our lips ...

When I was done cooking, the aroma of the midnight snack filled the air, making my stomach grumble in anticipation but unfortunately, I won't taste out of it. With a tray in my hands, I quietly made my way down to Leo's room.

As I approached Leo's room, my steps slowed, and my heart skipped a beat. I wondered why I felt that way. Pushing the thoughts aside, I reached the door and gently pushed it open. The soft creaking noise reverberated in the silence of the room.

To my surprise, Leo was engrossed in a book, his attention entirely consumed by its pages. I had expected him to be asleep, but seeing him wide awake brought mixed feelings. I didn't want to interrupt his reading, so I silently placed the tray of food on the nearby table. But just as I turned to leave, Leo's commanding voice broke the silence.

"Put it on the side bed stool, Anna," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Caught off guard, I carefully moved the tray to the indicated spot, all the while feeling his intense gaze upon me. There was an undeniable tension in the room, and I couldn't help but wonder what was going through Leo's mind.

Just as I was about to make my exit, Leo reached out and grabbed my arm, causing me to lose my balance and fall onto the bed beside him. The suddenness of the movement caught me off guard, and I found myself staring into his deep, penetrating eyes. Time seemed to stand still as we exchanged glances, and my heart raced in my chest.

Leo leaned closer, his face inching towards mine. My mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. I was aware of the revenge I sought, the pain he had caused my family, and yet, there was an undeniable attraction between us. In that moment, my desire for revenge battled against my growing affection for Leo.

But just as our lips were about to touch, a loud knock reverberated through the room. Startled, Leo released me and swiftly made his way to the door. I scrambled to my feet, my mind still reeling from the intensity of the moment. I adjusted my maid cloth, raising it slightly to give me more freedom of movement, and hurriedly followed Leo.

As I reached the door, Leo opened it to reveal a servant, who seemed oblivious to the charged atmosphere in the room. He had come to deliver a message, completely unaware of the interrupted moment between us. I took a deep breath, grateful for the interruption, yet also disappointed that the fleeting moment had slipped away.

Leo attended to the servant, his attention momentarily diverted from me. Seizing the opportunity, I slipped away unnoticed, my heart still pounding in my chest. I rushed back to my own room.

Collapsing on my bed, I replayed the scene in my mind, trying to make sense of my conflicting emotions. I had always been resolute in my desire for revenge, to make Leo pay for the pain his family has caused my family. But now, as my heart fluttered and my thoughts swirled, I questioned my own motives.

Why did I feel this inexplicable attraction to the one I sought to destroy? How could I allow myself to fall for the son of the very man responsible for my family's death? The questions tormented me, causing my heart to ache.

I closed my eyes, attempting to clear my mind of the muddled thoughts. I knew I had to regain my focus, to remind myself of the mission I had set out to accomplish. I won't allow myself to be swayed by my emotions.

After what felt like an eternity, exhaustion overcame me and sleep finally claimed me. 

**********

With the message delivered, the servant left the room, leaving Leo to process what just happened. He sank down onto his bed, allowing his mind to wander back to the almost-kiss with Anna. A mischievous smile crept onto his face, and a faint blush colored his cheeks.

Lost in his reverie, Leo failed to notice his friend, Jason, entering the room. Jason's playful nature compelled him to poke fun at Leo, who seemed utterly smitten. "Why, Leo, you're positively beaming! What's got you grinning like a fool?"

Startled, Leo snapped out of his daydream and turned to face Jason. He attempted to regain his composure, though the blush on his cheeks gave him away. "Oh, it's nothing," he replied coyly. "Just feeling... happy. And, what are you doing here this late?"

Jason raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Can't I come and see you anytime I feel like? Come on, spill the beans, Leo. You're not fooling anyone. What's the real reason behind that goofy smile of yours?"

Leo hesitated for a moment, his heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. He decided to confide in his friend, knowing that Jason was someone he could trust. "Alright, fine. It's about Anna. We had a moment, you know? And I... I finally told her that I accept her."

Jason's eyes widened with surprise, quickly followed by a wide grin. "Leo, that's fantastic! You made the right choice."

Leo's smile widened at Jason's enthusiastic response, a wave of relief washing over him. It felt good to have someone support his decision, especially when his emotions were in such turmoil. He knew that pursuing a relationship with Anna would not be easy, given their complicated histories, but he was determined to try.

As they continued to talk, Leo shared the details of the interrupted moment with Anna. He described the intensity of their exchanged glances and the magnetic pull he felt towards her. His words were filled with a mix of awe and vulnerability, exposing a side of him that he rarely revealed to others.

Jason listened intently. He reminded Leo to be patient. He also reminded him not to forget about the upcoming pack meeting.

Leo nodded, his mind refocusing on the matters at hand. "Thanks for reminding me, Jason. I almost got lost in my own thoughts. The pack meeting is important, and I need to be prepared."

Jason clapped a hand on Leo's shoulder, a supportive gesture between friends. "No problem, Leo. I just wanted to check up on you and make sure you were alright. And now, with your newfound happiness, I have no doubt you'll be in top form for the meeting."

With their conversation coming to an end, Jason bid Leo farewell, assuring him that he was just a call away if he needed anything. As Leo watched his friend leave, a sense of gratitude and determination settled within him. He knew that navigating his feelings for Anna would be a challenging journey, but he was ready to face it head-on.

Taking a deep breath, Leo allowed himself a moment to savor the joy that Anna's acceptance had brought him. He couldn't deny the fluttering of excitement in his heart.