Colliding Dreams

Chapter Thirty-Four: Little Wolf

[Luna's POV]

The early morning light peeked through the curtains, casting a soft, golden glow across the room. I stirred, still wrapped in Darius's arms, his warmth pulling me further into the blissful cocoon of our bed. The steady rise and fall of his chest pressed against my back, his breath tickling my neck. I shifted slightly, feeling the firm press of his body molded against mine, the feel of his hand resting on my hip, fingers idly stroking small circles.

"Mmm, you're awake, little wolf," his voice, low and husky with sleep, sent a ripple of desire through me.

A smile tugged at my lips as I turned to face him. His gold-red eyes, slightly heavy from sleep, met mine, and I felt the familiar warmth spreading through me. "Good morning, ma cherie," he whispered, his lips brushing against my forehead, trailing down my cheek until they hovered over my mouth.

"Morning," I whispered back, already feeling the pull between us. His hand slid from my hip to the small of my back, tugging me closer, his heat and scent intoxicating. I shifted, my leg moving to drape over his, pulling myself onto him.

"You know," he teased, his breath warm against my lips, "I could get used to waking up like this every morning."

I smirked, letting my hand trace the hard lines of his chest, feeling his muscles flex beneath my touch. "You're not tired of me yet?" I teased, pressing a soft kiss to his neck, trailing lower, tasting the salt of his skin.

"Never," he growled, flipping us so I was pinned beneath him, his hands bracing on either side of my head, his body pressing me deeper into the mattress. My breath hitched as his mouth found mine, our kiss deepening, hungry, filled with all the intensity we shared. His lips traveled down my jaw, leaving a blazing path across my neck, while his hand slid down the curve of my waist, pulling me closer until there was no space between us.

I arched into him, a moan escaping my lips as his hand explored further, my body reacting to every touch, every kiss. Our breaths mingled, and soon, nothing existed but the two of us, tangled in sheets and passion. Time seemed to stand still as we lost ourselves in each other, over and over again, the morning sun forgotten.

By the time we finally emerged from the bedroom, the sun had climbed high into the sky, casting a warm glow across the castle grounds. The morning chill had given way to the steady warmth of late morning, and the soft hum of nature surrounded us as we walked down the halls. I felt Darius's hand at the small of my back, a gentle and constant reminder of his presence beside me. His touch always grounded me, but today something felt... off.

My stomach growled, the deep, hollow rumble almost making me laugh. I hadn't realized just how hungry I was until that moment, and the thought of food seemed to perk me up, even as a faint, lingering unease tugged at the edges of my mind.

"Hungry, little wolf?" Darius chuckled softly beside me, his voice a mixture of affection and amusement.

I nodded, offering him a small smile. "Starving."

As we entered the dining hall, the tantalizing aroma of breakfast hit me. Freshly baked bread, eggs, and something sweet—maybe honey or syrup—wafted through the air, making my mouth water. The long table was already set, and platters of food waited for us. Darius pulled out a chair for me, but as I stepped forward to sit down, something shifted inside me.

The hunger that had gnawed at me moments ago vanished in an instant. Instead, a wave of nausea rolled through me, sudden and intense, like a crashing tide. I froze, my hand hovering over a plate as I reached for food. My stomach turned violently, and I could feel the blood drain from my face.

"Luna?" Darius's voice, usually so calming, now held a thread of concern. He noticed my hesitation instantly, his sharp eyes narrowing as he studied my face. "What's wrong?"