Chapter four

Maya pov

​I lay awake on the huge bed, staring through the open glass doors that led to the balcony. Cool night air drifted into the room, carrying the fresh scent of pine trees from the forest outside.

​I stood up from the bed and walked out to the balcony. It was so big.​The cool breeze cut right through the thin silk of my nightdress, making the sheer material cling to my body, but the chill felt good against my warm skin. I couldn't help but fall in love with the view. Everything was quiet and beautiful, and the moon shone brightly on my face.

​I let out a deep breath and held the railing. I'd rather stay here than sleep. Besides, sleeping meant being hunted by nightmares and memories I had fought so hard to let go of.

​Footsteps echoed through the balcony.

​I froze. How could someone get in here? It's connected directly to my room.

​I turned around, and my eyes met his.

​Adrian.

​He had discarded his suit jacket, wearing only a dark dress shirt with the top buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up to his forearms. His dark hair was slightly messy, and his posture was stiff, radiating a heavy, dangerous aura. It was obvious he had just returned.

​I swallowed hard unknowingly. How could someone be this hot without even trying?

​

He took slow, steady steps toward me until he stood a short distance away from me. I had to look up to meet his gaze because of how tall he was.

​"Who let you into my private balcony?" His voice thundered, and no one needed to tell me he was furious.

​

I felt completely confused. My room led to this balcony, so why was he calling it his? I looked past him to where he had walked from, and my eyes widened at the realization. His room also opened onto this exact balcony. No wonder the servant said only the Alpha's fated Luna could have a room this close to his.

​

"Sorry, Alpha. I... I didn't know it was your private balcony," I blurted out quickly.

​"Who gave you a room close to mine? Only Margaret can have a room that close," he demanded, stepping closer.

​I backed up until I hit the railing. My eyes wandered around, looking for a way to explain, but mentioning the servant would only put her in trouble.

​"I'm sorry. I chose the room. The servant said no, but I insisted," I said sincerely.

​The fury in his eyes suddenly disappeared. He took his gaze away from mine and looked off into the distance.

​"Get out," he whispered.

​I stared at him, confused. Why wasn't he shouting anymore? Was it because I told the truth?

​"I said leave!" This time, his voice was higher and sharper.

​I flinched and stormed off. But after taking just two steps, I heard the sound of my nightgown tearing.

​My eyes widened, and I turned sharply. The torn part was hanging on the railing. It had caught on the metal when I backed into it, and the pressure of me walking away tore the thin material right open, exposing my back.

​My gaze shifted back to Adrian. He stood there, staring at my exposed skin. I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable under his intense gaze.

​What is wrong with me? I came here to seduce this man and use him exactly my revenge, but I couldn't even stand him looking at me.

​I wanted to turn and run, but the tear at the back was too big. Turning means being completely exposed.

​Adrian reached for the buttons of his shirt. He unbuttoned them one at a time before pulling the shirt completely off. My eyes roamed his chest and torso. His abs and muscles stood out perfectly in the moonlight. I remembered touching them in the kitchen earlier, and I wondered what it would feel like to touch his bare skin now.

​He closed the distance and wrapped his hands around my waist. I wondered what he was up to. My body trembled immediately when his cold hands touched my skin. I could feel the intense warmth of his skin underneath.

​My hands moved, unintentionally. My fingers brushed against his stomach, resting against the hard, warm wall of his abs. I let my palms roam over his skin just a little, tracing the tight muscles beneath my fingertips.

The moment my palm touched his chest, 

Adrian went completely still.

His eyes dropped to my hand.

For a second, he didn't move.

​His breathing caught, going rough and unsteady against the nape of my neck.

“Maya.” His voice was low, controlled, but there was a strain in it that hadn't been there before.

He caught my wrist and slowly pulled my hand away.

​"Don't ever wear something like that again," he said, taking a step back. I realized he had wrapped his dress shirt around my waist and tied it, covering the torn gown.

​I cleared my throat, trying to regain my composure. "It's... it's a nightdress," I muttered defensively.

​"This is my territory, and no one questions my orders, Maya." His voice was low, but it carried absolute authority.

For a moment neither of us spoke.

​"Thanks for the shirt, Alpha" I muttered.

​I turned and left the balcony. Even as I walked into my room, I could still feel his gaze burning into my back.

I changed into something comfortable and took my medication, hoping it would help me sleep better. I lay on the bed, but the encounter lingered in my mind.

So he did react to me. I was sure I saw the way his breathing changed when I touched him.

A small smile touched my lips.

Maybe getting Adrian to fall for me wouldn't be as difficult as I'd thought.

This was exactly what I wanted.

My eyes fell on the shirt he'd given me. I picked it up and brought it to my nose, inhaling his scent.

My mind immediately went back to the feel of his skin beneath my hand.

My brows furrowed. 

Why was I still thinking about that?