Chapter 88: They hadn’t established a proper bathroom facility yet
The flight back to the den was fast and silent, the steady beating of Kulu’s massive red wings cutting through the cool evening air.
Hana sat securely in his arm, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck as the wind whipped her hair against her face.
Below them, Caspian was a swift black blur on the ground, matching their speed as he hauled the last massive crate, while Raiden hung on his talon, his pink tails trailing like embers in the twilight.
This time, they didn’t need to worry about the board getting attacked by the fox clan and let them trek back on their own. If something did happen, then the fox clan would face annihilation. That much was clear.
By the time they touched down on the ledge of their main den, the moon was already climbing high, casting a silver glow over the territory.
The Boars there were efficiently packing away the final crates into the temporary storage zones under the low-hanging rocks.
Hana got down from Kulu and stepped onto the stone floor, rolling her shoulders to feel her joins again.
Her whole body was aching from the twelve-hour shift, and the damp mist from the waterfall combined with the sweat of a long day left her skin feeling sticky and uncomfortable.
They hadn’t established a proper bathroom facility yet—something she intended to code into the automated builders first thing tomorrow—and there was no way she was going to sleep like this.
She needed a cozy, uninterrupted night of rest before the heavy construction began at sunrise.
"Kulu," Hana called out, turning to the falcon as he stretched his wings. "Take me down to the lake. I need to wash off before we turn in."
Caspian, who had just dropped the heavy power core onto the stone, immediately pouted. His jaw slacked, his golden eyes widening with a look of pure, territorial jealousy. "Hana, I can warm the water inside the den for you. You don’t need to go to the lake with the bird."
"The stream is cleaner, and I want a proper bath, not just rinsing," Hana replied flatly, ignoring his wounded expression. She didn’t have the energy to manage a dragon’s ego right now. "Stay here and make sure the Boars put everything away before I get back."
Raiden let out a soft chuckle, checking his nails with a smirk, but he wisely kept his mouth shut after seeing the look in Hana’s eyes.
"And Raiden," she called and he nearly flinched, scared she was going to scold him but she simply said. "Prepare dinner."
"Aye, love!" He snarled at Caspian and hopped away to hunt tender meat for Hana.
After Hana picked up her towel and basket of bathing essentials, Kulu stepped forward, wrapped his strong, muscular arms around her waist, and lifted her effortlessly against his chest.
With a sudden, powerful snap of his crimson wings, he launched them off the ledge, leaving Caspian’s grumbling form behind in the shadows.
The wind rushed past them for a brief moment before Kulu smoothly descended into the secluded clearing of the lower lake. The water was crystalline, reflecting the stars above, surrounded by thick, glowing ethereal plants that cast a soft blue light over the sand.
Kulu set her down gently, his amber eyes tracking her movements with that quiet, intense devotion. He stood completely still, waiting for her command like the perfect, reliable asset he was.
"Turn around," Hana muttered, reaching for the straps of her tactical harness.
Kulu immediately turned his back to her, his large wings half-folding to create a natural screen against the rest of the forest. Hana unbuckled her gear, letting the heavy harness and her white dress slide to the sand. She took off her boots but in the process, turned her gaze to her belly.
She could see the bump a lot more clearly now, like it was growing by every second. She grunted a little. If her belly got any bigger, it would be a problem, but she could not stop its growth and could not get rid of it.
So she hoped that by the time the one month duration was over, she had cleared the debt and waiting for the baby’s arrival, she would have created an orderly system where she didn’t need to worry about flipping stubborn guys on their backs.
Hana stepped into the cool, refreshing water, letting out a long, slow sigh as the tension in her muscles began to melt away.
She washed up quickly, the crisp water chasing away the fatigue of the day and the soap ensuring she felt absolutely clean.
But as she looked back toward the shore, her eyes landed on Kulu’s broad back and the powerful muscles of his shoulders.
She recalled the system’s explicit advice from earlier: keep your mates satisfied. Kulu had carried the heaviest loads all day without a single complaint or dramatic outburst.
He was quiet, efficient, and thoroughly deserved a reward for keeping her logistics chain running so smoothly. Besides, she didn’t forget that a session with him now would secure another chunk of karmic points to chip away at her debt.
She had nothing to lose. Plus, this would strengthen their bond.
"Kulu," Hana called out softly, her voice echoing over the quiet ripples. "You can look now. Come here."
The falcon turned around slowly. His breath caught in his throat as his amber eyes locked onto her, her bare skin shimmering under the moonlight.
The quiet modesty he usually carried seemed to war with the raw, heavy hunger that instantly flared in his gaze.
This wasn’t his first time looking at her body but it felt like the first time once again. And he had a feeling that would be the case each and every time in the future.
He walked into the water, his chest heaving slightly as he stopped right in front of her.
"Hana..." he whispered, his hands trembling slightly as he reached out, his fingers hovering just above her waist as if he were afraid he might break her.
"I’m tired," Hana said, leaning her head back and looking up into his intense gaze. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down a bit. "You take control this time. Just make it good."
That was all the permission Kulu needed. The restraint he had maintained throughout the grueling day completely snapped.
His strong arms locked around her waist, lifting her up as if she weighed nothing at all, and then carried her out of the water, pinning her gently against the smooth, mossy rock at the edge of the water.
Hana closed her eyes, letting out a low gasp as he leaned down and kissed her with a fierce, burning possessiveness.
His hands were firm, gripping her hips and guiding her movements as he took full control, but he was careful about her belly.
His eyes would go down to her baby bump and then trail to his mark in her thigh. She was so fragile, so small and yet she was able to handle all of them at the same time.
Maybe it was because she was so fierce and never let emotions dictate for her.
Maybe it was because her spirit was stronger than all of theirs combined.
But he could not help but he drew to her even further, as if he wanted their flesh to merge, and for her to use his soul however she pleased.
