Chapter 284: The Ink and the Heart

Vivian’s POV

My hands went straight to his heavy coat, fumbling eagerly to shove it off his broad shoulders. He let me do it, but then quickly took over, stripping the jacket off completely and tossing it aside in a blur of motion. He did the exact same thing with mine, and before I could even say a word, he dipped down so I could wrap my arms securely around his neck, my fingers burying deep into his dark hair.

I pressed light, warm kisses down his strong jaw, then lower, planting open-mouthed kisses along his throat. He let out a low, vibrating groan, his hands gliding up the backs of my thighs until they were resting underneath me and then, in one completely effortless movement, he lifted me up. Instinct took over instantly, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, a soft breath slipping past my lips as our bodies met.

Zahliver tilted his head slightly to give me more access, and I did not waste the chance, trailing soft kisses down the side of his neck. He began moving forward walking toward the bedroom, I guessed, though I was not exactly focused on our surroundings. Then he shifted his stance, and suddenly, I was laid out gently beneath him on something soft and welcoming: his bed. He hovered over me like a shadow, a wicked, knowing smirk pulling at the corners of his lips. I tightened my legs around his hips, playfully daring him to make the next move.

Instead of leaning down to kiss me, he straightened up slightly and reached for the hem of his mocha-colored sweater, tugging it up and over his head in one fluid motion. Beneath the crisp white button-up shirt he wore underneath, I caught sight of something unexpected two thick, sterile white medical bandages wrapped securely across his chest and side.

Tattoos.

Curiosity instantly lit up inside me like a struck match. I sat up immediately, my eager fingers going straight to the buttons of his shirt.

I wanted to see them. I needed to see them.

What on earth had he permanently marked his skin with?

I unfastened the buttons slowly and reverently until the shirt fell open wide. I paused for a beat, meeting his deep eyes in a silent question, suddenly unsure if it would hurt him to pull the protective medical bandages off.

But he completely surprised me. He reached up, grabbed the bandage on his chest, and tore it off without a single flinch. Then he did the exact same to the second one, ripping it free just as easily. He even reached around behind his shoulder to peel off a third strip.

Three fresh tattoos.

He went completely still statue-like, carved of raw power and infinite patience while I leaned eagerly forward to get a closer look. But his electrifying eyes never stopped watching my face for a single second.

The first tattoo sat right over his broad chest, directly above his heart. The letters were inked in bold, clean, beautiful script. I read the powerful words out loud softly in my mind:

Vivian, my life, my lover, my love. The only being in existence to control the heart of this beast.

My hand flew up instantly to cover my mouth as my throat tightened hard. Hot tears stung at the corners of my eyes. I blinked up at him, barely able to believe the reality of what I was reading on his skin.

"I told you beforehand that it would be a good surprise," he muttered softly, looking a little smug despite the overwhelming tenderness shining in his gaze.

I pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek, then leaned back, my heart racing like crazy as I reached down toward the next one. My fingers hovered over the waistband of his trousers. To see the second piece of ink properly, I had to unbuckle and undo his pants. He watched me the entire time, entirely still, a bright flicker of pure amusement dancing in his blue eyes.

Just above the sharp V-shaped mark on his lower stomach, right over his right hip, I found the second tattoo.

When even the moon is abandoned by the stars and endless darkness lurks around, only my cloud will give me the strength to make it home.

It was breathtakingly beautiful. Deeply romantic, yet undeniably powerful.

But my lips suddenly pressed into a hard, stubborn line as I looked back up into his face, suspicion flaring hot in my gut. He already knew exactly what I was thinking the knowing grin on his face totally gave him away.

"You did not let her unbuckle you, did you?" I hissed, my voice dropping into a low, fiercely possessive tone. My inner wolf bristled angrily, growling deep within my chest. The very thought of another female getting anywhere near this close to him had me seeing red.

"Of course not, love. I did that part entirely myself," he answered quickly, raising his hands in mock surrender.

I let out a soft growl, not entirely appeased, and slid off the edge of the bed so I could stand up and get a proper look at the third tattoo.

It was noticeably smaller than the others no larger than the palm of my hand. Centered perfectly on his upper back, it was not a phrase or a quote at all, but a stunning image delicate, intricate, and utterly breathtaking.

A full, radiant moon hovered softly behind a single floating cloud. The artistic detail was completely unreal, looking as if it could actually glow right off his warm skin. Somehow, the tattoo artist had managed to make the cloud appear to shimmer even brighter than the silver moon itself.

A single, silent tear rolled down my cheek before I could stop it.

This man. This powerful beast. This wonderful mate of mine... had carved his eternal love right into his own skin for the world to witness.

And no matter how much cold darkness ever surrounded us, I knew right then that I would always be his guiding light.

Always.

I pressed a soft, lingering kiss to Zahliver’s warm shoulder before suddenly twisting my body with playful force, gently pushing him backward onto the mattress and straddling his hips with a triumphant, happy growl. His large hands immediately found my thighs, sliding around to grip my hips with that familiar, possessive strength I had grown so addicted to.