Chapter 5 – The Alpha’s Touch
299 Words
That night, I couldn’t sleep. My body was restless, my senses too sharp — I could hear the faint crackle of the fire, smell the pine from the forest outside, and worst of all, I could feel him.
Rylan.
It was like a thread pulled taut between us, tugging at my chest. No matter how far he was in the house, I knew exactly where he stood. I hated it. I hated how much I wanted to find him.
I found him on the porch, shirtless again, the cold air turning his breath to mist. His muscles flexed as he gripped the railing, staring out into the trees.
“Can’t sleep?” he asked without turning.
I crossed my arms. “What did you do to me?”
His lips curved into a faint smirk. “Nothing yet.”
The word yet sent heat rushing to my cheeks. “This—this bond. I don’t want it.”
“You think I do?” he growled, turning to face me. “You’re a distraction. A weakness. But the moment I saw you, the moon decided for me. And now, I can’t stay away from you any more than you can from me.”
He stepped closer, his hand brushing my cheek. The contact sent a shiver racing down my spine. His thumb grazed my lower lip, and I swore my knees almost gave out.
Then he leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. “One day, you’ll beg me to touch you. And when you do… I won’t hold back.”
My heart pounded so hard it hurt.
Before I could answer, a howl split the night — long, low, and mournful.
Rylan’s expression hardened instantly. “Stay inside,” he ordered. “And lock the door.”
- Writer
