The morning was too perfect.
Too warm.
Too soft.

After all the laughter and embarrassment, Gauri and Omkara found themselves drifting right back into each other's arms
wrapped up in blankets, legs tangled, bodies molded together like they were made to fit.

Gauri rested her cheek on his chest.
Omkara stroked her back lightly, each touch making her wolf purr.

"Five more minutes," she murmured.

"Make it ten," he whispered against her hair.

She smiled.

But then

RING. RING. RING.

Both groaned.

Omkara picked up the phone without checking the caller ID.

"Hello?" he said, voice still morning-deep.

Karan's voice exploded through the speaker.

"Well, well, WELL!
No intention to come back home, is it?
Your little moon has been asking where her parents disappeared to!"

Gauri slapped a pillow over her face.

Omkara dragged a hand over his face.
"Karan..."

"Oh, and by the way," Karan continued dramatically,
"It's WAY past breakfast time.
The whole family is waiting."

Gauri peeked from under the pillow.
"Oh no..."

"And," Karan added smugly,
"Don't you BOTH think you should THANK ME for arranging such a good place for your first night?
Hmm?"

Omkara growled.
"KARAN."

Gauri squeaked.
"Karan!!"

Karan cackled.
"Get dressed, lovebirds. Your walk of shame awaits."

Click.
Call ended.

Omkara threw the phone on the bed.
"I'm going to kill him."

Gauri buried her face into Omkara's chest.
"I can't go out like this!"

"You look fine," he said.

She glared.
"Omkara. My neck looks like a crime scene."

He winced.
"...okay, yes. That part might be a problem."

✨ THE WALK OF SHAME: LIVING ROOM EDITION

They entered the Oberoi mansion slowly...

Too slowly.

Everyone was at breakfast.

Everyone looked up.

And everyone froze.

Shocked.
Smirking.
Deadly amused.

Karan coughed loudly.
"Well, someone had... a good night."

Rudra pointed at Gauri's neck and screamed:
"Bhabhi!! Did a wild BEAR attack you?!"

Gauri gasped and hid behind Omkara instantly.

Rudra then turned to Omkara.
"And you! Why do YOU look like you wrestled a tigress?!"

Omkara choked.
"K–Kar—Rudra!!"

Kumar Sharma cleared his throat, trying not to laugh.
"Beta, we should... get you an ice pack?"

Karan being dramatic clasped his hands dramatically.
"Haiii, these youngsters, no control!"

Ankita smiled lovingly.
"Come, come sit. Don't be embarrassed."

Gauri shook her head violently.
"I— I'll stand."

✨ BOYS TEAM: TEASING OMKARA TO DEATH

While Gauri was dragged away by the girls, the boys surrounded Omkara like hungry wolves.

Dhruv slapped his shoulder.
"So...?"
A smirk.
"How was the love hotel, hmm?"

"Karan booked it!" Omkara snapped.

Karan winked.
"I only pick the best for my bhai."

Rudra whispered,
"Bhaiya... you're GLOWING."

"I am NOT."

"You are. You're literally glowing like you just won a lottery."

Dhruv folded his arms.
"Those marks on your shoulder... I counted eight."

Omkara turned red.
"That's enough!"

Karan clapped his hands.
"Boys, boys, relax. Let him breathe. Our newlywed needs some space his wolf is still recovering from the...
exercise."

Omkara threw a spoon at him.

✨ GIRLS TEAM: GAURI'S SUFFERING

Meanwhile the women dragged Gauri to the ladies' corner.

Ankita gasped dramatically.
"GAURI! Your neck!"

Bhavya leaned close.
"Girl... did he... climb you?!"

Gauri covered her face.
"STOP!!!!"

Bhavya held in her laughter.
"Omkara bhaiya looked worse. You didn't spare him either."

Gauri almost fainted.
"I want to hide."

Ankita fanned herself.
"Haiii, this is not biting, this is ZOO ANIMALS!"

Bhavya smiled warmly, patting Gauri's cheek.
"Oh, gauri... it's your welcome to marriage."

Gauri groaned into her hands.

✨ OMKARA: JEALOUS WOLF MODE ACTIVATED

Suddenly Omkara appeared, walking straight to Gauri with purposeful steps.

He placed a hand on her lower back, pulling her gently against him.

Everyone noticed.

Everyone smirked.

Gauri blinked up.
"Omkara?"

"You're too far away," he said simply.

Ankita whispered to Bhavya,
"Possessive wolf is here."

Omkara shot them a look.
They shut up instantly.

Gauri whispered,
"They're all laughing at us."

"Let them," he murmured.
"You're mine."

Her blush returned instantly.

"And," he added quietly, brushing her hair aside to cover the marks,
"No one gets to stare at your neck. Only me."

She gasped softly.
"Omkara..."

He leaned closer, whispering,
"Tonight, I'm putting concealer on you myself before we leave the room."

"Omkara!!"

He smirked.
"That's your punishment for biting me everywhere."

She turned pink from head to toe.

Rudra yelled from across the hall:
"Bhaiya is jealous because we're looking at bhabhi's bite marks!"

Omkara growled.
"RUDRA. SHUT UP."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Gauri hid her face in Omkara's chest.

He wrapped an arm around her, chin on her head...

And whispered,
"Next time, we're locking the door. Forever."