Chapter 185: Moonlight and Heartbeats

Words : 1046 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

Evaline: I didn’t realize just how close I was to both of them until that kiss ended and the weight of the moment settled in around us like the cold night air. Draven’s lips left mine slowly, like he was reluctant to part, and before I could gather my breath, I felt Oscar’s strong arm around my waist tighten ever so slightly, pulling me backward until my back met the heat of his chest. His warmth surrounded me, but it was the way his breath touched the nape of my neck that made my skin erupt in goosebumps. I drew in a sharp breath, suddenly hyperaware of everything - of how close we all were, how Draven’s eyes were still on me, now darker with something intense. I felt Oscar’s hand slipping under my sweater, his palm brushing over my blouse-covered stomach with a tenderness that sent sparks dancing along my skin. The mate bonds were reacting to their touches. I could feel their emotions humming beneath the surface like two separate chords, both building in pressure and frequency. Draven’s deaire for me wasn’t just physical - it was emotional, thick with love, longing, and need. And Oscar’s touch was... grounding and possessive in the most delicious way. When Oscar turned my head gently to the side, his lips met mine with a slow, lingering kiss. There was nothing rushed about it, just unspoken emotion poured into the soft brush of his mouth. I melted into the kiss, already breathless from Draven, but now completely lost in Oscar. Then, Draven leaned in, brushing his lips against my throat, just below my jawline, and kissed me there like I was the center of his entire world. A shaky moan escaped me, swallowed by Oscar’s kiss. I was feeling surrounded - claimed, cherished, adored. My fingers clutched the blanket below us for support as I closed my eyes, letting myself feel. Their touches didn’t overlap, they complemented. They were reading each other’s cues like this wasn’t their first time caring for the same person, like they were used to this dance. But I knew better. This wasn’t practiced coordination. This was instinct. Mate bond instinct. Oscar’s hand gently stroked my belly again, lingering there, and I swore I felt a ripple of emotion flow through our bond - something between acceptance and wonder. It wasn’t the full embrace of my pregnancy, but it was something. A beginning. "I can feel your heart racing," Draven whispered against my throat, his hand slipping into mine before he threaded his fingers with mine. "You like this." I smiled softly, still breathless and dazed. "Obviously." "Good," Oscar murmured from behind. "Because we are not rushing anything. But you should know... we both plan to spoil you more than you are ready for." I smiled as I turned my head, catching Oscar’s cheek in a kiss, then looked back at Draven who leaned forward and pressed his forehead against mine. The three of us stayed like that for a while. No one said anything more. The ocean whispered below us. The stars blinked overhead. And time... well, it paused for us. Eventually, the cold seeped through even the thickest layers, and I let out a soft whimper that made both my mates laugh. "Alright, alright," Oscar said as he stood first. "Let’s get our girl home before she turns into a popsicle." "Speak for yourself," Draven added with a grin, helping me to my feet and wrapping his arm around my shoulders. "She’s too warm to be frozen." I shook my head but didn’t protest when both of them flanked me on either side, walking me to the car like two overprotective guards with an arm around me each. The drive back was quieter than before, comfortably so. This time, Draven got the duty to drive while I sat in the back with Oscar, snuggled into his side. The windows were starting to fog slightly from the contrast of cold outside and the heat inside, and I found myself playing with Oscar’s fingers while Draven hummed along softly to the music on the radio. It felt... surreal. Not because I didn’t believe in moments like these. But because I never imagined I would get one. Not after everything. Not after my past. Not after Ethan. Not after I had resigned myself to being alone... even with a child on the way. But here I was, enjoying this warmth with two men who had slowly and painfully grown to care for me, accept me, and even protect me from my own doubts. I didn’t know what the future was holding for us, but tonight, I didn’t need to. When the Academy gates finally appeared in the distance, I sat up straighter. While it took two hours to reach the city, the drive back was only an hour and half long because the Academy was located closer than the Council headquarters. I took my time to look around to make sure there wasn’t anyone to notice me climbing out of the car. "Stop worrying, we aren’t taking the front gate." Draven informed when he noticed me glancing around with worry-filked eyes. "Back gate?" I asked, glancing between my two mates. "That’s right." Moments later, the car stopped outside the back gate of the Academy and I noticed someone waiting there - Rowan. Of course! I was realizing that Oscar and Rowan were slowly becoming partners in crime when it came to me. When the car stopped outside the gates, both of them got out to help me carry the bags. Oscar passed me a smaller one while the rest were handed to Rowan. "Thank you," I said, meaning it deeply. "For everything tonight." Oscar smiled and reached forward to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "We’ll always be here, Eva. Remember that." Draven kissed my hand softly. "Good night, sweetheart." "Good night." I then quickly made my way to Rowan and slipped inside through the smaller side gate. "Who’s going to lock it?" I asked when Rowan didn’t bother to lock the gate. He shrugged his shoulders, not looking bothered at all. "Maybe the same person who opened it." And it turned out we both had no idea who this person was.

Chapter 185: Moonlight and Heartbeats

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