Chapter 42: The Call of the Night

Ivy

Night had fallen by the time we reached the outskirts of Leo’s territory. The cool breeze whispered through the trees, carrying the scent of pine and earth. I dismounted from his back, my mind still swirling with the events of the day. Everything had been tense, but manageable—until now.

The air around me seemed to shift, growing heavier, pressing down on my chest. Then, without warning, a sharp pain shot through me, knocking me to my knees. It wasn’t the kind of pain I’d expect from exhaustion or injury—it felt primal, ancient, as though something within me was being pulled apart and reassembled.

Leo was at my side instantly, his warm hand on my shoulder. “What’s wrong?” His voice held a rare note of fear.

“I—I don’t know,” I gasped, clutching my chest. It felt like my heart was trying to burst out of my ribcage, but there was something more—something strange.

As though my body remembered a transformation I’d never undergone, some power that had stirred only once before and now threatened to return.

Then, as quickly as it began, it stopped. The night air felt normal again, and the pain vanished, leaving me breathless, bewildered, and strangely empty.

“Ivy…” Leo began, but he didn’t finish. He didn’t need to—I saw the same question reflected in his eyes.

What the hell was that?

It reminded me of the first transformation—or what I thought had been my first. But this was slightly different. I heard a voice. But maybe it was just my imagination. Just like that night, nothing had changed on the outside. There was no shift in my bones, no sudden burst of power. Just a pain that felt like a warning, or perhaps something forgotten trying to claw its way to the surface.

Had I imagined it? No. Leo had seen it too. But whatever had happened, it was gone now, leaving me with nothing but questions and a gnawing sense that it wasn’t over.

Leo’s mansion loomed ahead, its towering walls wrapped in ivy, casting shadows under the dim light of the rising moon. The gates opened with a quiet creak, and we stepped into the grand courtyard. Despite its grandeur, there was an eerie stillness to the air that made my heart race. I barely had a moment to take it all in before Leo was at my side again, his presence intense and overwhelming.

I barely noticed the cold stone beneath my feet; all I could feel was Leo’s warmth as he pressed closer, his nose brushing against the curve of my neck. His breathing was heavy, deliberate, as though he was trying to memorize every part of me with his senses. I shivered at the unexpected intimacy.

“Leo…” I giggled nervously, trying to ease the tension. “Why are you so—?”

“Mine,” he murmured into my skin, his voice low and possessive. The single word sent a shiver down my spine.  

By the time we reached the Light wing, where our rooms were located, my pulse was erratic, a mix of excitement and something else—something I couldn’t quite name. But before I could retreat to my room, Leo’s arm shot out, trapping me against the wall. His hands pressed on either side of my head, caging me in place. His eyes gleamed with a dangerous intensity, his expression a mix of desire and something deeper, almost primal.

“You’re sleeping in my bed tonight,” he declared, his voice firm, brooking no argument.

I stared up at him, heart pounding. The way he said it sent heat coursing through my veins. He wasn’t asking—he was demanding, as if it was his right. And yet, there was something playful in his gaze, something that made me want to defy him just to see what he’d do.

“Why?” I managed to whisper, though my voice came out shaky.

His lips quirked into a smirk. “Because I won’t be able to sleep if you’re too far away. But don’t worry…” He leaned closer, his breath brushing my cheek. “I’ll try to be good. I won’t suffocate you.”

His words made me both excited and terrified, a strange mix that left me speechless. All I could do was nod shyly, my heart thundering in my chest. His smirk deepened, as though he knew exactly what kind of effect he had on me.

Awkward silence hung between us for a long moment before I cleared my throat, stepping back. “I—I’m going to take a shower.”

Leo didn’t stop me this time. With a last lingering glance, I slipped into the bathroom, closing the door behind me. The sound of water rushing from the showerhead filled the big space, a welcome distraction from the chaos of emotions swirling inside me.

I stripped out of my clothes and stepped under the warm spray, letting it wash away the tension. The steam wrapped around me, soothing my nerves. I closed my eyes, exhaling deeply, trying to steady my racing heart.

But just as I began to relax, the door creaked open behind me. I froze, my eyes snapping open in shock. I turned around, only to find Leo standing there, shirtless, his expression unreadable.

“Leo!” I gasped, instinctively wrapping my arms around myself. “What are you doing?”

He stepped inside as if he had every right to be there, his gaze unwavering. “I want to help you,” he said, his voice calm, yet laced with an edge of something darker. “I can still smell Connor’s scent on you, and it’s driving me insane. Let me… wash it away.”

My breath hitched at his words, my mind spinning. I knew him well enough to realize he wasn’t going to back down. His eyes held a determination that left no room for argument. 

“But…” I began but he gave me a stern look. Hesitantly, I gave in, nodding slowly.

Leo grabbed a fresh bath towel and lathered it with soap. His movements were slow, deliberate, as though savoring every second. He stepped closer, the heat of his body mingling with the steam from the shower. I stood there, frozen, unsure whether to run or let this moment unfold.

When his hand finally touched my skin, sliding the soapy towel across my shoulder, I inhaled sharply. Every nerve in my body came alive under his touch. He moved the towel with care, his fingers occasionally brushing against my bare skin, sending electric jolts through me.

“You’re tense,” he whispered, his lips dangerously close to my ear. “Relax.”

How does he expect a virgin to relax when he’s torturing her this way!

I tried, but it was impossible. Every touch of his hands—whether through the towel or directly on my skin—left me flushed, needing more but too shy to ask. My breaths came quicker, soft gasps escaping my lips as he continued his slow, torturous task.

Leo paused for a moment, the towel slipping from his grasp. His hands, now bare, slid around my waist, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us. I felt the hard planes of his chest against my back, his lips brushing the curve of my neck.

“I can’t stop myself,” he muttered, his voice strained, as though he was fighting some internal battle. Before I could react, his lips captured mine in a feverish kiss, full of raw need. I melted into him, unable to resist the intensity of his desire, my own longing rising to the surface.

But just as things began to spiral out of control, a loud, echoing knock resounded through the entrance of the wing, shattering the moment. Leo broke the kiss, his eyes blazing with frustration and something else—something like rage.

“Stay here,” he ordered, his tone shifting from playful to serious in an instant. Without waiting for a response, he strode out of the bathroom, leaving me breathless and reeling from what had just happened.

As the door closed behind him, I leaned against the wall, trying to steady my racing heart. My mind was spinning faster than I could keep up. What could the problem be? What trouble is knocking this time?

And then, as if in answer, I heard it—a hoarse, distant howl. A sound so wounded, so chilling, that my blood ran cold.