Chapter 5

The footsteps grew louder, deliberate and heavy, crunching on dry leaves and twigs. They echoed through the woods like war drums, steady and unrelenting.

Lily held her breath, her back against the bark of the tree, her body still flushed from the heat of Callum’s touch, her mind struggling to realign with reality. The cold night air clung to her damp skin, and her pulse was still racing from both lust and fear.

She glanced down at her dress. It was wrinkled, uneven, and barely covering the evidence of what had nearly just happened.

“What have I done?” she whispered to herself, the words barely audible.

Dora stirred within her again, but this time, she was quiet. Not mocking, not teasing. She was just present...... Watching.

“He kissed us back,” Dora finally said, a soft hum in her voice. “He wanted it too.”

Lily shook her head, trying to silence the thought. Her fingers trembled as she tried to smooth her skirt and cover herself up properly. A few seconds later, she bent behind the tree, peering through the foliage toward the approaching sound.

From the darkness emerged a warrior. Tall, broad-shouldered, and clad in deep crimson leather armor, the Blood moon Pack’s crest etched into his chestplate.

It wasn’t Alistair. Thank the moon.

But it was someone from the inner circle.

A patrol warrior.

He was young, in his early twenties perhaps with sharp blue eyes that scanned the forest cautiously. His nose twitched as he sniffed the air, and Lily realized, to her horror, that the scent of her arousal was still lingering in the clearing.

She slapped a palm over her mouth.

The warrior paused, looking around. He sniffed the air again, brow furrowing.

“Is anyone there?” he called.

Lily bent lower.

Dora tensed.

“We should shift. Run. He’ll scent us any moment now.”

“No,” Lily whispered back. “If I shift now, I’ll lose these clothes again. I can’t show up back at the estate naked.”

Dora grumbled but stayed quiet.

The warrior lingered for a moment longer, then shook his head, murmuring to himself, “Must’ve been a rogue’s leftover scent…”

He turned and walked away slowly, the forest soon swallowing him.

Lily exhaled sharply.

That was too close.

She stayed down for a moment longer, making sure the danger had truly passed. Only when the night had grown still again did she rise and slowly make her way back toward the estate.

Her legs felt like lead, each step heavier than the last. Her heart ached with questions she couldn’t answer. Why did she let herself get that close to Callum? Why didn’t she stop him sooner? And worst of all...... Why didn’t she want it to stop?

The pull between them wasn’t normal. It wasn’t mere attraction. It was magnetic, like something ancient and primal had awakened between them.

She remembered the look in his eyes. That conflict. That hunger.

And she had felt it too.

By the time she reached the edge of the estate, the guards at the gates were changing shifts. One of them recognized her and gave a polite nod, not bothering to question where she had been. She smiled tightly in return and slipped inside unnoticed.

The hallway leading to her chambers was quiet, save for the soft flicker of the wall sconces casting long shadows along the stone walls.

Her room was dark when she entered. Cool. Still.

She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, exhaling.

Only then did the weight of everything hit her fully. She let her body slide down to the floor, her knees pulled to her chest, her head resting on them.

She didn’t cry but her eyes were damp.

Was she losing her mind?

A gentle knock on the door startled her.

She sprang to her feet, wiping her face, trying to look composed.

“Lily?” It was a soft female voice. Familiar.

Ava, one of the maids.

Lily opened the door slowly.

Ava curtsied. “Luna Sterling, the Alpha requests your presence in his chambers.”

Lily blinked. “At this hour?”

Ava gave a polite smile. “Yes, ma’am. He said it’s important.”

Lily nodded slowly. “Tell him I’ll be there shortly.”

As Ava walked away, Lily’s thoughts raced. What could Alistair possibly want at this time of night?

Or worse… Did he know?

Back in her room, she quickly freshened up, splashing cold water on her face and changing into a more decent gown. It was a floor-length gown, with long sleeves and a high neck. She tied her hair back into a simple bun.

Her heart pounded all the way to Alistair’s chambers.

Two guards stood outside his door. They nodded and opened the doors for her as she stepped inside.

The room was warm and dimly lit with flickering lanterns. Alistair sat in a chair near the fireplace, a book open in his lap. He didn’t look up immediately.

She cleared her throat softly.

He raised his eyes to her. They were calm and unreadable.

“Come in, Lily,” he said.

She walked forward, feeling like a child summoned to the headmaster’s office.

“I was worried about you,” Alistair said, closing the book.

“I… I went out for some air,” she said, trying to keep her voice even.

He nodded. “I figured. You’ve felt the moon’s call, haven’t you?”

She hesitated. “Yes.”

Alistair leaned back. “It’s stronger out here. Wilder. Our kinds are always drawn to it.”

She wanted to ask him so many things. About Callum. About the rogue. About why she felt like she was falling apart inside.

Instead, she just nodded.

“You’re safe now,” he said, his voice gentle.

He rose from his chair, walking over to her. He cupped her cheek gently.

“I know this world is strange to you. But trust me, Lily. I brought you here to protect you. To help you become who you truly are.”

Her eyes met his. “And who is that?”

He smiled faintly. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Then he leaned down and kissed her forehead.

“Rest. Tomorrow will be a long day.”

She nodded and turned to leave. But as she reached the door, she hesitated.

“Alistair?”

“Yes?”

“Your son… Callum. He... He saved me tonight. From a rogue.”

Alistair’s face darkened just slightly.

“Did he?”

She nodded.

“Good,” he said. “I’ll speak to him.”

There was something clipped in his tone. Something restrained.

Lily left his chambers, the unease in her belly growing.

Whatever had just begun between her and Callum… it wasn’t going unnoticed.

And this was just the beginning.