The Beast's Desire

Chapter 7: Tension on the Table

"You’re glowing," Nia said, sipping from her steaming cup of rooibos as she glanced across the kitchen table at Maya. "Let me guess. Kael Storm again?"

Maya smiled despite herself, tucking a loose dreadlock behind her ear. "We’re meeting again tonight. He asked me out for dinner."

Nia let out a low whistle. "Two dates in less than a week? The man is serious."

"I don’t know what it is," Maya said, running a hand through her hair. "It’s like I’m being pulled toward him. It doesn’t make any sense, but when I’m near him, everything else fades."

"Including Zion?" Nia asked pointedly.

Maya's lips pressed into a tight line. "He’s been texting. Calling. Even showed up at Amina’s school unannounced."

Nia’s expression hardened. "You should tell Kael. Or file a formal complaint."

"I might," Maya admitted. "But part of me wonders if I should just meet Zion once. Get it over with. Maybe if he hears it from me clearly, face to face, he'll finally move on."

Nia raised an eyebrow. "That sounds like a risky move."

"I won’t be alone. We’ll meet in public, during the day. I just want him to stop hanging around like some ghost of bad decisions past."

Later that evening, Maya entered a small, bustling restaurant in central Windhaven—an old Italian spot she used to frequent during her university years. She’d chosen the place intentionally: familiar, crowded, and safe.

Zion Nare was already seated at a corner table. His charm was as polished as ever, with a crisp white shirt and a carefully practiced smile that didn’t reach his eyes. Maya sat down cautiously.

"Thanks for meeting me," he said smoothly.

"This isn’t a reunion," Maya clarified, eyes steady. "It’s closure."

As the waiter took their orders, Zion launched into a carefully curated monologue: how he’d changed, how he missed being part of Amina’s life, how he regretted everything. Maya listened, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

"You keep saying you've changed, Zion. But it's always on your terms. You want back in, but you never ask what's best for Amina. Or me."

Zion leaned forward, voice dropping. "I made mistakes. I admit that. But I want to make things right."

Maya sighed. "It's too late for that. Amina has stability now. A rhythm. You can't just show up and expect to be part of our lives again like nothing happened."

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the restaurant, Kael stepped inside with Amari, scanning the crowd as they waited for their takeout order. The sight of Maya seated across from Zion hit him like a cold wave.

His eyes darkened as he observed the scene. Maya looked tense. Her posture was guarded, and she barely touched her drink. Zion -Kael recognized him from the school pickup photo Amari had shown him earlier- leaned in too close, too confident.

"That’s him." Amari confirmed quietly.

"Okay." Kael said, jaw clenched. His wolf stirred uncomfortably, sensing Maya’s unease.

Back at the table, Maya pushed her chair back. "This was a mistake. I thought seeing you would bring closure. But all I feel is exhaustion."

Zion reached for her hand. "Maya, wait…"

She pulled away. "Don’t."

Zion's voice hardened. "So what? You're with him now? That rich guy I saw you with in the cafe. Kael Storm?"

Maya stood fully now, her voice calm but cold. "Who I choose to be with is none of your business."

She turned to leave and for the first time, her eyes met Kael's across the room. Her breath caught in her throat. He was standing there, his tall frame unreadable, arms folded over his chest.

Their gazes locked for a moment too long.

Kael nodded once, a silent message passing between them. Maya walked out without looking back.

Amari returned with the food. "You sure you don’t want me to drive you past her place later?"

Kael took the bags but kept his eyes on the door Maya had just exited. "No need. She needs space. But Zion Nare just became more than a memory. He’s a problem."

Back at her apartment, Maya sank onto the couch. Her phone buzzed. A message from Kael: Hope you’re okay. I’m here if you need me.

She stared at the screen, then typed back: I’m okay. Just tired. Can we still meet tomorrow?

His response came almost instantly: Absolutely.

For the first time that night, Maya let herself exhale. Even as Zion’s shadow loomed, Kael’s presence reminded her that she wasn’t facing this new world alone.

***********************

The soft hum of jazz floated through the dimly lit restaurant, mingling with the clink of silverware and the quiet murmur of conversations. Kael sat across from Maya at a small table tucked into the corner, where candlelight bathed them in a warm, golden glow. He’d chosen the venue, carefully intimate but public, elegant but unpretentious. It was their second official date, and Kael had been anticipating it all week.

Maya looked radiant, her dark dreadlocks tumbling over her shoulders, her deep brown eyes alive with curiosity and quiet strength. She laughed softly at something he’d said, and Kael felt his wolf stir with satisfaction. Every moment with her was like an intoxicating puzzle, one he couldn’t stop trying to solve.

As they settled into their meal, Kael tried to keep the conversation light, but he couldn’t shake the pull to tell her the truth. The truth about who he was. What he was. But how could he explain centuries of pack history, the weight of supernatural law, and the fact that she was his mate -his destined soul connection - without overwhelming her?

Instead, he leaned into another truth, one he could manage.

“Can I ask you something personal?” he said, setting down his fork.

Maya paused, then nodded. “Of course.”

“Zion Nare.” The name felt sour on his tongue. “You mentioned he was Amina’s father.”

She stiffened slightly, her gaze dropping to her plate. “Yeah. He is.”

“What’s the story there?”

Maya took a sip of her wine, gathering her thoughts. “We met back in Kwenada,” she said, naming the region she grew up in. He was charming, ambitious, said all the right things. I thought he was someone I could build a life with. We were together for almost two years when I fell pregnant with Amina.”

Kael nodded, silent, not wanting to interrupt.

“He changed after that,” Maya continued, her voice quiet but steady. “Started acting like I was holding him back. He had all these dreams of moving to the city, working with politicians and business community. He wanted to climb the ladder, fast. And I… I wanted stability, a home, a family.”

She sighed. “He left when Amina was just four months old. Said he wasn’t ready to be a father. He vanished, just like that. No child support, no calls, nothing.”

Kael’s jaw tightened, the protective instincts of his wolf rising. “And now he’s back?”

Maya nodded. “Just showed up at the community centre one day like nothing had happened. Said he wanted to talk. Be involved in Amina’s life.”

“Do you believe him?”

She hesitated. “I don’t know. Amina deserves to know her father, but I won’t let him hurt her. Or me. Again.”

Kael reached across the table, brushing his fingers gently against hers. “You don’t have to go through this alone, Maya.”

Their eyes locked, the air thick with something deeper than attraction. A promise. A connection Kael knew she was starting to feel too.

He wanted to tell her everything; that she was his mate, that his wolf had recognized her the moment they met. That she was more important to him than any business deal or supernatural alliance. But the timing wasn’t right. Not yet.

Instead, he asked, “Do you think you’re ready to forgive him?”

Maya’s expression softened with a mix of pain and resolve. “I don’t think forgiveness is the issue. It’s trust. And I don’t know if I can ever trust him again.”

Just then, Kael noticed her eyes flick to something over his shoulder, and he turned subtly to see what had caught her attention.

Zion.

He stood near the entrance, scanning the room until his gaze landed on them. On Maya. Kael saw the recognition and the irritation flash in Zion’s eyes. He began to walk toward them.

Maya looked away quickly, her posture tense.

“Did you know he’d be here?” Kael asked, his voice low.

“No,” she said. “I didn’t.”

Zion reached their table, wearing a smug expression that didn’t quite mask the flicker of jealousy in his eyes. “Well, well. Maya,” he said smoothly. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

She forced a polite smile. “Zion.”

His eyes flicked to Kael, sizing him up. “And you are?”

Kael rose slowly from his seat, offering his hand with an expression that was all alpha dominance wrapped in gentlemanly calm. “Kael Storm.”

Zion didn’t take the hand.

“I see,” Zion said, his voice tight. “A new man. Good for you.”

Maya stood too; her voice clipped. “We’re in the middle of dinner, Zion.”

“Of course. I just thought maybe we could set up that meeting soon. About Amina,” he added pointedly.

She nodded, eyes flashing. “I’ll call you.”

Zion lingered a moment too long before finally walking away. Kael watched him go, his wolf pacing just under his skin.

Maya sank back into her seat, visibly flustered.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I didn’t think he’d follow me here.”

Kael reached for her hand again. “You have nothing to apologize for. But if you ever want backup in dealing with him, I’m right here.”

Maya gave him a small, grateful smile, though her eyes held worry.

Kael knew he needed to tell her the truth soon, about himself, about the world she didn’t yet know existed. But tonight wasn’t the night.

Tonight, she needed comfort. Assurance. And he was more than ready to give her both.