Moonlit Fever

The rose trellis groaned and I found myself about to fall.

"Nate!"

The sharp whisper from below made me freeze, my gaze darting down. Isabella was leaning out of a window just beneath me. Her dark eyes locked on mine, filled with a mix of annoyance and urgency.

"Get down here!" she hissed, holding her arms up like she was ready to catch me if I fell.

"You life saver," I whispered back.

Isabella stretched out her arms, catching my wrist when I was close enough and hauled me through the open window.

I stumbled into the room, collapsing onto the floor with a muted thud.

"You're a damn idiot," Isabella muttered, slamming the window shut behind me. "Do you have any idea how close you were to getting caught?"

I looked up at her from my position on the carpet, panting slightly. "Thanks."

Before she could retort, a loud thud echoed from above us, followed by Xavier's unmistakable growl. My stomach twisted.

"I can't stay here," I said, struggling to my feet.

"No fucking shit!" Isabella snapped. She grabbed my arm, shoving me toward the door of her en-suite. "Hide in here. Now."

Before I could argue, she shoved me toward the bathroom. I stumbled inside, barely catching myself against the sink.

"Stay there," she ordered, sharply.

The door clicked shut behind her just as heavy footsteps thudded above me, and the arguing voices grew louder—closer. The muffled shouting had moved down the hall.

I hoped Lucius was okay.

I closed my eyes, resting my head against the cool porcelain sink as I tried to think. Xavier wasn't going to back down easily, and if he caught me... I didn't want to think about what would happen to Lucius.

Another set of footsteps, heavier, echoed in the hallway just outside the room.

"Isabella!" Xavier's voice boomed.

My heart sank.

"Have you lost your mind!" Lucius's voice carried from the hallway outside the bedroom.

"I know he's here somewhere, and when I find him, I can finally kick you out of this pack!" Xavier growled. "You said it yourself, an Alpha can't be with another male wolf, it's against wolf law. Now, get out of my way, Lucius."

I heard Xavier push Lucius out of the way, and Lucius was too weak in his branded state to fight back.

"There's no one here!" Lucius snapped back, his voice sharper now. "And you have no right to storm into my sister's room like this."

"Watch me."

The door burst open with a loud bang, and I flinched.

"Xavier, what the hell?" Isabella screamed. "Get out of my room!"

"Where is he?" Xavier barked.

"Where is who?" she shot back. "Get out!"

"Don't lie to me," Xavier growled. "I can smell him."

"You're a lunatic," Isabella snapped. "You're trespassing in a female's room without her consent! Have you completely lost it?"

Lucius's voice was closer now, low and tense and filled with worry. "Xavier, this is insane. You're harassing my sister for no reason."

"I know Nate Silverman is here!" Xavier snapped. "Get out of here now, you coward!"

"I told you, there's no one here!" Isabella snapped back.