Chapter 25 The rabbit swings in Enochs hand , its limp , skinned body dripping blood onto the floor as he grins at me like a kid showing off a school project . The blood smearing his face and chest though are definitely not so adorable , I swallow hard , trying to ignore the primal edge in his tone and the wild gleam in his eyes . Its just Enoch . The innocent . clueless guy who struggles to use a fork properly . Not … this . He steps toward me , holding the rabbit up by its cars . You eat it raw ? I backpedal so fast I bump my behind onto my nightstand , sending a stack of books tumbling to the floor . Uh … no , I stammer , awkwardly laughing as my brain tries to process the absolute chaos that is my this scene right now . I only eat raw when I shift . You know , in my wolf form . Otherwise , Im more of a well done and smothered in ketchup kind of girl . His face softens , the intensity bleeding away as his expression slips back into that boyish innocence Ive grown used to . Relief washes over me , though my hearts still beating faster than a drum solo . Cook , he says , nodding once as if filing that information away for later . Hes so close now , his body towering over mine as he leans down . His scent earthy , wild , and somehow comforting despite everything wraps around me , and for a moment , all I can do is stare up at him . The moment shatters when the door flies open , slamming into the wall with a force that makes me jump . Shit, who would open door like that ? Kallias storms in , his chest heaving as if he just ran a marathon . His eyes immediately zero in on us , and his face twists into a mask of anger the second he registers our proximity . What the fuck is going on here ? he snaps , his gaze darting between Enoch and me like hes connecting dots I dont want him to . Before I can answer , Kallias is across the room , grabbing Enoch by the collar and yanking him back off of me . Enoch doesnt flinch . He doesnt even react . He just stands there , his towering frame making Kallias look smaller despite his Alpha blood . a The way he stares at Kallias , calm and almost … amused ? Its like hes the one in control , even with Kallias fuming and gripping his shirt . Let him go ! I shout , rushing forward to pry Kallias off . Leave , Taryn , Kallias growls , not even sparing me a glance . This doesnt concern you . Like hell it doesnt ! I snap , tugging at his arm . What the fuck are you doing ? What am I doing ? Kallias barks a humorless laugh , his grip tightening on Enochs collar . Im protecting this pack from the monster youre sheltering . Monster ? I glance at Enoch , who still hasnt moved , with an infuriating mask of indifference . Does he also thi Enoch who did it ? No , it cant be . Youre out of your damn mind , Kallias . Hes been in my room this whole time ! it was Kallias jaw clenches , his eyes narrowing at me . Do you think Im an idiot ? I know he killed the head maid . Youre just too blind to see it . Chapter 25 I step between them , planting my hands on Kalliass chest and pushing him back with all the strength 1 can muster . Do you have any proof ? Anything at all ? Or are you just pulling accusations out of your ass because you cant stand the fact that someone else might actually give a shit about me ? The words hit their mark . Kalliass face darkens , his fury shifting into something else something bitter and now . So , that was fucking it . What a dick . This isnt about you , he snaps , though the flicker of guilt in his eyes says otherwise . Bullshit , 1 fire back . You dont care about the pack . You care that someone else is finally paying attention to me after your rejection , and its not you . Kalliass nostrils flare , his composure cracking under my words . He releases Enoch with a shove , turning his glare on me . Youre making a mistake , Taryn , he says , his voice low and warning And when it blows up in your face , dont come running to me . He storms out , slamming the door behind him so hard the walls of my humble room rattle . Yeah , this thing is going to crumple if it encounters another shitty fight like that . The silence that follows is deafening , the tension in the room thick enough to choke on . I turn to Enoch , whos now sitting on the floor , leaning against the side of my bed as though nothing just happened Theres a faint red mark on his jaw where Kalliass punch mustve landed , and my stomach twists at the sight . Im trying to keep him off the bullies , now its Kallias . He has never laid any hands on Enoch bfore , aside fom letting his friends do the kicking . In the library , ansd in the training field . This man just cant catch a break . Are you okay ? I ask , rushing to his side . He doesnt answer . Enoch just watches me with those unreadable emerald eyes as I inspect his face . The mark isnt bad but still getting hit by Kallis whos the strongest wolf out there beside his father and the Gamma , its going to be tough . I pull myself off of his lap . Its definitely enough to make me reach for the first aid kit on my nightstand. Ill clean this up , I mutter , more to myself than to him as I rummage through the kit . Even with Alpha blood , its going to take a few days to heal , and- I was cut off as Enochs hand wraps around my wrist , stopping me mid motion . I turn to look at him , and the next thing I know , Ah ! I was pulled off of my feet and Im sitting on his lap , his arms steadying me as I try not to lose my balance . Enoch- He doesnt let me finish . His hands settle on my waist , his grip firm but careful , and for the first time since this whole mess started , I see something in his eyes that I cant ignore . Possession . His fingers trail up , brushing against my ribs , and I cant decide if I want to shove him away or crawl closer . I try move , but his hand snakes up , guiding mine to his cheek . His skin is warm , slightly sticky with drying blood Kallias punch and the rabbits guts both leaving their marks on his glorious face . He leans into my palm as if its the only tether holding him to this moment , his forest green eyes fluttering shut , trying to calm down . And for a second , everything is still . No accusations , no blood , no chaos . Just him . Chapter 25 And then he opens his eyes . A shiver runs down my spine . Its not a question . Its not even a command . Its just my name , but its enough to make the room shrink until its just us . Do you think Im a monster too ? I freeze , my breath catching as his gaze locks onto mine , raw and unguarded . Its the first time Ive seen him look human . Vulnerable . My chest tightens , and I cant look away from him , from those piercing green eyes searching mine like the answer will save or damn him . His expression doesnt change , but something in his eyes shifts , like a barrier has cracked . I shake my head , my throat tightening . My instincts scream at me to run , to create distance , but my heart and body are rooted in place . My fingers twitch against his skin , and before I know it , both of my hands are on his face , pulling him closer I lean forward , pressing my lips to his forehead , a gesture as familiar as breathing now . His body relaxes under my touch , has eyes fluttering shut . Next is his nose , a soft , almost playful kiss that has his lips twitching . When I pull back slightly , our faces are inches apart , and hes watching me with an intensity that steals the air from my lungs . No , I whisper , firm despite the fear inside of me of who exactly I brought in this pack . I dont And then I kiss him . The moment our lips meet a dam broke . O Enochs grip tightens , one hand slipping to my lower back , pulling me flush against him . His lips are softer than I expected , but the way he kisses me is anything but . Its raw , consuming , as though hes trying to claim a piece of me he didnt know he needed . His lips part , and I follow , my tongue brushing against his . He groans , low and deep , and it vibrates through me , making my skin tingle . His tongue brushes against mine , and I let out a small gasp , my hands tangling in his dark hair . His growl vibrates through me , low and primal , and I feel it everywhere . Its too much , too fast , and yet not nearly enough . I pull back , gasping for air , and his lips trail down my jaw as if hes unwilling to stop . Enoch , I manage to say , breathlessly . He stills , his forehead resting against mine , his hands steadying me as if Im the one about to crumble . You need a bath , I say , my attempt at lightening the mood falling flat against the whatever it is between us right now . And were cooking that rabbit , not eating it raw His lips twitch into a ghost of a smile , and for a moment , the tension eases . Now he looks like the same innocent man I found in the woods . Chapter 25 *** 92 % 48 The morning sun filters through the window , and Enochs makeshift bed on the floor is empty again . The man disappears like smoke , leaving me to wonder if last night even happened . I step outside , the crisp morning air biting against my skin , and spot him near the training grounds with Gamma Abel , Kallias , and a handful of pack warriors . My stomach churns . Enoch is standing near Gamma Abel , adjusting a strap on his chest as if he even knows what hes doing . His brows are furrowed in concentration , and I cant help but smile at the sight . Gamma Abel ! I call , jogging over . He turns , his expression calm but firm . Whats going on ? I glance between him and the warriors . Were heading out to patrol the borders , he says , his tone leaving no room for argument . Theres still a rogue out there . You saw what happened last night . My skin prickles at the memory of the head maids screams . The image of her bloody , broken body crawling toward the packhouse flashes in my mind , and I fight the urge to shudder . Youre bringing Enoch ? I ask , tinged with concern . Gamma Abel gives me a look that says he knows exactly where this conversation is headed . Hes coming . He needs to learn . But- Taryn , he interrupts , his tone final . Its decided . I bite back the rest of my argument , knowing its pointless . Instead , I make my way to Enoch , whos fiddling with a dagger on his belt . Alright , listen up , I say , marching over to him like a mother sending her kid off to their first day of school . Stay close to Gamma Abel . Dont wander off . And for the love of all things holy , dont pick fights with Kallias . He tilts his head , his lips curving into a small , amused smile . Im serious , I say , poking his chest for emphasis . Out of the corner of my eye , I catch Kallias glaring at us . His gaze burns with jealousy , his jaw clenched so tightly Im surprised it hasnt cracked . Without thinking , I step closer to Enoch , brushing a hand against his arm . Kallias expression darkens , his fists clenching at his sides . An idea forms , reckless and impulsive , but I dont stop myself . I turn to Enoch , gripping his face with both hands, and press my lips to his . When I pull back , Enochs eyes are wide with surprise , but Kallias looks like hes about to explode . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!