Transmigrated: The Lycan King's Pet-Chapter 356 Under the Moonlight (1)

The fireflies drifted around us in slow, glowing circles, almost like they were giving us their blessing. I wiped the last of my tears with the back of my hand, even though Damon’s thumb had already done most of the work. The air felt cooler against my skin now, and the soft breeze carried the scent of flowers from the edge of the cliff. It was peaceful. Too peaceful, honestly. I was scared to breathe too loudly and break it.

Damon’s hand found mine, warm and steady. He squeezed lightly, and I squeezed back.

"Come," he said.

His voice sounded gentler than usual, the kind he only used when we were alone.

We walked toward the steaming pool near the mountain. The warm mist drifted upward in soft waves, brushing against my face as if it was welcoming us. The ground under my feet felt soft, almost springy with the way the grass grew thick around the water. Somewhere behind us, the waterfall murmured quietly, adding to the calmness that had settled between us.

I dipped my fingers into the water first and blinked. "It’s warm."

"That is why it is called a hot spring," Damon said.

I rolled my eyes and splashed him a little on purpose. He raised his brow at me, pretending to look offended, but his lips twitched like he wanted to smile.

I paused when I heard the faint sound of clothes falling on the ground, when I turned around, my eyes widened like a saucepan.

"What? You like what you see?" Damon asked with a smirk.

"Yes," I said with a shameless smile. Then I proceeded to remove my clothes too, his eyes following every movement I made.

"What? You like what you see?" I said with a smug.

"No."

"What?!"

"I love what I see." His lips pulled into a smile, but it only made him look more sinister.

I stepped into the water slowly. The warmth wrapped around my legs, then my waist, and finally my shoulders. It felt like every tense muscle I had carried for days was suddenly melting away. Damon slipped in beside me, the ripples from his movements brushing against my skin.

He moved closer, close enough that I could feel his breath on my cheek even though he hadn’t said anything yet. We both leaned against a smooth rock near the edge, our bodies half-submerged.

The steam made everything feel softer, almost hazy. My skin tingled every time the hot water shifted.

"Ember," Damon murmured, his voice blending with the quiet sound of the waterfall.

"Yes?" I whispered.

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, his fingers brushed the side of my jaw, slow and deliberate. I turned my head slightly, meeting his gaze. His eyes looked darker in the low light, reflecting the glow of the fireflies and the shine of the moon.

"You look beautiful," he said quietly.

My stomach flipped. "I know," I muttered under my breath.

"How shameless?" he asked, leaning closer.

I looked away, pretending I was admiring the fireflies again so he wouldn’t see how flustered I was, but Damon gently caught my chin and brought my face back to his.

He simply looked at me, taking his time, as if this moment mattered too much to waste by moving too fast. My heart beat harder at the tenderness in his eyes. I hated that he had this power over me... but at the same time, it felt too right.

He finally closed the small distance between us, his lips brushing mine softly at first, almost like he was checking if I would pull away.

I leaned in without even thinking.

His hand slid to the back of my neck, warm and steady, guiding me closer until our bodies touched beneath the water. His other hand found my waist, drawing me toward him slowly. The heat from the spring mixed with the warmth from his body, creating a sensation that spread through me in little sparks.

The kiss deepened naturally, slowly, like we were both savoring it. His lips moved against mine with a quiet hunger that wasn’t rushed but wasn’t gentle either. Every soft pull, every warm press made my breath catch. I felt my fingers drift to his chest, gliding over the wet surface of his skin, feeling the steady beat of his heart under my palm.

He inhaled sharply when I touched him, and his grip around my waist tightened just a little. Not painfully, but firmly, like he wanted to remind me that I belonged here with him.

The kiss broke for a second because I needed air. Damon rested his forehead against mine, our breaths mingling in the warm mist.

"You drive me insane," he whispered, his thumb brushing my bottom lip.

"You started it," I whispered back.

He chuckled, low and warm, and kissed me again. This time it was deeper, slower, and somehow even more intense. His lips moved with a confidence that made my knees feel weak under the water. His fingers slid up my back, tracing my spine in a way that sent a shiver through me despite the heat around us.

I grabbed his shoulders to steady myself, not trusting my legs to keep me upright. He pulled me closer, bringing me flush against him, and my breath hitched. I felt his warmth, his strength, the weight of his emotions pressing against me in every movement.

His lips left mine briefly, trailing to the corner of my mouth, then down to my jaw. The warmth of each touch lingered. My eyes closed on their own, my fingers tightening on his shoulders as small, helpless sounds slipped out of me without permission.

I could hear Layla pacing inside my mind, fanning herself dramatically, whispering something about wanting her turn, but for once, I ignored her.

It was just Damon and me.

He came back to my lips again, capturing them with a slow, claiming kiss. The kind that made time stretch out and everything else fall away. The kiss was soft and heated at the same time, filled with affection but charged with something deeper.

The water rippled softly around us as we moved closer, our bodies fitting together easily. His hand slid along my waist again, gripping gently, pulling me tighter against him. I clung to him, letting my fingers slide into his wet hair.

"I love you," he whispered.

My throat tightened, and I placed my hand over his heart. "I love you too."