Rayna's eyes slowly fluttered open.
She stretched herself out of habit, and suddenly,
"Ow! My body! It aches so much! It feels like I was crushed by something."
"Well not exactly crushed but yeah I might have tired you out, love." Soren replied.
Rayna turned around. All the memories of last night came flooding in.
Oh right, my first night with Soren. So, all those female leads didn't exaggerate huh? My body does feel awful after feeling so good last night.
Soren brought something that looked like soup in a wooden bowl and kept it beside her. He sat next to her, giving her a hug and rubbing her back. "Are you in too much pain? Let's go to the healer for a checkup then."
Rayna could see Soren's clear golden eyes filled with concern for her. "It's fine this is normal, I'll get better with time."
Soren nodded. "Okay, here eat the soup. I'll feed you. I already cooled down the soup."
Rayna chuckled.
"Why are you laughing?" Soren asked.
"Nothing, just I'm seeing this new side of you. You were so frigid and cold earlier, but now here you are acting so affectionate with me." Rayna replied.
Soren stared at her face. Then he leaned in and pressed a kiss on her forehead. "You have no idea. I always wanted to be like this with you. I just didn't have a chance and you didn't seem that interested in me."
Rayna raised her eyebrows. "Me? Not interested in you? Why did you have such a thought?"
"You argued and shouted at me. Plus, I saw how happily you giggled...around that Ezra."
Rayna's eyes widened. Soren was pouting. He was jealous! That's so cute!
Rayna cleared her voice. "Well Ezra has that air around him. He makes me feel comfortable and makes me laugh. That's why I smile so much around him."
Soren hugged her again. "I can make you smile too."
"Really? Then let me see. How do you plan to make me smile?" Rayna asked.
Soren withdrew from the hug and went out.
Then he came back after a few seconds and said, "close your eyes."
Rayna didn't question curious what he was going to do. She closed her eyes, a little grin playing on her lips.
Then—
"Alright," he said softly, standing close. "Open them."
Rayna opened her eyes.
Nestled in Soren's palm was a gleaming red gem, the size of a small pebble—deep crimson, glowing faintly under the moonlight. It sparkled like a ruby, pulsed gently with warmth.
Rayna blinked. "What is that?"
Soren carefully took her hand and placed the gem in her palm. "It's called a Pyra Stone," he said. "I won it in a competition back in Beast City. They only give these to the strongest warriors. It's rare."
He looked into her eyes, his voice turning softer. "Whoever consumes it, looks younger, and it boosts strength and stamina too."
Rayna stared at the stone, then at him.
"You're giving this to me?"
Soren gave a small nod. "Yeah. I want you to have it. You're already strong, but this will help you survive better here."
Rayna's heart fluttered.
"I... don't even know what to say." She held the gem tightly. "It's beautiful."
"You're beautiful," Soren said quietly. "And I thought it'd suit you."
Rayna felt a blush creeping up her cheeks—and a big smile at her lips.
Soren grinned. "Told you. I can make you smile."
Before she could reply, he leaned in.
Their foreheads brushed for a brief second, then Soren gently cupped her cheek.
Rayna's eyes fluttered shut just as his lips met hers—soft and warm, like a whisper meant only for her. It wasn't hurried or intense. It was gentle, full of feeling.
She responded instinctively, pressing back into the kiss, her fingers brushing his chest lightly.
When they pulled back, her breath caught.
Soren gave her a small, crooked smile. "That smile again," he whispered.
Rayna laughed under her breath, her heart fluttering. "Yeah... guess you earned it."
"Now open your mouth aren't you hungry?"
Rayna nodded and opened her mouth. Soren fed her slowly.
"Mhm, you're a decent cook." Rayna complimented Soren.
"After eating this, I'll carry you to the river t okay?" Soren said.
Rayna nodded.
After the meal, Soren lifted up Rayna.
"Hey! I'm still naked give me my clothes!" Rayna exclaimed.
"You noticed that now?" Soren smirked. "Don't worry, you're not gonna need clothes while bathing. And besides with me there, no male will dare to look at you."
Rayna buried her face into his chest. Soren carried her and took a flight towards the river. The sky was blue with streaks of sunlight visible through the trees.
Soren landed down near the river. He slowly went down deeper into the river and Rayna climbed down from his arms.
"Be careful." Soren saw a big rock and took its support and leaned on it. He pulled in Rayna to make her back lean on him.
Rayna felt relaxed. The water was cool, and soothed the ache between her legs.
Soren gently cleaned her up. He used the mirael fruit. He knew Rayna liked it.
There were no beastmen around so Rayna felt comfortable. She looked at her reflection in the water. She had red spots on her neck and shoulder. Hickeys. Suddenly her heated moments with Soren flashed her mind.
"Soren was really big. It was my first time so it did hurt but, it was really pleasurable." Rayna blushed. "Plus, Soren is really caring. He is strong, capable, handsome I totally got the jackpot. I'm so glad I met him." She thought to herself.
Rayna looked up at Soren and smiled. She kissed his cheek which made Soren blush.
Hehe. Can never get tired of Soren blushing.
He hugged her from behind and kissed her neck. "My beautiful mate." He nuzzled.
After the bath, Soren carried Rayna back to his treehouse. He dried her with some fur hide.
Ah I could get used to this. Being pampered.
Soren gave her a brown fur top and skirt and said, "Don't wear that white dress, wear this. I'll bring you some better clothes later."
Rayna took the clothes and changed.
"My back's still aching," Rayna muttered, pressing her palm to the sore spot with a wince.
Soren glanced at her, concern flickering in his eyes. "Lie down," he said gently.
Rayna blinked. "What?"
"Just lie down," he repeated, already moving closer.
She hesitated for a moment, then slowly laid on her stomach.
Without another word, Soren knelt beside her and began to massage her back—his hands firm but careful, tracing slow, soothing circles across her tense muscles.
Rayna let out a soft sigh. "Okay... I won't lie—this feels amazing."
Just as Soren's hands worked their magic along her spine, a voice rang out from outside the hut.
"Rayna!" Ezra's familiar tone called, cheerful and smooth. "You in there?"
Soren froze mid-motion, his golden eyes narrowing. He got up and strode over to the window, peeking out. The sight of Ezra standing just outside, relaxed with a basket of fruits in hand, made something flare hot in Soren's chest. The protective edge of the mate bond surged up—instinctive, primal.
Rayna sat up, adjusting her hair. "Soren," she said softly, seeing the tension in his shoulders. "It's okay. Calm down. Let's just go down and say hi."
Soren didn't look convinced. He grumbled under his breath but didn't argue. With a huff, he turned, scooped Rayna up in his arms again, and leapt down from the treehouse smoothly.
Ezra looked up as they landed, his expression cool and unreadable. "Hey, Rayna," he said with a smile, lifting the basket. "Brought you some fruits. You two disappeared last night, so I figured I'd check in. Wasn't sure if you'd eaten."
Rayna smiled. "Thanks, Ezra. That's sweet of you."
Soren didn't say a word—his arm stayed securely around Rayna's waist, his jaw tight, gaze locked on Ezra with a territorial glint.
Ezra's eyes flicked to Soren's possessive hold, then back to Rayna. "So... how are you today?"
Rayna, sensing the tension, smiled to break the air. "I'm good. We were just resting. Long night."
Ezra raised an eyebrow but didn't push. He already got Soren's scent on Rayna, so he got an idea what all transpired last night. "I bet", he replied.
Ezra held out the basket with an easy smile. "Here take it."
Before Rayna could respond, Soren cut in sharply. "We don't need fruits."
Rayna elbowed him in the ribs, sending him a glare. "It's fine. Thank you, Ezra." She reached out and accepted the basket with a grateful nod.
But just as quickly, Soren snatched the basket from her hands. "Okay then. If that's all, you're disturbing us," he said flatly.
"Soren!" Rayna scolded, eyes wide in disbelief.
He didn't even flinch. With a firm grip around her waist, he lifted her into his arms and took off, wings spreading wide as he flew them back to their treehouse.
Ezra remained where he stood, staring up at the sky as the pair disappeared inside the treehouse.
He sighed softly, the smile on his face fading a little bit.
"I need to ask her... soon."