Page 14 of Lycan Prince's Secret Baby

Standing on the threshold, I took in the homey chaos of his office—the papers strewn across the desk, the scent of paper and ink wafting through the room. I grasped the cup of tea, suddenly self-conscious, before offering it to him.

He stood up and moved closer, accepting it. Lifting it to his nose, he asked. “What’s this one got in it?”

I noticed a tiny smile resting in the corner of his mouth and took courage. “Aniseed, fennel, and kiva,” I said.

He took a sip. “Mmm, it’s good.” His eyes brightened.

His contentment warmed me, and a glow of pride bloomed in my chest. I was far too pleased to see his satisfaction and hear his praise. I reminded myself that it was hardly me who was responsible for the effect. It was the herbs in the blend. “It’s easy to make good tea with the treasure trove in your kitchen,” I blurted, recalling the well-stocked supply cupboard I’d found. Many of the herbs and spices within came from Moonlight and Blood Moon soil, but plenty came from the other four shifter pack lands—some neighboring ours, while others hailed from much further away.

Kyle’s eyes widened, and I watched his Adam’s apple bob, an unreadable expression clouding his features. Anxiety rushedthrough me, concerned I might have inadvertently highlighted the disparities between our packs. My heart sank as I bit my lip, regretting my impulsive words. “Oh, I didn’t mean—”

“They were inherited,” he replied, his voice gruff and edged with defensiveness. “I never used to be much of a tea drinker. But this…I like it.” He took another sip, the softness in his eyes returning as he relaxed.

As I studied him, I realized the meticulously labeled tins with elegant cursive scripts were different to his clean hand that wrote my chores out every day; I realized they must have belonged to his mother.

“Well, Fennel’s good for the heart, and kiva’s good for easing stress. Kiva’s only found in the Shadow Moon Pack lands, so don’t get too used to it,” I waffled, half wanting to say something to put him at ease while the other half of me worried I’d put my foot in my mouth again.

“Where did you learn about herbs?” He watched me closely, a spark of curiosity burning in his gaze.

It was my turn to feel unsure about the turn this conversation had taken. “From my mother,” I said, my voice wobbling. “She died in the war. She was our pack’s healer. I inherited her position as pack herbalist.”

Feeling vulnerable, I wished I could surrender my gaze to the safety of a cup of tea—for there was deep recognition in Kyle’s eyes. But I held his gaze as he searched my face.

“I’m so sorry, Leah,” he murmured, his voice thick. I felt his sincerity, heavy yet intimate.

“I’m sorry, too, Kyle,” I replied gently, acknowledging the grief we both carried—a deep-rooted one we could never uproot. It was one we didn’t want to, yet others insisted it would get easier in time.

Remembering why I’d come here, I said, “I wanted to say thank you, Kyle. For everything you’re doing for the Blood Moon Pack.” My voice was steady and sincere. “I want you to know I appreciate it, and you’re making a real difference.”

He blinked in surprise, his voice low as he managed. “You’re welcome.”

The gruffness of his voice reminded me of the commanding edge I’d sensed upon our return from the Blood Moon quarters—“Go to bed, Leah”. His powerful tone lingered between us but felt different. It was layered with the vulnerability we’d shared.

Caught in the intoxicating rhythm of our exchange and emboldened by my intuition, which whispered to me that he was struggling against his attachment to me too, I lingered. A surge of heat flooded my core, igniting a primal yearning I could scarcely contain. Before I could pause to think, I closed the distance between us, my lips finding his in a desperate rush.

Mmm, liquorice and spice.

The sensation exploded like fireworks. His warm lips melded with mine, gentle at first, then deepening into a fervent kiss. I barely registered when something thunked on the carpet near us; it was Kyle’s tea, abandoned as his hands found the back of my neck. I curled my fingers into the taut fabric of his shirt, a visceral need blooming within me.

He tugged my hair just enough to coax a soft moan from my lips, and instinctively I bared my throat to him, surrendering to the instinct racing within. A primal growl rumbled from his chest, and in an instant, he lifted me onto his desk, papers tumbling off in the chaos of our urgent need for one another.

He tugged my shirt off up over my head as I lifted my arms to aid him, my heart racing in anticipation. His kisses traveled down my throat, lingering at the neckline of my vest top.

“Kyle,” I gasped, my senses igniting at the feel of his hard body against me, every muscle honed with undeniable strength. His pine scent that had been driving me wild these last few weeks washed over me now, and I breathed it in deeply, feeling as if I wanted to swim in it. As he pressed closer, my parted thighs found his hard length through his jeans, and my blood felt as if it was boiling with need. I wrapped my legs around his waist, my hips moving instinctively, craving that delicious friction.

But just as I felt sure that this heat tearing through me was about to be appeased, a wave of dizziness washed over me, pulling me beneath its tide. My limbs turned heavy, the room spun wildly, and suddenly everything about Kyle—the shape of his sculpted jaw, the intensity of his green gaze—blurred before me.

“Kyle, ” I gasped, my voice fading.

Just before darkness claimed me, his embrace surrounded me, his warmth swallowing me whole as the world dimmed to black.

Chapter 8

Kyle

After Leah fainted, a surge of clarity jolted through my senses like a bolt of lightning. The heady obliteration of our passion evaporated, leaving only one reality: Leah was limp in my arms like a ragdoll. Panic clawed its way up my throat as I cradled her, my mind racing to process the whirlwind of events that had spiraled so quickly out of control.

We had kissed. The memory was seared into my mind. My lips were bruised, and our heat and yearning were so potent I swore my body was still vibrating with aftershocks. Just moments ago, the world had receded into a delicious haze of desire; now, ice seeped through my veins as the horror of Leah’s unconscious form took hold.

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