The Lycan's Forbidden Mate novel Chapter 173

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Shortly after, Esmeralda reunited with Ophelia and Rhaziel, and they soared back to the mountain’s surface, where they encountered Nikolai, Lev, Sasha, and Vladmir.

As soon as they landed and her wings disappeared, Ophelia leaped into Nikolai’s embrace and he gracefully lifted her up, chuckling deeply.

“You made the mountain tremble with your presence, my love.” Nikolai cooed, spinning her around.

Ophelia smiled. Her husband did not underestimate her. At least not always. She looked at him. Those whirling scarlet eyes met her golden ones with such insane tenderness. “You were worried.”

Nikolai’s mouth quirked. “I have every right to be.”

Before the unexpected attack to the mansion, he was waiting for her and Esmeralda with slight impatience. And when the mansion began to tremble with dragons crashing in from all directions, he decided to use his connection with Ophelia to teleport her out of the mansion.

Fortunately, that was when she ran into Esmeralda.

Even though he did that, he was still worried that he couldn’t go to her due to the amount of dragons he had to vanquish.

Luckily for him, his wife was Fireria’s most formidable warrior.

“We should look for shelter.” Rhaziel said while staring at the sky dully.

“Where are Artem and Eriks?” Ophelia asked, noticing their absence.

“They returned to the imperial city ahead of us.” Nikolai replied with a long sigh.

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“I do not support this at all! I will not be staying in a cave.” Sasha scowled irately.

Vladmir rolled his eyes at his sister. He was becoming increasingly

frustrated with his inability to talk.

“Vladmir.” Ophelia smiled and waved to him. She was relieved he was okay.

Vladmir smiled and waved back at her excitedly.

Nikolai raised a brow and held her face, forcing her to look at him. “Do not look at another man.” He growled in a possessive tone.

Esmeralda bursted into laughter.

Rhaziel shook his head, not at all startled by his public display of affection.

Vladmir crossed his arms over his chest and rolled his eyes.

Sasha cleared her throat loudly. “Terrifying.”

And Lev looked rather flustered for Ophelia.

Ophelia placed her hands on Nikolai’s which was on her face. “We need to find shelter.” She whispered, feeling flustered.

Nikolai let go of her face and looked up at the stormy sky. “Our only option is to stay in the cave. It’s only temporary.”

Sasha groaned loudly. “I do not want this!”

“Then remain here and freeze to death. I won’t care less.” Nikolai said nonchalantly and grasped Ophelia’s hand.

Sasha growled at him, her eyes taking on their emerald wolf–like form. “I am a beast but I am not feral enough to stay outdoors like this.”

“I. Do. Not. Care.” Nikolai tsked.

“It will only last for one night. You’re going to be alright.” Lev mumbled as

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he looked up at the sky.

Sasha gave him a quick glance before inhaling deeply. “Very well then.”

“Is everyone in an agreement?” Nikolai asked, glaring at a spot next to him.

“Pain.”

The Tiger Phoenix revealed himself instantly, yawning lazily.

“Protect them.” Nikolai released Ophelia’s hand.

Ophelia nodded, and everyone with the exception of him and Pain were instantly surrounded by a flaming fire shield.

Just then, dark mist started to pour heavily out of him and engulf them all. They all disappeared from view and resurfaced at the entrance of a cave at the mountain’s lowest point.

The blazing shields disappeared along with the mist.

“Nik?” Rhaziel called, glancing at Nikolai, whose eyes were closing slowly. Ophelia instinctively reached for his cloak as soon as his eyes closed, wrapping her arms around him and allowing him to collapse against her body, unconscious.

Rhaziel, relieved to see this, ran his fingers through his hair. As he did so, Esmeralda gave him a fleeting smile. The defon consistently presented himself as Nikolai’s paternal figure. It impressed her.

Deep within the cave, Ophelia was lost in thoughts while stroking Nikolai’s face. He, still unconscious, lay with his head resting on her laps.

Rhaziel had informed her that he had passed out because of the sheer amount of energy required to transfer them all at once, and that, since it was a short distance, he would wake up soon.

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She admired Nikolai’s stunning features and dipped her fingers into his silky hair. Those vivid scarlet lips, those long, thick lashes… She smiled.

A great deal had transpired, and by great deal, she meant Dominik, the red dragon. It seemed to her that he was playing tricks on her because he was so odd and erratic. He did not approach her; instead, he continued to attack from a distance by breathing fire at her.

Did he believe he was more powerful than she was?

She bit her bottom lip, frowning deeply. Of course, Esteban had to order the general warrior of Fireria to launch an attack on her.

Esmeralda’s attack… a dragon sacrificed himself to protect Dominik without any hesitation. Ophelia wasn’t surprised. It was normal for warriors to protect each other on the battleground.

“Darling,” came a calming, intoxicating voice that plucked her out of her reverie and caused goosebumps to erupt from her skin shamelessly.

Ophelia gazed at his face with startled eyes and pulled her fingers out of his hair. “Lai Lai.”

She traced her fingertips down to his jaw, whereas his eyes remained closed.

“So hot.” Nikolai whispered, grabbing her wrist and opening his eyes which were in their thick black demon form. “Your touch.”

Ophelia swallowed. Hard. “H…how do you

feel?”

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