Chapter 46

Achilles got up from the bed, his bare feet padding softly against the floor. He walked over to the en suite bathroom, grabbing a washcloth and soaking it with warm water.

Returning to the bed, he gently lifted Shea's hand, guiding her off the mattress. She stood, her body still swaying slightly with the remnants of her powerful release.

With slow, deliberate movements, he began to wipe away the evidence of their passion from her skin. He cleaned her gently, his eyes never leaving hers, his touch careful and tender.

She shivered as the damp cloth glided over her body, goosebumps rising on her skin. She felt exposed and vulnerable, but his gaze was so intense, so filled with heat and desire, that she couldn't bring herself to look away.

He knelt before her, carefully cleaning between her legs. She bit her lip, her eyes fluttering closed as his fingers brushed against her most sensitive spots. She felt a flutter deep within, a hint of the pleasure they had just shared.

"Are you okay?" he murmured, his voice soft and deep.

She nodded, her eyes locked with his. "I'm fine. Just... processing everything."

He stood, tossing the washcloth aside. Taking her hand, he led her back to the bed, his eyes never leaving hers.

They crawled beneath the covers, pulling the soft sheets up to their chests. Lying on their sides, they faced each other, their bodies still tingling with the aftermath of their intense encounter.

He reached out, gently stroking her cheek with the back of his hand. "You're sure you're okay?" he asked, his eyes searching hers. "Because we don't have to keep this a secret. If you want, I can talk to your aunt. Explain everything."

She shook her head, her fingers tracing the contours of his face. "No, I want to keep this between us. For now." She paused, her thumb brushing his bottom lip.

Shea and Achilles lay in bed, their bodies intertwined, basking in the afterglow of their passionate encounter. The room was quiet, save for the sound of their breathing slowly returning to normal.

Achilles gently stroked Shea's hair, his fingers tangling in her soft locks. She nestled closer to him, her head resting on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

"We should probably get some sleep," Achilles murmured, his voice a low rumble in his chest. "Training with my father and Marcus is going to be intense tomorrow as well."

Shea nodded, but made no move to leave his embrace. "I know," she said softly. "But I don't want this moment to end just yet."

Achilles tightened his arms around her, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. "We'll have more moments like this," he promised. "But for now, we need to focus on your training. It's important that you learn to control your abilities."

Shea sighed, knowing he was right. She lifted her head, meeting his gaze. "I'm scared, Achilles," she admitted. "What if I can't do it as they expect me to? What if I'm not strong enough?"

Achilles cupped her face in his hands, his blue eyes intense as they locked with hers. "You are stronger than you know, Shea," he said firmly. "I've seen it in you. You just need to believe in yourself."

She leaned into his touch, drawing strength from his words and his presence. "Thank you," she whispered. "For everything."

Achilles smiled, a rare sight that made Shea's heart skip a beat. "You don't need to thank me," he said. "We're in this together now."

"Let's go now, Father might be looking for us," said Achilles.

Shea and Achilles reluctantly separated. They quickly changed into fresh clothes, stealing glances at each other as they did so.

Achilles pulled on a dark gray Henley that hugged his muscular frame, while Shea opted for a comfortable pair of leggings and a loose-fitting tank top. As she tied her hair back into a ponytail, Achilles caught her eye and gave her a small, reassuring smile.

Just as they finished dressing, Lucius's urgent voice echoed through the mansion. "Achilles! Shea! Come to my study immediately!"

They exchanged worried glances before hurrying down the hallway. Achilles grabbed Shea's hand, squeezing it gently as they approached Lucius's study. The door was already open, and they found Lucius pacing back and forth, his face etched with concern.

"What's wrong, Father?" Achilles asked as they entered.

Lucius stopped pacing and turned to face them, his expression grave. "We have a situation," he said, his voice tight. "The Hawkins faction has made a public announcement."

Shea felt her stomach drop. "What kind of announcement?"

Lucius ran a hand through his hair, a rare display of agitation. "They've released a statement claiming that the Von Lunar family is harboring a dangerous individual – you, Shea."

Achilles tensed beside her, his grip on her hand tightening. "What exactly are they saying?"

"They're painting Shea as a threat to the delicate balance between the factions," Lucius explained. "They're demanding that we hand her over for 'questioning' and 'containment.'"

Shea's mind raced. "But why? What could they possibly gain from this?"

Lucius's eyes met hers, filled with a mix of concern and determination. "I believe they're trying to force our hand, to either reveal your true nature or to get you away from our protection."

Shea felt her heart racing as she processed Lucius's words. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on her shoulders. She glanced at Achilles, who stood rigid beside her, his jaw clenched in barely contained anger.

"What..." Shea began, her voice trembling slightly. She cleared her throat and tried again. "What happens if we don't agree to their demands?"

Lucius's expression darkened, and he took a deep breath before answering. The silence that stretched between them was thick with tension. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and grave.

"If we refuse to comply," Lucius said slowly, "they've threatened to release certain... compromising information."

Achilles stiffened beside her. "What kind of information?"

Lucius's gaze shifted between them, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and disappointment. "They did what we feared. They claimed to have obtained a recording of the two of you... engaging in intimate activities."

Shea felt the blood drain from her face. She remembered the sports equipment room, the uncontrollable desire that had overwhelmed them both. Ryder's smug face flashed in her mind, and she realized with horror that his threat hadn't been an empty one.

"The sex tape," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Lucius nodded grimly. "They're threatening to release it to all the factions if we don't hand you over, Shea."

Achilles let out a low growl, his hands clenching into fists. "Those bastards," he snarled. "I'll tear them apart for this."

Shea's mind was reeling. The thought of that private moment being shared with everyone, of being used as a weapon against them, made her feel sick to her stomach. She looked at Lucius, her eyes wide with fear and uncertainty.

"What... what do we do?" she asked, her voice small and vulnerable.