{"Beneath the veiled moon, desire is a rebel's song, played softly in the shadows."}
Standing in the shower, I leaned my forehead against the cold tiles, letting the icy water cascade down my back. Each droplet felt like a shock to my system, but it was not enough to drown out the vivid memory that refused to fade.
The kiss.
Sweet and intoxicating, it lingered on my lips like the finest wine, and no amount of water could wash it away. It had been passionate, no, more than that. It was alluring, magnetic, like a force pulling me into the very essence of him.
This was not my first kiss, not by a long shot, but god's help me, it felt like it was. The way his lips moved against mine, firm yet teasing, sent sparks through my entire body. My fingers had instinctively curled into the fabric of his shirt, desperate to hold on, to pull him closer.
Now, standing here, my body vibrated with a mix of need and lust that I could not shake off. The cold water only heightened the heat simmering within me, a frustrating contradiction that made my fists clench against the wall.
I closed my eyes, the scent of vanilla and the memory of his soft chuckle flooding my senses. Why did he have this effect on me? Who was he to stir up such emotions I had not felt in years?
"Damn it," I muttered, running a hand through my wet hair then my hand snaked down to my cock and I grabbed it, and rubbed it up and down, reveling in the kiss, over and over until my cock leaked and finally twitching and cum splattered in the bathroom floor. I heaved, out of breath like I had run a marathon from the sheer force of the orgasm. It was all tied to the feelings and emotions that the vampire had evoked. If the Bay shifter pack discovered that I was lusting after a forbidden enemy, they would have a field day.
I cleaned up hurriedly and stepped out of the shower, chuckling at how ridiculous I had become. After dressing, I went down to the kitchen and found the dinner the maids had prepared, warmed it, and sat down to give my body the nourishment it required.
An hour later, I was in bed, tossing and turning until Gale was annoyed and pushed the words through.
"You're going to drive both of us crazy. Just go to sleep."
Gale's voice echoed in my mind; firm yet laced with irritation. My Lycan beast rarely held back his thoughts, and tonight was no exception.
I sighed, knowing he was right. "Fine," I hummed in response, rolling onto my side.
But ten minutes later, it was clear the effort was futile. My mind refused to settle, images of the vampire's piercing gaze and intoxicating presence flashing vividly. Frustration mounted as I tossed the blanket aside and got out of bed. The only thing left to do was burn off this restless energy.
I made my way to the basement, the air was cooler and heavier down there, but familiar. The training equipment gleamed under the faint overhead light, waiting for me like an old friend. Without hesitation, I wrapped my hands and approached the bars.
Gale stirred again, restless, his voice cutting through the quiet. "How is it even possible for a Lycan to be attracted to a vampire? A forbidden creature…a taboo?"
His words hit hard, forcing me to pause. I did not have an answer. How could I? Nothing about this made sense.
"I don't know," I muttered under my breath, gripping the bar tightly and pulling myself up. The strain in my muscles was welcome, and grounding.
Repetition after repetition, I pushed myself harder, hitting the bars, flipping the weights, and throwing punches at the bag with all the frustration I could not voice. The rhythmic thud of fists meeting leather filled the room, drowning out the chaos in my head.
Gale remained silent for a while, though I could feel his unease simmering in the background. He did not need to say more; I already knew the truth of it. This attraction was madness.
Hours later, drenched in sweat and with every muscle screaming in protest, I dragged myself back upstairs. Exhaustion dulled the edges of my thoughts as I collapsed into bed. My head hit the pillow, and finally, mercifully, sleep claimed me.
The sound of footsteps pacing up and down pulled me from the depths of sleep. My eyes fluttered open, greeted by the warm rays of the afternoon sun spilling into my room. I groaned softly, realizing I had overslept.
Lying still for a moment, I listened carefully. The faint hum of voices reached me, along with familiar scents. Wave and Spark were in the kitchen. Their emotions practically reverberated through the walls, worry, unease, and frustration. A small chuckle escaped my lips at the intensity of it all.
Dragging myself out of bed, I took a quick shower, dressed, and headed downstairs. As I entered the kitchen, Wave perched on one of the stools at the counter, his fingers drumming impatiently on the surface. Spark stood by the window, arms crossed, staring out as if the answers he sought could be found in the distance.
The moment I stepped in, Spark turned around, his brow furrowed deeply. That look alone told me something was wrong.
"Greetings, Alpha," they both said in unison, nodding respectfully.
I nodded back, keeping my tone steady despite the knot forming in my stomach. "What is going on? Tell me what happened."
Spark glanced at Wave, then back at me, before stepping forward to speak. "Alpha, we've uncovered a mole within the Bay Shifter council."
My eyes narrowed, my body going rigid. "A mole?"
Spark nodded solemnly. "One of the guards under Deputy General Tiger Astor, his name is Rowan Aren. During questioning, he admitted to passing information to the Paradise Bay Coven."
Wave leaned forward, his expression dark. "Specifically, he told them about the awakening of your Lycan beast."
The weight of their words hit me like a hammer. My blood ran cold, and for a moment, I could not move. The room seemed to close in around me as the reality of the betrayal sank in.
"How long has this been going on?" I managed to ask, my voice low and laced with anger.
"From what we could gather, for weeks now," Spark replied, his gaze unwavering.
Wave added, "He has been feeding them details about our movements and your activities. This is no small leak, Tor. They know too much."
My fists clenched at my sides, the beast within me growling with fury. Rowan's betrayal was not just treachery, it was a threat to everything we had worked to protect. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to remain calm. "Where is Rowan now?"
"He's in custody," Spark said. "We've kept this quiet, but we need to decide what to do with him."
I nodded, my mind already working through the options. "Good. Keep him locked up. I want to deal with him. We need to know exactly how much he has told them and how far this betrayal goes."
Wave and Spark exchanged a glance before nodding.
The anger simmered just beneath my skin as I leaned against the counter. This betrayal was not just a personal affront, it was a danger to the entire Bay Shifter pack, and I had a feeling that was why the Vampires had visited Hanka Island.