Chapter 002
1301 Words
The moments endlessly as I watch the bouncing dots on the screen. He’s typing. I feel my heart rate increase as anticipation twists through my stomach.
Burya707: The fact I hold a PhD in English doesn’t seem to help me find words at this moment. The tattoo is much hotter than your previous month's draft. I am probably crossing a boundary here, but what about you? Even hotter naked. Didn’t think that was possible.
A smile spreads across my face while my fingers race across the keyboard, sending waves of excitement through my body.
TenebrisY: Thanks... Is there a photo coming my way as well?
My skin feels chilled by the sheets, yet my body remains hot and uneasy. The faint screen light fails to stop the internal heat that builds inside me like a slow burn unrelated to the room's temperature.
Burya707: That seems to be fair, but prepare yourself because you'll see what happens after someone eats a 20-inch pizza.
TenebrisY: Duly noted. I’ll admire the food baby accordingly.
A picture loads. My stomach clenches.
Damn.
The man exhibits tan skin while his muscular grooves are expertly defined, and his V-line extends beneath his black boxer waistband. Yeah. That should be illegal. He sits in what appears to be a black leather chair while his white shirt rises enough to reveal how he took this picture instantly.
Burya707: Speechless?
TenebrisY: You are downright lickable. Your appearance suggests you would taste as good as you look.
There’s a pause. Maybe I pushed too far. But then—
Burya707: Only one way to find out.
My pulse skips, heat surging through me.
TenebrisY: Don’t tempt the devil with sin.
Burya707: Isn’t it the devil who tempts others?
TenebrisY: The temptation isn’t easy to deny. How are you managing these days?
Silence. I bite my lip. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked. I begin typing another message when a new one suddenly shows up.
Burya707: Not bad. I have someone keeping me occupied. The photo delivered an absolute knockout performance.
My fingers weave through my short black hair as I lean back. I still find it odd to get accustomed to my hair being this short. Managing it has become simpler, but I still long for its heft. This change serves as a reminder that I have evolved from who I once was.
TenebrisY: You can contact me anytime if you need to talk.
The silence stretches long enough to allow doubt to take hold. Then—
Burya707: I think it’s time we meet. I need to meet the woman who has been destroying my sleep.
My breath catches.
Meet?
One of us passes out during our conversations, and it usually turns out to be me. But this? This changes things. He remains unaware of my complete truth. What if he figures it out?
Burya707: That silence isn’t a good sign. Are you scared? We’ll meet somewhere crowded. You moved south, right?
Let’s do Solodke Zhyttya. I promise, no biting.
I might.
He doesn’t know I’m at Nocturne Academy. He thinks I moved for work. I used a small deception to maintain my hidden identity.
TenebrisY: Fine. Tomorrow at ten.
Burya707: Perfect. Get some rest.
TenebrisY: How will I know it’s you?
Burya707: I’ll recognize you. I’m sure of it.
I exhale. My body is buzzing. Sleep? Not happening.
With the sun yet to rise, I find myself running through the woods. The fresh air, the damp earth—it’s calming. I maintain a rhythmic and steady pace as my feet pound against the dirt path while I continue running forward. The early morning breeze creates a whisper from the trees while the aroma of pine and moist foliage surrounds me.
I should shift. Just for a second. I feel the ground under my paws while extending my muscles to their full potential. But
I can’t risk it. Not in daylight.
As I reach the house, my pace reduces, and I wipe sweat from my brow. Then, I freeze.
The mixture of fresh air and roses with an underlying recognizable scent hits me. A presence triggers my instincts to activate and my senses to become alert.
A memory tugs at me. Summer. The familiar smell of home rises as family members gather around the fire while laughter fills the space.
An Alpha.
I sprint around the corner with my heart racing until I see him. A man holds Malevolent in his arms as he stands in front of my door. Her paw bleeds profusely, and blood collects on his hand.
My chest tightens. “Let her go.”
His head lifts. His strong jaw paired with sharp cheekbones frames his piercing grey eyes. Blonde hair falls around his shoulders. “Relax. She was tangled in some thorn bushes. I pulled her out.”
I hesitate. He’s scratched up. As my cat produces mournful meows, I take her from his grasp and examine her fur, looking for additional wounds.
“You okay, baby?” I whisper.
Malevolent nuzzles into my chest. My shoulders begin to relax, but I continue to observe him while I attempt to understand the meaning behind his presence.
“You’re welcome, by the way.”
I glance up. His lips twitch with amusement.
I sigh. “Thanks. I just—seeing the blood…”
“Understandable. She’s important to you.”
His voice is smooth and calm. He stands beside me, completely comfortable and untroubled, as if his presence at my doorstep is normal.
“I’m Bohdan.”
Something clicks in my head. Bohdan… why does that sound familiar?
I don’t want to risk asking him for his pack because that might lead to him asking for mine. If I ask, he might ask mine.
“I’m Kateryna.”
“Not one to trust strangers, huh?”
I shrug. “Not really.”
He laughs before looking down at his hands. The blood is drying now. “Mind if I wash this off? Don’t want to stain my shirt.”
I sigh, shifting my weight. He did help my cat.
“Come in. I believe I have a first aid kit stored in this house somewhere.
Maleficent takes her position on the couch and begins to clean her paw with her tongue. Near the sink, Bohdan rolls up his sleeves while he stands. His forearms show strength and exhibit a light tan while hosting faint scars. Old wounds, healed over. He’s fought before. Probably more than once.
I search my cabinets until I locate the first aid kit.
“What brings you to this location?” I inquire as I hand him antiseptic wipes.
He catches them easily, opening the pack. “Just passing through.”
That’s vague.
“Not lost?”
His lips twitch. “No.”
I narrow my eyes. “You’re not dressed for a morning jog. Are you sure you weren’t looking for something?”
He dabs at his cuts, barely flinching. “Maybe.”
I wait. He doesn’t elaborate.
My stomach twists. I feel uneasy about him without having any bad feelings toward him. It feels as though I recognize him because my instincts identify him before my conscious thoughts.
He studies me, too. His expression reveals that he's attempting to solve something in his mind.
“You live alone?”
I lift a brow. That question feels too intimate for someone I've just met.
His lips twitch. “Fair enough.”
Silence surrounds us while the sink emits faint dripping sounds.
Then, he nods toward Malevolent. “She’s a fighter.”
“So am I.”
His eyes flick to mine. There’s something unreadable in them, something curious.
“I don’t doubt that,” he murmurs.
The air shifts.
Something’s starting. I can feel it.
I don’t know if I’m prepared for what’s coming.
- Writer
