Chapter 49 Valencias POV A surge of anger flared in my chest the moment the words left my lips . I wasnt telling you to stop . The anger wasnt mine I was certain of it now . The intensity thrummed along the invisible string connecting us , an emotion that didnt belong to me flooding my senses . I peeked up at Dante , watching his jaw clench , his icy blue eyes narrowing as he processed my words . Was it him ? His voice was low , restrained , but there was no mistaking the fury simmering beneath . Was it Jaxon ? My breath hitched , and an unwanted wave of shame washed over me . I hated it this automatic reaction , this ingrained reflex of modesty Omegas were conditioned to have . Rationally knew the shame wasnt mine to bear . Yet , the knowledge didnt stop the sting of embarrassment from creeping up my spine . Dantes frown deepened , his gaze locked onto mine , and for a terrifying moment , I thought he was angry at me . I rushed to explain . Yeah , but he wasnt able to do anything . My voice wavered before I quickly added , I kind of bashed a glass on his head , and then Aiden came in , and everything turned out fine . Yeah , at least in this life he wasnt able to actually do anything . Dantes lips pressed into a thin line , his fists clenching . His voice was a low growl , filled with disbelief . Why are you the one feeling ashamed ? You didnt do anything wrong . That bastard deserves a hell of a lot more than a glass to the head . The anger thrumming along the bond grew sharper , darker its intensity curling into something violent . I shivered as his emotions deepened , radiating through me like the discordant strings of a guqin , taut and on the verge of snapping . I could feel Castor becoming tense because of it too . I needed him to calm down right now . Stop , stop that . I reached forward , clasping his hand in mine , my smaller fingers curling around his . Nothing happened , And … I forced a wobbly smile . And its not your fault . If you stop every time I say no , then neither of us will be able to enjoy it . Dantes head tilted , his confusion softening the storm in his eyes . What do you mean ? Heat rushed to my cheeks . I just say stop out of reflex My words caught , my brain serambling to clarify . I mean , not reflex exactly , but sometimes I dont mean it- 1 winced , realizing how bad it sounded . My mouth opened to fix , but nothing coherent came out . Dantes brow furrowed . His eyes widened as though a lightbulb had gone off . Are you saying .. He paused , hesitant before continuing . You enjoy consensual non consent ? My brain screeched to a halt . What ? When his meaning finally clicked , my face flamed hotter than ever . Mortified , I buried my face in my hands . Dante chuckled softly , his amusement cutting through the tension in the room . Theres no need to feel embarrassed . But for safetys sake , we should come up with a safe word . Just in case I peeked at him from between my fingers . A safe word ? He nodded , his expression serious . Something that would let me know you actually want me to stop . 1/3 Tue , Jan 14 Chapter 49 bb I thought about it , remembering a couple BDSM romance books I had read many years before . I nodded hesitantly . Red ? The traffle lights ? Yeah thats simple and works well . Red means stop . Yellow for rest . Green for good . Okay , I muttered quickly , desperate to move past the topic . He smiled faintly . Traffic lights it is . Eager to shift the conversation , I blurted , This bond . Im guessing you can feel it too ? His gaze softened , and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips . Yeah … its kind of amazing , isnt it ? The awe in his expression was almost boyish , so out of place on his usually stoic features . I couldnt help but smile back . Not as amazing as finding out my husband is a dragon and wolfhybrid . My heart thumped loudly . Realizing I had just called him husband I peeked up at his expression and I felt the butterflies in my stomach flutter as I noticed his smile had turned into a smirk We gazed at each other in the slightly weird , slightly tense atmosphere , but none of us made a move . His attention flickered to the egg nestled in my lap . His hand rested on mine , warm and grounding , as we shared a moment of quiet understanding Later that night , the three of us lay together Castor in my arms , and Dante spooning me from behind . The bond hummed softly between us , no longer turbulent but steady and soothing Dantes POV I woke at 4 am , my internal clock pulling me from sleep. Valencia was still nestled against me , her soft breaths stirring the strands of her auburn hair . Carefully , 1 untangled myself from her without waking her . The events of last night lingered in my mind , gnawing at me . Something wasnt right . The bloody tears , the sudden shift in Valencias demeanor it all pointed to something deeper , something I couldnt yet piece together . My gut wouldnt let up , intuition nagging at me like an itch I couldnt scratch . I threw on a shirt and left the room quietly , my steps echoing in the silent corridors . There was only one person who might have answers my father Raiden was already in his office when I arrived , a steaming cup of coffee in hand as he pored over a stack of documents . Dante ? he asked , surprised but not startled . What brings you here so early ? We need to talk , I said , taking a seat across from him . He set his cup down , leaning back in his chair . This sounds serious . I hesitated , organizing my thoughts before diving in . Youve mentioned that Mom knew a lot about dragons about their history , their powers . How ? Raidens expression grew thoughtful . Aurora learned much of it from her mother . Her father was nearly a millennium older , and he passed early . Her mother followed a century later ! His words registered and I stiffened . How old was Mom ? Raidens lips curved into a wistful smile . Around three hundred , give or take . She didnt know her exact birth date , so we made the day we met her birthday . 2/3 14:52 Tue , Jan 14 GUD Chapter 49 Three hundred The number lodged itself in my chest , heavy and unyielding . And dragons , I began carefully , do they all live that long ? Raiden sighed , his gaze searching mine . He knew what I was really asking . Im sorry , son . I dont know the answer to the question youre really asking . Many people in this world would do anything to have more time . To live longer . To become immortal . But the thought of me outliving my loved ones . My father , brother , my Valencia made something in me break . That was the one thing that I feared . I hadnt realized when I had started fearing it , but I had . The thought of being left alone made me want to claw my own heart out of my chest . I swallowed the lump in my throat , my voice coming out strained . Then how do I find out ? Raiden studied me for a moment before reaching into his desk drawer and pulling out a small , intricate key . Follow me . Curiosity sparked in my chest as I rose to follow him . We walked in silence to the elevator , but instead of pressing a single button . Raiden simultaneously pressed 1 and 3 . I frowned , my confusion deepening when a panel in the wall slid open , revealing a hidden button marked 13 . The Silverclaw packhouse was referred to as a mansion but was more like a castle in reality . It was initially supposed to have twenty five floors but one of the floors construction had stopped midway . Leaving it incomplete and it had to be blocked off . What is this ? I asked , my voice low . Raiden didnt answer , his expression unreadable as he pressed the button . I never understood why Father hadnt completed the constructions . 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