Page 58 of Naga Warrior's Mate

She leaned back into his embrace.“Even in the darkest places, there’s always something beautiful worth seeing.”

The scent of her hair filled his senses, making his warrior’s heart race.The urge to say she was his mate burned in his throat, but he swallowed it down.Soon.

Later that night, Dernin settled beside Alaysia near the fireplace of the champion’s suite.Her head rested against his shoulder, her red hair spilling like silk across his golden scales.The peaceful moment made his chest tight with longing.

“Can I ask you something?”Her fingers traced the scales on his arm.

“Anything.”

“This feeling between us...are you sure it’s real?That it will last?”

The hesitation in her voice pierced his heart.He shifted to face her, taking her delicate hands in his.“What I feel for you is more real than anything I’ve ever known.”

“But how can you be so certain?It’s barely been a week.”

This was it—the moment to tell her.His warrior’s heart thundered.“Because you’re my mate, Alaysia.My true mate.”

Her blue eyes widened.“What do you mean?”

“Among my people, we’re blessed with the ability to recognize our perfect match—our destined mate through the mate bond.The moment I first saw you, something inside me changed.Every instinct screamed that you were mine.”He brushed his thumb across her cheek.“That’s why I had to protect you.Why being near you feels like coming home.”

“Mate bond?”Her voice trembled.

“It’s a sacred bond, deeper than marriage or love alone.You’re the other half of my soul.”

Tears sparkled in her eyes as she smiled.“That’s why everything felt so intense so quickly.Why I trusted you when I’ve never trusted anyone.”

“Yes.”He pulled her into his arms, breathing in her sweet scent.“You’re mine, Alaysia.And I’m yours.Forever.”

She pressed closer, her joy radiating through him.“I love you, Dernin.”

The words made his heart soar.He’d been right to wait for this perfect moment to tell her.Now nothing could tear them apart.

“I love you, too, Alaysia.”

Dernin leaned in, claiming Alaysia’s lips in a searing kiss.It was a promise, a declaration, a bond that transcended the physical realm, sealing their fates together as true mates.Her response was fervent, her hands fisting in his tunic, pulling him closer as if she couldn’t get enough of him.

The world around them faded into insignificance, the only reality the two of them and the passion that ignited between them.His tail wrapped around her, a silent testament to his unwavering commitment and the alpha within that would protect her at all costs.

Suddenly, the tender moment was shattered by the sound of a door crashing open.A flood of guards stormed into the room, their armor clanking.

“What’s going on?”Dernin’s voice thundered, his body shifting instinctively to shield Alaysia from the intruders.His muscles tensed, ready to defend his mate with every ounce of his being.

“You’re coming with us,” the lead guard snarled, his hand reaching for Dernin.

“Touch her and you die,” Dernin growled, his eyes flashing with a dangerous light.His warrior instincts kicked into overdrive, his senses heightened, ready to strike.

But the guards were relentless.They swarmed, their hands grabbing, pulling, trying to pry Alaysia from his embrace.Dernin’s tail lashed out, a powerful weapon that sent one guard flying across the room.His fists connected with another, the satisfying crunch of bone beneath his knuckles fueling his resolve.

“Dernin!”Alaysia’s voice pierced through the chaos, her eyes wide with fear and confusion.

“I’ll protect you,” he assured her.He would not let them take her, not after they had just found each other.

Yet, for every guard he took down, another took its place.They were like a neverending tide, and despite his strength and training, the odds were insurmountable.A sharp pain exploded at the back of his head, stars bursting across his vision as he staggered forward.

Through the haze, he saw Alaysia being dragged away, her screams echoing in his ears.His heart clenched, a primal roar tearing from his throat as he fought against the darkness that threatened to consume him.

“Alaysia!”Her name was a plea, a vow, a battle cry on his lips as the world faded to black.

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