Wolves of Betrayal

Chapter : 26. A day of shyness..

Amara carefully shifted in Darius’s embrace, trying not to wake him as she moved to sit up. But as she did, a dull, aching soreness flared between her thighs, and she winced slightly. She hadn’t expected to feel this tender, but she supposed it made sense after the intensity of their night together. She glanced down at Darius, who remained blissfully asleep, his face relaxed and peaceful. A small smile tugged at her lips; he looked so different like this—less like the commanding Alpha and more like the man she had fallen in love with.

She carefully slipped out from under his arm, trying to ignore the soreness as she stood up and stretched. The soft grass beneath her feet was cool and damp with morning dew, and she shivered slightly in the crisp morning air. She gathered up the blankets and folded them neatly, glancing back at Darius, who was starting to stir. She felt a rush of affection and nervousness all at once. She wasn’t sure why she felt so shy; after all, they had shared such a beautiful moment together. But a part of her was still grappling with the intensity of her feelings.

As she folded the other blankets, she heard Darius’s deep, sleepy voice behind her. “Good morning,” he murmured, his voice husky from sleep.

Amara turned to find him sitting up, rubbing his eyes. His hair was tousled, and he looked adorably disheveled. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. “Good morning,” she replied softly, her cheeks warming. “Did you sleep well?”

Darius nodded, a lazy smile spreading across his face. “Better than I have in a long time,” he said, his gaze softening as it met hers. “Waking up next to you… there’s nothing better.”

Her heart fluttered at his words, but she felt the shyness creeping back in. She knew she was blushing, and she quickly looked away, busying herself with the blankets. “I’m glad,” she said, her voice a little more subdued. “We should probably head back to the packhouse. People might wonder where we are.”

Darius chuckled, getting to his feet and stretching his arms above his head. “Let them wonder,” he said with a playful grin. “But you’re right. We have to head back.”

As they made their way back to the packhouse, Amara found herself walking a little ahead of Darius, avoiding his gaze. She could feel his eyes on her, and she knew he could sense her sudden shyness. She wasn’t quite sure how to explain it; it wasn’t that she regretted anything—far from it. She just felt… exposed in a way she wasn’t used to. She hoped he wouldn’t take it the wrong way.

When they reached the packhouse, Maya was already up and bustling around the kitchen, her apron tied around her waist as she prepared breakfast for the pack. She looked up as Amara and Darius walked in, and her eyes immediately lit up with a mischievous glint.

“Well, well, well,” Maya teased, her voice laced with playful amusement. “Look who’s finally decided to grace us with their presence. And here I thought you two might be missing breakfast.”

Amara’s cheeks flushed a deep red, and she quickly looked down, suddenly finding the wooden floor very interesting. “Maya…” she mumbled, her voice barely audible.

Darius, however, seemed unfazed. He flashed Maya a knowing grin. “Good morning to you too, Maya,” he said, his tone light and teasing. “I see you’re in a good mood today.”

“Oh, I am,” Maya replied with a wink, her grin widening. “Especially after seeing you two sneaking back in here like a couple of teenagers. Did you have a good night?”

Amara’s face burned with embarrassment, and she mumbled something incoherent, wishing she could just disappear. She hadn’t anticipated Maya’s teasing, and she felt her nerves spike. She wasn’t quite ready to talk about last night—especially not in front of Darius. She needed some time to process everything, to settle her own feelings.

Darius chuckled, clearly enjoying Maya’s antics. “We did, actually,” he said, his eyes flicking to Amara with a warm, affectionate gaze. “It was a special night.”

Amara could feel his eyes on her, and she dared a quick glance up, only to find his smile even more disarming than usual. Her heart did a little flip, and she quickly looked away again, mumbling an excuse about needing to help Maya with breakfast. She slipped away to the kitchen, trying to ignore the way her body still tingled with the memory of his touch.

Maya followed her, her grin wide and teasing. “Avoiding him already?” she whispered, nudging Amara playfully. “You know he’s going to want to talk about last night.”

Amara groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Maya, stop,” she whined. “I’m just… I’m feeling a little shy, okay? I didn’t expect you to start teasing me right away! And right in front of him!”

Maya laughed softly, her expression softening. “I’m sorry, Amara,” she said, though the amusement never left her eyes. “I’m just happy for you. It’s nice to see you so… flustered. It’s cute.”

Amara sighed, her cheeks still flushed. “I just… I don’t know how to face him right now. Last night was… a lot.”

Maya’s teasing smile softened into something more understanding. “I get it,” she said gently. “It was a big step, and it’s okay to feel a little overwhelmed. Just give yourself some time. And don’t worry—Darius is patient. He’ll give you all the time you need.”

Amara nodded, grateful for Maya’s support. She knew she was being silly, but she couldn’t help it. She was still trying to wrap her head around everything—what last night meant for her, for Darius, for their future.

For the rest of the day, Amara kept herself busy, doing everything she could to avoid being alone with Darius. She helped Maya in the kitchen, joined a group of pack members in the gardens, and even offered to assist Helena, the pack’s healer, with organizing her herbs. She was determined to keep her mind occupied, but she couldn’t escape the occasional teasing glance or comment from Maya or the knowing looks from some of the other pack members.

Darius, for his part, seemed to respect her space, though she could feel his gaze following her whenever they were in the same room. He didn’t push her, didn’t corner her, but she knew he was waiting for the right moment to talk to her. And as the day wore on, she began to feel a mix of relief and nervous anticipation building inside her. She knew she couldn’t avoid him forever.

That night, after dinner, Amara retreated to her room, finally allowing herself to relax. She changed into a comfortable nightgown and sat on her bed, brushing her hair and trying to calm the nervous fluttering in her stomach. She wasn’t sure what she would say to Darius when she saw him next—how she would explain the strange mix of emotions swirling inside her.

As if summoned by her thoughts, there was a soft knock on her door. Her heart skipped a beat, and she knew it was Darius. She took a deep breath, setting down her brush, and called out softly, “Come in.”

The door creaked open, and Darius stepped inside, his expression gentle and patient. He closed the door behind him and walked over to her, his eyes searching hers. “Hey,” he said softly, his voice a comforting rumble. “You’ve been avoiding me all day.”

Amara’s cheeks flushed, and she looked down, fidgeting with the edge of her blanket. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled. “I just… I didn’t know how to face you after… after last night.”

Darius sat down beside her, his presence warm and reassuring. “You don’t have to feel shy around me, Amara,” he said gently, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Last night was… incredible. But we don’t have to rush anything. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Amara glanced up at him, her eyes soft and vulnerable. “It’s not that I regret it,” she confessed, her voice a little shaky. “Last night was… everything I hoped it would be. I just… I don’t know how to face you after something so intimate. I’ve never… felt this close to anyone before.”

Darius’s expression softened, and he smiled, his hand moving to gently cup her cheek. “I understand,” he said quietly. “And you don’t have to explain yourself. I just want you to feel comfortable, to know that there’s no pressure. We’ll go at your pace, always.”