My Vampire Beloved Husband
Chapter 100: Naomi Or The Bird

Chapter 100: Naomi Or The Bird

Naomi couldn’t believe her eyes. Zylan had actually gotten her an eaglet—an actual eaglet. She blinked several times, as if the tiny bird would disappear if she didn’t focus hard enough. Her lips parted slightly, trembling as she struggled to process what she was seeing.

An eaglet.

She had always heard how rare it was to find one, let alone purchase one. They weren’t the kind of pets anyone could acquire on a whim. The cost, the care involved—everything about it screamed exclusivity. Yet, here it was, chirping softly in its cage, as though oblivious to the sheer weight of the moment.

Her gaze fell on the cage, and her shock deepened. This wasn’t just any cage—it was a miniature masterpiece, the kind you’d expect to see in an upscale gallery. Painted in soft shades of pink, it was adorned with delicate ribbons and bows in a mix of pink and blue, creating a whimsical, almost fairy-tale-like appearance. The contrast was striking, almost absurd: the childlike design clashed starkly with the cold, sophisticated elegance of the room. It was as if Zylan himself had ensured it was crafted to exude a distinctly girly aesthetic.

Naomi stifled a giggle at the absurdity. Her eyes returned to the eaglet, its small head tilted in curiosity, much like her own. For a brief moment, she forgot the tension that always surrounded her when she was with Zylan. The tiny creature’s innocence was disarming, a welcome distraction from her usual nerves.

The man who had brought the cage into the room shifted awkwardly on his feet, clearly uncomfortable. His eyes darted toward Zylan, who remained seated with an air of calm authority. The man’s discomfort was almost palpable, as though he feared that Zylan might disapprove of the design.

The silence stretched for what felt like an eternity, and then Zylan’s sharp voice cut through it like a blade. "Good. Take it back inside."

Naomi’s head snapped toward him, her brows knitting together in confusion. Take it back?

Her lips parted to protest, but no sound came out. Her thoughts raced. Why would he send it away? Wasn’t this for her?

Zylan’s voice, steady and commanding, interrupted her silent questions. "Bring it tomorrow morning."

The man holding the cage hesitated, glancing nervously at Naomi before nodding quickly. Without another word, he began retreating with the cage in hand.

Zylan finally turned to Naomi, his intense gaze locking onto hers. "Eaglet?"

The single word hung in the air, loaded with meaning Naomi couldn’t quite grasp. Was he talking about the bird—or was he addressing her?

Her heart skipped a beat as the man paused mid-step, his confusion mirroring her own. The man tilted his head slightly, as though waiting for clarification, but Zylan offered none.

Before anyone could say anything further, Naomi found herself standing abruptly. "Yes!" she blurted out, her voice firm despite the faint flush creeping up her cheeks. She wasn’t even sure why she responded so quickly, but she couldn’t bear the silence any longer.

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Zylan’s lips, a rare expression that sent a shiver down her spine. He extended his hand toward her. "Let’s go."

The words were simple, but the way he said them left no room for argument.

Naomi hesitated for a fraction of a second before slipping her hand into his. He led her toward the elevator, his long strides making it difficult for her to keep up without half-jogging. Behind them, the man holding the cage watched, his eyes wide as realization dawned.

"Was... was the lady named Eaglet too?" he muttered under his breath.

One of his colleagues, just as baffled, quickly barked orders. "What are you standing around for? You heard him. He approved it. Get everything ready for tomorrow’s delivery!"

The staff scrambled into action, their movements quick and efficient as they carried the cage back into the room.

Inside the elevator, Naomi’s mind raced. She wanted to ask why they weren’t taking the eaglet now, but the words caught in her throat. The memory of Zylan’s earlier tone—calm yet cutting—kept her silent. Maybe it was better not to push her luck.

The elevator doors opened, and Zylan led her toward the car waiting outside. The night air was cool, a gentle breeze brushing against her skin as they stepped out. The sleek black car gleamed under the dim lights, and Naomi couldn’t help but admire how effortlessly everything about Zylan exuded power and control.

As soon as they settled inside, the driver closed the door with a soft click. Moments later, a young boy—no older than twelve—approached the car, holding a small bag. He handed it to Zylan with a respectful bow before retreating quickly.

Zylan opened the bag and retrieved a covered plate, his movements deliberate and precise. Without a word, he passed it to Naomi, his expression unreadable.

Naomi hesitated before taking it. "What is this?" she asked softly.

"Open it," Zylan replied, his tone as calm as ever.

She lifted the cover, revealing a beautifully arranged fruit salad. The vibrant colors and intricate shapes of the fruits made it look almost too good to eat. She picked up the spoon that came with it and took a tentative bite.

The flavors exploded in her mouth—sweet, tangy, and refreshing all at once. It was perfect. She couldn’t stop herself from taking another bite, and then another, until she completely lost herself in the food.

Her surroundings faded away as she focused solely on the fruit salad. It wasn’t until she felt a gentle touch under her chin that she snapped back to reality.

Zylan’s fingers tilted her head upward, forcing her to meet his gaze. His eyes bore into hers, intense and unyielding.

"You don’t have to eat so fast, darling. If you want more, I’ll get it for you," he murmured softly, his voice gentle.

Naomi froze, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. Darling. That was the word he used to call her when she first arrived at the mansion.

She hadn’t realized how eagerly she’d been eating. Maybe she looked like a foodie. Slowly, she lowered the spoon, feeling self-conscious under his scrutiny.

"Nonsense," she heard him say, his voice firm yet warm. "My little eaglet, eat as much as you want." He smiled before winking.

Oh, her heart skipped a thousand beats. That wink.

Zylan’s hand moved from her chin, and before she could process what was happening, his thumb brushed against the corner of her lips. Her breath hitched as he wiped away a small smear of fruit.

Then, to her utter shock, he brought his thumb to his lips and licked it clean.

Her eyes widened, and her face turned crimson. Zylan chuckled softly, clearly amused by her reaction.

Just as she began to relax, the car finally came to a stop. They had already arrived at the mansion. Just then, Zylan’s phone rang.

It was rare—very rare—for Naomi to see Zylan receiving a call. In fact, she hadn’t seen him talk on the phone, let alone answer it. The atmosphere turned suffocating.

Before she could gather her thoughts, his expression shifted, the amusement fading as his tone turned serious. "Go to your room, Naomi."

The command was simple but firm, leaving no room for argument. Naomi recognized the look in his eyes—it was final.

Swallowing her questions, she stepped out of the car and made her way into the mansion. The quiet halls felt almost eerie in the dim light, the silence amplifying the sound of her footsteps.

Once inside her room, Naomi let out a long breath. She glanced around, her gaze landing on the bathroom. A bath sounded perfect. She needed to unwind after everything that had happened.

She should have been grateful, right? Maybe the call had been her saving grace. What if it hadn’t come? Zylan would have likely still insisted on scolding her. Yet, a small part of her felt sad—what if that call meant he would leave?

She wouldn’t be surprised if she woke up tomorrow and Rhea told her that Zylan had left for business matters.

Grabbing a nightwear set from the closet without paying much attention to it, she walked into the bathroom. The soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminated the room just enough for her to see, but she left the main lights off, preferring the dim ambiance.

The warm water enveloped her like a comforting embrace, soothing her frayed nerves. She leaned back, closing her eyes and letting the stress melt away. For a while, she allowed herself to forget about Zylan, the eaglet, and everything else that had happened.

When she finally stepped out of the bath, she felt refreshed. She blow-dried her hair and slipped into the nightwear she had picked earlier. It wasn’t until she stepped out of the bathroom that she realized something was off.

The main lights were on, flooding the room with brightness.

Naomi froze, her heart pounding as her eyes darted to the bed.

Zylan was lying there, his posture relaxed, both hands behind his head. His loose black shirt and matching pants only added to his striking appearance. His hair was slightly disheveled, giving him a rugged, effortlessly handsome look.

He smirked, his piercing gaze locking onto her.

"Now, come here, Eaglet. Time for your punishment," he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine.

Naomi’s heart raced as she followed his gaze. Her breath caught when she realized what he was staring at.

The nightwear she had chosen in the dim light was entirely see-through. Her cheeks burned as she registered how exposed she was. She wasn’t wearing anything underneath—not even panties. She was practically naked before him.