I close my eyes, pumping faster.
I clench my jaw so hard that it almost hurts.
Then, without warning, my balls seize up, and with the image of Selene still fresh in my mind, I come spurting streams.
My breathing comes out in sharp gasps as I rinse myself and the floor.
What the hell have I just done?
I avoid looking at myself in the mirror as I wrap a towel around my waist and walk into my bedroom.
After getting dressed, I make my way to the kitchen. It has been a long night, and I haven’t even eaten yet.
I stroll into my kitchen, flicking on the lights. It’s all sleek and modern, just the way I like it. Stainless steel appliances gleam under the bright overhead lights and granite countertops catch the reflection.
My family’s got money, but I’ve made my own path, running Mariya’s. I am proud of the home I have built.
The place has a bachelor pad vibe, no doubt. Photos of my family hang on the walls, reminding me of where I come from. There’s one in particular, taken a few weeks after Grayson was born. Layla’s grinning like a goofball, Colt’s lost in his own world with a stick, Mom is cradling baby Gray, and Dad’s got his arm around her. And there’s me, staring straight at the camera. I don’t know why, but that picture just gets me every time.
The house is quiet, too quiet. It’s just me and the memories in here.
I wish Grayson were here.
I head to the fridge, grabbing ingredients for a decent meal. Cooking has always been my way of unwinding and distracting myself.
Tonight, I decide to make something comforting—spaghetti carbonara. I pull out some thick-cut bacon, eggs, Parmesan cheese, and a box of spaghetti. As I chop the bacon and grate the cheese, the familiar motions calm me down. The sizzle of the bacon in the pan fills the kitchen with a savory aroma, and I start to feel a little better.
I boil the pasta until it’s al dente, then drain it and toss it into the pan with the crispy bacon. Off the heat, I crack a couple of eggs into the steaming hot mixture, stirring quickly to coat the pasta in a creamy sauce. A generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese adds the finishing touch.
I dish out a hearty portion onto a plate, garnishing it with a sprinkle of black pepper and chopped parsley. It looks damn good if I do say so myself.
As I eat, I can’t shake off the feeling that something’s missing. Maybe it’s about time I start thinking about dating again.
It is time.
I’ve always used the excuse of being the Protector, too busy running Mariya’s, but maybe that was just BS. Maybe my attraction to Selene is out of boredom and loneliness. It has to be.
But even as I consider the idea, my mind keeps drifting back to Selene. It’s like she’s got some kind of hold on me, and I can’t shake it.
I shake my head, trying to clear it. “Focus, Liam,” I mutter to myself. “You got other things to worry about.”
But no matter how hard I try, she’s still there, lurking in the back of my mind. It’s like I’m drawn to her despite knowing how dangerous it is. But I can’t let myself get caught up in that mess.
I finish my meal and clean up, trying to push Selene out of my thoughts.
But as I head to bed, her face flashes in my mind again, and I can’t help but wonder what the fuck I’m going to do about her.
I wake up with a start, sweat trickling down my bare back.
The dream is still fresh in my mind, the memory of my first transformation into a wolf. I was so young, barely a teenager, and yet I remember every detail like it was yesterday.
I remember the fear and confusion as my body twisted and contorted, bones shifting, muscles stretching. I remember the sharp and intense pain as my body reshaped itself into something wild and primal. And I remember the sense of freedom and exhilaration as I took my first steps as a wolf.
Mom didn’t understand it, but she was there for me, along with Mariya and Dad. They helped me through it.
But now, as I lay in bed, shaking and terrified, I can’t help but wonder if they were right to continue supporting me. After all, I am keeping secrets that affect my family. How can I be attracted to someone like Selene, knowing the danger she represents?
I can’t dwell on it, not now. I need to clear my head. I get out of bed and pull on some running clothes, lacing up my sneakers. I head out into the night, the cool air hitting me as I start to run.