Layla Kilburn had no problem showing Theo her interest in him. She made no secret about it, holding his gaze, engaging in conversation, touching him, and warming to his presence. She was like all the other ladies who weren't afraid to show their affection towards him. While Caly still refused to reveal her secrets much less allow him near her, he would gladly welcome Layla's advances especially when they resulted in Caly's glares tossed their way like well aimed daggers.
It showed him that she wasn't immune to him. If jealousy brought out that proof of her feelings towards him, he'd use it to his disposal. He wasn't a womanizer like Aiden by all means, but he did pay attention to the elvish lord's daughter when she eagerly sought him out. Maybe, he shouldn't indulge if he had no intention of giving into her charms, but when the fire caught in Caly's eyes like it did now, it was worth it to him even if he felt the guilt seep in when he noticed Layla's hopeful expression.
"How do you like Silverd so far?" Layla asked him, having run into him upon the balcony overlooking the vast fields and trees behind the castle before the walls. Silverd was indeed very large and impressive. "Does it fare to the other places you have visited? I am quite certain you have traveled far and wide."
He leaned against the stone railing of the balcony and gazed up into the starry night sky. "I forgot how beautiful the night sky is in Tempest," he breathed out in awe before his eyes met hers. "You have a fine castle and village here, mi'lady."
Layla's eyes warmed to the compliment. "My father has rose this place into the prestige it has maintained. Lady Crystobelle is pleased by our efforts." She ventured closer and trailed her fingers down his shoulder to his biceps, admiring his muscles as her eyes danced in the moonlight. "As the daughter of the lord running Silvred, I do wish to make your stay Silvred memorable. It is our duty to serve royalty and make them comfortable. The Moon Season can be very chilly. I could arrange to warm you... and your bed if you require."
Catching on to her bold implication, his eyes gazed directly in hers. They were a beautiful topaz color. This woman was gorgeous by all accounts and any sane male would take her up on her tempting offer. His eyes bounced to the untamed redhead still in the great hall, who glared at him now, because she probably eavesdropped on their conversation. Lycans had impeccable hearing and judging by the fury that reflected in her enchanting green eyes, she had definitely heard Layla's proposition.
As if realizing she was caught, Caly scowled at him before she quickly took her leave to no doubt run away somewhere in the castle town. He sighed and eased back away from Layla, withdrawing away from her closeness to show her his answer before his words did.
"You're a beautiful lady and any male would be more than happy to accept your offer," he praised her softly. "But my heart belongs to another."
Layla chewed her bottom lip, studying him for a moment before she forced a smile upon her lips. "My offer still stands. You may change your mind as the Moon Season comes about and your lady companion proves to be less than accommodating. I shall never run from you."
He remained silent, but Layla gave him a knowing look before her gaze danced down his body before her eyes lifted to his in a silent lusty promise and smile before she waltzed off.
Shaking his head at what had happened, his mind once again wandered to the jealous redhead escaping from him to run off and lick her wounds. Perhaps, it was time to hunt her down for another round of sparring. Determined, he took off, tracking her scent to her whereabouts.
~
Theo growled when her scent led him to a hidden passageway exiting Silverd. He had tugged open the heavy door leading to a barely utilized passageway that led to chamber of water tunnels. He followed her scent through a labyrinth of shallow water tunnels until the tunnel became only dirt. When he reached the end, he realized there was hole, leading up into the trunk of tree. His eyes took in the large door hatch that laid in the interior of the tree trunk.
The opening of the tree trunk was narrow and low to the ground. Her scent had gotten stronger, which made him realize that she had shifted into her wolf. Following her lead, he shifted into his wolf and eased his body out of the opening of the trunk. He raced after her, tracking her scent over stretches of land. Where was she running off to?
He knew she regularly disappeared from what those of Silverd relayed to him. They never knew when and how she would abruptly take off and then mysteriously reappear, but Theo now did as he rushed after her. It was dangerous for her to be out here by herself especially at night. He had seen how the vampires flocked to her.
Her scent led him to a shallow cave. He trotted into it and spotted a pile of clothes sitting on a rock. He sniffed the air, smelling her delicious scent further inside. Shifting back into his human form, he walked deeper a small chamber opened to him, revealing pools of hot springs. He smirked as he watched her surface and stiffen immediately. He knew she scented him and he watched her turn to him.
"What are you doing here?" she gasped, dipping lower into the water so the water line was above the rise of her breasts.
His eyes took in her bare shoulders and collarbone. "It isn't wise to venture off alone, Caly."
"I am perfectly capable of venturing off alone," she snapped at him. Her cheeks flushed from either the heat of the water or embarrassment.
"This is quite the little hidden gem," he remarked. "I'm sure the water feels great."
Her eyes widened at his words. "You-You cannot come in."
"Why can't I?" he chuckled.
"You will get wet."
He raised an eyebrow. "Probably best to take off my clothes then." Caly's mouth dropped open at that. He smirked at her reaction. "Just like you. Aren't you naked? I mean I did spot a pile of clothes."
"Well, yes, but--"
"And most people bathe without clothes on," he reminded her as he started taking off his armor and clothes.
"Theodavian!" she cried out, spinning away from him when he completely stripped off his pants.
He chuckled at her reaction and it did nothing to deter him. He dipped his foot into the water and he couldn't help the groan of pleasure that escaped him. Her eyes went to him, getting an eyeful with all his glory on display and he smirked again when she gasped then immediately looked elsewhere. He remembered a time when they used to do things like this without embarrassment. In their youth, they had regularly seen each other naked. They were wolves and lycans so their clothes would often be torn during transformation. It was actually common that most lycans saw one another naked.
When he immersed himself in the hot spring, he waited until those haunting eyes found him across the water. She chewed her bottom lip nervously, watching him as he enjoyed himself. He didn't miss the sweep of her eyes as they traveled down his body appreciatively. Unlike her, he wasn't attempting to hide his body from her.
"Is this truly appropriate?" she let out a strained whisper.
He chuckled at her scandalized expression. "You act like you haven't seen me naked before."
"That was years ago," she snapped back. She swallowed as her eyes took in his defined chest and abs. "A lot has changed since our youth."
"I've gotten more muscular, Caly. That's about it."
His eyes traveled down the length of her body even below the water. He watched her squirm as she attempted to cover impertinent parts, but she couldn't cover them all. His eyes roved over soft skin that his fingers itched to touch and mark with his scent.
"It is different," she stressed. "You could be mated. I-I could be mated."
That thought caused his heart to clench and anger to come to the surface. His eyes immediately raked over her neck and over her arms finding those areas bare. There was no tokens of mating marks to his wicked satisfaction.
"You're not mated," he determined as his eyes burned into hers and she swallowed at the intensity. "I'm not mated either. I don't see any problems with this."
He put his arms back, resting against the stone around him. Shutting his eyes to enjoy the silence, he thoroughly savored the heat of the water surrounding his body. He was hyper aware of her even in this seemingly relaxed state. He could smell the unique signature scent, but he could also smell the scent of her arousal that she was obviously not comfortable to act upon her desires.
"Why did you follow me?" she grumbled, slicing through the silence.
He sighed, opening his eyes after a moment to look across at her. "I know you were eavesdropping on my conversation with Layla--"
"I did not," she huffed.
He rolled his eyes. "Fine, overheard my--"
"I did not hear one word." She raised her chin, leveling him with a dark look.
"Well then, if you did happen to," he chuckled, shaking his head at her stubbornness. "You should know I don't intend to have anyone warm my bed or have a bedmate."
"I could care less if you procure a bedmate nor instill a fulltime mistress." She was a bad liar, judging by the way her eyes gave her away. So much fire in those green eyes that promised passion if directed in a more pleasurable way.
He wadded over to her and she pressed her back against the stone. She was good as trapped and the both of them knew it. If she fled, he would see her nude form and she wouldn't get far. He would stop her and there would be a high risk of skin to skin contact. He knew and she knew that he was hunting her and pursuing her in way that was raw and honest.
Placing hands on either side of her and caging her between his arms, he looked down into her face. There was wariness in her eyes as she gazed up at him. They continued to hold each other's eyes. Her breathing had picked up and her breasts rising up and down causing slight ripples.
"If looks could kill, Caly, I would've been murdered on the spot."
His words caused her breath to catch. Leaning forward, his nose nuzzled her neck, inhaling her scent. His tongue darted out tasting the exact spot he wanted to mark her and she whined at the contact. He sucked her skin into his mouth, drawing out a strangled moan from her.
"Theo," she whispered, causing him to still. It had been too long since she used his name only intimates were allowed to use. He shuddered at the sweetness of it. "Theo, please, this cannot--"
He growled, knowing exactly the direction of her thoughts. It could and it can go down like this if she would just let go all of her secrets, if she let go of what was holding her back from him. Capturing her lips with his mouth, he soothed away her attempt of rejection with a kiss and more kisses. He would kiss away all her fears until she sang a different tune.
"But it can," he finally murmured against her mouth as he eased back. His arms wound around her back and pulled her body flush against his, savoring her gasp at the feel of their skin against one another. "Just let it happen, Caly."
Tears were upon her lashes and she groaned when his hands roamed her body, eliciting sighs and whimpers of pleasure. Her hands came up to his shoulders and he felt them skim over his skin to press against his chest. It was a weak attempt at stopping, but her eyes begged him to reconsider.
"Please, Theo," she whispered. "You do not understand. You must stay away from me--"
He shook his head. "I'm never leaving you. I'll hunt you down. I'll haunt your footsteps."
"So you shall stalk me?" she questioned softly.
"Caly, your body wants me," he pointed out, drawing her into another tender kiss. "It's your mind that continues to fuck up everything. Tell me what your heart wants. Tell me you don't want me. Tell me you don't want this and I'll leave you alone."
Her eyes fluttered open to gaze into his eyes. "I-I--"
"Tell me you don't want me to do this," he whispered, drawing her into a kiss. His lips then skimmed her cheek and temple, holding her close in an embrace. "Tell me you don't want to be with me. Show me how you feel."
She sighed against his skin and he cradled her into his chest. He felt her stiffen abruptly as the scent of vampires filled the air. They weren't here yet, but they were getting closer and they were coming fast. He quickly swept her body up and brought her to edge of the hot spring.
"Go. Get your clothes on," he told her as he got out of the water as well.
She nodded, darting away to find her clothes and armor. He quickly pulled upon his clothing and armor before rushing towards the entrance of the cave. He found her clothed, scanning the surroundings outside. She glanced back at him as he approached her.
"They are the enchanted ones," she whispered to him. He nodded. "They're a lot of them." She swallowed, gazing at him in a panic. "You must leave, Theodavian. They want me. I can outrun them."
"We can both outrun them, Caly," he reminded her. "We can't lead them to the hidden entrance back into Silverd."
She bit her bottom lip. "The only way is to go to the front entrance."
"We can handle that," he told her with a nod of his head. "I'll mindlink with the Elite Guards to prepare for our arrival."
Before he could do that, she shook her head suddenly. "Silverd is not quite prepared for the likes of these vampires and I do not wish any mishaps by attempting to get inside."
"We'll draw them off then." His eyes snapped to the outside when he heard something off in the distance. "I'll still mindlink the Elite Guards to meet up with us, but we need to leave. Lead the way. You know this forest better than me."
She nodded in agreement. "They are almost here."
"Then let's give them something to chase."
A smile crossed her face before she took off into a run and he followed suit. He watched her morph into her wolf and he allowed his body to shift into his. Tonight, they would run and fight together side by side knowing they were on the same side.