𝑩𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑾𝒂𝒓 | ✓

𝑬 𝑳 𝑬 𝑽 𝑬 𝑵

The bright rays of the morning's light filtered into Esmeray's room from the thin curtains of the window. This morning was different and, if the sun could see, he would see not one person but two laying there under the tangled sheets of the bed.

A soft creaking noise pulled Tobias from his slumber. His eyes opened and his gaze slid to the side to see the door quietly shut. He glared at the closed door for a moment before rolling his eyes. He was perfectly sure that had been Connor.

Esmeray shifted in her sleep and flinched, her eyes flying open to see Tobias's chest as she became aware of the warmth of his body beside her. Her heart thumped in her chest and she looked up at him. As her eyes met his, the events of the night flashed through her mind and her lips parted softly while her mind grasped why Tobias was in her bed.

"It's just me." He rubbed her leg that was wrapped around him, a small smirk on his lips as he looked down at her. They were still connected, just on their sides now and the knowledge of it had a bigger smirk taking over his face. His canines peeked through his lips and after a moment of peering down into her sleep-softened face, he leaned in and gently kissed her.

Her lashes fluttered and she smiled against his lips. Words could not express the depth of emotion inside her. Love and contentment flowed through her veins with every pulsing beat of her heart. Just like in her dreams, she had him right here and could feel the soft and steady beating of his heart against her chest. There was nothing better this this, and if someone thought otherwise they were wrong. "I love you."

His eyebrows raised at her words, and he could see her own surprise as if she hadn't meant to speak those three little words. His pulse quickened softly as his lips parted to speak that phrase he'd never before spoken to anyone but family. "I love you too."

A giggle left her and the smile that transformed her face lit up her eyes. She kissed the tip of his nose and shook her head with a slight roll of her eyes. "About time you do."

He gave his hips a soft buck and she groaned. He snorted and smirked, licking her cheek as he gripped her back. "Don't forget who you're talking to."

"I won't, alpha," she assured playfully, a mischievous sparkle shining in her gaze. She bit at him and shifted, drawing his body closer to hers with her leg.

A loud knock rang out against the door and interrupted their playful banter. "Y'all can bang another time. There's some major news that y'all need to hear."

Tobias closed his eyes as he drew in a deep breath. He opened his eyes and leaned to glance at the door. "Fuck off, will you Connor?"

"Don't make me come in there and pull you out here naked as the night you were born Tobias," Connor threatened through the door, his tone dripping playfulness.

Esmeray laughed while Tobias gaze her a look. She ran her fingers through her hair to get it out of her face and smiled. "We'll be there in a moment."

"Good. If not, I'll come get y'all myself," Connor warned.

They listened to him walk off before Esmeray lifted her leg from around Tobias, allowing him to ease out of her and sit up. He rubbed his face and looked down at her bare body half covered by the dark brown quilt. "Damn. You're so fucking beautiful."

Heat rushed to Esmeray's face and she adverted her gaze, feeling suddenly self conscious about being naked. She bit her lip as she felt his soft grip on her chin. Her eyes met his when he moved her chin and she took a soft breath.

"It's okay. Your body is nothing to be ashamed of, Esme. After all you're my mate, my Luna. We'll be seeing a lot of each other," he stated gently, looking deep into her eyes. He gave her a quick passionate kiss before he left the bed and stood with a stretch.

She closed her eyes for a moment before glancing at him. Her gaze gently roved the muscles of his back as they bunched while he turned his shirt right side inward, tracing the black triskelion tattoo between his shoulders. As she got out of her bed and dressed, she wondered if all males of direct Nyght blood had the symbol on them.

"About damn time," Connor commented with a snort and a grin as Tobias and Esmeray sat down at the table with him.

Tobias shot a half-hearted glare at Connor and a leaned agaisnt the table. "Oh hush."

Connor's grin turned to a smirk and his impish look slid to Tobias. "This oddly reminds me of our night with that rogue. You know, the one three years ago that-"

"Ohhh hell no. Don't you even," Tobias demanded with a shake of his head, a slightly mortified expression crossing his face as Esmeray watched them with curiosity.

Connor chucked and drank some coffee from his cup. The smirk on his face grew as did his mischief. "And if I do?"

Tobias drew in a deep breath and clenched his jaw. "I'll rip your throat out."

"Like you did the rogue?" Connor asked, his face completely straight for five seconds before he burst out laughing.

Tobias watched him for a moment before a laugh left his lips and he shook his head. He rubbed his face and sighed.

Esmeray looked between the two of them, her brows slightly raised. "Glad y'all got some inside jokes."

Connor grabbed his stomach and threw back his head as he laughed. "The joke was inside, alright."

"Connor!" Tobias gasped out between laughs. He ran his fingers through his hair, not believing how Connor just twisted that.

Esmeray blushed as she laughed, her mind going all sorts of directions. She glanced between them both, taking in Connor's teasing grin and Tobias's expression of amusement. It felt good to be around them, and she soaked up their company like dry ground during a rain.

The door burst open and the laughter stopped as Gabriel rushed in with a grim look on his face. He clutched his chest while blood poured from between his fingers. One word left him before he slipped to the floor, "Bloodborne."