The Beast's Desire

Chapter 2:Shadows of the past

The buzz of fluorescent lights hummed overhead as Maya stepped into the community centre’s boardroom. The scent of fresh paint still lingered on the walls, a sign of last month’s renovation project. Around the table, a handful of familiar faces looked up colleagues, volunteers, and community leaders who had become her extended family.

“You made it,” Nia said, sliding over a chair.

“Barely,” Maya replied, setting her bag down and taking her seat. “Traffic was a nightmare.”

Nia arched an eyebrow. “So… was it traffic? Or was it him?”

Maya shot her a sharp look. “I told you; it wasn’t like that. I don’t even know who he is.”

“You don’t need to know someone’s name to feel something. The way you were breathing on the phone…”

Maya rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t deny it. That encounter had shaken something loose inside her, something unsettling and unfamiliar. She felt like she’d walked through a dream and hadn’t fully woken up.

“I’m fine,” she said, brushing it off. “We have work to do.”

For the next hour, Maya led the discussion on new proposals for youth engagement programs in Windhaven’s inner districts. The nonprofit she worked for- Echo Roots -was under pressure to show results, especially with the growing instability in parts of the city. Gangs were targeting school-aged kids. Food security and violence was worsening. The city government was dragging its feet.

But the work gave Maya purpose. It reminded her of why she chose this life in the first place, to create the kind of community she’d needed growing up.

Still, even as she reviewed funding spreadsheets and spoke about mentorship programs, her thoughts wandered.

To him.

To the way his eyes had pierced through her like he knew her. To the raw charge in the air that had left her breathless. No one had ever made her feel like that before. Not even Zion.

Her stomach twisted at the thought of her ex.

She hadn’t told anyone yet, but she’d seen his name flash on her phone earlier that day. Twice. After more than five years of silence, he was calling again. She hadn’t answered either time.

When the meeting finally ended, Maya lingered behind to gather her things. Nia watched her with a knowing look.

“You’re not okay,” she said softly.

“I’m fine.”

“Liar.”

Maya gave her a half-smile. “He called.”

Nia’s eyes darkened. “Zion?”

Maya nodded, her fingers tightening around her phone. “I don’t know what he wants. Probably nothing good.”

“Block him. Change your number if you must.”

“I can’t just shut him out, Nia. He’s Amina’s father.”

“That doesn’t mean he gets to reappear whenever he feels like it. You’ve built something beautiful without him.”

Maya looked away, blinking back the pressure behind her eyes. “Yeah. I just… I don’t want her getting hurt. But I’m torn whether to allow them to form a relationship.”

“I get it,” Nia said gently. “But you need to protect your peace too.”

Maya nodded, forcing a smile. “Thanks. I’ll be okay.”

As she stepped out into the night, the warmth of the afternoon had given way to a cooler breeze. Streetlights buzzed to life, casting long shadows on the pavement. She pulled her cardigan tighter and walked toward her car, parked a block away.

Windhaven pulsed around her; always alive, always moving.

She didn’t see the black SUV until it pulled up slowly beside her.

She tensed, heart skipping a beat, until the window rolled down.

“Maya.”

She froze.

Zion.

He hadn’t changed much, still tall, still effortlessly smooth, still dressed like he belonged in a music video. But something in his eyes had hardened. Or maybe it had always been there, and she’d just been too in love to see it.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, keeping her voice calm.

He smiled. “Can’t I check on the mother of my child?”

“You’ve had about what? Five years to do that.”

“I’m trying, May. I want to fix things.”

Her guard shot up like steel. “You don’t just get to show up and say that.”

“I know,” he said, stepping out of the car. “I messed up. But I’m here now. For you. For Amina.”

Her breath caught. He said her daughter’s name like a weapon, like it gave him power.

“I don’t want to do this here,” Maya said, glancing around. “Text me if you have something important to say.”

She turned to leave, but he caught her arm gently.

“I miss you, May. You’re all I’ve ever wanted.”

The words didn’t move her the way they once had. Instead, they made her feel caged and anger surged like a brick thrown into her chest.

“Let go of me,” she said.

His grip tightened- just for a second -before he let go.

She walked away without another word, heart pounding, hands shaking.

That night, after putting Amina to bed and triple-checking the door locks, Maya sat on the edge of her bed and finally allowed herself to feel the weight of everything.

The stranger at the petrol station.

Zion’s return.

The sensation that something bigger was unfolding, just beyond her understanding.

She wrapped her arms around herself and whispered to the quiet room, “What is happening to me?”

Across town, Kael Storm stood on the hotel balcony, his shirt sleeves rolled up, his tie discarded hours ago. The moon was full overhead, though masked by drifting clouds. His wolf tugged at his consciousness, restless and alert.

He could still feel her. The mate bond had been awakened; weak, distant, but unmistakable. And yet he hadn’t even touched her.

It was a miracle.

She was his mate.

And she was human.

Kael had heard the stories. It was rare, but not impossible. Some werewolves were destined to find their mates among humans, souls so entwined they transcended the realms. But the bond was always complicated. Always dangerous.

He had to tread carefully.

She didn’t know what he was. She didn’t know what she was to him.

But he would find her again. Not to claim her, but to understand. To learn her name. Her story. Her heart.

He only hoped he wasn’t too late.

The morning light seeped through the tall glass windows of Kael’s hotel suite, casting soft shadows across the Afrohemian decor. He had barely slept last night. Every time he closed his eyes, her face appeared - the way she wore her dreadlocks spoke of a woman who was proud, resolute, and not one to tolerate nonsense, that brilliant smile - goddess; I wanted it directed at me alone, and the intensity of the connection they had shared in just a glance. It gnawed at him, the way she had looked at him, like she knew him, like she recognized something familiar buried deep within.

Kael stood at the window, sipping his coffee, watching the city stir to life. The streets of Windhaven were waking up; street vendors setting up shop, schoolchildren with backpacks trailing behind hurrying parents, motorbikes weaving through traffic. He should be preparing for another day of high-stakes negotiations, but his mind wasn’t cooperating.

Amari knocked once before entering, her tablet already in hand. "The team will meet at 08:30 sharp. I’ve confirmed the venue. Also, Zarek says he’s reviewed the local business council’s latest demands T..." Kael held up a hand, cutting her off gently. "Let’s push it to nine instead. "I need some time this morning." Amari blinked. That was unusual. "All right, sir. Shall I let them know you’ll be delayed?"

"Yes," Kael replied, still staring out of the window. "And Amari..."

She paused, waiting.

"Have Thane pull CCTV footage from the petrol station yesterday. Just… humour me."

Amari’s eyes flicked up, sharp and curious, but she nodded briskly. "Understood."

Across the city, Maya leaned over the community center’s front desk, scribbling notes while Nia updated her on the youth mentorship program’s recent challenges.

"The kids are eager, but some of the facilitators are inconsistent," Nia explained. "And we still don’t have the funding secured for next month’s workshops."

Maya sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "All right. Let’s rework the proposal. Maybe we can leverage some of the new corporate CSR programs. I’ll reach out to the chamber of commerce and see if anyone’s willing to sponsor."

Nia nodded, impressed. "You’re amazing, you know? I swear, I don’t know how you juggle it all. Being a single mother and still..."

Maya offered a tired smile. "Adrenaline and stubborn hope. But thank you."

The image of the stranger flashed through her mind again. It had been just a few seconds, but his eyes - his presence - still echoed within her. She wasn’t the type to get caught up in fleeting moments. Her child and work were her compass. Still, she found herself glancing around the community center’s café, half-expecting to see him walk in.

"Earth to Maya," Nia teased, nudging her gently. "You, okay?"

"Yeah," Maya replied, shaking her head. "Just distracted. Long week but thank goodness we are approaching the weekend, right?"

"Or you need to get laid or at least go on a date, don't you think?" Nia grinned, ever perceptive.

Maya rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at her lips. “Maybe.”

Nia laughed, then shifted back to business. "By the way, I also need your input on the paralegal's caseload for the month."

Maya nodded. "Thanks. Let’s flag this for priority review. We can’t afford to have cases falling through the cracks."

After breakfast, Kael sat in a backroom office of a nondescript building near the petrol station, eyes glued to a large screen. The security footage was grainy, but there she was - moving with purpose and grace, her smile genuine as she spoke to the attendant.

He watched the moment their eyes met, even through the car window. He hadn’t imagined it - the pause, the spark, the way time seemed to hold its breath. He leaned in.

“Can you track her plate?” he asked Thane.

“We’ve got a partial,” Thane replied, already typing. “Give me a few hours.”

Kael stood, straightening his jacket. “I’ll owe you.”

“You already do,” Thane muttered under his breath.

That evening, Maya walked along the harbor boardwalk, the air warm with the scent of salt and fresh pastries from nearby stalls. She needed the quiet. The community center had drained her, as had her internal debate over whether she should try to find the stranger again. But how could she? It was a city of millions.

She sat on a bench, letting her thoughts drift. The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting the sky in streaks of orange and lavender. She pulled her journal from her bag - her escape, her safe place. Pen in hand, she began to write.

I met a man yesterday. I didn’t speak to him, but it feels like I did. Something about him felt familiar, like an echo from a forgotten dream.

Meanwhile, Kael stood across the water, not far from where Maya was seated - though neither knew how close they were. He had come here to think. To clear his head. But the city had a funny way of circling back to what mattered most.

His phone buzzed. Thane.

"Got her," Thane said. "Name’s Maya Adebayo. Works with a non-profit called Echo Roots. Strong social justice background. Lives in the south end. Want a full profile?"

Kael hesitated. "No. Just… enough to understand her world."

He ended the call and slipped the phone into his pocket.

Maya. The name settled into his chest like it had always belonged there.