.
Finally, I drive here to the place I’ve been most eager to share: a small, secluded park on the edge of the city. As we step out of the car, Danae looks around, curious.
“What’s here?” she asks, trailing behind me.
I press a finger to my lips. “Let’s not ruin the surprise.”
I lead her to a swing set, where I crouch down and clear away some debris to reveal a hidden latch. With a quick tug, I open up a secret tunnel entrance.
“This,” I say, gesturing toward the tunnel, “is part of Howls Peak’s history. Centuries ago, during the Great War between humans and werewolves, my ancestors used this tunnel to hide from human attacks. It’s been abandoned for years, largely because now humans don’t believe werewolves exist. Nobody hunts what they don’t believe in. But it was one of my favorite places as a teenager. My favorite escape.”
Danae’s eyes widen, it’s so adorable. She looks like a child being told a folktale. “That’s amazing. And a little eerie,” she says.
“I like it. A couple of years ago, I bought the land,” I say, staring at the tunnel again. “…made it into my very own personal heaven. Come on, I can’t wait to show you.” I say.
I start unbuttoning my shirt, and her eyebrow arches just the slightest bit, a flicker of curiosity dancing across her face. "What are you doing?" she asks, her tone a mix of amusement and intrigue.
I can’t help but let out a low chuckle. "We’re going to need to be in our wolf form to get through that tunnel. There’s no way we’ll fit in human form."
Her eyes stay on me for a moment longer, something playful in them, and I feel a rush of mischief settle in my chest. "Okay, Princess. I’ll turn around," I say. There’s a tease in my voice.
"No peeking," she responds with a smirk.
I laugh, shaking my head, and turn my back to her. Slipping out of my clothes, I fold them neatly by the tunnel entrance, careful to make sure everything’s tucked away. I hear her follow suit, the soft rustling of fabric signaling she’s doing the same.
I shift immediately, effortlessly easing into my wolf form. Danae hesitates for a short moment before she shifts as well. We make our way through the narrow tunnel.
It doesn’t take long before we emerge at the other side, and I shift back immediately, she follows my lead.
There are definitely a lot of things to notice in this spot, not least the natural hot spring that flows here and all the accessories I’ve put in place over the years, but the thing that strikes me the moment I gather my bearings is her.
She’s naked.
The sight is beyond anything I can compare it to. I’m so engrossed in it that I don’t even pay attention to my own nakedness.
Her body looks like it was crafted specifically to test my restraint, a restraint that is now fading fast.
Her red hair falls along her slender shoulders, framing her face even more beautifully. It’s as though clothes had a way of impeding just how perfect they look.
Her green eyes shine like jewels, and her cheeks tint a mild pink.
Her delicate arms rest loosely on her wide hips. Her curves are like breadcrumbs for my eyes, leading them on until they fall on the small, well-tended bush just on top of her center.
Her breasts are immaculate. Thick, full, yet there is a firmness to them. Her areoles perfectly encircle her pink pointy nipples in a way that makes me almost salivate.
I swallow hard.
“By the moon, Goddess, you surely were not made to be in clothes.” The words fall out of me like a man entranced.
Her cheeks flush a deep red, and she crosses her arms over her chest. “Do you have any clothes here?”
I smirk. “Unfortunately, no. But we’ll manage.”
She huffs, a kind of resignation crossing her features that threatens to give me a stiff member. But then her expression changes as she takes in her surroundings for the first time.
I watch as her eyes roam to the hot spring, sparkling under the dim lights. Then to the wine cellar, the refrigerator and even the projector.
“I told you. I made it into my own personal heaven.” I say, unable to keep the pride out of my voice.
I head towards the wine cellar, retrieving some wine and picking up snacks from the refrigerator. “Coming here to watch movies is always one of my favorite things to do,” I say.
“Oh, that’s perfect,” she starts, excitement riddled in her voice, “I would love to see one of your movies.”
Her words catch me off guard. I swallow hard, a flicker of nervousness coursing through me. Acting has always been my passion, but no one in my family takes it seriously. None of them have ever watched my movies, and the thought of sharing this part of myself with her feels strangely vulnerable.
Still, I nod. “All right,” I say, keeping my voice steady. “Let’s do it.”
I cue up one of my favorite performances on the projector and lead her into the spring, pouring her a glass of wine as the film begins.
As the movie plays, I can’t help but steal glances at Danae, searching for any hint of her reaction. My heart races with every scene, every line.
What if she doesn’t like it? What if she thinks I’m a joke?
When the credits roll, she turns to me, her eyes shining. “Adriel,” she says, her voice filled with wonder, “this was brilliant. You’re amazing. You’re such an amazing actor.”
I laugh, though it comes out quieter than I intend, almost bashful, which isn’t like me at all. It only makes her press on.
“The character,” she says, leaning closer, her excitement spilling over. “It was like you transformed completely. You were so vulnerable, especially in those crying scenes. And that accent…Oh, my goodness, you have to teach me how to do that. It was flawless.”
Her words. Hearing them, seeing the way her face lights up, pulls at something deep in me. Relief. Gratitude. Something more. It’s a strange mix of emotions, all tangled up, like the kind of feeling you didn’t know you were missing until it hit you. I’ve never had anyone I care about talk about my work like this. Never had someone looked at me like this.
She tilts her head, catching the pensive look on my face. Her voice softens, a gentle nudge in the quiet. “Are you okay?”
I take a deep breath. “It’s just ever since I was a kid, my parents wanted me to follow in Silas’ footsteps, to be a part of the family business. But acting has always been my dream. My passion. And none of them have ever taken it seriously. None of them have ever even watched my movies. So hearing you say I’m great. It means more than I can put into words.”
She moves closer, her hand finding mine under the water. “You’re an amazing actor,” she says softly. “And it’s so inspiring that you followed your dreams, even when it wasn’t easy.”
Hearing her say that, in the way she says it. It warms me more than the water in the spring ever could. My fingers grip the space between hers tighter.
It’s tight enough that she looks at me, and I look at her too. Our eyes seemingly locked onto each other.
“Danae,” I say in a heave, feeling myself pull closer into her.
“Adriel.” She says in the softest voice I’ve ever heard. I can feel myself pulse under the water. The pull to her is damn near uncontrollable now.
I lean in slowly, eyes never breaking out of the spell her green eyes have cast on them.
“Adriel,” she calls again. Her voice is gentle, hesitant.
But she doesn’t pull back. My lips graze hers gently. I take her lower lip slowly.
But then she pulls away suddenly, her face flustered even as she tries to stop herself. Her beautiful green eyes stay on me, and I can see the struggle inside her. Maybe she’s fighting the same battle I am, a battle I’ve already lost, the battle against this need for her.
“Is this…Should we?” She tries to speak, but my desire is too great.
“Danae, I need you,” I say, my voice hoarse with desire.
I kiss her again, and this time, there’s no pulling back. Her hand trails to the back of my neck, pushing my lips deeper into hers.
I move my hand into the spring, and it moves effortlessly, finding a different hot spring, her hot spring. The one I’ve wanted to swim in since the moment I laid eyes on her.
I swirl my fingers around her entrance, and she moans into my mouth. Seeing her like this is so exciting, and I want to see more. I thrust my finger into her, and she pulls her lips out of the kiss, letting out a soft moan.
“Oh fuck.”
I move my lips to her ear, whispering as I finger her. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted to do this?”
She bites her lower lip at me when I look at her face again, and that sight fuels me.
I take my finger out of her, pulling it up to my mouth and tasting every drop of her juice the spring hasn’t washed off my hand.
But it isn’t enough, not nearly enough to satisfy the hunger tearing through me right now. I need to taste her, to eat her.
Her face is still flushed with anticipation, and it switches to mild confusion as I begin to take in a long, slow breath, filling up my lungs.
I wink at her before I sink myself into the spring, completely submerged in the water and now completely wrapped between her thighs.
The meal I’m here for looks just as steaming as this spring, and I gently caress it with my tongue. It doesn’t take long for desperation to overwhelm me, and I lap at her, holding her hips tightly in place.
I can feel her quake, her body moving in response to the sensations I’m sending through her, and it thrills me, pushing me to do more. I thrust my tongue into her pussy, feeling her tender walls.
I’m getting breathless, but I don’t stop. I let the need for her take me completely. She’s the only source of air I have right now as my mouth moves frantically, slurping up her juices.
I’m stuck to her now. My mouth clings to her core like a desperate leech to its prey. I suck on her like she’s the only thing keeping me alive, her sweet juices the only liquid I taste, the only air I breathe.
My nose grazes her pulsating fleshy clit, and I feel goosebumps form on my skin as I hear her muffled moans, even as I’m submerged in the spring.
She rattles in my arms, her body erupting in a feverish quake, and I come up for air. The moans from her lips crash into my ears once my head rises above the water, and the sight of her, completely wrapped up in pleasure, makes me feel like I’ve just won an award.
“Adriel.” She says, her voice coming out in a gasp, sending anticipation through me.
She moves now, pushing herself onto me and wrapping her legs around me.
I don’t hesitate. Danae has a way of ripping my patience and composure to shreds. I thrust into her, the sensation causing us both to moan loudly.
My hand finds her ass, and I grab it, pulling her even closer to me as I thrust into her.
Her hair whips back as her head moves in a frenzy, and the thrill it sends through me is intense. She's always so poised. Seeing her like this drives me to my wit's end.
“This is crazy! Your cock feels so good inside me.” She says, her eyes glazed as she looks at me.
“I never want to stop Danae.” My voice is hoarse, almost unrecognizable to even me, “I never want to stop fucking you.”
She bites her lip again, and it drives me insane. I thrust harder, faster. She meets me all the way, throwing her hips at me as if possessed by the same lust filled spirit that engulfs me. Her body trembles, getting closer and closer to a near mind shattering pleasure.