Chapter 29
Chapter 29
## Caius's POV
The moment my lips met Elara's, electricity coursed through my body. Her lips were soft and sweet, tasting of vanilla and something uniquely her. I had expected her to push me away, to reject this sudden advance, but instead, she leaned back against the wall and closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment.
I gently captured her lower lip between my teeth, savoring her like a precious delicacy I'd been denied my entire life. Her scent—cinnamon and vanilla—intensified, wrapping around me like an intoxicating spell. Everything in me wanted to deepen this embrace, to pull her closer until there was no space between us.
With monumental effort, I forced myself to stop. As I pulled back slightly, I noticed her breathing had grown rapid, her chest rising and falling in quick succession. Her cheeks were flushed a deep crimson, and her mismatched eyes remained closed, dark lashes fluttering against her skin.
Our mate is getting very hot, Max warned within my mind. If you're not careful, she'll go into estrus.
The realization hit me like ice water. I needed to leave. Now.
"Take a cold shower," I muttered, my voice rough with restraint. Before she could respond, I turned and strode away, my hands clenched into tight fists at my sides.
## Elara's POV
When I opened my eyes, Caius was gone.
My heart hammered against my ribs, and my entire body trembled, legs so weak I could barely remain standing. The hallway spun around me as I tried to process what had just happened.
He kissed us! Anna exclaimed excitedly in my mind. Our mate kissed us!
I pressed my fingers to my lips, which still tingled from his touch. Why had he kissed me? All this time, I'd thought he wanted to reject me as his mate. His actions had consistently indicated as much—the cold demeanor, the distance he maintained, his refusal to acknowledge our connection. Yet his kiss had been anything but cold or distant.
A wave of heat flooded through me, setting my skin ablaze. I'd never felt anything like this before—an all-consuming fire that started deep within and radiated outward. My skin felt hypersensitive, every nerve ending alive and humming.
It's the beginning of estrus, Anna explained. It's a natural response for mature wolves when their mate touches them intimately.
I suddenly understood Caius's parting words about a cold shower. Mortification washed over me as I realized he'd recognized the signs before I had. I hurried back to the guest room, desperate to avoid being seen by any other pack members in this state.
Once safely inside, I peeled off my clothes, my body temperature climbing higher with each passing second. I rushed into the bathroom and turned the cold water on full blast, stepping under the icy stream with a gasp. The cold helped tame the fire somewhat, but my thoughts remained chaotic.
"Why would he kiss me and then just leave?" I asked aloud as I wrapped myself in a towel afterward.
Who can understand our mysterious mate? Anna responded. But I like that about him. He's a puzzle with many pieces.
"We need a mate who understands us, who loves us unconditionally," I argued, pulling on a nightshirt. "Not someone who kisses us one minute and runs away the next."
He's our destiny, Anna insisted. The Moon Goddess chose him for us.
I sank onto the bed, hugging my knees to my chest. "He's also my professor at Lunastride. If anyone discovers this, he could lose his job."
The Alpha Council would understand. Mate bonds are sacred.
"Maybe," I conceded, "but what about my father? How would he feel knowing my destined mate is the son of Ulric—the man who tried to kill him and hunted Volana wolves?"
Anna had no answer for that, and I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling as sleep eluded me for hours.
Morning arrived with a sharp knock at my door. I stumbled out of bed, still groggy from my restless night. Without thinking, I opened the door wearing only my thin nightshirt.
Caius stood in the hallway, his blue eyes widening as he took in my appearance. I suddenly became acutely aware of how the morning light streaming through the windows behind me would reveal the outline of my body. He quickly averted his gaze.
"Be ready in thirty minutes. I'm taking you back to the academy," he said curtly, already turning away.
"Caius, wait—" I called after him, but he continued down the hall without looking back.
Thirty minutes later, I found him downstairs holding the portrait I'd painted of him. He'd wrapped it carefully to protect it during transport.
"I know you're returning to the academy, but could you add more flowers to the background and engrave my mother's name at the bottom before you go?" he asked, maintaining a careful distance between us.
"Of course," I agreed. "I'll have it ready by tomorrow."
The drive back to Lunastride was silent, tension filling the car like a physical presence. When we arrived, Caius waited until I entered the building before driving away. I watched his car disappear, my heart heavy with confusion.
The next morning, I couldn't find Caius anywhere. Deciding to finish his painting after my architectural design class, I gathered my project materials and headed to class.
"Ah, Elara!" Miss Calliope greeted me warmly. "I'm looking forward to seeing your design today."
One by one, my classmates presented their projects. As the last presenter, I stood at the front of the room, heart racing with anticipation.
"Ms. Elara has chosen 'Role Model' as her theme," Miss Calliope announced. "Please explain your inspiration, Elara."
"My theme is about role models," I began, "designing a structure inspired by those who have influenced my life."
I removed the cloth covering my design board, and the room fell into stunned silence. Confused by their reaction, I turned to look at my work—and froze in horror.
Instead of my family-inspired architectural design, I had brought Caius's portrait. My cheeks burned as I stared at his perfectly captured likeness, his intense blue eyes seeming to meet mine from the canvas.
Miss Calliope cleared his throat. "That's... certainly an interesting interpretation of architecture, Ms. Elara."