Chapter 11: The Consequences of Desire
Mia arrived at work, her heart heavy with shame. She couldn't face Kaiden, not after what happened at the ball. But she took a deep breath and pushed open the door, determined to pretend it never happened.
Kaiden was already in his office, his eyes fixed on her as she entered. Mia felt a flutter in her chest, but she looked away, trying to compose herself.
"Good morning, sir," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kaiden's response was curt, his tone icy. "Good morning, Mia. I trust you're feeling better after your act.... never mind"
Mia's face was filled with embarrassment, but she nodded, still unable to meet his eyes. "Yes, sir. I'm fine, thank you." "You can go to your desk, I've placed some documents there for you to sort out", Kaiden further said.
But Kaiden wasn't fine. He was torn apart by his feelings for Mia, feelings he couldn't allow himself to have. He had loved a human before, and she had died. He couldn't protect her, and the guilt still haunted him.
He had been taught from a young age that humans were betrayers, not to be trusted. His father, the leader of their pack, had told him the stories of Korvus, the oldest and wisest alpha, who had lost his family to human treachery.
Korvus's law was clear: no werewolf was allowed to fall in love with a human. The punishment for breaking this law was death. Kaiden's father had enforced this law, and Kaiden knew that he would have to answer to Korvus if he were to disobey.
But Mia was different. She was kind, gentle, and brave. Kaiden couldn't help but feel drawn to her, but he feared for her safety. If Korvus were to find out about their relationship, he would stop at nothing to eliminate her.
Kaiden remembered the stories of Korvus's powers, how he could control the very fabric of nature. He had seen it with his own eyes, the way Korvus could summon the winds and conjure fire from thin air.
Kaiden's father had always warned him about Korvus's wrath, how he would not hesitate to kill anyone who threatened the pack's safety. And humans were the ultimate threat, according to Korvus.
As Kaiden struggled with his feelings, he knew he had to make a choice. He could either follow his heart and risk Mia's life, or he could protect her by staying away.
But as he watched her from afar, he knew he couldn't resist her forever. He was drawn to her like a moth to flame, and he feared that he would eventually succumb to his desires.
And when he did, Korvus would be waiting, ready to strike.
"Korvus will never allow it," Kaiden whispered to himself, his heart heavy with dread. "I'll never be able to protect her from him."
No, the only way to protect her is to push her far away from me he thought to himself. He then piled her with work, task after task, each one more demanding than the last.
Mia worked tirelessly, her mind racing with the pressure, but Kaiden seemed relentless. He barely spoke to her, his words curt and dismissive, and Mia felt like she was walking on eggshells around him.
As the hours passed, Mia's hunger grew, but Kaiden didn't offer her a break. She skipped lunch, and then dinner, her stomach growling with protest. But she refused to give in, to show any weakness in front of Kaiden.
Finally, as the sun began to set, Kaiden dismissed her, his voice cold and detached. "You may go, Mia. I'll see you tomorrow."
Mia nodded, her eyes downcast, and turned to leave. But as she reached the door, she realized that she had no way of getting home. She had come to work without her car, and now she was stranded.
Kaiden didn't offer to drop her, didn't even acknowledge her predicament. Mia felt a surge of resentment, but she pushed it aside, determined to make her way home.
As she walked, the darkness gathering around her, Mia felt a sense of unease. She quickened her pace, her heart pounding in her chest, but the feeling only intensified.
Kaiden's car sped down the deserted road, the only sound the hum of the engine. But Kaiden's mind was elsewhere, consumed by thoughts of Mia. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had been too hard on her, that he had pushed her away when all he wanted to do was protect her.
As the darkness gathered outside, Kaiden's emotions grew more turbulent. He felt restless, his heart racing with a sense of unease. It was a feeling he knew all too well, one that he had experienced the last time he saved Mia in the woods.
Suddenly, Kaiden's instincts screamed at him to stop. "Stop the car," he barked at his driver.
The driver obeyed, and Kaiden got out, his eyes scanning the darkness. He felt a sense of disorientation, as if he was being pulled towards something.
Without a word, Kaiden disappeared into the night, his body swallowed by the shadows. His driver watched in confusion, wondering what his boss was doing.
But Kaiden didn't care. He was driven by a primal urge, one that he couldn't ignore. He made his way into the woods, his senses on high alert.
As he walked, the trees seemed to close in around him, the darkness growing thicker. But Kaiden pressed on, his heart pounding in his chest.
And then, he saw her. Mia. Surrounded by a pack of wild, hungry wolves. Kaiden's instincts took over, and he transformed, his body a blur of motion as he launched himself at the wolves.
Mia's eyes widened in terror as she saw Kaiden's wolf form jump over her, his teeth bared. She passed out, her body crumpling to the ground.
Kaiden fought off the wolves, his heart pounding with exertion. And then, he turned to Mia, his eyes fixed on her still form. He felt a pang of guilt, his heart troubled by the way he had treated her earlier.
Why had he been so cruel to her? Why had he pushed her away, when all he wanted to do was protect her?
He wanted to leave her there, but he couldn't. She was bleeding from her head and hands, and her place was still miles away. He blamed himself for leaving her alone, for being cruel to her.
With a heavy heart, Kaiden scooped up Mia's body, his arms cradling her gently. He couldn't leave her here, not like this. He would take her home, keep her safe.
As he walked back to his car, the darkness seemed to recede, replaced by a sense of purpose. Kaiden knew what he had to do. He would make it right, he would make her safe. And he would never let her go again.He wanted to leave her there, but he couldn't. She was bleeding from her head and hands, and her place was still miles away. He blamed himself for leaving her alone, for being cruel to her.
He would take her to his mansion, Blackwood Manor, and keep her safe.