Page 18 of The Wolf She Shouldn't Desire

As much as I want to ask for Eric’s perspective on the situation, I can’t. I need to figure this out on my own and make a decision on what to do regarding Talia myself. No one can help me with this because if I do say fuck it and explore my feelings—and my wolf’s—for her I have to be all in. This isn’t something to take lightly, and I don’t need anyone’s opinion clouding my decision.

“Just working some shit out in my head,” I mutter.

“Anything I can do to help?”

“I got to figure it out my own but thank you.”

He just stares at me for a minute as if he’s trying to decide if he should say something else or not. He finally decides not to and nods his head.

“Alright. I’m going to do my rounds with the patrols unless you need me for something else.”

“You’re good. Thank you, Eric.”

He leaves with the click of the office door closing behind him.

Silence surrounds me, and I get up from my chair to stand by the window. There’s no way I’m getting anything done right now. So, I give my thoughts free rein to focus on the Talia situation.

There is definitely a spark between the two of us. There’s no denying that, and I don’t want to. Every time I’m near her, my focus is solely on her, and my skin vibrates with heated awareness. But I have to take a step back and think. As far as I know, no werewolf has gone after a vampire other than to kill them. And my thoughts are the furthest away from wanting to kill her. Completely the opposite.

Putting aside what others may think or say though if I were to pursue anything with Talia, I need to focus on myself, my wolf, and what we both want. That’s the real question that needs to be answered first. What do we want?

Easy. Talia.

I sigh with the realization. Both in relief and with a feeling of heaviness. It’s an easy decision, but with it, I know it won’t be easy either to convince her to see where things could go or dealing with whatever comes after between the two of us and from the outside world. I don’t give a damn that she is vampire. The first time I saw her had me wanting to trace her curves with my tongue. Every interaction after that, the urge has become even more intense. After seeing her castrate the vampire who wanted to hurt her and, as she pointed out, has likely hurt other women, I wanted to pin her against the wall and devour her mouth and worship her. Then, talking to her made me feel connected to her and relaxed with the sense of not having to hide or play some political mind game with her. Everything about her calls to my wolf and I.

The pull and attraction between us is nothing like anything I’ve experienced with any woman. My wolf hasn’t reacted this way with any woman in the past either. Yeah, I’ve been attracted to women and tried out the relationship thing a time or two but nothing can compare to how I react to Talia when I’m around her. I know I’ve barely interacted with her but those few times have been enough to convince me that I want to be around her more. If I were to ignore the pull between us and ignore her, I know I would regret it. Hell, I know I would go insane. Right now, I feel like I just might at the thought of not pursuing her more. I just have to see if she feels the same. Based on how she reacted to me in her oasis in the woods, I have a feeling she feels the attraction between us. How much though and is it the same I’m feeling for her is the question. I could be all wrong, and she may not want anything to do with a werewolf, which I know is a long shot that she may. I have to try though and see. I just hope to god she feels the same.

Chapter 10

Talia

One week later, I find myself back in my secret oasis, this time in an extremely pissy mood. Ever since the meeting with Zander, father has been standoffish with me, even more than usual. Additionally, he is making business moves that I don’t agree with, all involving putting the coven at risk in one shape or another. I understand having to do some risky things in order to have the power and influence we have as a coven in this city, but it’s like my father wants to start a feud with other covens and werewolves. I think he’s bored. He has spent most of his life fighting, plotting, and playing games with those around the coven, but we have had mostly peace for the past fifty years. Boredom is not an excuse, though, to poke at a hornet’s nest to see what trouble it will cause, especially not with the werewolves. And he seems to be ignoring anything I have to say on the matter. A lot of the higher officials in the coven are as well. It doesn’t help that the condescension and patronization from them makes me want to throat punch them every time they open their mouths. The frustration and powerlessness I’m feeling is pissing me off to no end, and I feel like a volcano churning and building, ready to erupt. So, here I am. Fuming in my garden trying to figure out what the hell is going on and why.

To my left, I hear a branch rustle causing me to be on alert instantly, but I don’t move so as to give away that I knowsomeone is nearby. Please let it be some idiot who had the nerve to follow me and got the bright idea to try to attack me so I can pummel his ass to a pulp.

Sadly, though, it’s just a werewolf dressed in jeans and a tight black shirt that hug every muscle in his arms like it’s trying to strangle his arms. A werewolf I am becoming very familiar with, and the last time I saw him was when he was about to kiss me.

I feel a little off balance after leaving him in this exact same spot a week ago. The almost kiss with Jordan has had me on edge and conflicted the entire week. I shouldn’t have wanted to kiss him, but a tiny part of me was excited for it and craving to feel his lips on mine. To know what he would taste like. To know desire and passion coming from someone else because lord knows I haven’t had that in forever. Ultimately, though, it was a good thing that Danny interrupted the moment by popping into my mind the moment before anything could happen. If I wanted to stir the pot and cause drama between vampires and werewolves in our city, then becoming too close with one would surely accomplish that. So, yeah, no kissing the big bad wolf now or ever.

“Funny finding you here,” he says as he comes into full view through the bushes and vines.

“Not funny, as this ismyhiding spot,” I say without turning my head to look at him directly. “Which I don’t remember offering you an open invitation to come to as you wish, wolf.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see him tilt his head to the side slightly and his fists clench. If I were to look at him, I would likely find his face scrunched in irritation or confusion at my bitchiness.But what does he want from me? It’s not like we are besties or even really know each other well. Not only is he the easiest target right now for my frustrations but it’s theperfect opportunity to get him to back off and turn the curiosity he seems to have in me to hate and anger.

“Something bothering you, little vampire?”

This time I do look at him as I snap my eyes in his direction. “Stop fucking calling me little. It’s condescending.”

I see his mouth pinch and brow furrow. “How about darling? Or is that too condescending for you as well, your highness?” he growls.

I glare at him as I imagine kicking him in the sternum and sending him flying back through the trees and bushes he just came through.

“You’re intruding on my space. Not to mention you’re unwelcome and pissing me the hell off. So, leave, wolf.”

“I don’t know what has you pissed but doesn’t mean you take it out on whoever crosses your pathvampire,” he bites the last word. “Thought I’d come see if you wanted some company and a friend, but apparently you’d rather be alone to stew in whatever has your hackles all raised.”

I wince internally. He’s right about me taking my anger out on him when he isn’t the cause or source of my anger and frustration. The sinking feeling of being in the wrong and apologetic settles over me like a heavy blanket. I’m about to open my mouth to apologize but stop myself. He mentioned being a friend and providing company, but the fact is we can’t be friends who provide each other with company. We can’t be anything for each other for that matter. We need to keep our distance from each other. I need to keep my distance from him, especially with my father and others in the coven looking to start shit with the wolves in this city. I don’t want him in their crosshairs. I don’t want any undeserving wolves in their crosshairs. Or deserving. We can’t risk going to war with them. So, I keep my mouth shut and stare at him silently.

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