The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 256

Together L

Together-1

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Lori stepped into the headmaster’s office, her mind still spinning from the earlier revelation. The phone call with her mother echoed in her ears-the hushed warnings, the fear in her mother’s voice, the impossible truth that her own Alpha was trying to sell her like livestock.

She needed to tell Attia.

She needed his help.

But as she entered his office, before she could form a single word, she found herself suddenly engulfed.

Strong arms wrapped around her. A broad chest pressed against hers. And his lips-those lips that had haunted her dreams since their first kiss-captured hers with a hunger that stole her breath.

Lori went limp.

Her body melted against his, every muscle relaxing, every nerve ending sparking to life. She felt like she had been waiting her entire life for this moment-for his arms, his warmth, his mouth moving against hers with a desperation that matched her own.

Her hands fisted in his shirt. She pulled him closer, closer, as if she could crawl inside his skin and live there forever.

The bond hummed between them-a living thing, vibrating with joy, with relief, with the rightness of being joined.

When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathing hard.

Attia rested his forehead against hers. His eyes were closed, his lashes dark against his cheeks. His chest heaved beneath her palms.

‘Forgive me. I didn’t want to jump on you,” he said, his voice rough. “But each hour is harder and harder to resist you.”

Lori’s heart swelled.

Her fingers traced the line of his jaw, feeling the slight roughness of stubble beneath her touch.

“Then don’t,” she whispered.

Attia’s eyes opened.

He pulled back just enough to look at her-really look at her. His dark gaze searched her face, reading her expression, weighing her words.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

Lori’s cheeks flushed, but she didn’t look away.

“You don’t need to resist.”

Attia’s breath caught.

< Together L

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For a long moment, he was silent. His thumb traced her cheekbone, feather-light, as if he was memorizing The shape of her face.

Then he took a long breath and stepped back.

“Lori.” His voice was gentle, but firm. “You deserve the respect of a true mate. To be courted. To be cherished and spoiled. Properly. Not a fast track and a quick roll in the hay.”

Lori’s face erupted in flames.

*Roll in the hay.* He meant… intimate activities. The kind she had only read about in books. The kind that made her pulse race and her palms sweat and her mind go completely, utterly blank.

She shook her head, pushing past the embarrassment.

“Attia… as long as you’re willing to accept me, it doesn’t matter.”

Attia’s expression softened.

He cupped her face in his large hands, his thumbs brushing away tears she hadn’t realized she had shed.

“Silly girl,” he said. “It’s not about me. It’s about you. If you are willing to accept this old, broken, wounded soldier who is too selfish to give you up.”

Lori’s eyes filled with fresh tears.

She reached up and covered his hands with hers, pressing his palms against her cheeks.

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