CRAVING THE PRIMORDIAL ELDER

She tightened the leather collar around his throat, tugging the strap until it pressed snug against his pulse.

"It looks good on you." Her grin was sly, painted lips curling with the kind of smirk that should've ran any man down to their knees.

He offered her only a half-smile in return, his hands steady on her waist, fingers spread against the curve of her body.

Warm, but too hesitant.

But Naelis was past noticing. Her blood hummed with the restless pulse of her omega heat beginning to crest, her instincts gnawed until her thighs trembled with it, unable to still themselves.

She leaned in, brushing her lips just short of his jaw, inhaling his scent, shuddering as it tangled with her own rising pheromones.

Her thighs betrayed her, her cravings indulged her thoughts. And slowly, the collar around his throat became a tether, a reminder of what her body demanded he give her.

"Silas," she whispered, "Maybe we-" her voice cracked, tapering off into a needy sound closer to a whimper.

"Naelis, I think you should take a cold shower and maybe...wade this one off?."

"I traveled across four countries from my pack to spend summer break with you in yours, 'wading' this off with a cold shower is not in my books."

She tugged on the collar, getting ready to render him a grunting, spurting mess. The collar strap twisted as Naelis pulled on it, but the sharp ping of his phone fractured the moment.

"Ugh, come on...."

He muttered an apology, knowing how much she disliked cockblocks.

She watched him reach for his phone, swipe upwards, and then all of a sudden, she felt him get erect. A quick shift.

"Well, well" she murmured, arching a brow. "Is that porn you received or what?"

Before he could react, she slid off his lap,her lightning-quick fingers snatching the phone from him. Amusement glittered in her amber eyes as she waved it just out of his reach.

"Naelis-don't," he choked, there was a raw panic in his voice. His hand had reached halfway out. But it was too late.

"Relax," she said, her lips curling into a teasing smirk. "What's the worst I could find? Lexi Blaze's new red edition trailer? A fan club?"

She chuckled and tapped on the notification, completely oblivious to Silas's pale state.

But what she saw...

Her eyes narrowed and her lips parted slightly. It was a string of nudes, the kind an androgynous camboy would send.

She tapped on the first one automatically loading. It opened immediately. The image that filled the screen was that of a boy, his legs in the air, and his hole, stretched lewdly for the camera.

And the caption read,

Let me be your cum dump again.

She could've brushed off the images as something accidentally spammed to the wrong number. But she continued scrolling downwards and found a stream of very intimate messages between Silas, and the boy in the picture.

"Naelis-"

She laughed so hard her shoulders shook, Silas gulped, taken aback at the way she doubled over in laughter like a mad woman.

"I reckon this is the part where you tell me that it isn't what I think it is and that you can explain?"

He didn't know what to say.

"Don't stay silent Silas, say something."

He still didn't-

"If you won't talk, then I'll plug your phone into my PC, trace this boy, and find out everything I need to know. Either way, I'm getting answers. You know that."

Silas slid off the couch so fast the collar jangled at his throat. He dropped to his knees in front of her.

"Naelis, please," he rasped. "I'm sorry. I swear-I was planning on telling you, everytime I tried I just couldn't muster enough courage to do it." His eyes were already glossy.

Her mouth twitched like she couldn't decide between further laughing or baring her teeth at him.

"You think 'sorry' is enough after I just saw your whole secret sex life in 4K?"

His lips trembled. "I wasn't ready to admi-I'm still not ready. You've always known me, you've always...been there for me, and I love you."

She loved him too.

But was it really the kind of love they assumed it was?.

"I thought if I tried with you, maybe-" His voice cracked, a tear sliding down his cheek. "Maybe it would make me feel normal again."

For a fraction of a second her gaze wavered, but the sarcasm came back quickly.

"Normal?. Silas, we grew up in allied packs, we shared summers, secrets, food. We've been best friends since elementary school. And you thought you could establish a relationship with me when you weren't even into me?"

He looked wrecked, the golden boy mask completely gone.

"I was into you Naelis, I promise. I slowly started seeing you as more than just a best friend, that is what prompted me to ask you out in the first place. But-"

"But what?"

"Until... Jaime."

Silas's voice shook, but his words continued to come out tumbling out like a dam breaking.

"A year before we started dating... it was after that football tournament, you remember? The one where the whole team carried me on their shoulders after I scored the hat trick?"

"Yeah. I think so."

"I had been drinking too much, celebrating like crazy. That night, a few shots led to something, which led to something and i..." He swallowed, "i... hooked up with a guy."

Naelis's brows arched. "Mm"

His head dipped in shame. "Jaime. He was just a stranger then. I thought it was... a one-off, some stupid mistake. I told myself it was the alcohol. But it wasn't. It stuck with me, and I couldn't stop thinking about him."

Naelis crossed her arms. "So, while I was waiting for you to figure out whether you wanted to hold my hand or kiss me under the pine trees, you were already playing mattress games with somebody else?"

Silas flinched. "It wasn't like that. I didn't see him again until months later. Turns out Jaime had been taken into the pack. And he was everywhere, when he recognized me...he...he, and he..." Silas took a deep breath. "He makes everything complicated. He is loud, flirty, sweet, impossible to ignore. I tried, Nae. I swear I tried."

She scoffed.

"Impossible to ignore?"

"At first, it was just teasing. But then-" His throat bobbed, his eyes searching hers, desperate for understanding. "I fell for him. Hard. He stopped because of you, because he said he wouldn't be the reason I should betray your trust. But I couldn't stay away from him. I promised him that I would tell you, that I'd end things between us properly, but every time I looked at you..." His voice cracked, breaking completely now. "I couldn't do it. You're my best friend, Nae. Losing you is a risk I was scared shitless to take."

Her eyes hardened.

"This is the first time anyone has ever cheated on me, Silas. And the conflicting thing is, I don't feel enraged, well a little, but mostly, I just feel.... disappointment."

He bowed his head, the tears slipping freely down his face.

"I was a coward. I still am. If there is anyway i-"

She leaned forward and snapped the collar from his neck, holding it in her hands.

"I think I should go back home or something,"

"Nae-"

"Shush. If my head fogs out eventually, then, I might call you when I get home. I've lost interest in staying."

She reached out for her backpack and swung it over her shoulders.

Summer Break. Why?

No matter how many times she tried to start her Maybach, it refused to cooperate with her. It was the third time this week and it was becoming immensely frustrating.

She had purchased the model at two hundred and fifty thousand warm dollar bills, to mark her twenty-first. And now, it was seeming like a bad investment.

Her battery percentage was barely surviving too, and the rain had flushed out any form of connectivity. Zero connectivity meant zero signal, and that meant...she couldn't order any Uber.

Fuck.

Before she could spin around, she collided chest-first into someone. The impact startled her, but then an umbrella snapped open above her head, shielding her from the worst of the rain.

Her amber eyes shot upward.

He stood like the storm had been made for him, rain dripping down his shoulders, his dark shirt clinging to a body that was all muscle and raw masculine appeal. His gaze found hers, black eyes with red rings burning faintly around the edges.

She had never seen red-ringed orbs before.

Was he a... it couldn't be.

A primordial?

"Hi," he said simply. His voice was deep, hoarse, yet subtly soft.

He kept a respectable distance between them.

"A storm is upon us," he murmured, like it was prophecy. "Everyone is advised to leave the grounds and come indoors."

Her heat hit her raw.

"Who... are you?"

He stepped out of the umbrella and handed it to her. The rain coating his body. Her eyes trailed to his abdominal muscles.

Damn.

"A member of the elders council."

"Oh," she stretched out one hand, using the other to tuck her phone into her pocket. "I'm Naelis, Naelis Hadrith. Blackwater pack."

He took her hand firmly, and just when she noticed how long and perfect his fingers were, he pulled back.

"Blackwater, you are a long way from home then."

She nodded,

"Yeah, I came to see-"

"My nephew?"

Her lips parted in surprise, and unexpectancy.

"Wait-what?"

The man's mouth curved, not a smile exactly, but something like he knew the punchline to a joke she hadn't caught yet.

"I might've caught word about you."

Heat burned her cheeks, not from her steam jacket, but from the fact that she was dripping wet, clinging to a stranger's umbrella like some fragile damsel.

She blinked hard.

She knew Silas had an uncle, but that was it, she didn't know anything else about him.

"How come I'm seeing you for the first time?."

"I only returned from the Citadel six months ago."

"The Citadel." Her eyes did a one-over on him, "You don't strike me as a devout man."

His lips pursed into a brief smile as he led her under the archway.

"Why?"

"Devote men don't....look like you do."

He closed the umbrella and likely shook it.

"No one needs to have a pot belly and large tunic before being devoted to the moon-goddess."

Naelis blinked, her wet hair plastered to her cheeks.

"I guess you are right. Maybe you could tell me more about your stay in the Citadel? Your name perhaps?"

He smiled again and she noticed his light dimples for the first time, his lips-

"Some other time, perhaps. For now, I have to get back to my pottery, Naelis Hadrith," he called out before turning around for a brief moment. "I will have someone skilled check on your car tomorrow."

That was it. And then he was gone in the blink of an eye.

Naelis let out a long exhale and leaned against the archway. The sound of hurried footsteps drew her attention.

Silas came barreling around the corner, his hair plastered to his forehead, he looked around, obviously searching for her.

"Over here," she called, waving at him.

He skidded to a stop in front of her

"There you are! I've been-" His words faltered as he saw her drenched state, the puddle of rainwater collecting at her boots.

"Are you still, do you still plan on going back home?" His voice was low, hopeful in the very least.

"No."

"Phew." Silas inhaled, "I'll make it up to you I swear, I'll do anything."

Her lips curved into a smirk as she crossed her arms in front of her chest, swimming in her thoughts.

"I met your uncle."

"Oh, outside?."

"Yeah."

"Okay, cool."

"I want him."

Silas blinked like she had just declared war.

"You.....what?"

"I said," Naelis's smirk deepened, "I want your uncle."

His jaw slackened. "You just met him, Nae."

"Yeah," she shrugged, her amber eyes flickering mischievously. "And that was enough."

Silas dragged a hand down his face. "Gods above, do you even hear yourself? He is...he's not into women."

Her brows shot up. "Wait. You mean he is batting for the other team?"

"No!" Silas threw his hands up, almost shouting. "No. He's just, he doesn't....do that. With anyone."

Naelis tilted her head, her curiosity was sparking hotter at this point. "Doesn't do what?"

"He is a celibacy practitioner," Silas muttered. "Dad says he took a vow. A lifelong one. He has dedicated himself to the Citadel teachings. Zero intimacy, zero indulgence, zero..." he waved vaguely, "everything."

Naelis's mouth parted in a small "oh." But her lips quickly pulled into a smirk.

"So basically... he is a tough nut."

Silas groaned loudly, tilting his head back like the ceiling could give him patience. "More like a locked vault. You'd need the moon goddess herself to sign off before you even-"

"Challenge accepted," She cut in.

Silas whipped his head toward her, scandalized.

"Do you even know his name?"

Naelis's smirk faltered, just for a heartbeat. Then it curved back again. "He didn't tell me, yet. But Names are just doors. I am more interested in the man behind them."

Silas's eyes narrowed, studying her like she had grown horns. "It's Zoran," he said. "Zoran Veyr."

The name rolled off her tongue smoothly.

Zoran. It felt ancient, and intoxicating.

She whispered it under her breath, tasting the syllables like forbidden wine. "Zoran..."

"Nae. No. Don't even think about it."

She shrugged, uncrossing her arms. "What? I like complicated things. And I like impossible. Besides," she added slyly, "He is a fine specimen of a man, haven't you seen his eyes? His build? Why is he not your father's Beta or something? Why a pack elder?."

Silas crossed his arms.

"Of course he is otherworldly, primordials are built like that. Secondly, I don't know if you've noticed, he is a bit traditional... old fashioned. He believes that he would impact the pack best as a member of the elder's council."

"I want to know everything about him."

He sighed, heavily.

"I fucked up Nae, with you. But... indirectly asking me to aid you get my uncle as punishment, it's a bit....over the top."

She rolled her eyes.

"Oh darling, your atrocities are still fresh in my mind." But.... "Who better than the nephew of the prize to help me win the hunt?"

Silas groaned, leaning against the damp wall.

"You're officially insane."

"Insanity gets results."

She hadn't remembered the last time she had been up this early.

"Silas, I clearly said that I wanted the aloe vera mask and my green tea, I didn't say turmeric mask and black tea."

"But you-" He yawned and kicked back on my bed. "This is part of my punishment, isn't it?"

"Of course it is, what do you take me for? A merciful judge?"

"Maybe?" He teased, helping her pick between the green and lilac.

Lilac.

"As if. We're wolves, not humans." She rolled her eyes, dabbing her face with the white koal powder. Traditional.

"Since when did you start using koal powder? And not regular eyeliner?"

"Since I found out you have a six-foot-six gorgeous primordial for an uncle."

"You are unbelievable," Silas muttered, scrubbing a hand over his face. "You are supposed to be mad at me. Like, throwing-daggers-at-my-neck mad. Not suddenly thirsting after my uncle of all people."

Naelis leaned forward, chin in hand.

"Oh, don't flatter yourself. I'm still mad at you. But anger doesn't cancel desire, Silas. It just... sharpens it."

He groaned into his palms. "Heavens help me."

"Heavens help him," she corrected, smirking. "Because once I'm done with this mask, I'm going to need a pottery lesson."

Silas dropped his hands and stared. "You are not serious."

"Deadly." She dabbed another stroke of koal powder. "What is his favorite color?"

"I'm not telling you that."

"What does he usually eat for breakfast?"

"I'm not telling you that either."

Naelis tilted her head. "Then I'll just have to ask him myself."

Silas groaned so loud this time it rattled her teacup. "Nae, I swear, if you ruin my family gatherings with your insanity-"

"Correction." She rose from the vanity. "I don't ruin family gatherings, Silas. I redefine them."

Naelis dusted her fingers together and turned, arms folding. "You want my forgiveness, right?"

Silas squinted at her warily. "As your ex, yes. As your best friend, yes. But... not if it comes stapled to whatever devil's bargain you're cooking up."

She smirked. "Don't act brand new. You know I could've told everyone about your little late-night rendezvous with what's-his-name, the boy in the photos?"

Silas's ears went red immediately. "Keep your voice down..."

"Relax." Naelis leaned in close, her lips brushing near his ear. "Your secret is safe with me. For how long though... that depends on you."

"You're actually blackmailing me into pimping you out to my uncle."

"I'm not asking you to help shove me into his pants," she said with a laugh. "Just get me close enough. The seduction part?" She tapped her chest. "Handled."

Silas dragged a hand down his face. "Nae, you don't get it. He has taken a vow. A lifelong vow. Celibacy. Zero. Nada. Zilch. The man probably gets cold sweats if he brushes someone's hand by accident. Dad and I have tried to hook him up on several occasions."

"Mm." Naelis shrugged, adjusting the lapels of her coat. "Summer break will be over in a couple of months. What is wrong with a little fun? Consider it... distraction therapy. I forget the fact that I was cheated on, you get my forgiveness eventually, and your uncle, well, he gets me."

Silas dropped onto her bed with a groan.

"I feel like a brothel manager."

She patted his head. "Relax, Silas. It's a win-win."

There was a long silence. Then finally, begrudgingly, Silas muttered, "He is a meat lover. Loves having meat for breakfast."

Her lips curved into a grin. "Perfect. I love meat too."

"Ugh." Silas flopped back, covering his eyes. "If you're really serious about this, breakfast is soon. He eats in the general hall."

Naelis slipped her arms into her coat, smoothing it like armor. "And that, dear Silas, is exactly why I am dressed and ready. Now be a good boy and escort me to the woods."

"The woods? For what?"

Naelis flexed her fingers, her claws sliding out with a satisfying click. She plucked up the claw-sharpener from the vanity and dragged it along the edge, sharpening it as she often sharpened her nails.

"To hunt, obviously."

"Hunt?" Silas blinked. "Nae, what the hell-"

"You said your uncle was a meat lover, right? Then I'll bring him meat." She tilted her head.

Silas groaned. "The kitchen staff already serves meat. We have cooks. Actual, professional, apron-wearing-"

Naelis cut him off with a laugh. "Oh, Silas. Do you really think a slab of pork from a pan has the same effect as a bloody kill dropped at someone's feet? Your uncle is a primordial, not some bored accountant. He will appreciate effort, he will smell the hunt in the meat. He will know it's fresh, and from me."

"You make it sound like you're about to court him in the Middle Ages."

"That's exactly the point," she said with a smirk. "Old vows and old important traditions. I'm simply speaking his language."

Naelis waved a hand dismissively. "You said he was traditional, didn't you? Well, in traditional times, wolves wooed their women with fresh hunts. I intend to flip the script. A guest show worthy of a primordial."

Silas gawked. "So, you are going to hunt... for him."

She smiled. "Exactly. And I plan to look good doing it."

His gaze dropped to her dress.

"You are wearing that to hunt? You'll snag it on every thorn in the woods."

"I'll snag his attention first."

"Oh man. You've got it down bad."

"What?" Naelis arched his brow. "It's been ages since I set my sights on a man. Except, of course, for the time I wasted on you."

"Gee, thanks."

"Anyway," she continued breezily, "this summer deserves a little fun. And if targeting your uncle is that fun, so be it."

Silas stared. "Are you seriously not even taking a crossbow? A spear? Knife? Anything?"

She scoffed. "Crossbows? What do you take me for, an archer princess? Please. I have my hunting material right here." She tapped her claws against the sharpener with a soft metallic scrape.

"The boars in our woods are wild, Nae."

Her grin turned feral. "And I am wilder. You know that."