Chapter 5

I stayed sat on the edge of my bed, chewing on my bottom lip as all my doubts and anxieties came to the forefront of my mind - do I have the courage to see this through? What if Duke wakes up? Is there a possibility that my parents are going to catch me?

It was only when I tasted blood in my mouth that I jumped up, heading straight for the door and pressing my ear against it, straining to hear any signs of life that would indicate my parents were still awake. When I was met with the sweet sound of silence, I took a deep breath and ripped the door open, marching straight to the guest room before I had the chance to lose my nerve.

Without knocking, I pushed open the door, slipping inside silently like a thief in the night and closing it softly behind me. I took a moment, resting my back against the wood as I took in the sight in front of me

Duke was laid on his stomach, his arm wrapped around the pillow above him. The sheets had slipped down and were tangled around his waist, the moonlight coming through the window showing me all the luscious golden skin of his muscled back.

I closed my eyes, breathing one last gulp of courage before I slipped off my robe and crept across the soft carpet. My heart was pounding in my chest with every step I took but I wouldn't back out, I would permit myself this one moment of my dreams. I would not live a life of total regret. One memory to cherish, one night of holding the love of my life close to me and that's all.

I wouldn't be selfish and ask for more, this would be enough. I knew it would.

With a gentleness I hadn't known I was capable off, thanks to the harsh words my parents barked at me, I climbed into the bed next to him. As though Duke sensed my presence, he rolled onto his side, offering me more space on the bed, granting me the opportunity to take in more of his perfect face.

Softly, carefully, I traced my fingers over his features. From his sharp cheekbones, across his straight nose. I ran the back of my hand across the stubble on his jaw and finally, traced the curve of his full lips.

My parents were wrong, I just knew it. I may have been a month off my 16th birthday, but this was more than a crush. I didn't know how I knew it, but this was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. There couldn't possibly be another wolf that measured up to him, no other wolf that could possibly call out to my heart the way that he did

Not for the first time today, I wished that I had a wolf to help and guide me through the mix of emotions that ran through me. She was in there somewhere, I could feel her, but like everyone else in my life, she was fighting our connection, rejecting me before she even had the chance to get to know me.

Duke shifted once more, the sheet slipping further down his body and my eyes drank in the view with undeniable hunger. Before I even knew what I was doing, my fingers stroked their way down his neck, feeling the curve of his broad shoulders, down his arms that were thicker than my thighs

I sucked in a breath as my hands went over his waist, feeling the evidence of his fight with the rogues. Though it was well on its way to being healed, I could tell why he felt the need to come here rather than make his way home.

Duke mumbled something and I froze, fearing the worst. I wanted to snatch my hands off him but I was scared of making any sudden movements that would cause him to wake any further.

When he let out a deep breath, followed by gentle snores, I almost sobbed with relief.

Realising that he was in a deep sleep, I grew brave, leaning forward to run my lips across his shoulder and onto his chest, inhaling deeply, brandishing his scent in my memory forever.

I shuffled my hips forward, wanting to feel close to him. It seemed that no matter how near to him I was, I needed more. Nothing was ever enough. I sighed a softly as I pressed my chest against his, his breath fanning my face with his soft, even breathing.

I could almost pretend that we were in fact lovers, laying in bed together after a long day. His arm was still over the pillow, seeming to cradle against my hair. At that moment, it was my deepest wish for him to tighten his grip, hold me secure against him, cocooned in his warmth.

I crossed my leg over his, tangling them together - though he was under the covers and mine were not, it didn't matter. Our legs were locked at the angles, a mess of long limbs. I shuffled closer one last time, noting with satisfaction the way we seemed to fit together, a perfect match.

As my hips moved, I realised the effect I had caused and it reminded me that though we were perfect, we were forbidden.

It still pleased me though. I had done this. My touch was the one that had caused such an effect on his body.

With a mind of their own, my fingers crawled down his stomach, through the small patch of hair that grew thicker the further down his body it went.

With a shaky hand, I braced myself, knowing that I was going too far but also knowing that I was unable to stop myself. I sank my hand under the covers, stroking along a leg that was sprinkled liberally with hair and up his inner thigh, before running along the one thing that caused such fascination with other girls my age as they giggled amongst one another in the school bathrooms.

It wasn't what I was expecting, it was smoother than I thought it was going to be. My fingers barely had time to form a fist to grasp him firmer when his hand shot out to snatch my wrist, snaking around my skin so tight that I let out a squeal of pain. My eyes shot to his face just in time to see his own eyes snap open and lock with mine. I gulped in sheer terror.

"What the fuck are you doing?"