Page 22 of In Bellamira's Chains

Turning back to Hazelle, I made sure no part of me was touching her as I looked her over and asked, “How are you feeling?”

The room fell silent besides our breathing.

Finally, after a minute of nothing, Hazelle took a deep breath and let it out. “Okay, I think. Better than…” She trailed off, and I nodded, understanding that she meant she was better than all the times she had been used before.

“That’s a lot of gray area. Better as in mildly better, or better as in you enjoyed at least part of it?” Her cheeks flushed, and my lips formed a smile.

“The second one,” she mumbled as she looked away.

The anxiety that had filled my body was washing away. That was more than I had expected, but I had hoped for at least this much. Hazelle wouldn’t be ripped away from me, at least for the time being.

“That’s good. I’m glad.” Leaning forward, I placed a kiss on her forehead. “How would you like to cuddle on the bed for a little bit?” My Mistress was leaving this bit of aftercare to me, but I also knew that this night wasn’t over, so we didn’t have all the time in the world. However, we all knew how important this part was, the reconnection and comfort it brought.

“Yes!” Hazelle’s eyes grew big as she shouted out her answer. “Oh,” she said, covering her mouth. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. You can always show your enthusiasm.” I pulled her with me onto the bed and let her settle her head on my chest asI leaned back against the pillows. Her leg settled between mine, hooking her foot under my calf.

Silence took over again, but this time, it wasn’t heavy or anxiety filled. Hazelle was happy, and she did so well, much better than I did my first time. At that party, I had kept looking at My Mistress, wondering if I was doing anything right, and I ended up kneeing someone on accident because they tickled me in the wrong spot. It wasn’t intentional, and My Mistress knew that, so I hadn’t gotten in trouble, especially since she had warned them. But it was a rough night for me, and I was so worried she would send me back to my parents.

She never did, and as far as I knew, My Mistress never even thought about it.

“Thank you, Elera.” Hazelle snuggled in deeper with a sigh. “This was fun. A lot, but…” She buried her face a little. “I liked it. It’s nothing like it was with Oros.”

“And it never will be.”

“I know. Mistress Belle would never allow it.” Her body sagged against mine, and I enjoyed the small amount of pressure her weight caused.

This was one of my favorite things, snuggling after. I was always tired, ready to fall asleep, but my skin buzzed, needing something. That something was intimacy and affection. It made me fall asleep straight away, but I needed to stay awake a little longer so we could leave, and then the night would continue.

Time trailed on, and eventually, I got us up and downstairs where My Mistress was in the sitting room with a drink and a plate filled with snacks in front of her.

“Ah, my pets, how are you feeling?” I smiled at her and looked down at Hazelle, waiting for her to speak.

She stared up at me, and I nodded toward My Mistress, encouraging her to answer for us. She turned her gaze to our Alpha and smiled.

“Good. I think.”

“Well, I’m glad, Hazelle. Not bad for your first party, hm?” Hazelle continued to smile and shook her head. “Now, you two, eat something, and drink some water before we go.” My Mistress set the plate of snacks next to two glasses of water on the table in front of her, intending for us to kneel there.

We did as we were told and ate the snacks she had presented to us. By the time we were done, every morsel was gone and the water was as well. I did the brunt of the work, but Hazelle had some and finished her water, which was more than I expected. She was growing and letting the past slip away, even a little for now. I was so proud of her.

“Ah, Perry, come to say goodbye?” My Mistress said from behind us.

Hazelle and I turned to look at him, and he grinned down at us.

“As if I would leave before then.” He chuckled. “Are you leaving soon?”

“In just a moment actually.” My Mistress stood and placed her hand on Perrin’s upper arm.

“Thank you again for tonight. I do believe it went well.”

“Anytime, Bellamira. Anything for you and Elera and now Hazelle, of course.” Hazelle turned away, and her cheeks flushed again.

“Elera, Hazelle, say your goodbyes, and we will be off. Marley is pulling around the car now.”

My Mistress stepped aside, and I went up to Perrin, thanking him for the evening as I always did, and we ended with a light kiss to each other’s cheeks.

Hazelle stood behind me with a sheepish look about her as if she hadn’t just been in a room with all of us naked and in the heat of the moment. But after the events of the evening, Icouldn’t really blame her. Even now, it could be awkward with some of the others, just not with Perrin.