What the Wolf Desires

I knew I had to keep away from Kieran. One more slip-up, and I was toast. It felt like every cell in my body was fighting to get closer to him, like some kind of weird magnetic thing. My inner wolf was going nuts, all restless and needy, needing for him! She wanted him so much that I had to work hard to suppress her... I had to get control. It felt like the only thing I had left. Lose that, and I'd fall apart. If I let that happen, I'd end up somewhere I could never escape.

Soon, when we arrived in the extension part of the town, people began to look at us, especially at Kieran and his men. We stopped in front of an inn.I got everyone moving toward the inn, acting cool and collected, even though I was anything but. The place was old, you could tell. The wood beams sagged a bit. The shutters made this soft rattling sound in the wind. Light from the lanterns spilled out the windows and made these golden spots on the worn cobblestones.

“Here, you can stay here,” I said, looking at them. I saw them glancing around the place, and I sighed. Of course, I knew this inn was old, but it was the only one available in town.

“People here are very friendly, so if you need anything, you can ask them,” I said, turning my back to them. I was ready to go and leave them. But before I could get away, bam! One of Kieran's Betas stepped right in front of me. Big dude, broad shoulders, with these sharp blue eyes and a face like it was carved from stone.

“You're not cleared,” he said, short and to the point, blocking the way like it was no big deal. He didn't sound like he was up for discussion, either. “You stay under watch.” I frown because of what he said.

I was instantly furious! I opened my mouth to fire back – I had some choice words ready – but then Kieran's voice cut through everything. Calm, but you could tell he was in charge. Final.

“Leave us.” And that was that. Instant obedience. The Betas left without a word, their footsteps fading away. The door closed behind them with a soft thud. Now it was just Kieran and me. The air immediately felt heavier.

First, it was like some pressure in my chest, like a load of things I wasn't saying all piled on at once. Then I smelled him – smoke and pine, a dark spicy scent, and something else, deeper, that I didn't want to think about. I gasped.

Kieran came closer, nice and slow. Like he had all the time in the world and wasn't going to let me off the hook. His boots made soft thuds on the wood floor. I backed up, step by step, until I hit the wall. My heart started racing. I felt trapped.

He looked right at me, his eyes dark as night. They scanned my face, like he was reading every little thing, every breath I took, like he could see what I was thinking without me saying a word. His Alpha vibe washed over me, thick and electric, making my hair stand on end. My wolf whined inside me, and I had to bite my cheek to shut her up.

I wasn't going to crack. I wasn't going to fall apart.

Kieran's lips twitched a little – not quite a smile, but almost. He spoke, soft, a little rough.

“Who are you? Where do you come from?” I swallowed hard as his words were like a caress, but they were also firm.

“I… I’m Elara and I.. I came here of course.” A lie popped out of my mouth before I could stop it. I don't even remember what dumb excuse I made up. But it didn't matter – he knew it was a lie right away. His eyebrows went up a bit, and his eyes got darker, like he thought it was funny. Like he expected me to lie.

He moved closer. I was pinned against the wall. He looked down at my lips for a second. It made me feel hot and bothered. Seriously! I took a shaky breath. My throat went dry. I could feel my pulse jump as he started to touch me. His fingers were slow, moving from my chin and then down my neck. It wasn't a quick thing, more like he was feeling for something that belonged only to him. It wasn't just a touch either. It felt like he was marking me, saying, you're mine. My skin got hot where he touched, like I was on fire. Every little stroke of his fingertips felt like a question he was asking and a promise of something to come. I couldn't understand why it felt so wrong. Everything in my head was saying no, but at the same time, I couldn't resist it. I wanted more, even though I knew I shouldn't.

I tried to tell myself it was just the moment, that I was reading too much into it. But the way he looked at me, the intensity in his eyes, told a different story. It was like he'd been waiting to do this for a long time. I thought about pulling away. I really did. But the magnetic pull between us was too strong. My mind was a mess. Good and bad, right and wrong, all mixed up. I knew this could lead to trouble, that this could mess things up really badly. I just couldn't seem to make myself care at that point something else taking over.

“And your mate?” His voice was rougher now, and it sent a shiver down my spine.

“Do you have one?” My heart skipped a beat. I hesitated – and that was all he needed. He suddenly grabbed my shoulder, and I couldn't help but let out a soft moan. It wasn't painful, just surprising. But it sent a rush of heat through me, waking up something deep inside. My wolf was all riled up, purring at his touch and wanting more. She didn't just like it—she flat-out wanted him, no holding back.

Kieran smiled slow, like he knew something I didn't. He leaned in, so close I could feel his breath on my face. His lips brushed my ear as he whispered, like we could stay like this forever.

“If you won't tell me…I’ll just mark you myself.”

My breath left my body. Heat hit me hard and fast. I pushed him away with everything I had, desperate to get some space, to get back some control. But Kieran didn't move. He barely flinched. His muscles were rock solid under my hands.

“I already have a mate,” I blurted out, my voice sounding way too loud. I saw a flash of surprise on his face, his eyebrows furrowing, his jaw tightening. Kieran froze. He stared into my eyes, like he was trying to figure out if I was lying again. His fingers loosened on my chin, but he didn't let go completely.

“A mate,” he repeated softly, like the word didn't taste right.

I swallowed hard, clenching my fists. I grabbed onto Rendell's name like it was a shield.

“I’m already bonded to someone.” My throat was dry. My voice wasn't convincing, and I knew Kieran could hear it too. He stared at me for what felt like forever. Then something changed in his eyes – his jaw ticked, quick and sharp, before he shut down. Blank. Controlled. Like a wall slammed shut.

“Is that so?” he said quietly. But it sounded like a threat.

He took a step back, finally giving me some room to breathe. Air rushed into my lungs, but it felt thin. I couldn't breathe right. My hands were shaking a little.

“Who is he?” He ask so I frown. “What’s his name?” He added.

“He’s none of your business.” I said.

“You don’t smell like him,” Kieran murmured, his voice low, like he was talking to himself. He didn't take his eyes off me. “Your bond is weak. Frayed.” His eyes narrowed, and something dangerous flickered in them. “Or maybe it’s breaking.”

I flinched. No. He couldn't know that. He couldn't see that.

“We’re fine. Bonded. Even if things felt a little off… distant… cold.” I shut my mouth, not letting any doubt show. I made my choice, I snapped, harsher than I meant to. That’s all that matters.

Kieran's lips parted a little, like he wanted to say something else – but he stopped himself, breathing out slowly. He made fists at his sides.

For a long moment, neither of us said anything. The air between us was charged with unspoken words. My skin still felt like it was burning where he touched me. My wolf was still whining, all confused and upset.

“You aren’t being honest with yourself,” he said softly, keeping his gaze trained on my lips, letting his words sink in deep. He grabbed my waist out of nowhere, pulling me right up against him. My wolf was totally into it, like she'd been waiting forever for that closeness. My heart went crazy, wouldn't calm down, especially with him staring at my lips like he wanted to kiss me senseless.

“If you were really bonded to him, I wouldn’t be able to get this close without you lashing out. Your wolf would be snarling, trying to tear me apart.”

He leaned in closer, voice dropping to a whisper in my ear, “But you’re not.”

I saw him close his eyes and for some minute Finally, Kieran turned away a bit, breaking eye contact. His shoulders tightened. He rolled them back under his shirt. When he spoke again, his voice was quieter but still commanding.

“Rest here tonight. You’ll be under watch.” He didn't look at me. “We’re not finished, little wolf.” “He better be careful. I better not find out who he is.” His voice was low, like a warning, and something deep inside me shuddered. I stayed silent, though. I couldn’t afford to show weakness. I refused to let him see how much his words rattled me. But inside, I felt like I was unraveling piece by piece, every word of his carving through my defenses.

Then, I felt him move closer again. His breath was hot against my skin as he leaned in, and I felt a jolt of awareness spread through me. He brushed his lips against my cheek, slow and deliberate, the touch so light I almost couldn’t believe it was real.

“My wolf doesn’t like people touching what it wants.” His voice was dark, a promise laced with something dangerous.

My entire body jolted, like I’d been struck by lightning, the shock traveling from my spine all the way to my fingertips. My heart thundered in my chest, and I swore I could feel my pulse in every part of my body.

He walked to the door, moving sharp, like he was frustrated and didn't care who knew it. Without another word, he slipped out of the door and disappeared. I slid down the wall, gasping for air. My legs were shaking. My heart was pounding like it wanted to get out of my chest. I touched my neck where Kieran's hand had been. It felt like a brand. “We weren’t finished.” His voice echoed to my mind. And that scared me more than anything.