Chapter 16: Lines We Shouldn’t Have Crosed

My stomach fluttered with excitement as I headed to the library, but before I could get there, a maid stepped in front of me.

"Luna." She said

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Alpha Malik is asking for you. He’s in the master bedroom," She said.

Her words felt like a knife to my heart. He wants to see me? What does he want from me now?

The walk from upstairs to the room felt like a nightmare. My mind kept racing with possibilities, one of them being that it was about Dominic. I could already sense Malik getting frustrated and how he’ll make me regret it.

When I walked in, I noticed clothes piled on the bed and an empty suitcase by the side.

"Are you sending me away?" I asked, worried but also a little hopeful.

He scoffed. "I’m leaving for work. I’ll be back soon."

"Really?" My excitement slipped through my voice.

He dropped the clothes he was holding. "Why are you so happy?"

"Are you seriously asking me that?" I folded my arms.

He rolled his eyes "Well don’t be so happy, I’ll only be gone for a while. I’ll be back before you know it. In the meantime, I expect you to stay at home, don’t come close to any of my things, and most importantly stay away from Dominic."

I knew he would say that. I wonder why he hates Dominic so much.

"Okay. Anything else?" I asked

His eyes hardened. "Beta Steven will keep an eye on you. Just so you don’t forget my warning."

"I won’t. You can go now," I said with a knowing smirk.

He didn’t move. He just looked at me. For some reason, it felt as if he didn’t want to go, but had no choice.

He was about to speak when a knock sounded on the door. Steven stepped inside.

"You asked for me, Alpha Malik?"

"Yeah. I have to be away for a while," Malik said then turned to me "Look after the Luna. Keep her safe and away from my brother."

"I will, Alpha," Steven replied.

Malik left the room, and Steven followed. Just before stepping out, Steven glanced back at me and mouthed, “Library”

I caught the message and smiled.

A few minutes later, I slipped into the library and wandered among the shelves, pretending to read the spines. Suddenly, an arm wrapped around my waist.

A smile tugged at my lips.

"I’ve missed you so much," Steven whispered kissing the side of my face.

I turned to him, and he pulled me tighter.

"How can you miss me when you’ve been around me all the time," I teased.

"Being around you isn’t the same as holding you… touching you or kissing you." He leaned in, pressing his lips to mine. When he pulled back, his voice was husky. "I’ve missed all of this."

"Me too," I sighed. "So much has been happening with Malik and now Dominic, it feels like I haven’t had time for you at all."

Steven scoffed. "Dominic. I don’t trust him."

"Why?"

"I’ve heard rumors… something about him and Malik’s ex-girlfriend. I don’t know the details, but he’s shady, just like Malik." His jaw tightened. "I don’t want you around him, Eli. The way he looks at you… It’s like he wants you."

"No, he doesn’t," I said

"He does and I don’t like it at all."

I smiled softly. "Since when are you this protective?"

"Since I saw the way his eyes linger on you." He pulled me closer, his voice low. "I don’t want any man looking at you like that. You’re mine."

I chuckled. "I know."

His lips claimed mine again, this time lingering. When he finally pulled away, he brushed a strand of hair behind my ear and hummed against my mouth.

"Your lips," He murmured. "I love them."

Again, he kissed me, this time deeper. I melted into it for a moment before pulling back.

"Did you lock the door?" I asked softly.

"I don’t have to, Malik isn’t home. No one’s coming in." His voice was low, steady, and he pulled me closer, pressing me gently against the wall. His hand angled my face toward him until our lips found each other again.

At first, the kiss was small, gentle, and very meaningful. But then it grew bigger and more intense. I tasted tentatively with my tongue as I traced it across the bottom of his lip. The caress of his lupd seemed much softer this time. Soon we started swallowing each other making the kiss even more intense.

I let out a moan and so did he while his warm breath traveled into my face.

I smiled against his lips kissing him while his hand started to wander around my body. Unlike before, his hands on me weren't electrocuting, it was different... not the good different.

"Steven…" I breathed, uneasy.

He probably thought I was loving it because he smiled against my lips and his hands moved over my chest. He unbuttoned the top of my shirt, cupped my breast, and massaged it while deepening the kiss.

At first, I tried to give in. I wanted to lose myself in the moment, but something felt wrong. I felt uncomfortable for some reason. I didn’t usually feel this way, yet today it was different… as if a stranger’s hands were on me.

Still, I didn’t push him away. I wanted to force myself to enjoy his touch the way I normally did, but instead I found myself comparing him to Malik. The way Steven’s hands moved over me, the way his lips pressed against mine… everything felt weaker, less consuming.

I hated myself for thinking it. I should hate Malik’s touch and crave Steven’s, but somehow the opposite was true, and that truth unsettled me.

When Steven’s hand slid lower, brushing over my stomach and inching toward the band of my panties, the last trace of desire vanished. I caught his wrist and tugged it away just in time.

He stared at me, confused, his lips parting to speak but in that moment, the door swung open.

Dominic stepped inside. He froze for only a heartbeat, his gaze flicking to Steven standing just inches from me, and me with my back pressed to the shelf. A smirk spread across his face, and without a word he turned and walked out, closing the door behind him.

My heart dropped. Every part of me disconnected from my body as Steven’s eyes met mine.

Dominic saw us and I’m afraid everything will fall apart.