Chapter 2 Flicker of Desire

Camilla POV

I walk behind Lucien through the illuminated courtyard where my cloak sweeps across fallen leaves. He walks stealthily and confidently, even though his shoulders carry an almost tangible burden. By keeping my head low, the hood shadows my face and allows the pack members to overlook me. With every step I take, my heart pounds inside my chest like a drum that mixes my past suffering with current determination.

A small wooden cabin stands just past the packhouse wall,s where he pauses, and the door groans on its rusty hinges. Gaps in the cabin's wooden walls let moonlight stream through while its beams draw thin light lines over the dirt floor. Lucien opens the door without saying a word and gives me a silent nod while his haunted eyes briefly meet mine with cold intensity. I enter the space as my boots stir up dus,t and the door slams shut behind me.

The cabin is simple: A single small bed covered in a worn blanket shares space with a wooden table and a crooked candle holder that holds a candle stub. The texture of the table's coarse wood presses its grain against my skin as I run my fingers across its surface. Lucien stands motionless in the doorway, serving as a silent sentinel while he awaits my decision about his offer. My eyes lock onto his as I give a silent yet unmistakable nod with a steady gaze.

He retreats into the night, which leaves me alone with the candle's gentle light. As I traverse the cabi,n my cloak drops to the ground while each step creates a resonant echo from the past. As I follow the blanket's contou,rs I feel myself envisioning how it might touch my skin after all these years. I clutch the threadbare wool and feel a sudden spark of longing ignite in my chest.

I collapse onto the bed and lift the blanket toward, me only to feel the coarse strands scrape against my skin. The candle flickers while a cold breeze passes through gaps in the walls. I shut my eyes to calm my racing thoughts, but visions of Lucien's gentle voice and warm touch invade my mind. I grip the blanket with more strength while my breathing turns into short, uneven gasps.

The cabin becomes bathed in soft gold as morning light streams through the cracks. My muscles feel stiff from the cold floor as I slowly sit up. I fold my cloak methodically on the table as its weight feels noticeably heavier than before. I exit the building and shield my eyes from the bright sunlight before spotting Lucien under the oak tree.

Lucien gives me a bowl of hot berries and thin broth as steam twirls around my fingers. As Isavourr the wa,rm sweet meal, it grounds me in the basic experience of eating. The haunted look in Lucien's eyes strikes me with an emotion that I cannot identify. A hard swallow crosses my throat as my purpose comes back to my mind.

As we stand together, the wolves nearby stretch and ya,wn showing curiosity while maintaining polite behaviour. I push a piece of hair behind my ear and concentrate on my meal, pretending it holds all my attention. Lucien straightens his back and offers a gentle bow before departing to allow me to complete my meal. The rush of my heartbeat quickens when I sense his cloak passing by because it carries many unspoken words.

The pack follows me to the training ground where young wolves practice their leaps and growls under Lucien's careful supervision. He glides through the pac,k guiding how they can sharpen their claws and enhance their stance. The memory of his teaching brings my heart a painful twist because his patience steered every move I made. He calls my name, and I take a step forward, feeling the familiar spark ignite deep within my chest.

With a nod, he gives me a wooden staff while his eyes show a flash of surprise as they meet mine. I adopt his posture firmly while replicating his demonstration of a sweeping strike. The morning sun casts its glow between us, and I suppress a sigh as our eyes connect. Though the staff feels heavy between my finger,s its weight pales compared to the weight of my thoughts.

A loose stone causes my foot to slip during practice, which leads to my balance failing while the staff crashes onto the ground with a cracking sound. Lucien appears instantly beside me to stabilise me with a strong hold on my elbow. The heat from his body passes through my cloak fabric and interrupts my breathing. I regain my stance by brushing away the stone and maintaining my composure.

He nods his approval before leaving the younger wolves to continue their tasks without speaking. A red-hot line trails from my elbow where his touch sent my skin into prickles. I hold the staff firmly while imagining it shields me from my inner turmoil. The movements of the pack flow around us like ocean currents, and I experience a sensation of drifting away.

Whenever we take a break, I find refuge beside a firewood stack while my back rests against the cool logs. The gentle sound of Lucien's voice flows across the clearing while he discusses the upcoming council gathering with an elder. The words "rebellion" and "danger" drift around me as I shut my eyes. My heartbeat escalates, sounding an internal alert in my chest.

I quietly detach from the woodpile to trail behind Lucien while my boots make no sound on the grass. He pauses beneath the ancient oak tree where we first carved our names into the bark. I grip the tree trunk tightly while my fingertips follow an old carving that remained untouched by the years. As dying embers fade, memories of laughter and love dance behind my eyes.

As Lucien kneels to examine the ground for concealed root,s I approach him until my breath grows shallow. I feel a strong desire to touch him as his broad and solid back faces away from me. I swallow the ache so I can focus on the reason I came here. The wind blows gently through the leaves as it transports pieces of our shared history.

Darkness envelops the landscape while I return to the cabin with its door firmly closed against the night. I pull the blanket close to myself and allow the silence to settle into my ears. As the candle's flame dances low, it mirrors the restless flickering of my heart. As I shut my eyes with a desire to fall asleep, I feel dread tightening around my stomach.

A sudden awakening brings my heart to a racing beat as I listen to quiet voices outside. I slide off my bed to lean my ear against the door while my breathing remains shallow. The elder and Lucien exchange words so quietly they escape my understanding, yet their urgency resonates through their speech. I squeeze the doorframe tightly as both curiosity and fear battle for control of my mind.

I open the door wide and move into the night while my cloak dances around my legs. The shock of my sudden appearance causes Lucien to spin around with eyes wide open and a hidden emotion I can't identify. The elder stands motionless beside me as waves of guilt sweep across his face. My throat tightens as I fight the need to know what he's hiding while fearing the truth that might surface.

Lucien approaches me with a bowed head while speaking my fake name in a hushed tone. A hissing sensation courses through my veins, urging me to fight or flee. Unable to confront my eyes, he turns his own away. My cloak remains clutched in my hands as I stand motionless while anticipating the words that could destroy me.

The elder jerks his head back up and reveals his eyes shining with terror and remorse as he blurts out, "She's not who you think." My mouth hangs open wide, and my heart skips a beat when his words strike me hard. Lucien squints his eyes as his face displays a battle between confusion and pain. I make myself remain calm while waiting for his words.

In the oppressive cold silence, Lucien finally whispers, "Explain," as my throat constricts and truth bubbles under my skin. The elder attempts to speak, but a sharp cry erupts from the packhouse before his words can escape. The group all faces the noise while our hearts collectively jump.

I notice Lucien with his eyes wide open in shock and observe his hands reaching out to me. The closeness of his touch makes my breathing pause as I feel both safety and heartbreak intermingle in his presence. The cry returns louder and more desperate than before. I move one step closer to Lucien before taking another step toward the packhouse, filled with fear yet prepared for what comes next.

The moon slips below a cloud while shadows encircle us as if they were ravenous wolves. I can feel my cloak flapping against my legs while adrenaline races through every muscle in my body. Lucien's grip strengthens around my hand creating a connection that grounds me in this moment. I hear a whisper that suddenly reveals the name Camilla ,which I believed I had left behind forever.