Liliam
I sat at my desk, fingers hovering over the keyboard, staring blankly at the document on the screen. The cursor blinked back at me, taunting in its relentless rhythm. I had been sitting like this for what felt like hours, trying to write down my thoughts or even make a dent in the work I needed to catch up on. But every time I tried to focus, my mind drifted back to Zeff, to what had happened in the office, to the way his lips had felt on mine, the intensity of his touch, the heat between us.
I shook my head, trying to clear the fog of emotions clouding my thoughts. This was ridiculous. I needed to concentrate. I needed to work. But no matter how hard I tried to focus on the task at hand, my thoughts kept circling back to him.
Why did it have to feel so... right? The way he'd looked at me, his eyes dark and full of something I couldn't quite name but that made my heart race. And the way my body had responded, instinctively leaning into him, craving more. It was like nothing I'd ever experienced before, like a fire igniting inside me, spreading through every nerve, every inch of my skin.
I rubbed my temples, trying to ease the tension building there. I had never felt this confused in my life. I had a boyfriend, for God's sake. Owen might have been distant lately, but he was still my partner. And yet, every time I thought about Zeff, I felt a pull I couldn't explain, a desire that seemed to come from somewhere deep inside me, something primal and uncontrollable.
"Focus, Liliam," I muttered to myself, trying to break free from the whirlwind of thoughts. "You have work to do. You can't get caught up in... whatever this is."
I tried to push the memories of Zeff to the back of my mind, staring at the blank page in front of me, willing myself to focus. But every time I attempted to form a coherent thought, it was like Zeff's presence was haunting me. I remembered the way his hands had felt on my skin, the warmth of his breath brushing against my neck, sending shivers down my spine. The intensity of it all was overwhelming—almost suffocating—and yet, I found myself craving more of it, more of *him*.
I sighed heavily, dropping my head into my hands. This wasn't working. I couldn't concentrate. I couldn't get anything done with these thoughts swirling around in my head like an endless loop. I needed to understand what was happening to me—why I felt this way. Was it just physical attraction? Or was it something deeper, something I couldn't put into words?
And why did it feel like something was *missing* with Owen?
I groaned in frustration, rubbing my eyes, trying to massage away the tension building behind them. I couldn't deny the chemistry between Zeff and me. It was undeniable, electric, almost primal. But what did that mean? I couldn't just dismiss Owen, couldn't ignore everything we had built together simply because I was confused. My body might be reacting to someone else, but wasn't that all it was? Just a physical reaction?
*Right?*
But then, there was William. That unexpected encounter had thrown me off balance in ways I hadn't anticipated. The man was undeniably attractive, his mere presence radiating confidence and authority, and his accent only heightened the allure. It was almost disarming how quickly I'd been drawn to him, how easily he had pulled me into conversation. I didn't understand what was happening, why I was suddenly feeling this strange attraction toward multiple people, each one stirring something different inside me.
What the hell is going on with the universe right now? It felt like life was throwing me curveballs left and right, and I had no idea how to handle any of it.
I sat back in my chair, staring at the ceiling, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me. Owen was safe, steady—a constant in my life. But there was no denying that something was off, that things felt different between us lately. I wasn't sure if it was because of everything going on with Zeff and William or if there had always been something missing, something I had chosen to ignore.
My thoughts drifted back to Zeff, to the way he had looked at me, the way his touch had made my skin tingle, made my breath catch. There was something raw and wild between us, something I couldn't explain, and no matter how hard I tried to push it away, it kept pulling me back in.
And William—his confidence, his charm—had made me feel seen in a way I hadn't expected. There was something about him that intrigued me, that drew me in, but it was different from what I felt with Zeff. It was softer, more like a whisper of temptation rather than the storm of emotion Zeff had stirred in me.
I pressed my palms against my face, letting out another groan. This is insane. How had things gotten so complicated so quickly? How had I gone from being sure of everything to feeling completely lost, caught between these conflicting emotions?
Maybe it was all in my head. Maybe I was overthinking everything, making things more complicated than they needed to be. But no matter how much I tried to convince myself of that, it didn't change the fact that my heart felt torn in so many directions.
I looked down at the notepad on my desk, where I had scribbled a few half-formed sentences. Nothing was coming out right. The words seemed to jumble together, lacking any coherence or direction. Just like my thoughts.
But even as I said the words, I knew they weren't true. I couldn't stop thinking about him. I couldn't stop feeling whatever it was I felt when I was around him. And that terrified me.
I glanced over at the clock. It was late, but not too late to go for a walk, to clear my head, to try and sort through this mess. Maybe some fresh air would help. Maybe I could make sense of my feelings if I just got out of this house, away from the reminders of Owen and Zeff and everything else.
I stood up, grabbing my coat and heading for the door. As I walked through the house, Shadow trotted over, looking up at me with wide, curious eyes. "Come on, Shadow," I said, smiling despite myself. "Let's go for a walk. I need to think."
Shadow barked softly, as if agreeing with me, and followed me out the door. The cool night air hit my face, and I took a deep breath, feeling a small measure of relief. Maybe this would help. Maybe I could finally figure out what I wanted, what I needed to do.
As we walked down the street, Shadow stayed close to my side, his presence comforting. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was on the edge of something big, something that could change everything. But I didn't know if I was ready to take that step, to confront the feelings swirling inside me. And I didn't know if I was ready to face the truth about what I really wanted.
But I knew I couldn't keep running from it forever.
The streets were eerily quiet as I neared the park, the air thick with the stillness of the night. A faint sense of unease prickled at the back of my neck, but I brushed it off—until I heard them. The group of drunken men loitering by the entrance, their loud, slurred laughter cutting through the silence. My pulse quickened. I kept my head down, hoping to pass unnoticed.
"Hey, pretty lady," one of the men called out, his voice thick with alcohol. "Where you going all alone?"
I ignored him, my heart pounding in my chest as I quickened my pace. Their gazes burned into me, predatory and lingering. Every instinct screamed at me to get away.
"Don't ignore us!" another man slurred, stumbling closer. "We just wanna talk."
I kept walking, Shadow trotting beside me. His small body was tense, ears pinned back as a low growl rumbled from his throat. The footsteps behind me grew louder, closing the distance. Panic welled up inside me. I glanced over my shoulder to see two of the men following me, their grins wide, their eyes gleaming with drunken malice.
"Hey, come back here," one of them jeered, his voice sending chills down my spine. "We're just being friendly."
I broke into a hurried pace, my breath catching in my throat. I needed to reach the park, to find some semblance of safety, but they were gaining on me. My heart raced, fear tightening around me like a vise.
"Please, just leave me alone," I called out, trying to keep my voice steady, but it trembled despite my efforts.
"Why so shy?" one of the men mocked, lunging forward and grabbing my wrist. His grip was rough, his touch like sandpaper against my skin. I pulled away, but his drunken strength held me fast.
"Let me go!" I shouted, my voice cracking under the weight of my fear.
A sick grin spread across his face as he pulled me closer. "Not until we get to know each other better," he sneered, his breath reeking of alcohol, hot and nauseating against my skin.
I felt Shadow's growl intensify, a fierce, protective snarl escaping him. "Look at this little mutt," one of the other men laughed, stepping forward. "What's he gonna do? Bite our ankles?"
The man holding me squeezed my arm tighter, his other hand wandering lower to grab at me, rough and possessive. Panic surged through me. My mind raced, screaming at me to fight back, but I was paralyzed by the overwhelming fear.
"Why do you smell so good?" he whispered, his voice dripping with lechery as he inhaled deeply near my neck, his hand groping my body.
I fought back the bile rising in my throat. My clothes weren't the best, but they weren't revealing. I wasn't asking for this.
The men laughed as Shadow lunged at them, his small body vibrating with anger. One of them kicked at him, his boot connecting with a sharp thud. Shadow yelped but didn't back down, baring his teeth and snarling with all the fierceness he could muster.
"Fucking mutt!" one of them cursed, picking up a bottle and hurling it at Shadow. The glass shattered as it missed, shards scattering across the pavement.
The men pressed in closer, their hands now roaming freely, groping my waist, my thighs. Tears stung my eyes, helplessness crashing over me. I struggled, my body writhing in disgust, but their grip only tightened, their laughter echoing cruelly in my ears.
"Stop, please," I whimpered, my voice barely more than a broken whisper.
"Why?" one of them sneered, his hand moving up to grab my breast. "We're just having some fun."
Shadow lunged again, this time sinking his teeth into one of their ankles. The man howled in pain, kicking Shadow with his other foot, sending him sprawling across the ground. I screamed as I saw him hit the pavement, his tiny body crumpling on impact.
"No! Shadow!" I cried out, tears streaming down my face. Anger, pure and raw, surged through me. I kicked out at the man holding me, landing a blow to his shin, but he only laughed, yanking me closer.
"Feisty, aren't we?" he growled, his breath hot and foul against my cheek.
Shadow, injured but defiant, struggled to his feet, growling despite the pain. His loyalty, his courage, broke my heart. He was fighting for me, even though he was so small, so vulnerable.
One of the men aimed another kick at Shadow, this time landing it squarely. Shadow yelped in pain, his body slumping to the ground again.
"Shadow, no!" I sobbed, my voice hoarse with desperation.
"Gentlemen," a voice cut through the night like a blade, smooth and commanding. The footsteps were slow, deliberate, and confident as they approached us. I looked up, my heart still racing, trying to focus through the haze of fear.
The man's figure stepped into the dim light of the streetlamp, hands casually in his pockets, as if he had all the time in the world. My breath hitched when I realized who it was. William.
His expression was calm, almost indifferent, but there was a dark intensity in his eyes that made the men freeze in their tracks.
"That," he drawled, his voice slow and almost bored, "is no way to treat your Luna."
One of the men sneered, trying to hide his fear with bravado. "Who the hell are you?"
William's eyes flickered dangerously, the faintest hint of amusement playing at the corners of his lips. He tilted his head slightly, studying them as if they were nothing more than an annoyance. "I'm someone you really don't want to piss off," he said, his tone still eerily calm.
The man holding me tightened his grip, but I could feel the tremble in his hands. "We're just having some fun," he said, his voice faltering. "Mind your business."
William's eyes darkened, and in one fluid motion, he removed his hands from his pockets. His presence seemed to grow, his aura radiating power, raw and untamed. "Oh, I think this is very much my business," he replied coolly.
Before the man could react, William moved—so fast that the men didn't even have time to register it. One second, he was standing a few feet away, and the next, he had the man by the throat, his hand squeezing with an effortless strength. The man choked, his eyes wide with panic as his feet dangled off the ground.
"I suggest you let her go," William said, his voice a low growl now, the calmness gone, replaced with a lethal edge. "Before things get… unpleasant."
Before I could even process his words, William moved with blinding speed, striking the men around me with incredible force. He seemed to blur as he fought, his movements fluid and precise, a deadly dance of fists and feet. I watched, stunned, as he took on three men at once, evading their blows with ease and delivering his own with terrifying power.
Terrified, I backed away, my eyes turned to Shadow, who was still whimpering on the ground. Tears blurred my vision as I crouched down, trying to pick up the injured pup. "I'm so sorry, Shadow," I whispered, my voice choked with emotion.
Just as my hands reached for Shadow, a low, rumbling growl filled the air. It was so deep and resonant that it seemed to vibrate through the very ground beneath us. My heart stopped, and I turned slowly, sensing something massive approaching.
Out of the shadows, a huge figure emerged. A large, black wolf, its eyes gleaming in the dim light, teeth bared in a snarl that promised nothing but pain to anyone who dared to challenge it. My breath caught in my throat as I recognized the wolf instantly. From my dream.
I heard William scoff, his voice tinged with amusement. "Aren't you a little late, Alpha?" he taunted as he snapped the arm of one of the men with a quick, brutal gesture. The crack of bone echoed through the clearing, and the man let out a blood-curdling scream, crumpling to the ground.
The remaining men, seeing the black wolf, began to scramble away, their faces pale with fear. The sheer presence of the wolf seemed to sap the fight out of them, and they retreated into the darkness, leaving William and the wolf alone in the clearing.
Shadow, seeing the distress on my face, tried to stand, his small body trembling with effort. He let out a weak whimper, his eyes filled with pain and fear. My heart shattered at the sight of him so helpless, and I reached out again, my hands shaking. I had to help him, to comfort him somehow.
"Stay back," a voice commanded. It was inhuman, a deep, guttural growl that seemed to reverberate through the night. The black wolf's eyes were fixed on William, a low growl rumbling deep in his throat. The power and authority in that voice sent a shiver down my spine. I had never heard anything like it before. It was as if the wolf was speaking directly to my soul.
William, for his part, seemed unfazed. He wiped a bit of blood from his lip, looking at the wolf with a mix of amusement and challenge. "Well, Zeff," he said, his tone casual despite the tension in the air, "it seems we're always meeting under such... intense circumstances."
Zeff? My breath caught in my throat. My head was spinning, my heart pounding in my chest. I felt like I was on the verge of a panic attack. Was he talking to the wolf? Was the wolf… Zeff?
"No, this can't be real," I whispered, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. My mind was reeling, unable to process the impossible. "I must be dreaming… I have to be dreaming." But the sharp pain of my nails digging into my palms told me otherwise.
And then, as if to push my disbelief into sheer terror, William's body began to shift. I watched in horror as his form twisted and contorted, bones cracking and reshaping into something else. I could hear his bones snapping and reforming, his skin stretching and morphing to accommodate his new shape. The sound was sickening, like a thousand bones breaking at once.
The transformation took mere seconds, and where William had stood, now stood the large, menacing brown wolf—the brown wolf from my dream. My heart raced faster than ever, and my vision blurred with panic and confusion. I wanted to scream, to run, but my feet were glued to the spot.
The two wolves faced each other, their growls filling the air, vibrating through my bones. And then, with a sudden, explosive burst of speed, the black wolf—Zeff—leapt at the brown wolf, teeth bared and claws extended. They collided with a force that sent shockwaves through the ground.
The fight was a blur of speed and violence, a terrifying dance of snarls and snaps. They moved with such ferocity and agility that I could barely keep track of them. The sounds of their growls and yelps filled the air, blending with the rustle of leaves and the distant call of nocturnal animals. I could feel the ground shake beneath their weight, the raw power of their bodies colliding again and again.
I wanted to look away, but I couldn't. My eyes were glued to the scene before me, my body frozen with fear and disbelief. This was no dream. This was real. I was standing in the middle of a battle between two wolves, one of them somehow Zeff, and the other, William.
My head was spinning, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest. I didn't know what to think, what to believe. All I knew was that everything I thought I knew was crumbling around me.
I felt Shadow beside me, his small, trembling body pressing against my leg. His nose nudged my hand, his fur soft against my skin. I glanced down to see his sorrowful eyes looking up at me, filled with fear and confusion. It was as if he was silently pleading with me, asking me to make it all stop, to end the chaos and violence that surrounded us.
I reached down, my fingers trembling as I gently stroked his head. He whimpered softly, his little body quivering with each breath. I could feel the weight of his fear, the same fear that was coursing through my veins. He didn't understand what was happening—none of us did.
The sounds of the battle continued, a terrifying symphony of snarls and growls, claws raking against flesh, teeth snapping in the air. I flinched at each sound, feeling the tremors of the fight through the ground beneath us. I wanted to close my eyes, to shut it all out, but I couldn't.
I turned my gaze back to the fight, my breath hitching in my throat. The black wolf—Zeff—was relentless, his movements swift and powerful as he tried to pin the brown wolf down. William fought back with equal ferocity, his eyes burning with a wild, dangerous light. They were evenly matched, each one refusing to back down.
I could see the strain in Zeff's muscles, the intensity in his eyes as he fought. He was doing this for me, to protect me from whatever threat William posed. But as I watched them tear into each other, my fear grew. I didn't want either of them to get hurt—I just wanted this to be over.
"Please," I whispered again, my voice barely audible, lost in the chaos surrounding me. "Please, stop…"
My breath came in short, shallow gasps, my chest tightening painfully with every intake. It felt like I couldn't get enough air, like the world was collapsing around me, squeezing the life out of me. The edges of my vision began to blur, darkening, as the overwhelming pressure and fear closed in from all sides.
Sounds became muffled, distant, like I was submerged underwater. I could no longer make out the voices or the frantic movement around me. All I could feel was the weight in my chest, the suffocating grip pulling me down into the void.
The blackness spread, creeping into the corners of my mind, and before I could fight it off, the darkness swallowed me whole.