Chapter 5 : The Wolf Inside

Kai stood still, he didn’t say a word, and I didn’t say anything either.

My whole body felt tight, like I couldn’t move. My hands were shaking and curled into fists. My jaw was locked so hard, it started to hurt. I tried to breathe, but it felt heavy in my chest.

Kai looked at me for one more second. His eyes were cold, but I saw something else in them that looked like pain. 

Then, without saying anything, he turned and walked away.

Just like that… he was gone.

The door closed behind him with a soft click. The sound felt loud in the silence. I stood frozen. I didn’t even blink. My heart was beating too fast, too loud. It felt like it would jump out of my chest.

I kept staring at the door, hoping maybe he would come back. But he didn’t.

Selene was standing nearby. She turned her head and watched Kai as he disappeared down the hall. Her eyes followed him until he was out of sight.

She didn’t say anything either. But I saw something in her eyes, something sharp, something knowing.

The room was quiet again, too quiet.

She too then walked up to me “See you later, baby,” she said. Her voice was sweet like sugar.

Then she kissed my cheek.

My whole body turned cold and my wolf growled under my skin.

“You are shaking,” she said. “Are you okay, Lucien?”

I walked away and I didn’t answer.

__

I sat in my office and I kept looking at the same paper for over an hour.

I didn’t even read it.

I smelled Kai on it and maybe he touched it.

That scent. That soft scent.

It was driving me insane.

My wolf scratched inside me, it was hot and wild and I felt my skin heat up.

 My claws pushed out, just a little and I shoved them back down.

No. Not here.

During the board meeting, I tried to act normal, but my voice was cold and my eyes were blank.

Then I saw Kai walk past the glass wall.

My breath caught and my eyes shifted.

I felt the burn in my hand and I looked down.

The glass in my hand was broken and blood dripped on the table.

Everyone stared.

“Excuse me,” I said and walked out.

In the restroom, I gripped the sink and I splashed cold water on my face, again and again.

My reflection was not human.

Golden eyes, sharp teeth, I saw a beast.

“Control it,” I whispered. “You are alpha. You are in control.”

But I was not, I was not anymore.

__

That night, I heard the front door opened.

I know that perfume. It was Selene.

She walked in without knocking and she was wearing a silky black dress and holding wine.

She always walked like she owned the place.

I sat on the couch, silent. I didn’t want her here.

She sat beside me, she was very close and her leg touched mine.

“I brought red wine,” she said. “You like red, right?”

I didn’t answer.

She poured it anyway.

“We need to set a date,” she said softly. “The council is waiting.”

I nodded but I said nothing.

She moved closer and her fingers trailed up my arm. “Is it someone else?” she whispered, but I said nothing again.

That’s the problem. I always said nothing.

Her smile faded and she studied me. “There’s something… off with you,” she said. “Something is wrong.”

I stood up and walked to the window. “I’m tired. Go home.”

She didn’t move.

“You don’t want to talk? Fine.” She stood and walked to the door. But before she left, she leaned close to my ear and said,“Your scent changed. I don’t miss things like that.”

Then she left.

My chest was tight and my hands shook again.

__

The next morning, I walked into the building and I stopped.

Two Elders were waiting in the lobby, one was an old Beta. His eyes were sharp and his face was cold. 

“Alpha Lucien,” he said. “We are here to observe.”

I nodded and my voice was flat. “Of course.”

I took them to the private room.

They asked questions. Why I missed training.

Why my reports were late and why my scent changed.

“Is your bond to Selene still intact?” they asked.

I smile, but my body was hot.

“Yes. Everything is fine.”

They smelled the lie and I knew they did.

They exchanged a look.

“If you’re hiding something, Alpha,” one of them said. “it won’t stay hidden for long.”

___

It was late and everyone had gone, but I still smelt him.

Kai.

He was still here and I followed the scent down the stairs. It was stronger near the basement.

My wolf paced inside me, it was loud and hungry.

The door to the server room was cracked open. I pushed it open and step in.

Kai was kneeling beside a cabinet, fixing wires.

He looked up fast and his breath stopped.

I shut the door and locked it.

Click. He stood quickly. “Don’t,” he said, his voice shaking.

I walked toward him.

His chest rose and fell fast.

“Say it,” I whispered.

“No.”

I slammed my hand on the wall beside his head.

“Say you feel it too,” I growled. “Say it!”

Kai looked at me like I was fire and his eyes were full of fear. But also something else.

“I do,” he said, his voice was cracking. “But I can’t. You are hers.”

My whole body shook.

My claws pushed out and my fangs pressed against my lips and I tasted blood.

“I couldn't hold it back anymore,” I growled.

Then it happened.

My eyes turned gold.

My muscles tightened and my breath was heavy.

My mind faded and I didn't think.

I moved, I grabbed him and I kissed him.

It was hard, wild, like I was breaking.

Kai gasped and he didn’t push me away.

He kissed me back and the room felt like it was burning.

Then…Click. The lock turned and the door started to open.

Light from the hallway flashed on the server screens and I froze.

Kai stared at me, lips still red.

The door creaked open slowly...