AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER

Varkos**

The study was silent; the only sound was the soft ticking of the clock, each movement precise and quiet. The same way I always liked it.

I was reviewing reports when the door creaked open. My eyes narrowed, muscles tensing…no one had permission to enter this study without knocking.

A small figure, stepping tentatively inside. Light brown hair fell around her face, eyes wide and curious, she froze the moment our gazes met. Just long enough to realize she had stumbled into a place she wasn’t supposed to be.

“Who are you?” My voice was low, controlled, but loud enough to thunder through the study as I studied her, my instincts snapping forward with protective caution and immediate curiosity.

She blinked once, then tilted her head.“I… I’m Lily,” she said softly, as if saying her own name would save her from my wrath, “was just looking for… something.”

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth at the way she spoke, there was something about it…a confidence that didn’t belong to a human child. Most humans of this age quivered at the mere shadow of a Lycan, yet she looked at me as if she were already deciding whether I was a threat or not.

“And why would you enter a room you are forbidden from?” I asked, moving towards her in slow, deliberate steps.

“I… I didn’t know,” she admitted, “I thought maybe I could read some of your books. You always look like you’re thinking really hard.”

A faint chuckle escaped me—surprising, even to myself. This little human…she is not afraid of me?

“Oh, is that so? Why would you say such a thing?”I asked, my tone laced with interest.

“Yes,” she nodded without hesitation. “You really do look like someone who knows everything…but maybe you’re just pretending.”

The corner of my mouth lifted into a smirk. “Perhaps I am,” her eyes sparkled, and I felt a flicker of something unfamiliar—a strange warmth that I quickly shoved aside. 

She stepped closer, her small hands folded behind her back, and her eyes scanned the study room with uncontainable curiosity. “Do you… Do you like puzzles, Mr?” she asked suddenly.

“Puzzles?” I raised a brow, finding myself intrigued at such a question from a little creature like her. 

“Yes,” she shot back, tapping the hem of her dress, “I think smart people like you love puzzles. Maybe that’s why you always look so…mean and serious.”

What audacity of this human child!

Daring to speak to me as if she were equal, and yet, I felt no irritation. Only… intrigue. “Perhaps,” I said slowly, “Do you like riddles too?”

“Oh yes!” Her face lit up immediately with my question. “Can you give me one?”

I thought for a moment, deciding if I should indulge her in the conversation or not. “Alright,” I said, my voice dropping into a teasing growl. “I speak without a mouth and hear without ears, I have nobody, but I come alive with wind. What am I?”

Her brows furrowed, those tiny lips pursed in concentration as she tilted her head, “An echo!” she exclaimed suddenly, eyes shining triumphantly.

For a moment I froze, the tiniest thrill of surprise flickering through me. “Correct.”

A soft laughter escaped through her, and it filled the entire study room, “I know another one!” She said, hopping slightly on her tiny feet. “I can make you laugh without touching you, but you have to pay attention to me!”

I leaned back in my chair, and folded my arms, allowing her the chance to tease me, “And if I don’t laugh?”

“Then I’ll just keep trying until you do.” She replied playfully, “Everyone laughs eventually.”

Nice one, little human, that was the only thought running through my mind right now. I found myself leaning forward, curious about her boldness…how she challenged me without even trying.

“You are quite… audacious for a tiny creature,” I finally said after a while, my tone neutral but edged with the faintest hint of amusement.

She tilted her head, her eyes glinting with innocent mischief. “Well, you don’t seem so scary when you’re…you know, smiling like that.”

I felt the smallest flicker of something uncomfortable in my chest—whoever thought that Varkos Draven would be smiling stupidly at the words of a little human. My hands clenched into fists beneath the desk, but before I could part my lips to respond, the study door swung open violently.

“Var—“

Kenna’s voice paused mid-air as she walked in, her heels clicking against the polished floor like that of a predator announcing her presence. 

“Who is this?” Her eyes landed on Lily with the immediate disdain only we Lycans could muster toward humans.

I straightened instantly, standing up from the position where I was talking with Lily.  “Just a… human child,” I said quickly, carefully keeping my voice calm, “She wandered in here.”

Kenna’s nose wrinkled in utter disgust, “A human? In my Alpha’s study? Are you… seriously—“

“She means no harm.” I cut in before she could finish, meeting her gaze without flinching. 

“Whatever, just tell her to get out of my sight.” Kenna’s eyes narrowed, sharp and cruel. Lily, unaware of the danger her presence had caused, turned to me, her eyes wide.

 “I’m sorry… I didn’t know…”

I knelt slightly to bring myself to her level, a fleeting softness in my tone. “It is not your fault, but you must leave now.”

She frowned, sadness evident across her face as she spoke, “Why? I was having fun. You’re… nice.”

“Leave.” The word left my mouth before I could stop it, as I forced my face back into the cold expression Varkos Draven was known for.

Her lips pressed together in a pout, but she obeyed, retreating toward the door with small, careful steps. Kenna’s eyes flicked back to mine, and for the briefest second, I felt her questioning my control.

But she was right after all. The human child had no right to draw my attention, to stir something within me I had long suppressed. 

I shook my head, forcing the thought away. Humans were nothing but dangerous distractions, weaknesses…

And I could not afford weakness.