AT THE SAME TIME
MICHAEL
The locks gleamed in the moonlight, and I couldn't tear my eyes off them. They mocked me. Taunted me. My claws curled hard into the stone floor. My body shook from exhaustion, but rage burned hotter in my chest than the ache. Then I heard footsteps. Heavy. Confident. Approaching my door. I stiffened instantly, fur bristling down my arms, ears twitching at every shift of leather and steel. My heart thudded loud, but I forced my body up onto shaky legs, dragging myself upright. The lock on the door clicked. The hinges groaned. Adrian leaned in first, amber eyes glinting like fire in the moonlight. His smirk widened when he saw me standing, claws bared.
"Well, look at that. Still got a little bite left."He said.
"Stay back." My voice came out rough, broken, but steady. My silver eyes locked on his. "Don't. Come. Closer."
Behind him, Xavier's low laugh drifted through the door. "Gods, I love when he snarls. Makes me want to-"He started.
"Don't finish that sentence." I snapped, cutting him off with a snarl sharp enough to make my throat sting.
Terrence stepped into the frame then, gray eyes narrowing, unreadable. His voice was calm, steady.
"You'll wear yourself down faster glaring at us than resting, Michael."Terrence added.
"I would rather die on my feet than crawl for you."I said annoyed.
The air went tense, thick as steel wire. My wolf pressed against me, trembling but fierce, a low growl curling in my chest. Then her scent hit, soft jasmine and silver frost. Selene. The saintess stepped into the room, silver eyes glowing faintly in the dark. Her poise was perfect as ever, her gaze sharp as knives. She didn't speak at first, only studied me like I was some strange, dangerous animal she'd half expected to see broken by now. I bared my teeth.
"Get out."I growled.
One pale brow arched.
"You're in no position to give commands."Selene said.
"I'll never bow to you. Or to them. Lock your windows, chain your doors, I'll still never be yours."I said.
Adrian chuckled, low and amused.
"Moon, he's pretty when he's furious."Adrian said.
Xavier tilted his head, grin sharp.
"Almost makes me want to test how long he'll keep that fire before it burns out."Xavier grinned.
Selene's expression shifted, then her silver eyes narrowed, colder, sharper. She didn't step closer, but her voice cut like glass.
"Let him have his fire." She said coldly. "It will only make the breaking sweeter."
I lunged a step forward, claws scraping the stone, eyes blazing, every muscle screaming with defiance.
"Try." I hissed.
The alphas smirked. Selene's lips curved into something cruel. And yet I didn't move back. Didn't flinch. Not an inch. If they wanted me broken, they'd have to shatter every bone in my body first. Selene's silver eyes lingered on me for a moment longer, sharp and calculating. Then, with a faint, almost imperceptible tilt of her head, she stepped back toward the door.
"Consider this a… pause, little wolf." She said, voice cool, almost melodic. "Do what you will in the meantime."
Before I could respond, she vanished into the shadows of the hallway. The faint scent of jasmine lingered, weaving around me like a warning. My claws flexed, ears twitching, tail flicking with tension. I didn't trust her. Not one bit. Minutes passed, heavy and quiet, broken only by the subtle creaks of the house settling. Then the soft sound of porcelain clinking reached my ears. My silver eyes snapped toward the source. Selene returned, carrying a small tray, steaming tea balanced delicately on it.
"I thought… you might need this." She said, placing the tray gently on the floor, a faint, almost coaxing smile playing on her lips. "Consider it… a peace offering.""
I narrowed my eyes, tail stiff behind me, and my wolf stirred low in my chest. Peace? From her? Not likely… My muscles tensed, claws flexing against the stone floor.
"I… don't need it." I said carefully, voice steady but tight, silver eyes locked on her. "I don't drink from hands that will tie me to chains, Selene."
Her smile widened faintly, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"I understand your caution. Truly. But perhaps… a small sip will calm your nerves. No more, no less."She said.
I twitched, sniffing the tea, the faint aroma drifting toward me. Warmth, cinnamon, something comforting… too comforting. My wolf growled low, pressing against my ribs, warning me, but my curiosity and thirst gnawed at me.
"You think I would fall for this?" I asked, though my throat felt dry, voice betraying a slight quiver. "You bring tea, smiling… like I'm some child you're trying to calm down?"
Selene crouched slightly, silver eyes meeting mine evenly.
"Call it what you will. A chance to show restraint, or to prove me wrong. I'll leave the choice to you."She said.
My ears flicked, claws scraping the floor as I debated. Every instinct screamed to push her away, to refuse, to bite, to growl but a part of me, weak and exhausted, craved warmth, craved the familiarity of a hand that wouldn't strike me… at least not yet. I shifted back, body taut, eyes never leaving hers, tail curling protectively. "One sip." I murmured, almost under my breath. "And not another. Understand?"
Selene's lips curved slightly, satisfied, though her eyes never lost their edge.
"Of course." She said softly. "Only as much as you need."
As I leaned forward cautiously, paws trembling, my wolf buzzing faintly in anticipation and suspicion, I couldn't shake the feeling. This tea… this peace offering… was not as simple as it seemed. Something lingered beneath her calm demeanor, a quiet tension that set my fur on end and made my claws dig deeper into the stone. And still, against every warning, I let my nose drift toward the warmth, sniffing carefully, every sense on high alert.
"One sip… and nothing more. I won't be fooled." My wolf growled softly in agreement, tail twitching, as I braced myself against whatever Selene had planned.