Chapter 20 Lyra
But on second thought, I decided not to. What evidence do I need again? They were lovers, but for how long, I can’t tell.
Again, I was tired and hungry. I didn’t have an idea where Julie was; we might have lost each other while I was occupied with my uncle and my mother.
I promised myself to have fun and wouldn’t let anything get in my way. So, I made my way to a restaurant. I had blocked all mind links so no one could get to me.
I just want to be on my own for now, so I ordered a bowl of tomato basil soup and a grilled cheese sandwich.
My stomach growled with anticipation as the food arrived, and I felt pleased. I muttered a thank you to the waiter and eagerly dug into my meal.
Once done with my food, I took to the city without having anywhere in mind to go. Today’s events had left my thoughts in disarray.
First, Kessler’s engagement to Annie. He marked me and chose to engage someone else. I rubbed the mark slightly, feeling some sparks.
My mind raced with thoughts. How could my mother still be alive and yet abandon me, leaving me to fend for myself as if I were nothing to her?Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.
Is she truly my mother? I couldn’t entertain the doubt for long and quickly shook my head to dispel the thought.
As the shops began to close for the day, panic crept over me. I realized with growing anxiety that I had lost track of where I was. The feeling of being alone in the bustling city only intensified my fear.
I caught sight of a lively club nearby. A line of people around my age stood waiting to gain access, and without hesitation, I joined them.
In no time, I found myself inside, and with the means to afford it, I headed straight for the VIP lounge. An attendant approached me.
“Ma’am, what can I offer you?” the attendant inquired.
“Get me one of your strongest drinks,” I replied firmly. “It would take a high dose of alcohol to make me drunk.” I was determined to drown my sorrows, to lose myself in the rhythm of the music, and to forget, if only for a fleeting moment.
As he stepped back and fetched the drink, I wasted no time in downing it in swift succession, I took one shot after another. I lost count of how many I had consumed, but I could feel the effects of the alcohol gradually washing over me.
With each passing moment, I became increasingly tipsy, the world around me blurring.
At intervals, I would find myself on my feet, swaying and dancing to the beat emanating from the speakers. I felt someone pressing against me from behind, his movements in sync with mine.
I imagined him to be Kessler, and without hesitation, I responded, allowing myself to be carried away by the rhythm as I twisted and moved in sync.
His husky voice broke through the haze of the music, pulling me back to reality. With a slow blink, I turned to face him, my eyes meeting his piercing green gaze. A small smile tugged at his lips as he caught me checking him out.
His features were striking, with a perfectly chiseled face, and his hair effortlessly falling to his face. that drew me in.
Without a word, I turned back around, feeling the rhythm of the music. With a subtle movement, I responded to his unspoken question, allowing myself to lose control as I danced to the beat, feeling alive in his presence.
“I don’t know this man for fuck’s sake, and I know I shouldn’t be here. I don’t even know my way back to the pack. I knew this would make Kessler angry, but at this point, I don’t give a fucking damn.
“You seem lost,” he voiced out.
I shook my head, trying to focus.
“Is something bothering you?” he asked, looking me dead in the eyes.
“No,” I gulped, wondering why I was having this conversation with a stranger.
I shifted uncomfortably, with the weight of my thoughts on me.
“You need some fresh air,” he said, gently tugging me along as he started walking.
Instinctively, I slipped my hand away from his grip and took a step back. This was a bad idea, I realized.
“What am I doing?” I muttered to myself, The alcohol had indeed messed with my brain, blurring the lines between right and wrong.
I hated that I found myself yearning for something that might bring me temporary happiness, yet at the same time, I was gripped with fear of the repercussions from Kessler. But in that moment, a surge of defiance rose within me.
“Fuck Kessler,” I muttered defiantly in my head. “He has Annie, and he shouldn’t control my life.” With newfound determination, I vowed to seize control of my destiny.
He handed me the bottle of water, I took it gratefully, the cool liquid helped cool down the effects of the alcohol.
I drank eagerly, feeling the heaviness in my eyelids as sleep threatened to overtake me.
Fighting against the urge to succumb to exhaustion, I grasped onto the stranger for support, my gaze involuntarily drawn to his lips.
A wave of desire washed over me as I imagined the sensation of his soft lips against mine, igniting a fire within me that I struggled to contain.
Frowning, I tore my gaze away, attempting to compose myself. “Are you alright?” he asked, his concern evident in his voice.
I nodded weakly, but my head continued to spin and a heat surged through me, I realized with a jolt that I was in heat. The instinct to mate overwhelmed me, and in that moment, I found myself inexplicably drawn to the stranger before me, the intensity of my desire undeniable.
My senses were heightened as I breathed in his intoxicating scent, feeling a shiver run down my spine as my shoulder tensed and my nipple hardened in response to his proximity.
“You are fucking beautiful,” he whispered, his words sending a thrill through me.
I focused intently on his lips, my desire burning hotly within me. Unable to resist any longer, I made no move to stop him as he drew closer.
My chest heaved as his fingers traced my lower lip, igniting a firestorm of longing within me. I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could utter a word, he crushed his lips against mine.
Gasping in surprise, I eagerly welcomed his tongue into my mouth, lost in the overwhelming sensations. At that moment, as our lips melded together, I imagined the first time Kessler kissed me.
As he kissed me fiercely, his grip on my hair grew harsher, pulling me closer with an intensity that left me breathless. In the heat of the moment, I took in his scent, but something felt off. It didn’t smell like Kessler.
His hand dropped to my waist, hauling me onto the couch. I hurried onto his lap, feeling the heat of his body pressing against mine.
Despite the rush of desire, a nagging feeling of unease nibbled within me. Something didn’t feel right. I may have harbored resentment toward Kessler, but it wasn’t enough to drown out the burning sensation between my legs.
His mouth descended on the mark on my neck, and I felt dirty and foolish, for succumbing to the charm of a stranger in a moment of weakness.
With the haze of desire, the feeling of a presence around me made my muscles tense with anxiety. Deep down, I knew that this encounter was far from over and that I was about to face the consequences of my impulsive actions.