Chapter 3 Sultry Secrets

Camilla POV

Against the cabin door, I lean while my racing heart remembers the haunting cry from the packhouse. As I whisper my name, I sense its weight through trembling breath in the darkness. Entering the cabin, I push aside my cloak to ease the inner turmoil that rages within me. The candle's flame dances while long shadows stretch across the rough wooden walls.

The threadbare blanket feels cool as I lie down on the narrow bed. Lucien's gaze from tonight continues to burn behind my eyes like flickering flames in the darkness. As I pull the blanket beneath my chin, I feel a familiar tug inside me. The ache persists despite my new identity.

Through the door cracks, the hallway firelight reaches me while I picture his shadow moving just outside. I feel my pulse racing as I recall the tenderness in his eyes when he saw me in daylight. I shut my eyes to trap the memory of his haunted face inside my mind. Instead, the memory burns brighter.

I push my legs off the bed edge to sit up while the mattress makes a sighing sound beneath me. The texture of the wooden grain beneath my fingertips connects me firmly to this moment. I concentrate solely on my objective, which is to seek revenge above all else. A quiver of uncertainty snakes its way through my abdomen.

The cramped room requires me to move toward the small window where I stand and gaze into the night sky. A high moon dominates the night sky, casting silver reflections across the ground below. The packhouse walls stand dark and motionless as if anticipating the arrival of dawn. I draw in the cool night air until it fills my lungs with intent.

A soft creak makes me freeze in place when I turn away. I lift the candle stub to my hand and watch as the flame starts to flicker. The floor becomes covered with shadows while I stop breathing. The door rattles ever so slightly.

My heart pounds as I slide off the bed and advance toward the door. The bare wood floor absorbs my footsteps completely as I move across it. My ear presses against the door while I listen carefully for sounds outside. The room remains silent with only the delicate sound of the candle's hiss to be heard.

My shoulders tighten as I take a step back before I extinguish the candle with a gentle puff. The room becomes engulfed in darkness as I allow my eyes to adapt. I settle back onto the bed while the blanket cascades down to my waist. I pull the blankets over me while my thoughts race.

The silence from the packhouse vibrates through the thin walls while I remember each of Lucien's glances today. He protected me without hesitation while his eyes held haunting shadows and his mouth formed a tense line. The muscles in my chest constrict around a desire I dare not identify. I bury my face in the pillow.

The pull of sleep reaches me in gentle waves, yet I push it away to stay connected to the fading night. The blanket's edge grips my fingers tightly as my knuckles turn white. By moonlight, Lucien trains young wolves with a strong yet haunted silhouette. My breath catches at the memory.

Soft and deliberate movement breaks the silence in the darkness. I rise with my blanket slipping away from my shoulders in wing-like motion. My gaze scans the darkness while my heart beats rapidly against my chest. I extend a hand, searching blindly for something secure to maintain my balance.

My hand encounters a piece of fabric resting on the ground, which turns out to be my cloak. I wrap the cloak tightly around me while shivers run down my spine as the cold sensation of fear courses through me. I strain my ears for any noise, yet the night remains silent. As my pulse rate decreases, I release a laboured breath.

I settle back into bed with the cloak nestled beside me as its weight feels like a secure promise. I softly speak his name while listening to the way it reverberates through the confined space. His generous offer of assistance fills my mind with its simplicity and kindness. I swallow hard, pushing down the ache.

The mournful and hollow call of an owl outside draws me away from my memories. With a start, I sit up again while the room continues to spin in darkness. The cool strength of the rough wood bedpost meets me when I press my forehead against it. The intense heat coursing through my veins makes me curse under my breath.

I shut my eyes when the owl's call softens and exhaustion pulls me into unconsciousness. I fall asleep with the vision of Lucien's haunted gaze lingering in my mind. I make a silent promise to myself that my focus will remain unbroken until morning. Darkness envelops me completely as if it were a heavy cloak.

The sound of distant voices mixing with soft laughter reaches me through the walls as I awaken. Pale light seeps under the door as my eyes open. Stretching my body makes the blanket fall away from my shoulders before I stand up. The wooden floorboards emit a creaking noise as I move across the room.

Lucien's gentle laughter reaches me as if it were a familiar melody. My breath stalls while I press my ear against the door. Two wolves carry on a friendly conversation through low-toned speech that sounds distant. Normal life brings me simple joy, which makes me smile.

Stepping out into the dim light of dawn, I slip outside. The atmosphere feels sharp and fresh as it heralds the start of a new day. Lucien attends to a pot next to the fire while stirring it over embers. He raises his gaze until he connects with my stare.

A hitch interrupts his breathing before he gives a barely noticeable nod. A gentle yet intense burn fills the space between us. I cross my arms before deliberately turning my gaze aside. I maintain a composed tone while requesting breakfast.

His fingers touch mine as he serves the stew in a bowl. The contact between our skin sparks a heat that forces me to gulp against the sudden intensity. His eyes darted away quickly as if he were a wolf struck by fear. I place the bowl beneath my arm before heading to the fire.

As the pack assembles to begin the morning hunt, their voices ascend in a windchime-like chorus. Lucien gives strong and clear instructions, and I observe his shoulders moving. The sight of his physical power causes my heartbeat to skip. I bow my head before following him toward the training ground.

Excited young wolves jump about us as they await the hunt's commencement. My eyes meet Lucien's briefly as his look holds a mix of worry and something far deeper. I give a single nod before he returns his attention to the pack. A mysterious yearning grips my chest with its intensity.

The morning light spreads across mossy stones as we follow the forest's edge. I study the rabbit trail by watching the ground beneath my feet. The old memories of tracking alongside Lucien ignite a burning sensation in my chest. Each fallen leaf whispers his name.

Lucien begins to slow down when we approach a stream while he scans the surrounding trees. I move close, and the space between us becomes electric. As my hand touches the branch that hangs over the stream, some water drops start to fall. He observes me with an unmoving serenity that breaks through my determination.

He moves closer and submerges his hand into the stream where water rushes over his fingers. I still experience his skin against mine with its cool and gentle contact. My breathing catches, and I look away before I can see his reaction. With forceful determination, I clutch my cloak while pushing my shoulders backwards.

The elder calls us back to join the pack for a council meeting with his distant voice. Lucien stands tall and prepared, and I follow him without hesitation. Thoughts whirl through my mind about potential council strategies. I firmly clutch the bowl of cold stew placed against my hip.

As we approach the packhouse, the sun continues its ascent, and its growing warmth gives a sense of inevitable truth. The wolves assemble at the stone circle, which serves as their decision-making site. At the stone circle's perimeter, Lucien maintains his silent strength. I join him in the circle as our proximity sends my heart racing.

The elder begins speaking with grave warnings about traitors within our pack. I wait for a sign as my breath catches while I wonder if they have detected my deception. Lucien's gaze moves toward me while his eyes show a touch of concern. My smile is tiny and insincere as I conceal the burden of my guilt.

The elder directs his eyes across the circle until they settle on me for more than a fleeting moment. My heartbeat becomes a powerful drum echoing through my ears as panic takes hold. Lucien gently places his hand on my elbow to stabilise me without using any words. I catch my breath when his warmth flows through me.

He gently squeezes my elbow before I acknowledge by nodding. While my voice remains steady, I provide our names when the elder requests them. The contact of Lucien's body against mine acts as a silent vow of protection. I must keep my eyes locked on the elder without blinking.

The elder gives a nod before departing, his gaze stays on Lucien. A gentle exhale escaped me without my awareness. The council's discussion moves forward as they discuss alliances and threats. Every spoken word carries me closer to the concealed flame within me.

As the meeting reaches its conclusion, Lucien looks at me with softened features that show his concern. I close my arms around myself and create a faint grin. He inquires about my health, and I acknowledge with a nod while feigning contentment with the chilly bowl I'm holding. He observes me before he begins to walk away.

I accompany him to the cabin while the fading day's heat creates elongated shadows on the ground. After entering, I placed the bowl on the table before closing the door. Inside the threshold,d Lucien observes me through his haunted eyes. I meet his eyes, bracing myself.

He approaches me and closes the distance between us before quietly asking, "Why are you here?" I freeze as his proximity makes the question feel immediate and intense. I start to speak, but the words disappear before I can say them. An abrupt knock at the door makes us both stop in our tracks.

The door entrance captures Lucien's attention as his shoulders tighten with anticipation. My heart pounds fiercely while he steps towards the door to answer. The knock comes again, softer, almost pleading. His hand rests on the door latch as he turns to give me a brief look.

A wave of nausea hits me as I understand my secret is exposed. Lucien's eyes search mine, expecting an answer. My mouth opens wide while my heart pounds against my ribcage. The door opens with a creak to reveal someone I believed would never appear again.