To protect what's mine (Amalie) novel Chapter 174

**Guard 174**

**Chapter 174: Amalie**

“Sweetheart, Uncle William is waiting for you at the hospital for your checkup,” Cal whispers softly into my ear, his breath warm and inviting against my skin.

“Just five more minutes, please,” I groan, my voice thick with the remnants of sleep. The blankets cocoon me like a comforting embrace, making it all too easy to slip back into the bliss of slumber.

Cal chuckles, a light, playful sound that fills the room with warmth. “Markus is already up with Rose, and she’s practically bouncing off the walls in excitement to see you before we head out,” he teases, his tone a mix of playful insistence and genuine affection.

“Five more minutes,” I repeat, cracking open one eye just enough to catch a glimpse of his charming smile, which threatens to melt my resistance.

“Come on, Amalie. It’s our one-month checkup,” he says, his familiar charm working its magic, coaxing me out of my sleepy haze.

“Ten more minutes,” I negotiate, my voice muffled as I burrow deeper into the pillows, clinging to the fading echoes of my dreams.

“Nope,” he laughs, a rich sound that resonates in the air. In an instant, he scoops me up, lifting me effortlessly from the cozy sanctuary of the bed.

“Calyx!” I squawk in surprise, instinctively wrapping my arms around his neck as he cradles me against him, my heart racing with a mix of shock and delight.

“Shower first, then breakfast,” he instructs, pressing a gentle kiss on my lips that sends a delightful shiver coursing through me.

“You’re lucky you’re cute,” I grumble, though the corners of my mouth betray me, twitching towards a smile.

“I prefer handsome,” he replies with a cheeky grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Keep laughing, and I might have to downgrade your adjectives,” I warn him, shooting him a mock glare that lacks any real malice.

“Oohh, big word,” he teases, his laughter ringing out like music, filling the space with lightness.

“Fine, you’re adorable and oh so pretty,” I fire back, a smirk playing on my lips as I relish our playful banter.

“You know, I can get my revenge?” Cal’s eyes glint with a playful challenge, and I raise an eyebrow, daring him to make a move.

And move he does—successfully. He shifts us both so that I’m straddling his lap, his lips finding their way to my neck, right over the mate mark he’s claimed for himself.

His tongue flicks over the mark, teasingly, before he grazes his teeth against it, applying just the right amount of pressure.

A groan escapes my lips as waves of pleasure ripple through me, igniting a fire deep within. I can feel his smirk against my skin, and I sense his own arousal growing beneath me. I tilt my head back, succumbing to the moment, and begin to grind my hips against him, lost in the intoxicating connection we share.

“Our wolves are going to be furious if we let this escalate again,” I moan, the rational part of my mind trying to assert itself even as desire clouds my thoughts. I know we should stop, yet a part of me yearns to continue, to lose myself in this blissful connection.

“Then we don’t go all the way,” he replies, his voice deepening as he loses himself in the pleasure of the moment, his breath hot against my skin.

“You say that as if I’m not seconds away from tearing our clothes off and taking you right here,” I growl, pushing his head away from my neck momentarily, my heart racing.

“Well, when you put it that way, consequences be damned,” he smirks, sealing his lips over mine with a fervor that sends shivers down my spine.

‘I will take over, even if it is in your form,’ Beren huffs, his voice a low growl echoing in the back of my mind.

—

**7:13 PM**

**Chapter 174: Amalie**

‘I want our first time in our forms,’ Zviad growls, both a warning to us and a reminder of the boundaries we must respect regarding our shifting and mating.

‘It’s settled then, no more,’ Beren snaps decisively, his tone brooking no argument.

‘Go take a cold shower or jump in the creek,’ Zviad commands Cal, his authority clear and unmistakable.

“Alright, alright,” Cal concedes, taking a deep breath to cool the lust that has ignited within him, along with the undeniable erection that has grown beneath me.

“I was going to invite you into my shower, but after this little escapade and the warning from our wolves, I think it’s best to reconsider,” I say with a teasing smirk, rubbing myself against his erection one last time before I climb off his lap.

Cal lets out a groan of frustration, casting me a glare as I step away. I wink at him playfully before disappearing into the bathroom for my shower.

“Fucking tease,” Cal mutters under his breath, his voice filled with a mix of admiration and exasperation.

I turn on the shower, the sound of water cascading down soothing my racing thoughts. I take several deep breaths, trying to reign in the heat that lingers from our earlier encounter. I was not joking about being on the brink of wanting Cal to claim me completely.

Stepping into the shower, I let the warm water wash over me, drowning out my thoughts and enveloping me in a cocoon of tranquility. I take my time, enjoying every drop, relishing the sensation of the water cascading over my skin, letting it wash away any remnants of tension.

Once I finish, I reach for my fluffy towel, wrapping it around myself before stepping out. I run a hairbrush through my long hair, taking my time to braid it for the first time in what feels like ages. My fingers deftly weave the strands into a French braid, a skill that comes back to me effortlessly. Satisfied with my appearance, I nod at my reflection and exit the bathroom.

As I enter the dining room, I hear Rose’s voice, bright and curious. “Mommy coming with?” she asks, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she looks up from her sketchbook filled with colorful drawings.

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