Chapter 32 Subtle threads of manipulation
Tasha:
You’re awake earlier than usual.”
Neel’s voice was rough with sleep, but there was a softness in it that made my chest tighten. I looked up from where I sat on the edge of the bed, the morning sun slipping through the curtains, warming his side of the room. His hair fell over his forehead, eyes still drowsy, and I couldn’t stop myself from taking him in.
“I couldn’t sleep,” I said, letting my lips curve into a small, knowing smile. “Besides, I wanted to see you.”
He blinked at me, clearly surprised, then a slow grin spread. “I missed you.”
That one sentence made my pulse quicken. Weeks, months of planning, of waiting for this, and now I had him fully, entirely, beside me. My demon purred inside me, pleased, satisfied. Finally, it seemed to say. All of him.
I stretched lazily, letting my fingers brush over the blanket, making no secret of how comfortable I felt here. “You look peaceful like this,” I murmured. “Like nothing could touch you.”
His gaze softened, and he reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “And now, you’re here,” he said, “so nothing will.”
I felt a shiver of triumph. The rise of satisfaction in me was nearly physical. I let it show just enough to make him happy, to make him think he was the center of my world...but I kept my secret thrill buried.
I leaned closer, resting my forehead against his naked chest. “I want to stay like this,” I said, voice low, almost conspiratorial.
“Just for a little while. Before the rest of the world decides to interfere.”
Neel frowned slightly, the muscle in his jaw working. “What do you mean?”
I sat up straight, shaking my head.
"Nothing,now get up and let's take shower together. I'm hungry now." I got off the bed, he said nothing but his gaze felt piercing behind me.
\-------
“Why do you look so far away?”
Neel’s voice pulled me back. We were still in the kitchen, the same quiet space where morning always seemed to linger longer than it should. I stood by the counter with my back to him, hands wrapped around the kettle, pretending to be busy while my thoughts carefully arranged themselves into something believable.
“I’m fine,” I said lightly, though I let my shoulders slump just a little, enough for him to notice. “Just tired.”
He didn’t believe me. I knew that even before he crossed the room and stopped a few steps behind me. Neel had always been observant. It was one of the things that made manipulating him both difficult and satisfying.
“You don’t get that look when you’re tired,” he said gently. “You get quiet. This is different.”
I turned my head slightly, enough for him to see my face but not enough for him to read all of it. I had practiced this expression in my mind already. The distant eyes. The faint crease between my brows. The kind of worry that made people lean closer instead of pulling away.
“It’s nothing,” I repeated, softer this time.
He reached for the cupboard and took out two mugs, the same ones that were always there. I noticed, with a sharp flicker of pleasure, that he did not hesitate. This kitchen already felt like it belonged to me.
“Tasha,” he said, setting the mugs down. “You don’t have to protect me from your thoughts.”
That almost made me smile. Almost.
I turned back to the counter and poured water into the kettle. As I set it on the stove, my fingers brushed the handle, and a memory stirred. This was the same kettle. The one she used. Tara’s kettle. I could almost see her standing here, humming softly, unaware of how easily places forgot people.
The thought warmed me in a way nothing else could.
I let the kettle heat while I measured the coffee slowly, deliberately. Every movement felt like a small claim. I was here. I remained.
Neel leaned against the counter, watching me. “You’ve been like this since you woke up,” he said. “Since after… everything.”
I hesitated just enough to make it convincing.
“There were things that happened,” I said carefully, “while I was gone.”
His posture stiffened. “Gone to your pack or....where?”
I picked up the mugs and spooned coffee into each, my hands steady. “That’s the problem. I didn’t go anywhere willingly.”
The kettle clicked off. The sound felt loud in the silence that followed.
Neel straightened. “What do you mean?”
I poured the water, watching the dark swirl rise, then carried the mugs to the table. I sat down slowly, cradling mine but not drinking yet. I kept my eyes on the surface of the coffee, letting my lashes lower.
“They found me,” I said.
“Who did?”
I took a breath, as if bracing myself. "Alexandra's pack...Snowpack.”
Her name for him came slowly. “Alexandra? From… Snowpack?”
I nodded once. “Yes.”
Neel frowned. “I don’t know that pack.”
“That’s because they don’t want humans to know them,” I said. I finally looked up at him then, letting fear soften my gaze.
“They’re very careful about that.”
He sat across from me, concern settling fully into his features. “Why would they be after you?”
I wrapped both hands tighter around the mug. “Because I exist in your world.”
He blinked. “What?”
“They don’t want werewolves living among humans,in the city” I said quietly. “Especially not someone like me. Someone with a fractured soul,close to a doctor. Someone connected to research labs and scientists.”
Neel’s jaw tightened. “Because of your… condition?”
“Yes,” I whispered. “And because of you.”
He leaned forward. “Tasha, what are you saying?”
I let my voice shake now. Just enough.
“They were afraid you would expose them,” I said. “That you would realize what they really do.”
“And what is that?” he asked.
I swallowed, then said it.
“They abduct humans to feed on them from the city and lowkey export their blood to the vampires.”
The words landed between us like a crack in glass.Even I couldn't believe what I just came up with. Good job demon! My demon laughed.
Neel stared at me. “That’s not possible.”
“They hide it well,” I said quickly. “They live close to cities, close to people, and they call it balance or respecting boundaries. But it’s feeding, Neel. That’s why they don’t want anyone like you asking questions.”
His face had gone pale. “You’re saying Alexandra is part of this.”
“She is literary the crowned Lycan of Snowpack,babe.” I replied. “And she didn’t like that I was with you. That I was living openly. That I wasn’t under their control.”
He pushed his chair back slightly, running a hand through his hair. “Why didn’t you tell me any of this before?”
I looked down, letting my shoulders shake. “Because I didn’t want to scare you. And because they told me not to.”
That did it.
He reached across the table and covered my hands with his. “They threatened you.”
“Yes,” I said, and let the black tear slip. Just one. “They said if I didn’t stay away from you, if I didn’t disappear quietly, they would make sure you couldn’t interfere. That your work would stop. That you would stop.”
His grip tightened. “They have no right.”
“I know,” I whispered. “But they’re powerful. And they don’t care about human laws.”
Neel leaned back, breathing slowly, processing. I could almost hear the gears turning. Doctor. Scientist. Protector.
“This can’t stay quiet,” he said finally. “If what you’re saying is true, this isn’t just about you. This is dangerous.This is illegal. This is....this is barberous!”
I nodded. “That’s why I’m scared.”
He looked at me then, really looked at me. “Why didn’t they....kill you?”
I met his gaze steadily. “Because I ran. Because I hid. And because they didn’t want your attention by killing your very fiance.”
He exhaled sharply. “So they made you disappear.”
“Yes.”
Silence settled again, heavier this time.
“I went to the police,” he said suddenly. “When you were gone. I searched hospitals, shelters, everywhere. I even contacted colleagues at the lab to see if they had access to missing persons databases.”
My lips parted in what looked like surprise. “You did all that?”
“Of course I did,” he said. “I thought something terrible had happened to you.”
Something terrible had happened. Just not in the way he thought.
“I don’t want them near you again,” he said, his voice firm now. “If these packs are feeding on humans, the lab needs to know. Authorities need to know.”
I hesitated, then nodded. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
He leaned forward. “I’ll be careful. I won’t put you at risk. But I won’t ignore this either.”
Relief washed over his face, mixed with resolve. Exactly what I wanted.
I stood and moved around the table, setting my mug aside. I stepped into his space and wrapped my arms around him, pressing my cheek to his shoulder.
“Thank you,” I murmured. “I knew you’d protect me.”
He hugged me back without hesitation, his hand coming up to rest against my back. “Always.”
His palm pressed gently, reassuringly. He had no idea what he was promising.
I closed my eyes against his shoulder and let my lips curve, just slightly, where he could not see.
Perfect, my demon purred.
I had his trust. I had his fear. And now, I had his attention aimed exactly where I wanted it.
When I pulled back, my face was soft, grateful, innocent.
“We’ll get through this,” he said, brushing his thumb along my arm.
“Yes,” I agreed quietly.
As he held me there in the kitchen, in her place, with her kettle cooling on the stove, my smile deepened.
Alexandra would never see it coming....se messed with my demon this time!