All Chapters of Masked Desire: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The next day, I made sure I was extra careful with my routine. I applied a thicker layer of the formula, rubbing it firmly into my skin until my fingers were numb. I couldn't afford any mistakes, not after what happened yesterday. The memory of Ivan's voice outside the stall—_"You can't hide forever"_—sent shivers down my spine.I checked my reflection in the mirror, making sure I looked composed. Dark circles shadowed my eyes from lack of sleep. Every time I'd closed my eyes last night, I'd dreamt of being discovered, of being dragged away like my uncle and cousin, never to make my own choices again.I'd spent hours staring at Avalon's note. Those three words—_"You owe me"_—felt more dangerous than Ivan's threats. At least with Ivan, the danger was straightforward. But Avalon? His motivations remained a mystery that unsettled me even more.The first half of the day passed in a blur of lectures and furtive glances over my shoulder. I avoided eye contact with everyone, especially the t

By the time I finally made it back to my room, exhaustion had settled deep in my bones. My head throbbed dully, and there was a strange metallic taste in my mouth—side effects of the doubled formula, perhaps.As I reached for my door handle, a wave of dizziness hit me, causing me to stumble against the doorframe. I blinked rapidly, trying to clear my suddenly blurry vision.Something warm trickled down my upper lip. I touched it with my fingertips, pulling them away to find blood. A nosebleed? I'd never had one before.Inside my room, I headed straight for the bathroom, grabbing tissues to stop the bleeding. In the mirror, my reflection looked pale, almost ghostly, dark circles pronounced under my eyes.The nosebleed stopped after a few minutes, but the headache intensified, pounding behind my eyes. I swallowed two pain relievers, hoping they would help, and collapsed onto my bed fully clothed.Sleep evaded me despite my exhaustion. My mi

Jason's back hit the wall with brutal force, driving the air from his lungs in a painful rush. Ivan's hands were already moving, grabbing his bound wrists and yanking them up above his head. The rope bit deeper into Jason's skin as Ivan secured him against the cold stone, leaving him completely helpless.One button was already undone, Jason realized with growing horror. His shirt gaped open slightly at the collar, exposing a strip of pale skin that seemed to glow in the dim light.Ivan stepped back to admire his handiwork, his dark eyes drinking in the sight of Jason pinned and vulnerable. "Much better," he murmured, his accent thick with satisfaction.Jason tugged at his bonds, but they held fast. "Let me go," he demanded, though his voice came out smaller than he intended."Not until you tell me what I want to know." Ivan moved closer again, his fingers hovering over the second button. "But don't worry, little wolf. I'm in no hurry."True to his word, Ivan took his time with the sec

Jason's eyes fluttered open to the sterile white ceiling of the infirmary. The antiseptic smell filled his nostrils as he tried to sit up, wincing at the dull throb in his bandaged ankle. The pain was manageable, but that wasn't what made his heart race. *How long have I been here?* The realization hit him like a punch to the gut. His scent blocker. How long had it been since he last applied it? His hands trembled as he touched his neck, feeling the faint dampness of sweat. Panic clawed at his chest. *What if someone noticed? What if they can smell what I really am?* He forced himself to breathe slowly, trying to calm down. The room was quiet except for the soft hum of medical equipment. Maybe he was safe. Maybe no one had— "You have a visitor," the nurse said, appearing at his bedside with a clipboard. "Someone requested to see you." Jason's blood turned to ice. His mouth went dry. *Who? Why?* "I... I don't think I'm ready for visitors," he stammered, but the nurse was alrea

Jason didn't move as Ivan shut the door behind him with that soft, deliberate click. He remained frozen on the edge of the bed, half-dressed, his shirt hanging open like a banner of vulnerability. Every muscle in his body tensed at the sound of the latch catching.The smell of alcohol hung heavy in the small space, mixing with Ivan's natural scent in a way that made Jason's head spin. The cabin walls seemed to close in around them, the air growing thick and suffocating.*This is bad. This is really bad.*Jason's mind raced, searching for escape routes, for words that might defuse the situation. But there was nowhere to go. The single door was behind Ivan, the windows too small to climb through. He was trapped with a drunk, dangerous alpha who'd been stalking him for weeks.Ivan didn't speak at first. He just stood there swaying slightly, his usually perfect posture loose and unsteady. But his eyes were sharp despite the alcohol, studying Jason lik