Desired by Shadows

6: Longing for her touch

Lupin Darkwood

The image of Violet's smile lingered in his mind, intertwining with his thoughts, even as he carried on with his nightly routine.

Her innocence was etched into his thoughts, defying easy dismissal. It seemed like ages since he encountered someone so captivating. There was an inexplicable magnetism about her that drew him in.

Her confident naivety, though typical of a seventeen-year-old, stirred a mix of emotions in Lupin. It reminded him of a world he had long lost touch with, a world that was simpler and full of wonder.

Lupin found himself lost in contemplation as he gazed at his own reflection. A rare smile graced his features as he stood before the mirror, unbuttoning his shirt. It had been two decades since he had last allowed himself such a simple expression. A simple smile, the most costly luxury he had denied himself for 20 long years.

Violet's presence seemed to stir something long dormant within him, a connection he couldn't fully comprehend but was drawn to explore further. It was a perplexing sensation, one that had eluded him for many years.

The intrinsic drive to seek out a mate had been stripped from him, a casualty of the events that unfolded 15 years ago. Whether he had a mate before that time remained a blank void. Ironically, for a werewolf who was supposed to believe in a lifelong bond with a single partner, the concept of such a connection felt perplexing within his current reality.

He let his leather belt fall to the floor as he entered his vintage bathroom, and then his clothes joined it on the marble floor. The bathroom was adorned with opulent gold-coloured hardware that exuded an air of luxury. Ornate, gilded fixtures gleamed in the soft light, complementing the rich marble tiles that lined the walls. A clawfoot bathtub with intricately designed feet stood regally in one corner, completing the elegant ambience of the room.

Even as he stood in the shower, the relentless cascade of water symbolized the chaos that had taken hold of his soul. The water, once a source of solace, now mirrored the turmoil within him. Each drop was a reminder of her elusive charm that had stirred a tempest in his heart. Lupin's fingers traced aimless patterns on the steamed-up glass, his thoughts consumed by the mystery that was Violet.

The bathroom seemed to resonate with the sound of his racing heart. Though he longed for her touch at that moment, it wasn't merely physical attraction; it was a connection that transcended the boundaries of their worlds.

"Has Violet anything to do with his past?" he wondered silently. But the thought was almost inconceivable. Violet was merely seventeen years old, and he retained vivid memories of everything that had transpired over the past two decades.

Yet, even as he pondered these questions, it felt like trying to grasp at the vanishing remnants of a long-forgotten fire.

Lupin’s memories had faded away, leaving behind a recollection of only the past two decades. The centuries of his opulent existence as an immortal werewolf had eluded him, deceiving his happiness. All that he could remember were the five years of torment he endured in a hellish cave fifteen years ago, subjected to insurmountable pain by a human who was worse than any immortal devil Lupin had ever seen.

Unbeknownst to him, the cruel mortal happened to be none other than Violet's dead father.

Later, he discovered that he had lost his pack and was left alone in this world. He struggled to get through each day, simply existing. Yet today, Violet had managed to bring a smile to his face, serving as a reminder that he was more than just a physical presence.

Ever since that fateful night in the woods, when he had first glimpsed her, he had longed to encounter her as a human. He yearned for an interaction where she wouldn't flee from him, unlike her previous encounters. The memory of how his beastly form had frightened her on a moonlit night haunted him, and he was determined not to terrorize her again.

Lupin couldn't dispel the sensation that surged through him as he held her in his arms earlier that day. He had wanted to hold her longer, to embrace her fully, and to feel her tender heart beating against his chest. Yet, he was acutely aware of the boundaries imposed by the human world.

Wasn’t it forbidden for a man to force himself on a girl?

He knew well the intricate dance of manners that governed interactions between a man and a woman, especially when she was still a minor. It was a stark contrast to the unrestrained passion of his animal counterparts, who indulged in intimate affairs with their mates whenever they pleased.

He felt a growing nervousness about his own ability to restrain himself the next time he met her, afraid that he might cross the fragile bridge between his dual existence as a man and a beastly wolf.

Violet had already been intimidated by him, even as she met him in his human form, a regular man who happened to be handsome too.

He had felt her trembling hands and shaky body when he held her in his arms. She was such a fragile being, a delicate girl who could easily fit in the crook of his arm. Lupin’s lips curled up again at that thought.

He shifted the shower temperature from warm to cold, letting the cool water cascade over him as he rinsed his hair and lifted his face into the refreshing spray.

Her thoughts had consumed his mind, and he could feel his body temperature rising rapidly.

Just as he closed his eyes, her blushing face flashed before him. She was clearly embarrassed while getting her wound treated. He could sense her discomfort as he disinfected the cut on her leg.

The thought of subjecting a delicate soul like hers to the primal, beastly urges that consumed him troubled Lupin deeply. He imagined the contrast between his raw, untamed nature as a werewolf and her gentle vulnerability.

The mere idea of succumbing to his instinctual desires, mirroring his animal counterparts' passionate and possessive ways, seemed both exhilarating and terrifying.

In his mind's eye, he pictured her petite frame engulfed in his powerful embrace, her heart racing as his lips grazed her skin with an intensity that matched his insatiable hunger. He could almost hear the soft gasps escaping her lips as his feral instincts took over, guiding his actions with wild and unapologetic fervour. He envisioned her fingers clutching at his skin, her nails leaving marks as a testament to the depth of their connection.

Yet, the fantasy was quickly overshadowed by the weight of his conscience. Lupin couldn't bear the thought of tarnishing her innocence, of introducing her to a world of unbridled passion that she might not be prepared for. He dreaded what might follow such an encounter, the chance that fear or remorse could overshadow the alluring potential of their budding connection.

As Lupin grappled with his conflicting desires, he was torn between the primal urges that pulsed within him and the deep reverence he held for her tender nature. He longed for a way to bridge the gap between his two selves – the untamed wolf and the compassionate man – in a way that would honour her sensitivity while acknowledging the wild desires that coursed through his veins.

He released a deep sigh as he turned off the shower. Water dripped down his chiselled chest, trailing along his sculpted abs as he stepped out of the shower and reached for the crisp white towel.

While blow-drying his hair in front of the expansive wall-to-wall mirror, he caught the buzzing sound of his cell phone.

Lupin had intended to enjoy a tranquil evening, savour his supper, and retire peacefully. However, as he glanced at his phone and saw his secretary, Ivy's name, flashing on the screen, he understood that his plans were about to change. She wouldn't be calling at this late hour unless it was an urgent matter.

"Weren't you supposed to be with your mate? Why bother me at this hour?"

"Lupin, there's something I think you should know," Ivy replied, her voice tinged with concern. "We've received information that the rogue wolf is back in town. It seems he's been asking around, inquiring about you."

Lupin's brow furrowed. Max, that bastard, seeking him out again? This was not good; it raised concerns. "Tell me everything you've got, Ivy."

She quickly briefed him on the details they had gathered. The rogue wolf was clearly seeking revenge on Lupin after what happened two years ago, and Max had been chased out of town. His inquiries about Lupin were causing unrest among the wolf packs in the area.

Lupin leaned against the window, gazing out into the night while draped in a towel. It was a troubling development, one that threatened to disrupt the delicate balance he had established in his human life. But there was something else, something that nagged at the back of his mind.

"Is there anything else, Ivy?" he asked, a trace of hesitation in his voice.

"Yes," Ivy replied, her tone more hesitant now. "There have been rumours, whispers among the supernatural circles. Some say this rogue wolf might have a connection to your past, not just what happened two years ago, but also what happened fifteen years ago."

Lupin's grip on the phone tightened. The mention of his past sent a shiver down his spine. He had thought those memories were locked away forever, buried in the depths of his mind. Now, they threatened to resurface, to unravel the life he had carefully built.

"Thank you, Ivy," Lupin said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within him. "Keep a close watch on the situation. I'll take precautions on my end as well. Let’s see where this is headed."

But Ivy wasn't finished yet. With a teasing tone in her voice, she brought up Violet to his surprise. No one, not even Ivy, dared to playfully connect him to a girl in this manner. Not until now.

"You offered to drop her home, Lupin," Ivy continued, her tone softening. "I've worked with you for years, and I've never seen you do that for any patient, or anyone else for that matter."

Lupin adopted a somewhat serious expression and cleared his throat. "Well, she lives in a slightly tricky part of town. Besides, it was late, and I didn't want her wandering around alone."

Ivy chuckled over the phone. "You've always been a gentleman, Lupin. Haven't you?"

As Lupin listened to Ivy's chuckle, he couldn't help but smile. Although he cherished Ivy as his trusted confidante, it was the first time she had playfully teased him about connecting him with a girl in such a manner.

Ivy wasn't just his secretary; she was a fellow werewolf who shared his dual existence. It was a secret they guarded closely, hidden beneath the guise of their human lives.

"You remember that old, poor patient who came to you for help?" Ivy asked, her voice carrying a hint of reproach. "You turned him away, Lupin. You didn't want any bonds with humans, remember?"

Lupin's silence spoke volumes. It had been a decision he made to maintain the facade of a detached therapist, one who had no entanglements with the people he treated. It was a way to hide the fact that he was a werewolf, to keep his true nature hidden from the world. Above all, to steer clear of selfish humans who could even torture wild beasts like him.

As he ended the call, a profound unease settled over him. The rogue wolf's arrival had introduced an unexpected element of danger into his life, one that might jeopardize not only his newfound connection with Violet but also the fragile peace he had worked so hard to maintain.

Lupin knew that he needed to tread carefully, to protect not only himself but also those who had unwittingly become a part of his world. The intricate dance between his human and wolf selves had just become infinitely more complex, and he couldn't afford to make a wrong move.

Ivy's words also served as a stark reminder that avoiding bonds with humans, even with a girl as simple as Violet, was essential for his own safety. The supernatural world was fraught with danger, and any emotional attachment could prove to be a fatal weakness.

With a heavy heart, he slumped in his bed, unable to find peace, his thoughts a stormy sea. Violet's face kept surfacing in his mind, and he grappled with the intricate threads that wove their lives together.