"Did you see that Cleven has been following Karin around? But it looks like Karin was mad at him," Luren said, glancing at Craige with furrowed brows.
"Uhm… really?" Craige mumbled, distracted as he continued to kiss the sensitive curve of Luren's nape.
Luren pulled back with a huff. "You're not listening to me!" he snapped, placing his palm over Craige's lips to stop him.
But Craige only smirked and licked the center of Luren's hand, making him gasp.
"Craige!!" Luren yanked his hand away, a flush rising to his cheeks.
Unfazed, Craige met his eyes with a teasing grin.
Luren, still pouting, crossed his arms. "Do you think he likes Karin?" he asked again, genuinely curious and completely uninterested in Craige's current desire.
"Baby, Cleven was straight as a ruler," he said, a little irritated. "He liked women. Karin is just his friend."
"But you liked women before too," Luren replied, not stopping. "Maybe there's something going on between them, just like us," he added excitedly, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Craige's eyebrows knitted in annoyance.
"When did you become so interested in other people's affairs, my duchess?" he asked, tilting Luren's chin up. "Why don't you focus
on me?" He leaned in and captured Luren's lips in a deep kiss.
Luren kissed him back, but after a moment, he gently pushed him away.
"I'm not in the mood right now, Craige," he said quietly, his voice unusually distant.
Craige froze, stunned. Not in the mood? Since when?
"Are you kidding me, baby? I'm rock hard right now," Craige said, his voice laced with disbelief and frustration as he grabbed Luren's hand and pressed it against his arousal. "Do you feel this?"
"C-Can you just… do it yourself? I'm tired, and I'm really not in the mood," Luren muttered as he lay on the bed, pulling his hand away from Craige.
Craige blinked, caught off guard. "I can't believe I have to take care of myself when you're right here," he said, flabbergasted and visibly frustrated.
Refusing to give up, he lay beside Luren, lips brushing against his ear before trailing down his neck. His hand slipped under Luren's
shirt, fingers slowly massaging his chest.
"Craige!" Luren snapped, his irritation now clear.
"What's wrong?" Craige asked, still teasing as he gave Luren's nipple a playful pinch.
"I told you, I want to sleep!" Luren raised his voice, pushing him back with more force this time. "Stop touching me and go release
yourself in the bathroom if you're that desperate!"
Craige froze, genuinely stunned by the sharpness of Luren's tone. He stared at him for a moment, the rejection sinking in.
"O-Okay… don't be mad," Craige said quietly, guilt softening his voice. "I won't force you. I'm sorry."
He got up without another word and walked to the bathroom, the sound of the door closing behind him echoing the silence left in the room.
When Craige came back, he was stunned to find Luren already fast asleep, his breathing soft, his back turned. For a moment, Craige just stood there, staring. He really meant it, Craige thought, a mix of guilt and disbelief tightening in his chest. He let out a long sigh, the frustration slowly giving way to quiet resignation. Then, with a heavy heart, he slipped into bed beside him, careful not to wake him, and stared at the ceiling in silence.
Craige slowly woke up to find Luren nestled against him, his head resting gently on Craige's chest. A soft smile tugged at Craige's lips as he looked down and pressed a tender kiss to Luren's hair.
"Is my baby's tantrum over?" he whispered playfully, brushing his fingers through Luren's hair.
Luren let out a sleepy hum. "Hmm… I'm sorry, my love," he murmured, his voice drowsy and full of guilt. "I just… my mood's been all over the place yesterday."
Craige's expression softened, his heart aching a little at how vulnerable Luren sounded. He tightened his arms around him protectively.
"It's okay," he whispered with warmth. "Maybe it's just the pregnancy… But whatever it is, I'm here. You don't have to go through it alone."
"Come on, let's have breakfast. I heard you're going to the hot spring today?" Craige said, leaning down to pinch Luren's cheeks gently before planting a kiss on his forehead.
"Yeah..." Luren mumbled, his arms lazily wrapping around Craige's waist as he rested his cheek against his chest. "You're not joining us?"
Craige ran his fingers through Luren's messy hair, pressing a soft kiss to the top of his head. "I've got work to do today," he said with a sigh. "But I'll catch up once I'm done. Just enjoy yourselves for now."
Luren gave a sleepy little whine, tightening his hold around Craige. "I want to go back to the cabin again…"
Craige smiled and hugged him back, resting his chin atop Luren's head. "We will, baby," he whispered. "Let's spend the night there again soon, just the two of us, no distractions."
---
Luren, Clara, Karin, and Velzra were enjoying their time in a secluded hot spring nestled deep within the cold, snowy mountains. Unlike the private one Craige had taken Luren to before, small, quiet, and hidden between narrow rocks, this spring felt vast and open, surrounded by towering cliffs and
pine trees dusted with fresh snow. Steam gently rose from the warm, crystal-clear water, swirling into the chilly air and creating a dreamlike haze. The contrast between the biting mountain breeze and the soothing heat of the spring made their skin tingle, adding a thrilling sense of calm and wonder.
Luren leaned back, closing his eyes, a contented sigh escaping his lips. "This
place feels magical," he murmured, the peaceful silence broken only by the
bubbling water and distant calls of mountain birds.
"I wish Yael could've come with us," Clara sighed as she leaned back, enjoying the soothing warmth of the hot spring. Steam curled gently around her shoulders as snowflakes melted upon touching the surface.
"He can't hike the trail anymore. His tummy's already full-term," Velzra replied, pouring deep red wine into their glasses. He handed
them out one by one with a casual grace—except for Luren, who received a glass
of fresh milk instead.
"You think it's alright that we left Roan behind?" Karin asked, a hint of guilt in his voice. They had quietly slipped away without
telling anyone, not even Cleven or little Claren knew they were gone.
"This place is only a few minutes' hike from the manor," Luren said, taking a sip of his milk as he leaned against the smooth rock. "I
think it'll be fine… Besides, this is the first time in a while we've had a moment to truly relax."
"Velzra, did you finish the concoction you're making? What is it for?" Luren asked, noticing how focused Velzra was, surrounded by bottles and herbs in the lab.
Velzra's cheeks turned pink. "Y-Yes… it's a surprise for Venn," he admitted shyly, avoiding their eyes.
"Whoa, now I'm really curious, what kind of surprise?" Clara asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Velzra looked around nervously, then motioned for them to come closer. "I can't say it out loud," he whispered.
Everyone huddled around him, forming a tight circle as he leaned in and whispered the secret into their ears.
Clara's face turned red instantly. "T-That's hot…" she muttered, fanning herself.
Karin and Luren were just as stunned, their faces flushed in surprise, but they couldn't stop smiling.
"You are truly a seductress in disguise," Luren teased, bursting into laughter.
Karin chuckled but then grew quiet for a moment. His thoughts drifted to Cleven, he still hadn't spoken properly to him, yet he kept hovering close.
They were enjoying their time in the open hot spring, the steam rising in gentle swirls as they laughed and talked about random things. The surrounding mountains were cloaked in snow, silent and still—too still.
Suddenly, masked men emerged from the mist like shadows, surrounding them with drawn daggers and swords. No footsteps. No warning. They had already closed in before anyone noticed.
"Who are you?" Velzra demanded, his voice echoing in shock. But before any answers came, each of them was seized and dragged in separate directions.
They struggled, Luren kicked wildly, Velzra shouted, and Karin thrashed against the grip holding him, but the masked men were stronger, precise, and merciless. Panic surged in their chests as their bodies were
forced into the snow, the warmth of the spring left behind like a dream.
Clara, unnoticed, had been just far enough from the attackers. Her heart pounded in her chest as she realized no one had grabbed
her. Trembling but determined, she crouched low and slipped through the steam, then ran with all her might into the forest.
"Drag them away, kill the woman," barked the leader, his cold voice cutting through the mist as he tightened his grip on Luren's arm.
"No!!!" Luren shouted, grabbing a stone and hurling it with all his strength at the masked man chasing after Clara.
"Help meee!!!" Clara screamed, her voice echoing through the cold mountain air as she ran down from the hot spring, slipping slightly on the wet stones.
"Umph… let go!" Karin gritted his teeth, thrashing against the iron grip of his captor, while Velzra struggled beside him, his eyes wide with panic and fury.
"We need to move, she's making too much noise!" one of the masked men growled. Without hesitation, they dragged the omegas in separate directions, disappearing into the thick mist, their footsteps muffled by the snow-covered ground.