Chapter 6

Delilah’s Pov

I was on my knees, looking up at Malric, his piercing gaze burning into me like he could see straight through every secret, every hidden thought. His presence was overwhelming, the raw power radiating from him making my chest tighten. Then, suddenly, he bent down, his large hand curling beneath my chin, forcing my eyes to meet his.

“You look so beautiful when you kneel for me,” he murmured, his voice deep, rough, and commanding.

My throat went dry. I swallowed hard but said nothing. My heart was pounding, yet I refused to let him see just how much he was affecting me.

His thumb brushed against my lower lip slowly, deliberately, tracing the soft curve before gliding downward along my neck. I inhaled sharply when his touch lingered at the hollow of my throat, warm and demanding. My body responded before I could stop it, heat pooling low in my belly, my breath growing unsteady.

But just as suddenly as he leaned in, Malric pulled back, his jaw tense, his coldness slamming back into place like a steel wall.

“Stand,” he ordered, his tone sharp and distant.

I rose slowly, keeping my composure, refusing to let him see the chaos he had stirred inside me.

“I don’t know what you’re trying to do… or planning,” Malric said, his voice dark and laced with warning. “But stay away from me, Delilah. Or you won’t like how things turn out.”

A slow smirk curved my lips. I stepped closer, deliberately invading his space, my scent wrapping around us like a trap.

“I heard everyone fears you, Malric,” I whispered, tilting my head just slightly. “But I’m not everyone. I’m not afraid of you. I’m simply here… to do my job.”

I let my fingertips trail lightly down his chest, tracing the hard lines of muscle beneath his shirt. I moved lower, almost brushing against the heat of his manhood, when his hand shot out, gripping my wrist firmly.

“Leave,” he ground out, his voice a low growl.

“Fine,” I said softly, letting my lips curl into a teasing smile. “But I’ll be back… with your medication.”

My heart was racing as I turned to go, though I forced my strides to remain calm and measured. I would not give him the satisfaction of knowing just how much power he held over me… yet.

As I stepped out into the hallway, the cool air hitting my flushed skin, I almost walked straight into one of the pack members — a tall, handsome man with an easy smile.

“My lady,” he said warmly, giving me a polite bow. “Would you care to go on a walk with me?”

I hesitated for a moment, considering. I wasn’t doing anything else, and part of me needed to clear my head after what just happened with Malric.

“Alright,” I said finally.

We walked through the winding paths of the pack’s territory, the forest whispering around us as the sun dipped lower in the sky. After a while, he glanced at me curiously.

“This is the first time we’ve spoken properly,” he said. “Tell me about yourself.”

“There’s not much to tell,” I replied smoothly. “I’m a healer. That’s all there is.”

He frowned slightly, his gaze lingering on my face. “It’s strange… you look so familiar. Almost like the woman who was cast out two years ago.”

My steps faltered slightly, though I masked it quickly. “Cast out?” I asked, feigning ignorance.

“Yes,” he nodded. “She betrayed the pack. Tried to work with the enemy, even attempted something against the Alpha. They punished her… killed her, they said.”

I forced a small, amused laugh. “And how do you know she wasn’t framed?”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh, trust me. No one doubts it. She was guilty.”

“Hmm,” I murmured, schooling my expression into something calm and unreadable, even as my thoughts churned.

After a moment, I stopped walking. “I should go,” I said curtly.

He blinked in surprise. “Already? I thought we could—”

“Could what?” I cut him off sharply, my voice cool and dismissive. “Learn something? Share secrets?” I took a step closer, my eyes narrowing. “Do yourself a favor… stay away from me.”

With that, I turned on my heel and strode back toward my chambers, leaving him behind without a second glance.

I pushed the door to my room shut and leaned against it, my heartbeat still wild from everything that happened earlier. My head felt heavy, too full, too restless, so I sat cross-legged on the bed and closed my eyes. I needed to calm my racing thoughts, and meditation was the only thing that ever worked.

I forced myself to focus, drawing my energy inward, visualizing peace, but the more I tried to pull away, the closer his image became, filling every corner of my mind. I meditated until I felt light, almost floating, before finally opening my eyes. The tension in my chest had softened, but it hadn’t disappeared.

I ate a quick meal afterward, something light, something to ground me, but my thoughts were still tangled. Eventually, I gave in and decided to rest for a bit before heading over to Malric’s chamber with his medication. My body was warm, exhausted, and heavy, sinking into the soft mattress as my lashes fluttered shut

Sleep came fast, and with it… him

Malric’s voice was deep, rough, and close enough that I could feel the heat of his breath against my skin

His fingers dug into my flesh hard enough to bruise, his cock pistoning into me with a rhythm that stole my breath. Every thrust was a claim, a brand, his voice a growl in my ear“You’re mine, Delilah,” he growled, his words edged with possession, “you are mine”

My back hit something solid, his body pressing me down. My breath caught when his lips found my neck, slow, burning kisses dragging lower and lower until I was trembling under his touch. His hands roamed like he owned me, like every inch of me belonged to him, and my body… gods, my body betrayed me, arching up into his

“Malric…” I gasped his name, half a plea, half a surrender

“You feel that?” he rasped against my ear, thrusting harder, deeper, until I cried out, nails clawing at his shoulders, my walls clenching around him. “That’s mine too”

Every word, every movement set me on fire, pulling me closer and closer to the edge until my whole body quivered, straining, desperate for release. My breath came ragged, broken, my climax almost there, almost—

I jolted awake, chest heaving, drenched in sweat, the remnants of the dream clinging to me like silk. My body still hummed with need, throbbing with the ghost of his touch

And then I froze

Because Malric was there

He was sitting at the edge of my bed, half in shadow, his intense gaze locked on me like he could see every sinful thought I’d just had. His expression was unreadable, but his jaw was tight, his breathing shallow, like he’d been fighting something

My throat went dry. “Malric…?” I whispered, voice shaky, my body still betraying me with every ragged inhale

He tilted his head slightly, his eyes dark and unrelenting. “Were you,” his voice was low, husky, almost dangerous, “having an erotic dream about me, Delilah?”