Her Savage Seduction

Chapter 5

The forest had always been a place of solace for me, a sanctuary where the weight of the pack’s expectations couldn’t reach. But now, as I walked beside Darius, the woods felt smaller, as though they were closing in around us. His presence was magnetic as ever, and though I hated to admit it, his proximity unsettled me in ways I couldn’t entirely blame on the bond we shared.

“You’re quiet,” he said, his voice breaking the stillness.

I glanced at him, my expression guarded. “What do you want me to say?”

“The truth would be a good start,” he replied, his tone calm but firm. “No more games, Lila.”

The truth. What a dangerous word. The truth was that I was falling for him, despite every reason not to. The truth was that his touch had unraveled something inside me that I wasn’t sure I could put back together. But admitting any of that felt like a surrender I wasn’t ready for.

“I’ve already told you everything you need to know,” I said instead, keeping my voice steady. “Anything more would just complicate things.”

His eyes darkened. “You’re afraid,” he said, his voice dropping to a near-growl. “Afraid of what this means.”

I stopped walking, turning to face him fully. “Of course I’m afraid,” I snapped. “You think I wanted this? You think I wanted to feel anything for you, after everything I’ve been through? Your son ruined me. Broke me into a thousand peaces.”

Darius’s expression softened, and he took a step closer. “What we want and what we need are rarely the same, Lila.”

The sincerity in his voice caught me off guard, and for a moment, I couldn’t speak. His gaze held mine, unwavering, and I hated how easily he could dismantle my defences with just a look.

“I can’t,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “I can’t do this.”

His hand reached out, brushing against mine. The simple touch sent a jolt through me, the bond between us flaring to life. “Yes, you can,” he said softly. “You’re stronger than you think.”

The words settled deep in my chest, igniting something I had buried long ago. But before I could respond, a distant howl shattered the moment. It was a call to arms, sharp and urgent, and it sent a chill down my spine.

Darius’s demeanor shifted instantly, his wolf rising to the surface. “Stay close,” he ordered, his voice all Alpha now.

We raced through the forest, the underbrush blurring beneath our feet. The howl had come from the western border, the same area where we had encountered the rogues days before. My heart pounded in time with my steps, a mixture of fear and adrenaline fuelling me.

When we arrived, the scene was chaos. A group of rogues had breached the border, their snarls filling the air. Warriors clashed with them, teeth and claws flashing everywhere. The scent of blood was overwhelming, and my wolf surged forward, ready to fight.

“Lila, stay back!” Darius barked, but I ignored him, my instincts taking over.

I launched myself into the fray, my wolf revelling in the thrill of the fight. A rogue lunged at me, its eyes wild with desperation, but I was faster. My claws raked across its side, and it let out a pained yelp before collapsing.

The battle was over quickly, the rogues no match for the combined strength of the pack. As the last one fell, the clearing grew silent, save for the heavy breaths of the warriors around me.

Darius appeared at my side, his eyes blazing. “What the hell were you thinking?” he demanded.

I glared at him, my chest heaving. “I was thinking that I’m not some fragile little thing you can order around.”

His jaw tightened, and he stepped closer, his presence towering over me. “You could have been killed.”

“So could everyone else,” I shot back. “I’m not going to stand on the sidelines while my pack fights.”

For a moment, we stood there, locked in a battle of wills. Then, without warning, he grabbed my arm and pulled me closer. “You’re impossible,” he muttered, but there was something almost fond in his tone.

Before I could respond, he leaned down, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that was both fierce and tender. My resolve crumbled, and I melted into him, the bond between us flaring to life once more.

When we finally broke apart, his eyes searched mine, a mixture of frustration and something deeper in his gaze. “You’re going to be the death of me,” he said, his voice rough.

I smirked, though my heart was pounding. “Good. Maybe then I’ll finally get some peace.”

He chuckled, the sound low and warm, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to smile. But as we made our way back to the packhouse, the weight of everything still unsaid lingered between us, a reminder that our battles were far from over.