Death's Serenity (Sequel to Luna's Revenge)

To Know You

Adrian stood stunned in his place, staring at Valerio with wide eyes. Everything that he had felt, everything that he had been feeling for the beautiful man in front of him was all because he was his mate.

When he didn't speak, Valerio looked away, shaking his head, cursing himself for admitting the truth in front of him.

"Actually, nevermind." Valerio mumbled as he attempted to leave Adrian's hand and turn away.

However, Adrian tightened his grip and pulled him back to himself, making his heart race again. Valerio was gazing at his mate with an expression filled with fear and doubt.

"Is that why I have been feeling all these emotions?" Adrian asked in a quiet mumble. His face was nothing if not a window into his thoughts. Valerio could see just how conflicted he was about this revelations and he hated himself even more for putting him in such a situation.

Valerio looked away, pursing his lips together as he tapped his foot nervously on the ground. He was almost too cautious to ask the next question.

"What have you been feeling?" He asked timidly.

"Like I want to kill myself everytime you frown." Adrian urged and Valerio's eyes widened as he snapped his gaze towards him. He saw pain in his eyes and that felt like someone was squeezing his heart. But Adrian continued, "most of the time I can't keep my eyes off of you and everytime I try to sleep, if I'm not having my nightmares then I'm having dreams about you. And every time you shut me out, if feels like someone is punching my in the gut and I cannot even start to explain how I feel about that.

"I was so confused till now. I was so upset with myself for feeling these things about you because you're Ophelia's childhood friend and I didn't know what you would think of me if I told you any of these things. But I can't just ignore these emotions anymore and until now, I thought that something was wrong with me and...."

Valerio reached out to trace Adrian's cheek with the back of his hand and Adrian's words got stuck in his throat seeing the intensity of Valerio's eyes.

"There's nothing wrong with you, love." He whispered, "nothing at all." His eyes were pained because he had finally realized what he had been doing to his mate. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have hidden this from you."

Adrian closed his eyes briefly, feeling the way his touch felt so gentle on his skin before he looked at him nervously.

"Did you not want to tell me because you don't want me as your mate?" He asked and that question was enough to make Valerio's heart stop beating for a moment or two.

Valerio's eyes widened as he instantly cupped Adrian's face with both his hands and shook his head profusely, "what? No! There's nothing like that! Don't even think that way." He begged, tracing his cheeks with his thumbs this time.

Adrian reached up to place his hands on Valerio's as he slightly tilted his head. "So, you're not ashamed that someone like me is your mate?" He asked, blinking a few times to get rid of his tears, "someone so weak who doesn't even have the basic knowledge about being a werewolf?"

Valerio was shocked to find out what Adrian truly thought of himself.

He made Adrian look into his eyes, "are you out of your mind?" He asked incredulously and Adrian furrowed his brows. Valerio took in a deep breath before shaking his head as he took Adrian's hand and sat him down in front of himself on the sofa beside them. He scooted closer to Adrian, unable to keep any distance between themselves as he took both his mate's hands in his own.

"You are one of the most incredible, kind, and giving people I have ever met." Valerio said with all honesty as he looked into Adrian's chocolate brown eyes, "you have gone through so much pain in your life; it's just unacceptable! The things that you have suffered don't make you weak, Adrian. You're stronger than almost everyone I know. You're so much stronger than me. Your will has kept you going for so long and I'm glad it did, because otherwise I would have never met you."

Adrian's eyes watered as he gazed at him and that was enough to send a pang of pain through Valerio. He realized in that moment that if there was anything he truly hated to see then it was the sight of tears in his mate's eyes.

"You really think so?" Adrian asked him with his lower lip quivering as a small tear fell from his right eye.

Valerio squeezed his hands with a deep frown on his face as he nodded his head. "I know so, my love." He whispered, reaching up to wipe the moisture away from Adrian's cheeks. "You're so strong, and so incredible, that I was worried that it would be wrong if I subjected you to a life with me. I didn't want you to suffer because of me."

Adrian furrowed his brows at that. "Why would I suffer?" He asked with confusion.

Valerio sighed. Directing his gaze towards their joined hands as he shook his head. "It's just.... because of leading Escalara, I never had time to explore my personality for relationships. I'm not an easy person to be with, Adrian. Ruling has turned me hollow and despicable. I didn't...." He met his gaze with nothing but contempt for himself, "I didn't think that I deserved you and I was afraid that you would reject me."

"I would never!" Adrian exclaimed instantly, without even bothering to think over his words. Valerio blinked in surprise and was about to speak but Adrian placed his finger on his lips to interrupt him, "no, I'm still speaking. I would never have rejected you, Valerio. You've been nothing if not gentle and protective towards me, over these last few days and at first I thought it was all because of my connection to Ophelia, but now I understand why you did all that. And from where I'm sitting, I see nothing despicable about you, Valerio. Not a single thing."

The fallen Alpha of Escalara was moved by Adrian's confession. He couldn't believe that Adrian was truly wishing to choose him as his mate. He was afraid that he was dreaming.

Adrian chuckled, "you're not dreaming, silly." He said making Valerio blink in realization that he had spoken his thoughts out loud.

Red covered Valerio's pale cheeks and he looked away, lightly biting his lip, making Adrian almost groan at the sight but he controlled all his impulses that wanted him to grab Valerio's face and kiss him.

"So, we're actually going to be doing this?" Valerio asked then, turning back to look at Adrian with a small smile on his lips.

Adrian chuckled, nodding his head, "I think so, yes." He whispered, running his hand through his hair.

Valerio's thin lips got pulled into an entrancing smile and Adrian could not help but admire the way the moon rays played on the contours of his face, falling through the window beside them.

He couldn't help himself but reach out and gently run his fingers through the small strands of hair falling on Valerio's forehead, pushing them back.

The Alpha had never felt his heart race more loudly than it did in this moment. He saw the look of pure adoration in the sweet, innocent boy sitting in front of him and instantly, he was driven by the urge to kiss him, to touch him, to feel his body against his own and to whisper all of those things in his ear that he had been holding off on.

Almost as if feeling the same way, Adrian brought his palm to rest on Valerio's cheek in the slowest, most sensuous of movements and even if he didn't know what he was doing, he couldn't resist the warmth he got when he traced his skin with his fingertips.

He was smitten. Body and soul.

Valerio found himself leaning into his touch as he too gently raised his hand along his arm, feeling the lean muscles that had developed in the last few weeks as their faces inched closer until their noses were brushing against each other.

They could hear just how loud their hearts were thundering in their chest and every single touch was so profound that shivers ran down their spines. Everything felt magnified in that moment, every touch, every breath, every heartbeat.

Valerio could see how the dim lamps of the room were casting warm shadows on Adrian's face, striking his beautiful eyes which were nothing short of striking. Adrian could ask him to kill himself and he would happily do it, all the while looking into his eyes which were pools of caramel, cinnamon, and honey. He couldn't help but feel like they were his home and he had been waiting for this exact moment throughout his life.

For Adrian, nothing mattered. He felt drawn towards Valerio with such an intensity that he wasn't even sure if he was in his own body anymore. He felt like he finally knew where he belonged. All of the pain that he had experienced, everything that he had gone through— none of it mattered anymore. He was in Valerio's presence and all was right in his world. He could stay trapped under his spell forever and he wouldn't make a single grunt of discomfort.

Valerio's breath fanned Adrian's face and he closed his eyes in anticipation, leaning further towards him.

The Alpha's dominant side came out and he reached up to hook his palm at the back of Adrian's neck before he gently, sensuously, pushed his lips onto his mate's.

Adrian's body felt like someone had ignited it in flames. His lips started to move on their own accord, in the best possible manner he could muster and the pressure from Valerio's lips was so intense that he couldn't help but let out a small groan at the way he was being kissed.

Valerio's hands stayed at the back of his neck and wound around his torso as he slowly began to lay Adrian down on the cushion behind him while kissing him with all of the emotions and fervour that he could muster.

His veins were filled with nothing but passion and pure love for Adrian, even if he didn't say it in words. He kissed him with all of himself, holding him close to his body as his hands gripped his flesh to stop them from roaming further. He could feel all of his desires for Adrian surfacing but he was afraid of doing anything that might scare him off.

Adrian's hands interlocked behind Valerio's neck and he read all of his unsaid words through his lips. He felt the longing from his heart in the way the Alpha was holding him tightly and he felt himself getting more aroused by the second as Valerio trapped him underneath his own body.

Adrian let out a moan in between the kiss and Valerio's hand scrunched around the material of his shirt while he kissed him deeper, and with more hunger. There was absolutely nothing slow about their kiss and neither of them wanted it to be, either.

They pulled back, breathing deeply as Valerio searched Adrian's eyes for any sign of discomfort. This warmed Adrian's heart, finally seeing how much his mate truly cared about him. He was overwhelmed with emotions and tugged at the roots of Valerio's hair to bring his mouth back to his own.

Valerio let out a lustful growl as he kissed him once again and swiped his tongue along Adrian's lower lip while his hand slightly dipped underneath his shirt and his fingers traced the bare skin of Adrian's torso, making the boy gasp and giving Valerio the opportunity to push his tongue into his mouth.

Adrian saw the way Valerio dominated him and he felt himself growing more excited about seeing more of this side of the Alpha. There were so many feelings that he didn't know about, as of yet, but he knew that he didn't wish for anyone except Valerio to teach him about everything.

Valerio's lips left Adrian's swollen ones as he softly kissed Adrian's jaw before dipping his head to kiss the side of his neck and that earned him a loud groan from him as he tugged harshly at Valerio's silky hair.

Valerio brought his lips to Adrian's ear, softly breathing, relishing in the way his body was shivering underneath him, yearning for his touch. He smirked, "there are so many things that I want to do to you, boyo." He purred, making Adrian's breathing hitch in his throat, "but for now," he softly kissed his ear and pulled back, making Adrian frown, "you need to get some sleep." He said looking down at him with a smile that would have brought Adrian to his knees if they had been standing.

Adrian pouted before nodding. Valerio smiled as he kissed the side of Adrian's head affectionately and that brought a wide grin on the brunet's face before he pulled back from over his body and stood up again.

Adrian too stood up and Valerio turned around, beginning to go to his room when Adrian reached out to catch his hand in his own.

Valerio looked at him questioningly and found Adrian staring at him nervously.

"What is it, darling?" He asked softly, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.

Adrian took in a deep breath. "That day when I slept with you in the woods...I didn't get nightmares of the past." He revealed and Valerio was worry-stricken, knowing the kinds of horrors that Adrian saw when he slept. "So, I was wondering..." He was nibbling on his lower lip, looking down, "will you lay down with me?" He asked cautiously.

Valerio's eyes softened. He saw the nervousness and the insecurities shining in Adrian's face as he instantly clutched his hand and without another word, he led him to his room.

"I will do anything for you." Valerio breathed as they stepped into his room and Adrian was stunned with the earnestness of his words. He knew that Valerio meant it.

His room was a spacious modern looking bedroom. It could not have been compared to the rooms that they had in Escalara but it had a king-sized bed and the rich brown and beige tones of the entire room were soothing to the eyes.

Valerio led Adrian to the bed and as Adrian settled himself under the duvet, his eyes widened slightly as Valerio walked behind the dressing screen and then reappeared after taking his shirt off, wearing just a lose pair of sweats.

He smirked when he saw the wat Adrian was eyeing his bare chest and toned torso. "I hope you don't mind." He said with a teasing grin and Adrian, having been caught in the act of ogling at him openly, instantly closed his hanging jaw and shook his head, staring at him with slightly wide eyes.

A soft chuckle escaped Valerio's lips as he nodded and turned the lights off.

Adrian's heartbeat thundered in his chest as the room darkened and when he felt the mattress dipping from beside him, he released a shaky breath.

He felt Valerio lying flat on his back right beside him, their fingers played with each other as they both breathed deeply, whilst staring at the ceiling above.

Valerio turned his head, blinking a few times to clear his vision further and his eyes lost all sense of playfulness when he saw how nervous Adrian looked.

Unlike him, the brown-haired boy had no experience when it came to relationships and Valerio felt that he might have taken things too far.

But then, he thought of the way Adrian had kissed him back and couldn't help but feel conflicted.

"I can hear your thoughts." Adrian whispered in the dark, making Valerio's eyes widen as he looked back up to find Adrian still staring at the ceiling.

He couldn't say anything but Adrian slowly turned on his side and wrapped his arm around Valerio's muscular torso, making his skin spike with goosebumps. His arm almost instantly came to rest underneath Adrian's head as Adrian snuggled his cheek into his chest, breathing deeply on his skin.

"You don't make me uncomfortable." Adrian mumbled, assuring Valerio by giving him a soft squeeze as he held onto him tightly.

Valerio was looking down at the way he had curled up in his arms and draped his leg over his knee and he wondered how he had gotten so lucky to have someone so miraculous and good as Adrian for a mate.

He kissed Adrian's forehead and placed his cheek against his head while his fingers gently massaged Adrian's scalp and his ring-clad hand softly caressed his arm and cheeks.

"Sleep, sweetheart." Valerio whispered and Adrian felt his body relaxing under his touch.

This was something extremely different than the passion that they had been feeling, a few moments ago. In this second, Adrian felt like he had been travelling for centuries, aimlessly, and finally Valerio had come in his life like a sip of cold water on a scorching summer day.

His eyes got heavy with sleep as he nuzzled into Valerio's chest, kissing him right over his heart and then, he welcomed sleep, knowing well that his demons wouldn't trouble him tonight.

Valerio held Adrian in his arms and simply basked in the fact that he was finally able to hold his mate, close to his heart, after weeks of being away from him.

He felt like perhaps, from now on, his life wouldn't feel lonely anymore. And he knew, more than anything, that he would do everything in his power to give Adrian the good life that he truly deserved.

He would go to any lengths to ensure that his mate was always happy.

This was his vow to himself.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I hope that you liked reading this. Please comment and tell me your thoughts on this. I am really loving writing more scenes of Adrian and Val, especially since these boys deserve nothing but happiness.

Have a good day.

With Love, Devu.