Chapter 20 The moment his eyes flash red , my stomach hits the floor . Not figuratively I swear it literally detaches , does a nosedive , and leaves me gasping for air . I can feel the heat of whispers behind me , the curious stares and hushed murmurs from the Omegas and Seraphina . Theyve definitely seen something . I grab Enochs wrist and tug him around the side of the building , putting as much distance between us and the peanut gallery as possible his cock is an inch away from touching me and I know the whore within me wouldnt be able to stop . Ugh , just stop thinking Taryn , What the hell was that ? I hiss , shoving him into the shadowed corner . He blinks down at me , his face blank , but his chest rises and falls like hes just sprinted through a forest . Talk to me , Enoch . I glance around nervously , the knot in my stomach tightening . Do you are you okay ? Whats wrong with you ? No answer . Just those green eyes , so wide and innocent that I almost believe I imagined the red . Almost I slap my hands on either side of his face and force him to look at me . His skin is warm too warm and theres a slight tremor in his muscles . Breathe , I say , my voice low and steady . His nostrils flare as he takes a deep inhale , and for a second , I think were good . Crisis averted . But then he dips his head , burying his face in my neck , and I freeze . Enoch , I whisper , my voice barely audible . He doesnt answer just breathes me in , his nose skimming my skin . A shiver runs down my spine as his hands settle on my hips , pulling me closer . Fuck , I mutter under my breath , trying not to lose my grip on reality . His closeness is overwhelming , his scent all- consuming carthy and wild and distinctly him . Enoch , let go , I say , though my voice betrays me , lacking the conviction I so desperately need right now . Instead of letting go , he nuzzles further , his lips brushing the curve of my neck in a way that makes my breath hitch . My heart is pounding so hard Im sure he can feel it against his chest . Im not sure if I want to shove him away or pull him closer . Finally , he pulls back , but not far . His lips are barely an inch from mine , his emerald eyes dark and hungry . Enoch , I start , but the words catch in my throat when he leans in , his gaze flickering down to my lips . I am not doing this with an amnesiac who has a child for a mind . Before he can close the distance , I lift onto my toes and press a kiss to his forehead . No , I whisper , barely audible , before moving to his nose and planting another kiss there . His hands tighten on my waist , but he doesnt push . This should suffice . When I pull back , I catch the flicker of disappointment in his eyes . Youre okay , I say firmly , ignoring the heat rushing to my cheeks . But you need to calm the hell down . Whatever just happened , forget it . 1/3 11:54 Sat , 15 Mar AM . Chapter 20 He stares at me for a moment longer before finally releasing me . I exhale a breath I didnt realize I was holding and give him a stern look . Now go , I say , pointing back toward the packhouse . And dont look at the carriage . Got it ? Just go . 77 % 58 ) He hesitates , his gaze lingering on me like hes memorizing every inch of my face . Then , with a reluctant nod , he turns and walks away , his shoulders tense . I watch until hes out of sight , my heart still pounding in my chest . When I finally make it back to the carriage , I pause at the door , taking a moment to compose myself . Holy shit , Whatever that was , it cant happen again . *** The carriage finally starts moving , and I let out a breath I didnt realize Id been holding . Enochs face , that panic stricken , almost feral expression , is still fresh in my mind . My skin feels hot where he buried his nose against my neck , and I press my fingers there like I can rub away the memory . Get a grip , Taryn , I mutter under my breath , forcing my focus out the window . The ride is bumpy as hell , but at least its quiet . No obsessive Lycan pinning me down with emerald eyes that can make me forget my own name . Ugh , stupid hot shot . When we finally pull up to the bustling market , the coach doesnt even bother to open the door for me . Not that I expected him to being an Omega means everyone assumes Im thrilled to fend for myself . With a sigh , I push open the heavy door , the chill outside biting at my exposed skin . The market is chaos , as usual . Stalls crowd every possible inch of space , vendors shouting over one another to sell overpriced produce , and the smell of grilled meat wafting through the air like some cruel joke aimed at my empty stomach . I grip the list Seraphina gave me and glance down , frowning . The damn thing is endless . She mustve added half the mating ball décor aisle to it just to piss me off . Snatching a basket , I weave through the crowd . The stares start almost immediately . Not subtle glances either full on , open gawking . My hands tighten on the basket , the thin metal biting into my palms . I can practically hear their whispers . Its the Imperial Pack warriors , I know it . It was because they chased us back then . It must have caused a rumor . Word spreads fast in places like this , and people love a scandal . I can only imagine what theyre saying . Is that the girl who outran the warriors ? The Omega ? Its written all over their faces . Ignoring them , I shove the list into my pocket and focus on the task at hand . First stop , flowers . My fingers brush over some white lilies , soft and delicate , and I consider grabbing a bunch before Seraphinas sharp voice rings in my head , whining about the wrong color scheme . Blue hydrangeas , I mutter . Because clearly , shes not compensating for anything . The list doesnt seem to end . Streamers , candles , specialty cloth napkins who the hell uses cloth napkins anymo time I hit the electronics stall , Im ready to chuck the basket at someones head . Then I see it . 2/3 By the Chapter 20 A camera . Old school , with actual film . Its tucked between a bunch of overpriced gadgets , like it doesnt belong , and I cant stop myself from picking it up . Its heavier than I expected , its cool metal frame smooth under my fingers . Enoch would love this . The thought sneaks up on me , and I freeze for a second . He doesnt even know what a camera is , probably , but something about this feels right . Like maybe , just maybe , it could help him hold on to something . Memories , even if theyre only snapshots . Kind of ironic considering he cant even remember / I add it to the basket without thinking twice . Thats when I feel it . A prickle at the back of my neck . Its faint , like the barest brush of a hand , but enough to make me stiffen . I glance around , my eyes scanning the crowd . Not far from where Im standing , half hidden behind a stall selling knockoff jewelry , is him . The stalker . The same one from before . My heart lurches , adrenaline spiking as I grip the basket tighter . Hes not looking directly at me his gaze is fixed somewhere to the side but his presence is enough to send warning bells clanging in my head . For a split second , I consider walking away , pretending I didnt see him . Of course , I dont want to get in any more trouble again . But something about the way he lingers , his body language screaming too casual , makes my blood boil . Not this time . I square my shoulders , abandon the rest of Seraphinas stupid list , and start walking . Toward him . Because if this bastard thinks he can keep showing up like some shadow without consequences , hes about to find out just how wrong he is . 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