Chapter 197: Teasing
She looked up at Wyatt Yardley and gave a gentle smile.
"But it’s not too late now. Let’s formalize our bonding tonight, and never mention the word ’apart’ again."
Wyatt didn’t respond.
Seraphina Caldwell slightly tilted her head, instinctively leaning into his palm.
There was a quiet warmth in the air, slowly flowing between the two.
Soon, the soup in the pot began to simmer, and the aroma wafted out in waves.
Even Gideon Larkin, from a distance, couldn’t sit still anymore and sidled up to the pot, his ice-blue eyes gleaming.
"Is it ready to drink? I’m so hungry that my stomach is sticking to my back!"
He crouched by the pot, his nose constantly twitching.
The steam hit his face, bringing out a fine layer of sweat.
He licked the corner of his mouth, his eyes fixed on the meat pieces rolling in the pot.
Wyatt served a bowl and handed it to Seraphina.
"Drink slowly, don’t burn yourself."
He deliberately picked out the tenderest piece of meat to place on top and moved the red fruit closer to her side.
His wrist steadily supported the bottom of the bowl, only letting go once she fully took it.
Seraphina took it, blew a couple of times, and sipped a mouthful of soup.
The meat was tender and not greasy, the sweetness of the red fruit perfectly masked the gaminess, and the yam was cooked to a soft texture.
With one sip, her whole body warmed up.
The warmth of the soup slid down the throat into her stomach.
She couldn’t help but exhale softly, and the muscles in her shoulders and neck relaxed.
With the second mouthful, she scooped up the yam, which melted in her mouth.
Her eyes lit up, and she smiled at Wyatt.
"It’s so fragrant! Your cooking skills are impressive, much better than I thought."
Wyatt looked at her satisfied expression, his mouth involuntarily curving upwards, casually adding another large piece of meat to her bowl.
"If you love it, eat more, there’s plenty in the pot."
His gaze lingered on Seraphina, unable to tear himself away.
It was only when Isaac Vaughn gave a light cough and discreetly passed a wooden bowl over, gesturing for him to serve himself, that the tension eased.
Gideon frowned but still took the bowl obediently to ladle some soup.
Isaac remained seated, his purple eyes scanning the room.
They eventually settled on Wyatt’s back, and the corners of his lips curved faintly.
Kaelan Hawthorne curled up in the corner, repeatedly poking the meat in his bowl with a spoon.
Seraphina’s soft laughter reached his ears.
His fingers stiffened, and the spoon clanged against the edge of the bowl.
In the past, he went to great lengths to roast the tenderest piece for her.
She would merely nod and thank him, as polite as if there was a veil between them.
But with Wyatt, she would eagerly praise him, her eyes shining differently.
He took a bite of meat; the taste was no different, yet it felt tasteless.
Silently, he picked out the yam and placed it at the side of the bowl.
For later, it’s her favorite, after all.
He carefully pushed aside the broth with the spoon, moving the whole yam to the edge.
Then he continued to eat slowly, shoveling each grain of rice, eating very slowly.
Isaac noticed his expression, his purple eyes flickering slightly, and shook his head.
Don’t rush; Seraphina has just begun to open her heart.
It can’t happen overnight; it has to be gradual.
The fire crackled, casting fleeting shadows on her profile.
The meal was lively, and at the end, Wyatt gestured for everyone else to stay aside.
He picked up the stone pot himself and headed straight for the riverbank.
When he returned, he had a bucket in his arms, steaming from within.
The water had just boiled, and the temperature was perfect.
He walked steadily, leaving deep and shallow footprints in the wet mud.
The bucket was scalding to the touch, but he didn’t mind, using his sleeve to stabilize it.
A few pieces of dried grass floated on the water, which he had casually picked up by the riverbank.
He placed the bucket deep within the cave, using grass to create a windbreak, before quietly telling Seraphina, "You love hot baths the most, don’t you? It’s not convenient on the road, but I’ve heated some water now. Take a soak to relieve your fatigue."
Seraphina was startled, and then her eyes lit up.
She loved baths, but the journey was tiring.
She didn’t expect him to remember such minor details.
She took a few steps over and tested the water temperature.
"How did you know I was particularly eager to bathe?"
Wyatt crouched down, carefully pressing down the grass around the bucket.
"If I can’t even notice these things, am I fit to be your husband? Relax and soak; no one dares to peek."
After speaking, he stood up, took two steps back, and clasped his hands behind him.
Seraphina made a noise of agreement, raised her hand to untie her belt and realized Wyatt was still standing there unmoved, so she pushed his arm.
"Why are you still here? Turn around quickly!"
Wyatt raised an eyebrow, a touch of amusement flickering in his eyes.
"We’re bonding tonight; can’t I even take a glance?"
"No, no, not before the bonding!"
Seraphina’s ears turned bright red, and she pushed him hard, her arms pressing firmly against his chest.
"Turn around now! If you don’t, I really won’t bathe! Even if I stay wet, I won’t take my clothes off and will just get into bed like this!"
Wyatt chuckled softly, his chest vibrating slightly, finally deciding to stop teasing her.
He slowly raised his hands and took half a step back, obediently turning around.
"Alright, alright, I won’t look, whatever you say. Take your time; I’ll keep watch nearby."
Only then did Seraphina let out a breath, confirming he hadn’t turned back before starting to undo the fabric at her waist.
She slipped out of her clothes piece by piece.
When her body was fully exposed to the air, she tentatively dipped her foot into the water.
Feeling the perfect temperature, she slowly slid into the wooden bucket.
The hot water enveloped her body, spreading from her toes to her calves, waist, and abdomen.
Her entire fatigue seemed to be gently kneaded away.
She sighed comfortably, leaning her head back against the edge of the bucket.
The water rose to her shoulders, and the warmth seeped layer by layer into her bones.
She closed her eyes, her breathing gradually becoming steady and long, her eyelids growing heavier.
The flickering candlelight reflected off her lashes, casting a faint shadow.
After a hearty meal and a hot bath, the drowsiness washed over her like a tide, her body uncontrollably relaxing.
She didn’t realize her head had tilted slightly to one side.
Unknowingly, she drifted off to sleep.
Wyatt waited for a long time without any movement, initially thinking she was simply enjoying the bath.
But after a while, with no sound, he couldn’t help it anymore and slightly turned his head to glance back.
He found she had already leaned back, fast asleep.
He stood there quietly watching for a long while.
After a moment, he took a few steps closer, crouched beside the wooden bucket, and gently brushed her chest with his fingers, trailing over her hair.
Wyatt pressed the corner of his mouth, laughing softly.
He stood up, grabbed a dry piece of Beast Skin next to him, bent down carefully, and reached into the bucket bit by bit, lifting her out of the water.
As he held her out, her wet hair clung to her back, her skin glistening with the shimmer of water.
He carried her toward the corner, avoiding obstacles underfoot, without pausing for a step.
There, a thick layer of dry grass and soft skin had already been laid out.
Another piece of Beast Skin was folded on top, both moisture-proof and warm.
As soon as he gently laid her down, adjusting her posture to make her more comfortable.
Seraphina suddenly stirred, her eyelids fluttering, slowly opening her eyes.
A flickering shadow passed in front of her eyes. She blinked, struggling to focus, finally making out the familiar face so close to hers.
"What are you doing here?"
Seeing that familiar face so near, the thought of bonding tonight suddenly leapt into her mind.
Before she could clear her thoughts, Wyatt had already lowered his head, his cool lips almost touching hers, but she gently blocked them.
Wyatt halted, a hint of confusion in his dark red eyes.
"What is it?"
"Where are they?"
Even though she knew that no one would burst in from outside, yet this kind of thing...being overheard would be embarrassing.