<h4>Chapter 272: Want to Mark You</h4>


    <strong>****************</strong>


    <strong>Chapter 272</strong>


    <strong>~Valerie’s POV~</strong>


    Dristan’s wolf was close to the surface and all too close. I could feel the heat radiating off me, his need.


    I shuddered slightly, though it wasn’t from fear but from something else, warmer, more hotter and wilder because my wolf was exacting in the same manner.


    Still, I didn’t look away.


    And I didn’t stop biting my lip.


    Even when his jaw tightened and his hands clenched at his sides like he was physically holding himself back.


    He leaned in just a little closer. His voice dropped to a dark whisper, filled with hunger. "Keep looking at me like that, mate, and I swear to the gods, I won’t stop at bathing you."


    My whole body shivered.


    But I still didn’t drop my gaze.


    I did not know why, whether it was because of Astra or not but I dared myself and stared deep into his eyes.


    His breath ghosted against my lips as he leaned in, close enough that every exhale warmed my skin.


    Then I heard him whisper, a little rough and raw. "I fucking love you..."


    My heart stopped.


    And before I could react—before I could even breathe—his lips crashed into mine.


    His lips were firm and hungry, like he’d been holding back for far too long.


    My fingers clutched his shirt as the world tilted, his mouth moving over mine with a kind of desperate tenderness that made my knees weak and my stomach twist with heat.


    He kissed me like I was his oxygen with no intention of letting me go.


    And for that moment—I didn’t want him to.


    I didn’t want to be anywhere else but here in Dristan’s arms, in his kiss, in his love.


    My lips were still tingling from the kiss when Dristan’s hands slid down my sides, possessive, warm, and firm.


    He tugged the ck shirt I wore—his shirt—up and over my head. I gasped lightly against his mouth as the chill of the air kissed my skin, now bare except for my tank top.


    His mouth didn’t leave mine as his fingers slid up beneath the tank and pulled that off too.


    "Dristan," I whispered, voice shaky, but I didn’t stop him.


    He didn’t say anything. He just kept kissing me, moving backwards slowly as he led me toward the bathroom.


    Somehow, his ck singlet was off too, and I vaguely remembered yanking it up over his head as our mouths danced and our hands explored.


    Which shouldn’t be since I was avoiding them but now, everything was heating up. His skin was hot against mine, and every inch of contact burned.


    We were breathless when he finally paused in the doorway of the bathroom, his chest rising and falling, his eyes dark with something fierce. Then, gently, he carried me in.


    Dristan dropped me to my feet in front of the mirror and kissed me again slowly this time, but deep.


    And then, his fingers moved to my back, sliding the straps of my sports bra down my arms.


    I shuddered, gasping when his thumb grazed over my nipple through the fabric. My knees almost gave out.


    But he didn’t stop.


    He pulled the sports bra over my head, and as my arms lifted, I felt him tense. Felt the way his hard length poked me through his trousers. My breath caught.


    Then suddenly... click.


    The shower roared to life, hot water steaming the ss. I blinked, dazed but before I could say anything, he was gone.


    The door clicked shut.


    "Dristan!" I half-screamed. "Get back here!"


    "Nope!" His voice came muffled through the door. "Drop your trousers and finish your bath. I’ll get you clothes."


    "What? Are you going to give me your boxers too?!"


    "Not a bad idea," he replied with a chuckle. "But I’ll just order new ones."


    I groaned. "Don’t waste your money! My room is literally one door down. My clothes are there."


    A pause. Then, "Fine. I’ll grab them. You bathe."


    "No... sigh. Just do what you want."


    I sighed, turning to face the stream of water. As I stepped under it, the warmth cascaded over my skin, washing away the dirt, the sweat, and the fear.


    But it couldn’t wash away his voice when he muttered. And something about not having my ne, made my senses way sharper.


    "I want to make love to you, Val."


    I froze while picking up the soap, my heart hammering in my chest.


    Did he just—?


    I waited, expecting him to continue. But he didn’t.


    "Did you say something?" I called.


    "Oh... nothing. Just shooing Soren," he lied.


    I bit my lip, hard.


    My mind reeled back to the dream I’d had—the wet one—and how real it felt. The way his fingers moved, the way he touched me... my body ached with need just remembering.


    But this wasn’t a dream.


    So instead of saying anything, I focused on bathing. My heart didn’t slow.


    When I finally stepped out and tied a towel around my chest, I cracked the door open, peeking.


    Dristan was seated on the bed, waiting, a fresh oversized white shirt and a pair of ck shortsid out beside him. I stepped out, still damp, my towel clinging to my curves.


    But his eyes didn’t go to the clothes.


    They went to my chest.


    I arched a brow. "You’ve seen my breasts. Why are you looking at them like that through the towel?"


    "That isn’t the issue," Dristan said, brows furrowing. "As much as I want to see more of those goodies—"


    My brow lifted higher.


    He cleared his throat quickly. "I mean... what I’mining about is the towel. Why, out of all the towels, did you pick Axel’s?"


    I looked down and spotted the faint stitched name near my chest.


    Oh. Damn.


    I sighed. "Seriously? You’re jealous over a towel now?"


    "Let me take it off."


    My eyes went wide. "Dristan?"


    He stood up, moving closer. "I don’t like another guy’s scent on you."


    "Dristan..."


    "Let me change that. Let my scent be the only one—"


    "Stop." I raised a hand. "Let me change."


    He didn’t move.


    "Fine," I muttered, grabbing the clothes. "I’m guessing these weren’tid out for you. I’ll wear them. Happy?"


    He smiled, eyes lighting up. "Very. And yes, they were for you."


    I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t stop the smile tugging my lips.


    I pulled the shirt over the towel, then wriggled the shorts on underneath before slipping the towel out from under.


    Then yawned.


    Dristan stepped forward, brushing my hair off my face with a gentleness that made my heart ache.


    "Come on, let’s get you to bed."


    He helped me carry my damp clothes to the washer, started it, then led me gently to my room.


    He tucked me in, pulling the nket over me like I was the most precious thing in his world.


    And just as sleep began to im me, I heard it.


    "I love you," he whispered.


    I didn’t move. Didn’t speak. But I heard every word he said.


    Then came the softest kiss on my lips.


    "I love you, Val," he whispered again. "And I can’t wait to make love to you, mark you, and make you mine. To steal you from the world forever."


    My breath caught but I tried not to say or do anything. Dristan hesitated.


    Then, finally, he kissed me again before walked away.