Chapter 10 Caden's Cabin
Sera's Pov
The cabin felt too small for the way Caden was looking at me. His eyes were darker than before, storm-deep, restless, like he was fighting something he had already lost to. I could hear his heartbeat from where I stood. Faster than mine. Rougher.
“We shouldn’t,” he said quietly.
I didn’t move. “Then tell me to leave.”
His jaw tightened. “I can’t.”
The bond tugged between us like a low, electric pull. I stepped closer, and he sucked in a breath like I’d touched something raw inside him.
“Why are you fighting it?” I whispered.
“Because if I touch you again,” he said, voice shaking just a little, “I won’t stop.”
My chest tightened. “Maybe I don’t want you to stop.”
His restraint snapped. I felt it like a shift in the air before he grabbed my waist and pulled me into him, kissing me hard enough that my thoughts scattered. His mouth was warm and hungry against mine, the kind of kiss that felt like he’d been starving for it for years.
He kissed me like he was both angry and relieved, like he couldn’t decide if he should run or pull me closer. I threaded my fingers through his hair, and he groaned softly against my lips, the sound low and rough.
“Sera…” he breathed. “I tried to stay away.”
“You didn’t,” I murmured with a smile on my face.
“No.” His forehead pressed to mine. “I couldn’t.”
His hands slid down my back, slow, hesitant, as if asking for permission he already knew he had. I pressed closer, and he exhaled shakily, the thin thread of self-control unraveling in real time.
“You’re killing me,” he said against my neck, voice low and strained.
“You’re killing me too,” I whispered.
His mouth found mine again, desperate this time, less careful, more certain. The bond surged, fierce and hot, wrapping around my spine like it was pulling me under. I didn’t want to breathe. I didn’t want to think.
I just wanted him.
He lifted me effortlessly, carrying me toward the bed at the far end of the cabin. My hands slipped around his shoulders, feeling his muscles tense beneath my palms. His eyes met mine, dark and full of something that looked like surrender.
“Say it,” he whispered.
“What?”
“That you want this.”
I touched his face, softening his tension. “I want you.”
We lay back on the bed, tangled in each other. His lips traced my jaw, my throat, each touch sending heat straight to my chest. I felt his hand slide beneath my shirt, warm against my skin. My breath caught. His lips found mine again, hungry and soft all at once, and everything inside me melted.
“Sera,” he whispered against my throat, breath uneven. “Tell me you want this.”
“I do,” I breathed. “I want you.”
That broke him completely.
He lifted me effortlessly, my legs instinctively tightening around his hips as he carried me toward the bed. His mouth found mine again, then my jaw, my neck—slow, hungry trails that made my pulse stumble. The bond hummed between us, a deep, pulling thrum that wrapped around every breath.
He laid me back with a tenderness that contrasted sharply with the tension in his body, as if he was fighting the urge to devour and protect at the same time. His forehead pressed to mine, eyes dark and full of something that felt like surrender.
“Last chance,” he murmured. “Say stop if—”
I silenced him with a kiss, pulling him down to me.
The cabin lights flickered softly, and the bond pulled us into the dark, warm and consuming, until the rest of the night disappeared behind it.
Warm morning light crept through the cabin window when I opened my eyes. My head rested on Caden’s shoulder, his arm was wrapped around my waist, and the steady rhythm of his breathing filled the room. His skin was warm against mine, his scent stronger than ever.
He was watching me already.
“You okay?” he asked softly.
“Yes,” I whispered.
He brushed a strand of hair from my face with a tenderness that made my chest ache. “Good.”
For a moment, the world was quiet. But reality crept back too quickly.
“We should get some air,” he said. “Before someone realizes we’re gone.”
I nodded, even though part of me wanted to stay in that quiet forever.
We got dressed slowly, stealing small touches and half-smiles neither of us tried to hide. When we stepped outside, the forest was cool and bright, dew glistening on the grass.
We walked side by side along the lake, the bond humming softly between us like an echo of what happened.
Caden reached for my hand and I let him take it.
For the first time in a long time, things felt right. Well, almost.
A shadow passed over the ground, breaking the moment. I looked up.
A tall figure stood near the trees, dressed in black, watching us with sharp, unreadable eyes. Power rolled off him in a quiet, confident wave that made the air feel thicker.
Caden stiffened instantly.
The stranger’s gaze locked on me, steady and piercing, like he knew exactly who I was. His voice was deep and controlled when he spoke.
“Hello, Selene.”
Caden’s grip tightened around my hand.
The stranger smiled faintly.
“I’ve come to collect what’s mine.”