Abel, exhausted from a long day, finds a brief moment to mark the days since he and Luna last shared an intimate moment, revealing his quiet longing and frustration. Despite understanding Luna’s exhaustion from caring for their newborn, Snow, Abel’s desire to reconnect remains strong. Luna’s gentle teasing and warmth offer brief comfort, but the emotional distance between them is palpable.
At dinner, the couple shares a tender yet subdued interaction, with Luna expressing joy in motherhood while Abel struggles to voice his feelings. Their attempts at intimacy are interrupted by the demands of parenting, as Snow’s needs continuously pull Luna away, leaving Abel feeling a mix of hope and resignation. When they finally share a quiet, intimate moment, it is abruptly ended by their baby’s cries, underscoring the challenges of balancing their relationship with new parenthood.
The next morning brings a glimmer of hope as friends Cade and Arden arrive to babysit Snow, giving Abel and Luna a chance for some time alone. Abel admires Luna’s beauty and feels a renewed affection, but just as they are about to embrace, an urgent interruption arrives. Tyson bursts in, reporting a fire caused accidentally by one of the kids, forcing Abel to leave once again, highlighting the ongoing chaos and interruptions in their lives.
Throughout the chapter, Abel’s internal conflict between patience and desire is clear, as is Luna’s exhaustion and dedication to their child. Their relationship is tender but strained, shaped by the demands of parenthood and external pressures, leaving Abel longing for a moment of peace and connection that seems just out of reach.
398 Blue Balls
ABEL
The quiet scratch of my pen against paper was the sole sound filling the room. It had been an exhausting day, packed with back-to-back meetings, endless phone calls, and a relentless schedule. Yet, somehow, I still found a moment to indulge in this absurd personal ritual I’d been keeping.
“One, two, three,” I whispered softly, marking yet another tally in the small notebook resting on my lap. I leaned back in my chair, narrowing my eyes at the page. It was embarrassing, really—a grown man, a father, a former Alpha counting days. Days since Luna and I last shared an intimate moment.
“How’s my Alpha doing?” Luna’s voice floated in from behind me. Before I could even shut the notebook, her arms wrapped around my neck, her warmth immediately seeping into my skin. I froze briefly, then let out a small chuckle, feigning casualness.
“Just some paperwork,” I said quickly, snapping the notebook closed with one hand.
She leaned over my shoulder, resting her chin gently against me. “Looks like some kind of math,” she teased.
“Yeah,” I murmured, turning slightly toward her. “Just estimating some things.”
“Estimating, huh?” she hummed, her breath brushing my ear. “Well, you can estimate again later.”
She pulled away and planted a soft kiss on my cheek. “Dinner’s ready. Come down soon.”
I swallowed hard, fighting the way her scent scattered my thoughts. Even after she stepped away, her touch lingered on my skin. When her footsteps faded down the hallway, I reopened the notebook.
The page was covered with short vertical lines.
Each mark represented a day.
A day we hadn’t been together.
I sank back in the chair, releasing a deep sigh. It had been far too long. Not that I blamed her—Luna was exhausted, emotional, and still adjusting to life with our newborn.
Still, despite my patience, the quiet ache of longing gnawed at me.
I allowed myself a faint smile. I could wait. But maybe tonight… if the mood was right, I’d try asking.
CIT
The aroma of roasted herbs and buttered vegetables filled the air as I joined Luna at the dinner table. Her hair was loosely tied back, and Snow’s baby monitor sat quietly beside her plate.
“You look tired,” Luna said with a gentle smile as I took my seat.
“Probably because I am,” I admitted, reaching for a slice of bread. “But it’s a good kind of tired.”
She poured me a drink. “That’s because you never stop.”
“And you do?” I raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been up every two hours with Snow.”
Luna chuckled softly, shaking her head. “That’s different. I like it.”
I watched her for a moment, noticing how her eyes softened whenever she spoke about our daughter. I could’ve told her then how much I missed us, but the words caught in my throat.
Dinner passed quietly. Every time I tried to steer the conversation toward something more intimate, Luna would smile, completely unaware, and my resolve would falter.
After we finished, she carried the dishes to the sink while I wiped down the table. By the time we headed upstairs, Snow had stirred again, making soft, sleepy noises. Luna’s attention shifted immediately, and I found myself unable to feel even a hint of frustration.
“She’s growing fast,” Luna murmured as she changed Snow’s tiny onesie. “Look, she’s already starting to roll onto her side.”
“Really?” I crouched beside her. “She’s just like you—can’t stay still.”
Luna laughed quietly. “Maybe. Or maybe she’s more like you.”
“Hmm.” I smiled, gently brushing a finger against Snow’s cheek. “Then we’re doomed.”
Once Snow was asleep again, Luna stretched and turned to me.
“Alright. Finally, some rest.”
We made our way to bed. Luna slipped into her nightgown, and I felt a flutter in my chest. She caught me watching her and raised an eyebrow.
“What?” she asked lightly.
“Nothing,” I replied, though my voice was lower than intended.
She smiled faintly and sat beside me on the bed. “You’re staring.”
“Can’t help it,” I admitted.
Her lips curved into a soft smile. For the first time in weeks, the air between us thickened with something unspoken. I leaned forward, trailing my fingers along her jawline. She didn’t pull away. Her eyes fluttered closed as I kissed her—once, then again, deeper this time.
Her breath hitched.
I caught the faint scent of lavender on her skin, mingled with something sweeter. The warmth of her body pressed against mine felt like coming home after a long, cold winter.
My hand slid to the curve of her waist, and her fingers threaded into the hair at my neck. For a brief moment, nothing else existed but her soft sighs and the steady beat of our hearts. The world shrank to the space between us.
“Alpha!”
Tyson stood there, out of breath, holding what looked suspiciously like a charred piece of wood. His hair was tousled, and his uniform sleeve was singed.
I stared at him. “What now?”
“One of the kids set a tree on fire,” he said grimly.
“Accidentally.”
“Accidentally,” I echoed flatly.
“Yeah, Alpha. Probably.”
Luna’s eyes widened. “Oh no,” she said quickly. “You’d better—”
I exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of my nose as I stood. “Of course,” I muttered.
Tyson gave a sheepish smile. “Sorry, man. It’s spreading fast.”
I shot Luna a helpless look. She just laughed softly and leaned up to kiss my cheek. “Go,” she said. “Before it turns into a forest fire.”
I sighed again, running a hand through my hair as I headed for the door.
“How long am I going to have to put up with this?” I muttered under my breath.
This chapter delicately captures the quiet tension and longing that can exist in the spaces between shared moments, especially when life’s demands pull loved ones apart. Abel’s silent tally of days reveals the depth of his yearning, while Luna’s gentle presence and their tender exchanges highlight the enduring bond that underpins their relationship. Despite exhaustion and interruptions, the warmth and affection between them remain palpable, a testament to their commitment and love.
As the chapter closes, the intrusion of duty and unexpected chaos contrasts with the brief, intimate hope Abel and Luna find in each other. Their connection, though tested by sleepless nights and parental responsibilities, is resilient—marked by small gestures and unspoken understanding. The promise of time alone, however fleeting, offers a glimpse of renewal, even as life’s unpredictability continues to demand their attention and patience.
The next chapter promises to deepen the tension between Abel’s yearning for intimacy and the relentless demands of parenthood and duty. As he navigates the delicate balance between his role as a father and his desire to reconnect with Luna, readers can expect moments charged with vulnerability and quiet longing. The subtle shifts in their relationship hint at an emotional journey where patience and passion intertwine, setting the stage for heartfelt revelations.
Meanwhile, the sudden arrival of Tyson with troubling news introduces an element of urgency that threatens to disrupt the fragile peace Abel and Luna have been trying to nurture. This unexpected conflict may force Abel to confront challenges that extend beyond his personal life, testing his resilience and leadership. As the story unfolds, the interplay between domestic tenderness and external pressures will keep fans eager to see how Abel reconciles these competing demands without losing sight of what truly matters.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine