108 The Nino Herbs
108 The Nine Herbs
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CHAPTER 108
– Zara’s POV~
I drifted in and out of sleep, a strange sense of warmth enveloping me. The steady thudding of Snow’s heart beneath my cheek pulled me back from my
__nightmares.
Somewhere in between hazy thoughts and half–dreams, I could feel his arm wrapped firmly around me, pulling me close, protectively.
For a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to settle into the comfort of his touch, the steady rhythm like a lullaby that kept the shadows at bay.
But reality snapped back with vengeance when I opened my eyes, realizing that every inch of me was tangled in his arms.
Gulp!
His bare chest pressed against me and… was that his leg tangled in mine?
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I sucked in a sharp breath, careful not to move, my face hovering just inches from his… his muscles firm against my body.
I could feel the rise and fall of his breathing, the warmth of his skin against mine even with the air
conditioner on.
My gaze trailed down, spotting his toned chest inches from my face, his exposed collarbone, and the faint
sheen of a scar there.
I swallowed hard, catching sight of his hand resting at my waist, his fingers splayed just enough to remind me of how close we really were.
I needed to move–now. But as I tried to pull away, my head lifted too quickly, and the top of my skull collided with his jaw in a swift, ungraceful thud.
“Ow!” I gasped, clutching my head, and in an instant, Snow’s grip tightened around me, his other hand instinctively patting my back.
“Easy, Zara, easy,” he murmured, his voice low and soothing, though there was an unmistakable gruffness to it, likely from the rude awakening I’d just delivered.
Once the nain dullad I managed to null hools clichtlu Onna
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frowning up at him. “Why am I wrapped up between you like this?” I demanded, unable to keep the suspicion from my voice. “Why are we… cuddling?”
He gazed at me with that infuriating calm, a smirk teasing the corners of his mouth. “Well, Zara, that’s what a husband and wife are supposed to do,” he said simply, the words rolling out so smoothly I didn’t know whether he was joking or being completely serious.
I huffed, trying to disentangle myself, my legs still awkwardly caught between his. Snow didn’t move, only watched with amusement as I struggled, making the whole process infinitely more difficult.
Before I could even register his next move, he leaned forward, pressing his lips to my forehead in a gentle kiss that froze me on the spot.
“Good morning, wifey,” he murmured. The casual intimacy in his voice took me off guard.
With my heart thumping, I looked up at him, bewildered and suspicious. His eyes softened, and he reached up, cupping my face.
“Did you sleep well? Are you alright?” His gaze bore into mine, searching, and for a split second, I was sure
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I saw something genuine there–something deeper
than what we usually shared
I couldn’t form words, unsure what I felt at this strange turn of gentleness from him. Snow took my silence as something else entirely.
A flicker of a smile tugged at his lips as his gaze drifted from my eyes to my lips, lingering there with a look that made my heart skip another beat.
I swallowed, realizing what he intended a second too late. Just as I tried to pull back, his grip tightened, keeping me close.
His gaze remained fixed on me, drawing me in, His head tilted as he leaned forward, our faces inches
apart.
My breath caught, unable to tear my gaze from his as he drew closer, his eyes gleaming with something… possessive.
And then–a loud knock shattered the moment. We froze as the knock came again, more insistent this
time.
“Zara!” a familiar voice called from the other side, breaking the silence. “It’s Aira. I’m back with everyone”
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The word ‘everyone‘ lingered in the air between us, and for the first time, I saw the faintest flicker of
surprise in Snow’s eyes.
“Everyone?” I whispered, echoing the sentiment, but Aira continued before I could question it further.
“Yes!” she called. “Little Storm and Layla, our pack’s
healer!”
I glanced back at Snow, relieved but disappointed in a way I couldn’t quite place, but the intensity of the moment faded. Snow straightened, a small, almost sheepish smirk crossing his face as he gave a slight nod, releasing me reluctantly.
“Well,” he pulled away just enough to allow me space, though he still looked at me with that lingering warmth. “Looks like we’re having visitors.”
“Yes,” I replied, clearing my throat, sitting up, and smoothing my hair, trying to hide the slight fluster that still clung to me.
The rational part of my mind screamed at me to push \past whatever had just happened, to refocus on
everything else going on. But the lingering heat of his touch seemed to resist the logic I tried so hard to
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grasp.
Snow stood up, walking over to the door just as it swung open. Aira stepped in, her face lighting up when she saw me sitting up.
Her warmth brought a sense of normalcy back into the room as little Storm trailed behind her, his eyes wide with excitement, and beside him was Layla, an older woman with wise eyes and a calm presence.
“Zara!” Aira rushed forward, embracing me tightly. “I’m so glad you’re alright.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, returning the hug. I was happy she was here.
Aira pulled back, her gaze filled with relief as she gave me a once–over, before looking briefly at Snow, who watched us with a small smile.
Layla stepped forward, observing as she looked me over. “Let’s see how you’re holding up, dear,” she said kindly. “We’ll get that wolfsbane out of your system in
no time.”
Snow waited by the door as Layla examined me. I met his eyes and he smiled.
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Then I darted my gaze back to Layla and the things she brought out from her bag–herbs.
As if sensing my confusion, she lifted the herbs in front of me. “The nine herbs. Best in removing wolfsbane from your system.”
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Hiya, sorry for the delay guys… Author was so tired, author slept off!
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