MILLIE

Leander and I sneak out through the tunnel connected to the basement, arising a mile later. We stay nearby, sitting on a log a few feet from the entrance.

"Don't get any ideas about the log," Leander says as we sit on it. "I'd hate to explain to Octavius why you sexually assaulted his tree."

I groan. "Oh, fuck off."

He chuckles, and then we sit silently for a few minutes, listening to an owl nearby. Goosebumps erupt on my skin when a cool breeze engulfs me. My eyes lock on glowing fireflies.

I missed this peace dearly.

"What did you do when hiding in the neutral territory?"

"Hmm, where is this coming from? You never asked about my past."

"I didn't have the opportunity. You were always trying to bite my head off."

I nod. "Damn right, and you're still not safe. Anyway, I worked in an office, managing records. Didn't have much time or space to make friends other than with the children because my scent was always a burden. The kids were wonderful. So energized."

"I am not good with children. They don't like me."

"Well, you're either beating people or threatening future beatings. Of course, children would fear you. Your resting psychopath face also doesn't help your case."

He shrugs. "Can't do much about that."

"Why is that?" I ask. "Why were you so distant from your pack members? It's so different from Alpha Richard's nature. He ruled the Mockingbird pack with much warmth. He ate dinner with pack members, knew every kid's birthday, and enjoyed hobbies with his people. But you...just treat everyone like workers instead of family."

"I could not get close because I knew this day would come. My secrets would come to light, and many would feel betrayed. I did not want to worsen the blow by entering their homes and befriending them. It was better this way."

"Hmm..."

None of this would have ever crossed my mind. I thought Leander was just cold and disinterested. Too busy calculating how to protect his empire to actually care about its citizens.

"Do you have any more secrets?" I ask him. "Is there anything else that will blindsight me? A hidden lover? Extra toes?"

"No," he replies. "Well, I suppose I should tell you Leander is my middle name."

"What!"

"Anderson is my first name. Anderson Leander."

I whistle. "Wow. We will have to stick to Leander. I already committed to it by stitching it onto your voodoo doll when I stabbed it full of pins."

His booming laugh sends birds flying from a nearby tree.

I can't help but appreciate his laugh. It's free. Uncaring of how many heads in a room turn to look at him. There's something naturally noble about Leander. He doesn't work for anyone's approval because he knows the blue blood coursing through his veins is ancient and powerful enough to deserve respect. He doesn't have to work for approval. The submission of others is biologically guaranteed.

I sigh into the night. "I wish I could go fishing right now. Would give anything for a bucket of fish, a string on a stick, and one of the push pins on the voodoo doll."

He nods. "I own a couple of boats. I can take you sailing one day."

"You used to have boats. You're homeless now, sir."

"I suppose you're right," he chuckles. "Give me a few months. I'll regain my status and take you out to the ocean."

"I've never gone out to the ocean. It's terrifying and I'm not a strong swimmer."

"I am."

I snort. "Leander, you're so meaty that the sharks could come to tear your ass up."

He huffs, offended. "You think I can't take a shark?"

"Of course, you can't! No man can beat a shark!"

He scowls. "I'm taking you to a fucking aquarium. I'll show you."

"I'm not going to the damn aquarium."

"I'm taking you," he snarls. "And you'll watch through the glass as I turn that shark into canned tuna."

My body rocks with a chuckle. Right then, my stomach rumbles with hunger.

"I thought you had dinner?" Leander asks.

"I did," I reply as I rub my belly. "But I'm hungry again. I'm craving that spicy curry you made for me once."

He nods. "I quite enjoyed the sound of you huffing, puffing, and sniffling in the kitchen."

"Just like you huff and puff when I piss you off?"

He grunts. "Yes. You're a Michelin-starred chef when it comes to brewing my rage. I should get you a little chef's hat."

"Get yourself one, too, while you're at it. You're just as good at cooking reasons to anger me."

"No, can do," he replies as he straightens, removing his elbows from his knees. "Fierce Alphas don't wear silly hats."

"We're homeless," I remind him. "You're not an Alpha anymore."

"Fine, then. I'll get us both fucking hats."

"Pfft."

We bask in the silence, and I think of our ridiculous, childish conversation. We've never been this laidback. But I must admit that I enjoy our banter. It's not vicious and calculated like it used to be. Now, it's thoughtless. It's fun.

We're bonding.

I once thought this was impossible.

"She didn't make a mistake," Leander says.

"Hmm? Who?"

"The moon goddess. She didn't make a mistake."

I sigh, returning to reality. We're not a couple head over heels for each other and free of any worries. We're fugitives being chased by enemies and feelings we don't know what to do with.

I rise from the log. "We should return to the basement."

Leander stands. He's silent as he leads me back into the tunnel. We make sure to avoid being spotted as we exit the boiler room and return to the bedroom.

Leander looks at his chair warily before sitting on it and leaning back.

I clear my throat and pinch my neckline. "There's something I have to tell you."

He looks at me, concerned. "What is it?"

"I can't say much to protect her, but she was gracious enough to allow me to share her existence. I've met Octavius' mate. I know where she is, and you can negotiate with Octavius for his alliance in exchange for hints."

He rises from his chair and looks at me with an expression I've never seen before: utter amazement. He looks at me like I'm the apple of his eye. Like I hung the moon and created werewolves.

"Don't look at me like that," I whisper.

"You just fucking secured us a win, Millie. You're..." He shakes his head, taking two steps forward. "You're incredible. You were meant to be a Luna."

I raise a hand. "Please don't."

He stays where he is, lighting me up with a blush as he stares intently. Warning that he's on the verge of doing something dangerous.

"Thank you," he says earnestly. "Thank you."

I swallow, overwhelmed by the warmth in his gaze. He has never looked at me like this before. With adoration. With...love.

My heart rattles in my chest when he inches forward, eyes locked on my lips. He's going to kiss me.

I turn away and exhale a shaky breath. I swallow, my throat suddenly dry.

When I was a teenager and first ran into him, I so badly wanted him to embrace me and hug me. To carry me off to the sunset to our happily ever after. Now, many years later, he is finally offering the kiss that a younger me would have died for.

I clear my throat and blurt a question to escape the awkwardness. "What are you going to tell Octavius?"

Oh, sweet moon. He tried to kiss me.

Leander stays quiet for a moment, processing my rejection. The magic spell floats into the air like a firefly, but fireflies are loyal to the night. They always return at dawn. And I have a feeling Leander will return to me as well.

"I will repeat what you told me. I won't ask you any more questions about this mystery woman. The less I know, the better."

"Okay," I whisper, removing my shoes and sitting on the bed. I hug my knees to my chest. "Sleep well."

He doesn't reply, and I wonder if it's because he has no plans of falling asleep anytime soon. Will he imagine what our kiss would have been like? Will he daydream about it as I do right now?

After so many things have changed between us, I know that a kiss will be fueled by more dangerous feelings than hate. The hate I felt used to be so combustive, yet it was stable. It was constant, and I always knew what to expect from it.

But this admiration and fondness that I'm developing for him are the furthest thing from stable. They are a liability that will make me seek more from him. More than a chaste kiss, more than a gentle hand on the small of my back.

I will want his tongue wrapped around mine as we grunt the words we're not ready to say. I will want his hand to go lower from my back and massage my ass and thighs. To lift me so my legs wrap around his hips. Then I'll grind against him, seeking the most dangerous connection of them all: his cock, bridging deep inside me.

And when it's all over, when I'm breathless and melting, I'll want to stare into his eyes and reveal the vulnerable feelings I'm developing for him. Feelings that are more than lust and desire. This used to be impossible when there was no fondness between us.

The next time he tries to kiss me, I won't have the strength to turn away. I know this because although I'm stubborn, I'm not stupid. My heart wants him. My legs are tired of running, and if this sculpted male offers to sweep me off my feet again, I will relent.

And if he seeks more than an embrace and a kiss, I will give him what he seeks. Another crater will appear on the moon because another Luna would have fallen: me. I will become number 9,138.