Chapter 95: Guilt and Realisations
Ronan gazed at Riven, noticing the way his chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. His little wolf had fallen asleep, his face peaceful and free from the tension that had gripped him earlier.
The remnants of their closeness still lingered, but seeing Riven finally resting, Ronan couldn’t help but smile. A soft, genuine smile that no one else had ever seen before.
Carefully, he lifted his hand and brushed a few stray strands of black hair away from Riven’s forehead. His fingertips moved with the utmost tenderness, afraid that even the slightest pressure might disturb his sleep.
Riven’s cheeks were still flushed, the faint pink hue spreading to the tips of his ears. Ronan’s heart swelled with affection and guilt. He was gentle... At least much as he could be. He pushed away all the voices in his head that stirred up desires... Desires that would leave Riven in an even worse state.
Leaning back slightly, Ronan allowed his eyes to travel over Riven’s relaxed form. The marks he’d left on Riven’s neck were starting to darken, a testament to their bond and the passion they’d shared.
A small pang of guilt shot through him—he hadn’t planned to be so rough. It was his first time going through a rut, and he didn’t anticipate how overwhelming it would feel. He wanted to be careful, to treasure Riven and not hurt him, but primal instincts had made it nearly impossible to maintain his composure.
Now, seeing the scene in front of him... Did he even manage to have self-control? He did, but it was not enough. He sighed a little. Still, he felt extremely refreshed. So was it not his duty to take care of his mate?
He remembered how his mate had clung to him, pulling him closer when Ronan tried to restrain himself. It was a miracle Riven didn’t hate him even more after this.
With a deep breath, Ronan carefully adjusted his position, making sure not to wake his mate. The room felt colder now that the heated tension had faded, and he glanced around for something to cover Riven with. His own shirt was draped on the floor nearby, so he reached over and picked it up. The fabric was slightly wrinkled, but it would do.
He hesitated for a moment, taking in Riven’s bare chest. The soft lines of his muscles and the gentle curve of his shoulders made Ronan’s pulse quicken again. He swallowed hard, fighting against the urge to simply lean down and kiss every inch of his mate’s skin. It would be too selfish. Riven needed rest, not more of his reckless passion.
With careful hands, Ronan slipped the shirt over Riven’s head, guiding his arms through the sleeves. Riven stirred slightly, his eyebrows knitting together, but he didn’t wake. Ronan couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Even half asleep, his mate was still a little grumpy.
Once the shirt was properly on, Ronan buttoned it up, his fingers lingering on each button as if memorising the motion. The way Riven looked in his clothes made his heart flutter.