ALPHA UNIVERSE #5: DESIROUS

CHAPTER 30

Harin woke up, burning.

She wasn't sick, yet her skin radiated heat, her head throbbed faintly, and her body was wrapped tightly under a thick blanket. She shoved it off hastily, though something heavy draped across her waist made her freeze. Frowning, Harin glanced down and furrowed her brows.

Her expression softened when realization dawned. She tilted her head to glance over her shoulder at the pureblood sleeping peacefully beside her.

He was shirtless, his toned chest rising and falling with each deep breath, though he still had his pants on. Not that she could have lent him any clothing—her wardrobe was far too limited to accommodate a man like him. But honestly, was sleeping half-naked really necessary?

Guess he hates sleeping with a shirt on.

And she was right. Jeno never wore shirts to bed.

The sight before her drew her gaze, holding her captive. His tousled raven-black hair looked like a bird's nest, his lips lightly pouted, and his peaceful expression somehow made him even more striking. Her eyes roamed across his well-defined upper body, the kind of physique that seemed almost too perfect to be real.

Even though she was no stranger to the sight, it still amazed her every time. Especially when she remembered how breathtaking he looked in more... intense moments.

Like when we're... oh my god.

Harin shrieked softly, her cheeks flaring as her mind betrayed her with inappropriate thoughts. She buried her face in her hands, inwardly cursing herself for being so easily distracted. Peeking through her fingers, she noticed he hadn't stirred despite all her shifting and groaning.

Unable to handle the temptation of staring any longer, Harin did the next best thing—she curled up against him. Pressing her head to his warm chest, she nuzzled into him like a kitten seeking solace. The unease of waking up vanished in an instant, replaced by a comforting warmth that healed her restless mind.

This connection between them—it was beyond physical. It was emotional, primal even. Being close to him felt like being home.

Jeno stirred, groaning softly as he began to wake, likely from the way she was burrowing into him. He opened one eye lazily, his gaze softening immediately at the sight of her nestled against him.

A faint smile tugged at his lips as he lifted a hand to stroke her hair, his movements gentle and deliberate, unaware that she was fully awake.

"Morning," he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.

"Mhm. Morning," Harin murmured back, her voice muffled by his chest.

Jeno's smile widened as he leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead. "Warm?"

She nodded. "Comfortable."

"Good," he replied, his grin turning playful. "We'll be like this every day soon."

Harin smacked his chest lightly, making him chuckle—a deep, raspy sound that sent shivers down her spine. Damn it, why did his morning voice have to sound that good?

"Can you let go of me now?" she muttered, trying to escape the vulnerability of their shared moment.