Suddenly, there was a whirlwind of movement in the room, and in he burst - none other than Yuri! Bathed in the soft, ethereal glow of the moonlight, he stood there, a shadow against the fading light. And who does he find but Mia, sprawled out on the floor, covered in a sheen of sweat. The air hung heavy and quiet, broken only by her ragged breaths. With a tender touch, he lifted her up and settled her back onto the bed, wrapping an arm around her waist gently.
"Hey," he whispered, rubbing her back as she struggled to calm her racing heart. "Just a dream, Mia. It's okay, you're safe now." Gradually, her breathing slowed, and she peered at him wearily. The two of them lay there, locked in a silent gaze, until Mia finally spoke, her voice soft and vulnerable. "It felt so real..."
Yuri simply nodded in understanding, a small smile gracing his features. In a sudden, sweet gesture, Mia leaned in and pressed a kiss to his lips, catching them both off guard. Blushing furiously, she sighed and settled back onto her pillow, thoughts of much-needed sleep swirling in her mind. Meanwhile, Yuri sat there in the darkness, contemplating their next move.
After what felt like an eternity, he made his decision. Leaning in, he captured her lips in a kiss filled with longing and desire. Mia responded eagerly, pulling him closer. Their kisses grew more intense, more urgent, until Yuri gently pushed her onto her back, his hands exploring every inch of her with a hunger that left them both breathless.
But then, he paused, confusion clouding his features. "Why...why did you stop?" she whispered, his gaze locked on Mia's body. She followed his gaze, only to discover a heart-shaped rune glowing softly on her belly in the darkness.
"What the fuck?!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with fear. Yuri gazed at her, captivated by the mysterious glow. Slowly, he leaned in once more, his fingers tracing the delicate lines of the rune, his breath stirring goosebumps on her skin. The moment hung heavy with anticipation, until she finally spoke again.
"What is this?!" she repeated, her eyes searching his for answers. "My mother is going to kill me!"
Yuri stood there in silence, his eyes fixed on the rune before slowly turning his gaze back to Mia. There was no fear or shock in his expression, just a thoughtful contemplation. Mia couldn't help but stare back at him - he looked stunning in that moment, like a beautiful creation of nature rather than a mere man, with his sharp edges. There was something about his appearance that stirred a deep feeling within her.
"No! No! I was just about to be engaged a few hours ago and now I'm getting flirty with a total stranger! That's so unlike me!" Mia's thoughts raced as she tried to push away the strange sensation that was growing inside her. But instead of diminishing, it only intensified.
Yuri reached down, brushing her hair aside and gently cupping her cheek in his hand. Mia gazed at him in wonder, unable to break free from his mesmerizing gaze. Suddenly, he took her hand and placed it against his chest, running his thumb along the back of her hand. A sly smirk crossed Yuri's lips as the electric touch sent shivers down Mia's spine, not from cold but from sheer delight.
Moving closer, he focused his attention on her legs, placing a tender kiss on her ankle and trailing slow kisses up her skin, all the while keeping his eyes locked on hers. Mia blushed deeply as Yuri's lips made their way to her calf, causing her toes to curl involuntarily. When his kisses reached her knee, she bit her lip to stifle any sound of pleasure that threatened to escape.
Yuri couldn't help but smile as he felt Mia shiver once more, this time from the sensation of pleasure. Just as things were getting heated, the sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted their intimate moment. Mia quickly pulled away, her cheeks flushed, only to see the intruder staring at them with a disapproving expression. Yuri let out a low growl as he straightened up, moving away from Mia and assuming a protective stance.
"What do you want wolf?" Yuri's eyes narrowed as he glared at the unexpected visitor, a wolf standing before him. Time was of the essence, and he had no patience for delays. Plans needed to be made, and quickly. He was already behind schedule, and this wolf was not helping the current matters.
"This wasn't part of the plan," Holt growled, his frustration evident in his voice. But Yuri simply lifted his chin, exuding an air of confidence that irked Holt.
"She has accepted my claim," the Yuri stated, causing Holt to shoot a worried glance at Mia, his expression darkening.
"Have you explained to her what comes next after those fiery kisses?" Holt challenged, his gaze locked on the dragon, his annoyance palpable.
"That will be happen once our bonding is complete," Yuri declared firmly, his features twisted in anger.
"You can't be certain of that," Holt interjected calmly. "She has no interest in being a claimed, pregnant mate. She's barely 22"
"Pregnant? I'm on birth control" Mia exclaimed, confusion evident on her face as she turned to Yuri for answers. But Yuri found himself at a loss for words, his thoughts spinning.
"Human contraceptives won't hold back shifter or dragon seed," Holt explained, shaking his head in disbelief. "Especially one that has been waiting centuries to find a mate."
"It's crucial to eliminate the hunters first," Holt added gravely. "And to ensure your Bonding remains intact. Think about what they did to your brother, or what they could do to Mia."
"We'll revisit this later," Yuri growled, turning back to Mia and grasping her hand. "For now, listen carefully. I will take care of you, but you must stay by my side."
"The hunters will think she's still around" Holt interjected. "That works in our favor. But you need to leave before she attracks the unmated wolves in my pack or other alphas in neighboring territories."
Yuri snarled in frustration before speaking to Mia. "I will go, and you will come with me," he decided, rubbing the back of his neck wearily. "We can't afford to lose a potential ally now."
"Do I not have a say in this?" Mia demanded angrily, turning to Holt before continuing her tirade. "Hunters? Pregnancy? I'm lost. What about school? My family and friends?"
Yuri cut in, addressing Mia directly. "We'll address that later," he stated firmly, his tone brooking no argument. "We leave tonight."
"Am I just supposed to abandon everything?" Mia questioned, her brows furrowed in frustration, though she knew deep down the answer.
"This is necessary," Yuri insisted, glancing at Holt. "Your safety is my priority."
"Fine. Fine!" Mia huffed, throwing her hands up in resignation. "I'll go along with it, but I need to speak with my family first."