ALBERT'S POV
The drive back to the hotel felt endless, though I couldn't remember a single turn or stoplight. My mind replayed the encounter at the mall on a continuous loop; Evelyn's smile at the counter, the smug grin on her boyfriend's face, Evelyn's brief apology, and the tension in her shoulders when the man touched her.
It was clear she wasn't happy with him. But what exactly was going on between them?
I gripped the steering wheel tightly. "You've got to focus, Albert," I muttered, my voice hollow in the silence of the car.
The most shocking revelation of all? Evelyn was a member of the Shadow Pack. A forbidden thrill surged through me whenever I thought of her.
This was dangerous and a taboo in every sense of the word. But the way my heart clenched whenever I thought of her told me it might already be too late to turn back.
Finally, I pulled into the hotel parking lot and leaned back against the seat, releasing a long, steady breath.
I needed sleep but more than anything, I needed to regroup, gather my thoughts, and figure out my next move.
I made my way to my room, fumbling for my key card. As the door swung open, unease prickled at the back of my neck. Something was off. The lock had been tampered with.
My heart pounded, and I stepped inside cautiously, scanning the dimly lit room.
My pulse quickened as adrenaline coursed through my veins. I surveyed every corner for signs of an intruder. Then my gaze fell on the figure lying on the bed.
"Nora," I blurted, my voice a mix of surprise and irritation.
She was sprawled across the bed in red lingerie, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall. She looked like she had just stepped out of a magazine spread.
"What are you doing here?" I demanded, my tone sharper than I intended.
She sat up slowly, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. "Is that how you welcome your woman?"
"How did you even get in?" I asked, still trying to process her presence.
She shrugged, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I have my ways. Are you mad at me?" she added, her tone lilting.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "No, but you shouldn't be here," I said, "I didn't tell anyone where I was staying."
She stretched like a cat, entirely unbothered by my tone. "Someone caught your scent in the Chambers and tipped me off," she said. "A girl has her ways of finding her man, you know. How could you do this to me?"
Her words sent my mind reeling. How had she tracked me? Was someone spying on me? I leaned against the wall, crossing my arms.
"Nora, I don't have time for this," I said firmly and evasively.
She pouted as she rose from the bed, her bare feet padding softly on the carpet. "You don't mean that," she murmured, stepping closer. "I missed you, honey. Can't we just forget everything that has happened in the past for a moment and be together?"
Her voice was low and sultry like the tone that used to get to me.
Not anymore, I thought to myself.
Not after meeting the one my heart beats after.
"Nora, I have a lot of things to resolve right now," I replied, my resolve hardening. "So this isn't a good time."
She smiled faintly, her fingers brushing against my arm. "Shhhh..." she whispered. "Just focus on me. We can talk later. maybe I could help you sort things out too, like old times."
Before I could protest, she wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me deeply. My resolve wavered for a split second, and I cursed myself for my weakness.
"I'm sorry, Nora. I can't do this," I said, stepping back, guilt creeping into my voice. Evelyn's face flashed before me, and my heart ached.
But Nora wasn't giving up. She pulled me closer, placing my hands on her hips. "Focus on me, honey," she said, her voice a velvety caress. "We'll figure everything out later."
Nora took my hands and placed them on her hips, swaying them seductively. As we drew closer, her breasts pressed against my chest, and my brain went into overdrive. My body responded to her touch as she pulled off the lingerie.
Strangely, Evelyn was all I could think of at the moment. I knew I shouldn't be thinking of Evelyn, not when Nora was in front of me, now completely naked.
I tried hard to resist the temptation, but Nora's wrapped arms around my neck were quite tight, her lips pressing against mine, and my resolve weakened.
I grabbed her more intently now and pressed her fully to myself as she undressed me. I pounced on her like a starved beast, fondling her curves and responding to her moans.
Even as I rode the waves of passion with Nora, Evelyn's image haunted me; Her laughter, her vulnerability, the way her eyes lit up when she was smiled at me... it was all I could see.
And that was when I knew I was in trouble.
*****
EVELYN'S POV
My father's villa loomed ahead, its sprawling architecture casting long shadows in the fading light. I pulled into the driveway and shut off the engine, leaning my forehead against the steering wheel.
A knock on my window startled me.
"Trouble in paradise?" a familiar voice asked.
I rolled the window down to see my father standing there, his stern features softening slightly as he looked at me.
"Welcome back, Dad," I said, forcing a smile. "It's just been a long day."
"You know, if you didn't work for another day in your life, you'd still have everything you need, right?" he said gruffly.
I sighed. This was a regular conversation between us, and I knew this wouldn't be the last time. I just found a way to manage my emotions around my father.
"It wasn't work, Dad," I said, "I went shopping for Mom."
I stepped out of the car and gave my father a hug. My father, Ethan, was a stout fellow, and I looked nothing like him. What he lost in height, he made up in power and influence. He was a fierce werewolf when he shifted into his werewolf form and commanded the respect of all.
He raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Well, you look like hell and smell like shit," my father said, disentangling himself from my embrace, "Go clean up. Dinner will be ready when you're done."
"Alright," I said, "Let me get the servants bring out Mom's stuffs from the car."
"Uhm… No one's home," my father said, "I gave them the weekend off."
"Right," I said, "Mom mentioned it in the morning. You sure everything is okay?"
"Sure," my father said, "Just give me your car keys and I will ensure your Mom gets her stuffs in one piece."
My father was not a man for emotions, but he sure did want me to feel happy around him.
"Go and run a quick bath, alright?" he said, "I will make sure a hot meal is waiting for you when you get back. After that, we can talk."
I had no appetite but I had to comply even if it meant pleasing my father.
I nodded and handed him the keys. "Thanks, Dad."
He grunted in response, taking the keys and entering the car.
"Mom, I'm home!" I screamed as I went to my room.
Once in my room, I let out a heavy sigh. The space was immaculate, the bed made and the floors spotless. It was a far cry from the chaos I'd left behind this morning.
I undressed quickly and stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash away the day's tension. But as the steam filled the room, a familiar scent wafted toward me; Albert's scent. It was so strong that my pheromones went up.
My heart raced, and a warm flush spread through me. It was so vivid, so real, that I could almost feel Albert's touch. My mind wandered, and I found myself lost in the memory of his strong hands and the way he looked at me as if I were the only person in the world.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed me from behind and kissed the nape of my neck just like my fantasy in the morning. It had been a while since I felt this vulnerable but it felt so good with my wetness and all.
My hand quickly slid in-between my legs as I enjoyed the feeling. I turned sharply to face whoever has kissed me, expecting Albert. But it wasn't him.
I howled in fear. My scream attracted my family to my door. I was in shock but found a way to comport myself.
"Evelyn!" my mother's voice called from the other side of the doorway. panic evident in her tone. "Are you alright, darling?"
I knew my father was there behind the door because I heard whispers.
"I'm fine!" I shouted, my voice trembling. "Just slipped. I'll be out soon."
Everyone heaved a sigh of relief as their footsteps outside receded, and I was left alone in the suffocating silence.
Lucas wasn't here. He couldn't be. It was Albert's scent, yet Lucas's face that I saw.
But the scent remained, mingling with the steam and clinging to my skin.
It was going to be a long night, I thought to myself. I grabbed my sponge in an attempt to wash off the scent that gave me this scare, knowing that this thought was going to linger for a long time.
I opened my eyes for the rest of the bath.