Elowen's POV

I woke up in a strange mix of warmth and unease, my mind replaying the events of last night. Lysander's arms had felt like a protective cocoon, but now, alone in the quiet room, the memories of his touch left me feeling both safe and scared. I hesitated for a moment before slipping out of bed, my body still tingling from the closeness we had shared.

Deciding to explore the house and shake off the remnants of sleep, I quietly padded down the hallway. The mansion was eerily silent, the shadows stretching long in the early morning light. I found myself in the kitchen, the cool tiles beneath my feet a stark contrast to the warmth I had just left.

I rummaged through the cabinets, looking for something to eat, trying to keep my mind occupied. The last thing I needed was to dwell on the confusing emotions swirling inside me. Suddenly, I heard a soft creak behind me. I turned to find Zephyr standing in the doorway, his intense gaze locking onto mine.

"Good morning," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Zephyr didn't respond immediately. He walked towards me, his movements slow and deliberate, like a predator stalking its prey. The air around us seemed to thicken, every step he took amplifying the tension.

"What are you doing up so early?" he finally asked, his voice low and rough.

"I couldn't sleep," I replied, my eyes darting away from his penetrating stare. "Just looking for something to eat."

He stopped a few feet away from me, his presence overwhelming. "Is that all?" he asked, a dangerous edge to his tone.

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. "Yes, that's all."

Zephyr's eyes narrowed, and he took another step closer. "You were quite loud last night," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Do you know how hard it was to listen to you?"

My breath hitched, the memory of last night flooding back. "I... I didn't mean to..."

"Didn't mean to what?" he interrupted, his eyes darkening with something I couldn't quite place. "Didn't mean to drive me insane with those sounds? Do you have any idea what it did to me, Elowen?"

His words sent a shiver down my spine. I took a step back, but Zephyr was quicker, closing the distance between us. He grabbed my wrist, pulling me towards him. I could feel the heat radiating off his body, his grip firm and unyielding.

"Zephyr, please," I whispered, my voice trembling.

"Please what?" he asked, his breath hot against my ear. "I barely stopped myself from losing control and barging in to claim you right then and there, and it's driving me fucking crazy."

I shook my head, trying to find the right words. "I didn't mean to..."

"Didn't mean to what?" he repeated, his grip tightening. "Didn't mean to make me want you? Didn't mean to make me crave you?"

His words left me speechless. I could feel the raw intensity of his desire, the barely contained rage. It was both terrifying and intoxicating.

"Zephyr, I..." I started, but he cut me off with a rough kiss, his lips crushing against mine.

I gasped, the suddenness of his action taking my breath away. He didn't give me a chance to react, his hands moving to my waist, pulling me even closer. The hardness I felt against my hips was unmistakable, and a mixture of fear and excitement coursed through me.

"You're driving me crazy, Elowen," he growled, his lips trailing down to my neck. "Do you know that?"

I couldn't form a coherent thought, his touch overwhelming my senses. I squirmed in his grasp, trying to push him away, but it only seemed to fuel his desire.

"Stop fighting," he ordered, his voice rough with need. "You know you want this."

His words sent a thrill through me, my body responding despite my mind's protests. I was scared, but the way he touched me, the way he dominated me, made it impossible to resist.

"Zephyr, please," I begged, my voice barely audible. "This isn't right..."

"Isn't right?" he repeated, a dark chuckle escaping his lips. "Tell me to stop, Elowen. Tell me you don't want this."

I opened my mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, a soft moan escaped my lips as he bit down gently on my neck, his hands exploring every inch of my body.

"You can't, can you?" he whispered, his breath hot against my skin. "You want this as much as I do."

His words broke through my defenses, and I found myself melting into his touch. The fear was still there, but it was overshadowed by the overwhelming desire he ignited in me.

"Zephyr," I moaned, my hands clutching at his shirt. "Please..."

"Please what?" he asked, his voice rough with need. "Tell me what you want, Elowen."

Before I could answer, the door burst open, and Zander stood there, his eyes wide with shock and anger. "What the fuck is going on here?" he demanded, his voice echoing through the room.

Zephyr reluctantly released me, stepping back but keeping his hand on my arm. "None of your business, Zander," he growled.

"It is my business," Zander shot back, his eyes blazing with fury. "She's scared, and you're just making it worse."

Zephyr's grip tightened, but he didn't respond. Instead, he turned his attention back to me, his eyes filled with a mixture of frustration and desire. "Is that true, Elowen? Are you scared of me?"

I looked between the two brothers, my heart racing. "I... I don't know," I admitted, my voice shaking.

Zander stepped forward, his expression softening. "Elowen, you don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with," he said gently. "We're not here to hurt you."

Zephyr let out a frustrated sigh, his grip finally loosening. "Fine," he muttered, stepping back completely. "But this isn't over."

Zander shot him a warning look before turning back to me. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

I nodded, my mind still reeling from the intensity of the encounter. "I'm fine," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Zander reached out, gently taking my hand. "Come on," he said softly. "Let's get you out of here."

As he led me away, I couldn't help but glance back at Zephyr. His eyes were filled with a dark promise, and I knew this was far from over. The brothers' conflicting emotions left me even more confused, but one thing was clear: I was in the middle of a storm, and there was no easy way out.

_____

After Zander walked in, effectively putting an end to the tension between Zephyr and me, I felt a mix of frustration and relief. The intensity of Zephyr's gaze and his words had left me feeling exposed and vulnerable in ways I wasn't prepared to handle. I needed space to breathe, to think, and to figure out what all of this meant.

I slipped away from the living room, my heart still pounding in my chest, and found my way to the back porch. The night air was cool and crisp, offering a stark contrast to the heated atmosphere inside. I wrapped my arms around myself, seeking comfort in the solitude. The stars above twinkled indifferently, a silent reminder of how small my world felt compared to the vastness of the universe.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. The memory of Zephyr's rough grip, his dominating presence, and his raw words replayed in my mind, making my skin prickle with an unfamiliar sensation. I leaned against the railing, closing my eyes and willing myself to find some semblance of peace.

The sound of footsteps behind me made my heart skip a beat. I turned to see Zephyr, his expression unreadable as he approached. My breath hitched, the tension between us still palpable.

"Can't sleep?" he asked, his voice low and rough.

I shook my head, unable to find my voice. He moved closer, his presence overwhelming as he leaned against the railing beside me. We stood in silence for a moment, the only sound the distant chirping of crickets.

"You know," he began, his tone casual but laced with an underlying intensity, "it's dangerous to be out here alone at night."

I glanced at him, trying to gauge his intentions. "I needed some air," I replied quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.

Zephyr's gaze bore into me, making my heart race. "Running away again, Elowen?"

I bristled at his words, a flicker of defiance sparking within me. "I'm not running," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "I just needed space."

He smirked, a predatory glint in his eyes. "Space, huh? From me or from us?"

"From everything," I admitted, my voice trembling. "I can't think straight with all of you around."

Zephyr's expression softened slightly, but the intensity remained. "You can't keep running forever," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "We're not going to let you go that easily."

I swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling heavily on my shoulders. "I know," I whispered, feeling the tension rise between us once more.

Suddenly, he moved closer, his body pressing against mine as he trapped me against the railing. My breath caught in my throat as his hands gripped my hips, holding me in place. His eyes darkened with a mix of anger and desire, making my pulse quicken.

"You have no idea what you do to me, Elowen," he growled, his breath hot against my ear. "Hearing you last night, knowing it was Lysander who made you moan... it was pure torture."

His words sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. "Zephyr, I—" I began, but he cut me off with a harsh kiss, his lips claiming mine with a rough intensity that left me breathless.

I tried to push him away, but his grip tightened, holding me firmly in place. His kiss was demanding, leaving no room for resistance. Despite my fear and confusion, a part of me responded to his touch, a primal need ignited by his dominance.

When he finally pulled away, I was gasping for air, my heart racing. "You can deny it all you want, but I know you feel it too," he said, his voice rough with desire. "You want this as much as I do."

I couldn't find the words to respond, my mind a chaotic mess of conflicting emotions. His hands roamed over my body, exploring every curve with a possessive hunger that made me tremble. I closed my eyes, trying to fight the overwhelming sensations, but it was impossible to ignore the fire he ignited within me.

Just as things were about to spiral out of control, Zephyr pulled back, his breathing heavy as he tried to regain control. He gazed down at me, his eyes still dark with desire but tinged with something softer, more intimate. His hands, which had been gripping me tightly, now moved gently over my skin, soothing and comforting.

"I shouldn't have pushed you like that," he murmured, his voice rough with restrained emotion. "But you need to understand how much you affect me, Elowen."

I swallowed hard, the intensity of his words and touch leaving me breathless. "I... I understand," I whispered, my voice trembling.

Zephyr leaned in, his lips brushing softly against my neck, leaving a trail of gentle kisses that made me shiver. "When I heard you last night," he continued, his voice a low rumble in my ear. "I promised myself I'll make you feel as unhinged as I did, as I lay there listening to your voice."

His words sent a wave of heat through me, and I couldn't help but squirm in his arms. Zephyr's grip tightened momentarily before he pulled back again, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race.

"Lysander will be out for work tonight," he said, his tone softer now, more intimate. "I'll be here with you while you sleep. I won't let anything happen to you."

I nodded, my emotions a tangled mess of fear, desire, and confusion. Zephyr's presence was overwhelming, but there was also a sense of safety in his proximity, a strange comfort in his protectiveness.

As we stood there, the cool night air swirling around us, I felt a shift in our dynamic. Zephyr's dominating presence was still there, but now it was tempered with a gentleness that made me feel more at ease.

He took my hand, his touch surprisingly tender, and led me back inside. We walked through the silent house, the tension between us easing with each step. When we reached my room, Zephyr paused, his eyes scanning my face as if searching for any signs of distress.

"Get some rest, Elowen," he said softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "I'll be right here if you need me."

I nodded, too exhausted to argue, and slipped into bed. As I lay there, my mind raced with the events of the night. Despite the fear and confusion, I couldn't ignore the pull I felt towards Zephyr, the way his touch had awakened something deep within me.

Zephyr settled into a chair by the bed, his gaze never leaving me. There was a sense of protectiveness in his posture, a determination to keep me safe. As I drifted off to sleep, the weight of his presence was both comforting and intimidating.

The night passed in a blur of restless dreams and moments of wakefulness. Each time I opened my eyes, Zephyr was there, his watchful eyes ensuring my safety. As dawn approached, I finally fell into a deeper sleep, the exhaustion of the past days catching up to me.

When I woke, the room was filled with the soft light of morning. Zephyr was still there, his expression softer than I had ever seen it. 

"Good morning," he said quietly, his voice a soothing balm to my frazzled nerves.

"Good morning," I replied, my voice still thick with sleep. "Thank you for staying."

Zephyr's smile widened slightly, and he reached out to gently squeeze my hand. "I'll always be here for you, Elowen. No matter what."

As I lay there, feeling the warmth of his hand in mine, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us. The road ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear — I was in too deep to turn back now.