?Chapter 928:


    Terror shot through me. My eyes flew wide open, my hands desperately shoving against the solid wall of his chest. “Mmph… mmph…”


    The aphrodisiac coursed through my veins like liquid fire, its effects intensifying with every heartbeat. My strength ebbed away like the tide, leaving my body pliant and helpless against him.


    Without warning, a flurry of urgent knocks shattered the tense silence. Alden’s voice drifted through the door, familiar and unexpected. “Ailyn, are you back?”


    At the sound, Jett’s iron grip faltered just enough. Summoning everyst fragment of strength within me, I wrenched myself free and bolted toward salvation.


    The door flew open with a thunderous bang. Alden stood frozen on the threshold, visibly startled by my sudden appearance. My wild, disheveled hair and rumpled clothing told their own story, but I couldn’t spare a thought for appearances. I darted past him without hesitation.


    “Ailyn, you…” Alden’s words died on his lips as he took in my state, but he quickly regained hisposure. With swift determination, he stepped forward and caught my arm, concern etched across his features. “Ailyn, what happened?”


    The moment his fingers brushed my skin, the heat inside me roared to life, a wildfire racing through every nerve ending. My legs—traitors that they were—buckled beneath me, and I copsed helplessly into the cradle of his arms.


    Alden caught me instinctively, his strong hands steadying my trembling form as confusion clouded his expression. His palm pressed gently against my forehead. “Ailyn, why are you burning up like this?”


    The aphrodisiac had reached its cruel zenith, my rationality hanging by a thread as desire threatened to consume me whole. I clenched my teeth until my jaw ached, fighting desperately against the primal need wing at my insides.


    “Let me go…” My voice emerged broken, barely recognizable as my own. “Let me go…”


    But Alden’s hand remained firm against my fevered skin, his brows knitted with worry, his eyes dark with concern. Urgencyced his words. “You must have a fever. You’re burning up so badly—how can this be?”


    “No… I’m not…” I shook my head weakly, each word a battle. “It’s really not a fever… just let me go…”


    My pleas fell on deaf ears, making no impression on Alden’s resolve. Without a moment’s hesitation, he bent and gathered me into his arms as effortlessly as if I weighed nothing at all.


    I struggled feebly against his chest, my resistance as meaningless as a butterfly fighting a hurricane. Atst, I surrendered to his embrace as he carried me swiftly toward his quarters.


    Throughout the journey, I fought the merciless torment of the aphrodisiac, my consciousness flickering like a candle in the wind. Time lost all meaning until I felt Alden’s gentle hands lowering me onto the soft embrace of a couch.


    The moment I left the sanctuary of his arms, my body copsed against the cushions like a marite with severed strings, utterly devoid of strength. Waves of desire crashed over me, leaving me gasping. My hands clutched the edge of the couch, nails turning white as I fought the unbearable heat.


    Alden leaned down, feeling my forehead again. His brows tightened with worry. “Ailyn, you’re getting even hotter. This isn’t right. I need to find a doctor—just hold on.”


    With that, he began to rise.


    “No! Don’t go!” Panic surged within me. I was terrified of rousing suspicion. From somewhere deep inside, I found strength and grabbed Alden’s wrist. “I’ll be fine… I just need to endure it.”


    .


    .


    .