Forbidden Longing
The tension between Lyra and Adrian was a storm on the verge of breaking. The tournament, with its chaos and stakes, only deepened the magnetic pull between them, no matter how much Lyra fought to resist it. Adrian’s sharp crimson eyes never left her for long, his gaze a constant reminder of the danger he posed.
For Adrian, it was more than curiosity now. Lyra wasn’t just hiding something—she was consuming his every thought. Her defiance, her grace, the way her silver eyes burned like they carried secrets he was desperate to uncover.
Their paths crossed one evening after a long day of training. The academy’s dimly lit corridor felt narrower than usual as Lyra turned a corner and nearly collided with Adrian.
“Adrian,” she said, her voice steady despite the way her wolf stirred at his proximity. “What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you,” Adrian replied, his tone sharper than intended. His jaw tightened as he stepped closer. “Why are you always running, Lyra?”
“I’m not running,” she retorted, but her voice faltered under the weight of his gaze.
“You are,” Adrian insisted, his tone softening. He reached out, his fingers brushing against her arm. The contact sent a jolt through both of them, and Lyra’s breath caught.
Adrian’s frustration melted into something more vulnerable. “Why can’t I stop thinking about you?” he murmured, his voice low.
Lyra’s heart raced, her wolf clawing for control. She couldn’t let herself give in to the yearning that burned in her chest. Adrian was dangerous, a threat to everything she and Eryon had worked to protect.
“You don’t know me,” she said, pulling back.
Adrian’s eyes darkened, his voice dipping into something raw. “I know enough. Enough to know you’re lying to everyone, including yourself.”
Lyra took another step back, her resolve faltering as Adrian closed the distance between them. He cupped her face gently, his touch cold but igniting a fire within her.
“Whatever this is,” Adrian said softly, “it’s driving me insane.”
Before Lyra could respond, Adrian leaned in, his lips brushing hers. The kiss was slow at first, tentative, but it deepened quickly, the tension between them snapping like a taut wire.
Lyra’s wolf surged to the surface, her senses sharpening as she felt the cold press of Adrian’s fangs against her lip. She pulled away suddenly, her breathing ragged.
“This can’t happen,” she said, her voice shaking.
Adrian’s expression hardened, but his gaze betrayed the conflict raging within him. “Why not?”
Lyra hesitated, the words catching in her throat. “Because it’s dangerous. For both of us.”
Adrian stepped back, his fists clenching at his sides. “You’re not just hiding from me,” he said, his tone laced with frustration. “You’re hiding from yourself.”
As Adrian disappeared into the shadows, Lyra leaned against the cold stone wall, her heart pounding and her wolf howling within her.
