Chapter 138
Tessa’s POV
The bathroom tiles were still warm beneath my feel as I stepped out, towel in hand, my hair damp and curling slightly at the ends.
1 felt fresher though, like the layers of Russia’s bitter cold had finally been scrubbed off my skin…
I caught my reflection in the mirror on the way out and paused.
The denim shorts I wore were snug but comfortable, sitting just above mid thigh, and the white tee I’d chosen was light and airy, fluttering slightly as I moved.
It wasn’t just practical for the heat outside- it was something that felt normal. Something girls wore back home.
Not blood–stained clothes. Not the oversized sweaters I’d once used to disappear in at the compound…
Kane looked up from where he sat on the edge of the bed, eyes scanning me with a warmth that always made my stomach flutter. He was barefoot now, in lightweight grey shorts and a fitted short sleeve top, the kind of casual comfort that still somehow made him look like a walking danger sign.
“Well,” I said, lifting a hand to fan my shirt away from my skin slightly. “This feels weird.”
He raised a brow. “Weird?”
I stepped further into the room. “Being dressed like it’s summer vacation… when a few hours ago, we were freezing in Russia.”
Kane let out a low chuckle and stood, reaching for my hand as he walked toward me. “Yeah. Bit of a shift. Can’t lie, though, I prefer this version of you. Less frostbite. More legs.”
I gave him a light swat on the arm, laughing as he pulled me in and kissed my forehead. “Come on,” he murmured. “They’re putting out food. Rico said something about a meal downstairs.”
We made our way down the wide staircase, our hands still loosely linked, and as soon as we reached the bottom, the faint pulse of music filtered in through the open doors leading to the garden.
Whatever I had expected… it wasn’t this.
The back garden was like something out of a luxury resort magazine. Twinkling lights hung in criss–crossing patterns between the palm trees.
Lush greenery surrounded a long buffet–style table overflowing with platters of grilled meats, vibrant fruits, baked breads, and cold pasta salads glistening under the golden evening sun.
A bar had been set up near the edge of the garden, where two men in matching shirts worked swiftly with blenders and bottles, pouring colorful frozen cocktails into wide–rimmed glasses.
I blinked, “This is… a party?”
Kane paused beside me. “I think it’s just how they do dinner.”
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ET:40 Jue, FOD
Chapter 138
“I feel underdressed for this.
“You look perfect,” he said simply, eyes scanning the crowd.
Laughter and conversation filled the air, music thumping softly under it all It was a jarring contrast to the cold precision of Russia,
Then I saw him….
Across the lawn, standing tall beside the outdoor bat, was Rico cigar still in hand, shirt unbuttoned slightly to reveal the gold chain at his throat, and a striking woman on his arm.
She was stunning in an effortless, fierce kind of way. A red floral dress hugged her figure, stopping just below the knee, paired with black sandals and a confident posture. Her blonde curls were swept into a messy bun that looked accidental but probably wasn’t. Her eyes were sharp, almost feline in how they scanned the space.
As if sensing us, Rico lifted his hand and waved us over with that same easy charm he carried in everything he did.
We crossed the grass and were quickly handed chilled drinks as Rico greeted us.
“This,” he said, draping an arm around the blonde’s waist, “is Fiora. My mate. And the only reason I have any functioning sense of calm left in
me.”
Fiora smiled, her lips painted a soft coral shade that made her look even more sun–kissed. “Pleasure,” she said, her voice smooth and warm. “You must be Alpha Kane and his mate, Tessa.”
I nodded. “I am. This all looks… incredible.”
“Wait until you taste it,” she grinned.
Kane chuckled as he took a sip of the frozen cocktail as did I, and they weren’t kidding.
It was delicious!
Rico turned serious for a brief moment, voice lowering as he leaned towards Kane. “We met at a human center. Fiora and me. The place has gotten ridiculous since then. Policies. Restrictions. They treat humans like paperwork nowadays.” He spat.
Kane nodded, his jaw tensing slightly. “It’s the same back home. I plan to strip the whole thing down once the council is out. Make something more humane again.”
Rico raised his glass to that. “You’ve got my support. Burn it down. Start fresh.”
As the two of them sank deeper into conversation, Fiora’s eyes met mine again. “Come,” she said gently. “Let’s get some food before the men
eat it all.”
Kane hesitated, clearly reluctant to let me wander off, and I felt the warmth of his hand tighten around mine for a second. Rico noticed and grinned.
“I remember those early days,” he said with a wink. “Eyes on them like a hawk. Couldn’t let Fiora out of my damn sight.”
Fiora rolled her eyes. “And you still don’t, Rico.”
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1140 T0G, POD TO
Chapter 138
“I just loow whit
the bed me with realidence, Pard
“I don’t have many friends her she said painty, toshing for a bowl of warm Lithes to stared to talk ve tes either to bu
engle “The w
1 frowned slightly. “That’s sorpriting. You seem…esty to talk to
She smiled at that, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. ‘I’m not thy, and I det at my tongue. That tends to put pengl to Rico doesn’t help!”
I gave a soft laugh as Fiora tilted her head at me, intrigued. “So who do yy have? Back home, I mean? Are the humans
“Just Erin,” I said immediately, glancing across the garden where I finally spotted her. “She’s my best friend, hattacha, bork to Red Two friends to date!*
Fiora followed my gaze, her eyes landing on Erin as I called out, waving her over
Erin joined us quickly, her plate already half–full and her mouth already chewing “Oh my God, try the empatata, the said and a fine, barely pausing to swallow. “They’re magic.”
“Fiora, this is Erin,” I said, smiling. “Erin, this is Fiora- Rico’s mate.”
Erin’s eyes widened slightly. “Oh! Wow. Hi. You’re gorgeous.*
Fiora laughed, brushing it off. “So are you, sweetheart.”
And for the first time in what felt like forever, the three of us just… talked. About food. About the humidity. About sandals and seribums and all the things we’d never had time to care about before.
As though a war wasn’t brewing…
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
