Flushed…
He tilted his head slightly, studying me with those cold, calculating eyes. “Straight to the point, I see. Very well. You’re smart, Veronica, and you’ve been keeping some interesting company. The kind of company that’s involved in things far above your pay grade. What I want is simple: information.”
I frowned. “Information about what?”
He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “About Simon and Lucas. About the crown. About the power struggles within the lycanthrope hierarchy. You know more than you let on, and I’m going to find out everything you’re hiding.”
A shiver ran down my spine at the mention of the crown. It was clear this man wasn’t just an ordinary blackmailer. He knew things, dangerous things, and he was intent on using me to get whatever he wanted.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, trying to sound convincing.
His laughter filled the room, echoing off the walls in a way that made my skin crawl. “Oh, Veronica, don’t insult my intelligence. We both know you’re deeply entwined in this. You wouldn’t be here otherwise.”
I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. I could feel the walls closing in, the air thick with tension and dread. “If you think you can manipulate me, you’re wrong. I’m not some pawn you can move around.”
He raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “A pawn? No, I see you more as a queen, strategically positioned. But even a queen can be sacrificed if it means winning the game.”
The room seemed to grow colder, the dim light casting long shadows that danced menacingly around us. Outside, the wind picked up, howling through the trees like a chorus of wolves. I could feel the weight of the situation bearing down on me, the realization that I was truly trapped in a game far more dangerous than I had ever anticipated.
“I don’t take kindly to threats,” I warned, my voice low and steely.
“And I don’t make empty ones,” he retorted, his gaze locking with mine. “You have until the next full moon to give me what I want. If you don’t… Well, let’s just say you won’t like the consequences.”
He stood up abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor, and started to walk towards the door. “Remember, Veronica,” he said without turning around, “I know more than you think. And I have eyes everywhere.”
The door closed behind him with a soft click, leaving me alone in the room. I let out a shaky breath, the tension slowly releasing from my body, only to be replaced by a wave of anxiety. The full moon was only days away, and I had no idea how I was going to get out of this mess.
I needed to think, to come up with a plan. The stakes were higher than ever, and one wrong move could cost me everything. The dim light of the room flickered, and I felt a chill run down my spine. The night was far from over, and the game had only just begun.
I remained seated for a little while longer, my thoughts swirling around everything he had just said. The door creaked open once again, and he walked in.
“You’re still here?” he asked, his voice carrying a hint of surprise mixed with a touch of interest. I watched as he moved past me to sit in front of the mirror. This was the only moment I truly had to study him. His dark brown hair framed deep hazel eyes that seemed to pierce through the dim light of the room. From the way he carried himself, it was obvious that he was no ordinary man.
I thought hard, trying to place him-had I met him before? I continued to stare at his reflection in the mirror, attempting to paint a clear picture of the status he might hold. Could he be a king or an alpha? But on second thought, that didn’t seem right. Someone with such authority wouldn’t be involved in something like this. It just didn’t add up.
I recalled his request for information about the crown, lycanthrope secrets, and more. The way he spoke made it clear he had something against Lucas and Simon-he was bent on bringing them down.
“Or wait, could he be the messenger of someone trying to get to Lucas and Simon?” I mused, still gazing at his reflection. But once again, my theory was shattered by another realization. He didn’t sound like a mere messenger. His tone and the way he carried himself suggested he wasn’t acting on anyone else’s orders. No, this man’s intentions were fueled by a deeply personal grudge, a disdain that ran deep.
“You know,” he began, his voice cutting through my thoughts, “if someone saw how you’re staring at me so intently, they might think you’ve fallen deeply in love with me.”
“Love? Oh, please!” I scoffed, sitting up straight and rolling my eyes. He didn’t turn around, yet he managed to maintain eye contact with me through the mirror. It felt almost like hypnosis; I was completely lost in those hazel eyes. It took me a moment to regain my composure, and when I did, he chuckled, amused by how easily I had succumbed to his gaze.
I tore my eyes away, forcing myself to study the room instead. This wasn’t something I had planned to do, but since I was desperate to look anywhere but at him, I focused on the surroundings, examining every corner to avoid his gaze. This went on for what felt like an eternity until he finally stood up. I exhaled a sigh of relief and pulled out my phone to see if I could still make it home at this hour.
“Just forget about it, princess. Unless you’re ready to get raped or kidnapped, I’d advise you to stay here till dawn. After all, you did come to spend the night, didn’t you?”
“What? How dare you say that to me? Don’t flatter yourself, okay? Last night I was drunk and mistook you for someone actually worth my time. The sooner you get that into your thick, obnoxious head, the better.”
“Oh, really?” he responded, his brows raising rhythmically with his words.
“Yes! You don’t even deserve to touch a single strand of hair on my head, let alone explore my body. Like I said, I was very drunk and wasn’t thinking straight; otherwise, I wouldn’t have let you get close, and that’s a fact.”
“Hmm, I see,” he murmured, and I clicked my tongue in frustration. I glanced down at my phone again, and before I could register what was happening, I felt his strong hands pull me up from the chair. He turned me around swiftly, and my back collided with his chest. My phone flew across the room, but that was the least of my concerns at the moment.
At first, all I could feel was the hard muscle of his chest against my back, but then I noticed a movement below, nudging me from behind. I gulped nervously. He was a few inches taller than me, yet he managed to rest his head comfortably on my shoulder. With each breath he took in the silence, I felt my self-control slipping away, bit by bit.
“Now tell me,” he whispered softly, his warm breath caressing my skin as his deep voice echoed in my ears, “am I really unworthy to hold you in my arms?”
“I… actually I…” I stammered, unable to form coherent words as I struggled to keep my mind in check. I was losing the battle, but my body was already so heightened that any last shred of reason flew out the window. He leaned in, gently kissing my bare neck, and my knees went weak. I was completely gone! Still caught up in the moment, I clung to his neck, turning to face him. I was about to kiss him passionately when he blocked the small space left between our lips with his hand.
I was flushed with embarrassment. I couldn’t believe how shamelessly I had let myself go, especially after bragging about my dignity and self-control just minutes ago. I looked down at the floor in shame, but he grabbed my chin and gently lifted my face to meet his gaze.
“I’m afraid I can’t take this beyond what it already is,” he teased, “after all, I’m not worthy of even touching a strand of your hair, right?” His words were laced with irony, and I frowned deeply.
“Have a good night, princess,” he said finally, planting a deliberate kiss on my neck, which I relished despite myself, before he stepped out of the room. He shut the door behind him, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. What was I about to do? Was I seriously about to let myself open up to the same guy I had a one-night stand with just yesterday?
“Veronica, you are so stupid!” I cried out. “Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!” I let myself fall back on the bed, covering my face in shame. No one else was in the room, but I still felt the need to cover myself in embarrassment. What a night!