Moonlit Fever

Lucius grasped my wrist and his thumb massaged circles on the inside of my hand as he led me away from the festival. We went down a tunnel of fairy lights that led to the south side of the gardens.

I involuntarily hummed, my wolf enjoying the pleasure of his touch, which lit every nerve in my body afire.

He'd only touched my hand, and already it had thrown me over the edge. I enjoyed the growing heated throb between my thighs from the lustful thoughts which had taken over my mind.

I inhaled a sharp breath, composing my thoughts before I lost my mind to his touch.

He stared back with a lustful smirk, sensing my arousal. His eyes were pleasing to glance at, a beautiful amber color like the burning embers on the bonfire.

I cleared my throat and looked past his shoulder, trying to focus on anything but him. But my heart burned for him. The mated connection was more palpable than ever.

"I knew you would come. The Moon Festival was always your favorite night."

"How do you know that?" My voice was barely audible when I asked because he was right.

I'd always loved the Moon Festival, the music, the offerings, the bonfire, dancing with friends and the tournament which always hyped me up. I finally got to fight with Lucius in the hopes that I could beat him.

I never could and I'd be annoyed and upset when he gloated over his win and teased me, but I still always enjoyed the heat and the adrenaline of the match, and I would still always have fun afterwards with my friends.

"Because I know you."

Lucius gripped my hand harder, pulling me further away from the festival.

"You say you hate my teasing, but you've always loved to fight with me. Why else would you keep coming back for more?"

My face tinged red, and my throat felt thick with emotions. I didn't know what to say as I looked at the back of his head as he continued to drag me to whatever destination he was taking me too.

"Why didn't you fight tonight?" I asked.

"It's no fun when there's no one worth fighting?"

He glanced back at me with a teasing wink and I clicked my tongue shaking my head.

"I've been looking for you all evening."

"Same."

I'd been at the festival for hours before Lucius finally showed his face. It made me wonder what he was up to before he arrived.

"How are you able to hide your scent?" he asked.

"I smoke nightmoss. It has magical properties that hide my scent, but it also helps to calm my nerves."

Lucius stopped abruptly, a look of pure horror on his face as he swiveled around on the spot and urgently grabbed the seam of my jacket and patted me down.

"Where is it?"

"Whoa! Hey!" I retracted back as he got too handsy, but he pulled hard on the seam of my jacket until our bodies collided.

"Watch it!" I immediately jumped back when I felt his groin against my thigh.

"Don't ever smoke that shit again!" He grabbed the packet from my pocket and threw them into the pond next to us.

"What the hell?" I complained. "I need them."

"At the cost of weakening your wolf and being susceptible to influence." He halted once again, his eyes shining with fear.