Conflicting Desires

Lilian's POV

"Eric?" I whispered and glanced around to ensure we were alone. "What are you doing here? How did you get into the pack house?" I asked in a panicked voice.


Eric stepped closer, he was so calm.

"I have a message," he said simply, his voice hushed. "From Alpha Henrik.

He wanted me to find you." He told me.
The mention of Henrik sent a chill down my spine.

Shit.

Not again.

And not now.

My mind raced and I tried to piece together why Henrik would send someone to find me here, in the heart of the Blue Moon pack's territory.

"A message?" I wondered what it was.

Hopefully it wasn't to do anything rash.

Eric looked around us before he spoke.

"Not here," he muttered. "It's not safe to talk here. Come with me." He said and against my better judgment, I followed him.

I held my heart in my hands as I did so.

Eric led me through the pack house and out into the night, the cool air bit deep into my skin.

We walked in silence, the only sounds were those of our footsteps as they crunched on the gravel path.

He led me to a secluded spot near the edge of the forest, away from the prying eyes and ears of the pack.


As we stopped, Eric turned to face me, his expression serious.


"Henrik wants to know what's happening here," he said, his voice low. "He has... concerns about the Blue Moon pack's movement.

What is the update? He asked me. He was so vague I didn't know why.


I frowned and crossed my arms over my chest.


"Concerns? What kind of concerns? And why would he think I know anything?" I asked.


Eric's gaze was piercing.

"Because you're here, Lilian." He said sternly." You're now living in the pack house.

You're closer to the Alphas and the inner workings than anyone else Henrik could reach.

He believes you might have insight into their plans." He reasoned.

My stomach churned. Alliance talks? The idea of Henrik plotting something against the Blue Moon pack made my skin crawl.

I knew all too well the lengths he would go to maintain power and control. But I had left that life behind, or so I had hoped.


"I don't know anything," I said firmly, shaking my head. "I-I have no involvement in their plans or discussions.

Whatever Henrik is worried about, he won't find answers through me." I said.


Eric sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Very well then." He said. "Maybe I'll have to go to Alpha Henrik and tell him you have refused to tell him anything." He said and turned to leave.

I thought fast instantly. I didn't want to lose this.

Not giving Henrik any information could mean that I was making him an enemy.

Besides, what was the fuss? He just wanted an update.

"The Alpha and the Luna are embarking on the journey soon, tell him the one I told him about, it's time for them to go. "I blurted out."


"Very well then." Eric said as he looked at me with a smile. "I shall inform Alpha Henrik about that.

You're doing a good job Lilian." He said to me.

"What does he plan to do with that information?" I asked, afraid.

"Well, I don't know," he said. "He just wants to be prepared.

The packs have had their tensions in the past, and with everything that's happened... he's cautious or so I think." He said.

Cautious?

The word felt like a euphemism for something darker.

Henrik had always been a master of manipulation, using information and leverage to maintain his position.

I had seen it firsthand, the way he played people against each other, the way he controlled the lives of those in his pack.

The idea of him turning his attention towards the Blue Moon pack made my blood run cold.


"I'm not going to spy for him," I said firmly, meeting Eric's gaze. "Whatever Henrik is planning, I'm not going to be a part of it anymore, I've left that life behind, and I won't go back." I said and with that I turned and walked away from him.

...............




Kaiden's POV

The cool night air felt like a balm to my troubled thoughts as I walked through the quiet grounds of the pack house.

The stars above shone brightly, undisturbed by the clouds that had been gathering earlier.

There was a certain stillness to the night, a quiet that usually helped me clear my mind.

But tonight, it offered little comfort.

My thoughts were a huge tangled rope.

A mess one would say, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the memory of what had just transpired in my chambers.

I had kissed Lilian.

The memory of her soft lips against mine, the surprising intensity of the connection between us, lingered with a warmth that was both thrilling and unsettling.

But then, as always, reality had crashed in, reminding me of the boundaries that defined our lives.

Boundaries I couldn't ignore.

And so, I had told her to leave, the words coming out harsher than I intended.

I could still see the hurt in her eyes, the way she had pulled away, as if wounded by my rejection.

The guilt gnawed at me, a familiar ache that came with the territory of my responsibilities and the life I had to lead.

I wandered deeper into the forest.

The scent of pine and damp earth filled the air, grounding me, but only just.

My mind kept circling back to Lilian.

The more I tried to push the thoughts away, the stronger they came back.

She was different from anyone I had ever met, an enigma wrapped in vulnerability and strength.

She had a resilience that intrigued me, a quiet fire that drew me in, despite every reason to stay away.


As I walked, lost in thought, I suddenly spotted a silhouette of a figure moving through the shadows.

My heart skipped a beat as I recognized her. It was Lilian.

She was walking quickly, and her posture was quite tense, as if she was trying to shake off some burden.

I couldn't help but wonder where she was coming from at this hour.

"Lilian," I called out, quickening my pace to catch up with her.


"Kaiden," she acknowledged, her voice calm, but there was an edge to it that I couldn't quite place.


I stopped a few paces away, searching her eyes for some clue to her thoughts. "What are you doing out here?" I asked, trying to keep my tone casual. "It's late."


She shrugged, her eyes flickering with something that looked like defiance. "I was taking a walk.

I needed some air

The way she said it, so curtly, made me pause.

There was something off, something in her demeanor that suggested she wasn't telling the whole truth. But I couldn't quite put my finger on it. "A walk, huh?" I said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Out here, alone?"