Lunar Temptations

Ch 81

I rushed to the edge of the floor where the railing overlooked the ground floor. Slowly peeking through, I took a look down and realized he wasn't anywhere in sight. I gulped, knowing he was nearing the stairs. I looked around to spot extensive rows of bookshelves to my right, going deeper. Inhaling deeply, I sprinted towards it. He had made me chase him once, look for him in the dark of the night, and ended up punishing me. Now, it was my turn to hide. Something about this made my skin crawl with excitement, and a burst of adrenaline surged through me.

I ran deeper inside, as a playful smile crept onto my face. I would make you chase and crave me the way I do for you, Zayden Castillo. The way he had made me run after him, chase him on our engagement night, and on the other night when he was both happy and angry with me for breaking into Esther's office and extracting the evidence by putting myself in danger. He had become the centre of my life ever since my return from the 5-year break. It was ironic how I had taken a break from something I came back to. Everything I knew about him had reshaped into something I couldn't believe with my own eyes. He was all I knew now when a while ago I couldn't even bear to talk about him.

I came to a halt, once I thought I was far enough and even further to find. My back hit a bookshelf, as I leaned on it lightly and panted hard. The cat and mouse chase had got me breathing hard. My stamina was weakening as that of a werewolf. We had only been running or walking for 10 minutes or so; I shouldn't have been breathless in this short of a time. It must be the effect of the lack of mating on me, but someone else had to answer about their effects first.

Calming down, I closed my eyes to listen closely. My senses might be weak, but they might still be strong enough for me to listen. I had found a place to hide by the side of one of the shelves. The sound of echoing footsteps neared, and my heart began to pound hard. He was on the upper floor now, and despite being hidden, I could feel him nearing. In the dark of the place, it was both terrifying and exciting to hide from him while he was looking for me, wondering what I wanted to talk about. When I figured that he was close enough and his footsteps had stopped, only then did I sneak out of my hiding place.

The library was warm even in the dark of the night, and it was the effect of being on an island. The island had warmer weather, and as inappropriate as it would be on a formal festival to do this, I wished that the council member would have arranged a beach party as well. But that was all it was - a wish. Holding my breath, I tip-toed to the other side of the shelves after taking a good look around. The place was empty, and there was no sign of Zayden around.

Where was he?

When a few minutes passed and not a single noise was heard, I decided to come out and look around the floor carefully. With cautious footsteps, I continued my journey until I had reached the other side of the floor from where the stairs were located. Surprisingly, there was a staircase there as well, and I couldn't help but notice how huge the library was. There could be thousands of books in here, and for a moment, I was reluctant to go ahead and search for the most ancient books in there but held myself back. This was not the time. Zayden was nowhere to be seen, not from where I stood in the shadows. A thought crossed my mind, and I stepped out of the dark space I was in, realizing he could be there waiting for me. Turning around, I stepped away from where I stood and my eyes held onto the dark as if he would emerge out of it any moment now.

In the darkness of the room, the charged air stilled as the air blowing from my mouth was the only noise that could be heard. He was somewhere around me, in the dark, and it felt as if I was surrounded by him and just the feeling of him was holding me captive.

"Zayd-" I slowly called out, moving away from the shadows. My back collided with something, and I bit my lip to hold back whatever shriek was supposed to break out of me.

He was here, right behind me.

"Yes, Red?"

My breath fastened as I continued to face the dark void. His presence had filled the air with dominance and an energy so strong that I was pinned to the ground, trembling. He had made me feel everything but unsafe, yet there I was trembling in his shadow casting over mine on the ground. Something about him was so unique on its own that knowing where he was terrified me more than not knowing about it. I licked my lips, wetting them before biting hard to control my breathing. It didn't work. All it did was make me feel more vulnerable.

In a snap, he twisted me around, pulling me into him until he was all I could see. Both his hands held me steady as my dress twirled around me. He turned us around until the moonlight was falling on both of us. My dress shone brightly as the light hit its shimmering fabric. While my mate held me strongly, his gaze fixated on me. The moment stilled as our eyes met, and he challenged me with a look that sent a chill down my spine. His face was illuminated in the most attractive way with half of it concealed in the dark and the other half showing his defined features.

"Found you, Red." He whispered, and in the light, I could see his lips morphing into a dangerous smile. I gulped slowly.