Zeil was trembling from the heat that was building up from inside him, even though he tried to mask it but it was becoming unbearable. Still standing there, breath stuck in his throat, chest rising and falling too fast. His back pressed against the wall, his whole body burning from the inside out.

Kael didn’t move, his eyes were still on Zeil’s. There was no warmth in them and that's what excites Zeil’s wolf the most.

‘Touch us’ His wolf purred, anticipating every kael’s eye and breath movement. And when their faces looked like they were going to kiss, Kael turned away.

Just like that.

Zeil watched him pick his shirt off the floor and sling it over his shoulder. His back was broad, carved with scars that told stories no one ever asked to hear. His shoulders moved like a caged beast shaking off its chains.

At the door, Kael paused.

"Be warned," he said, his voice was calm this time without the roughness around the edge. "I’m not your regular pushover."

Then he left, the door closed behind him, and silence filled every corner of the room once again. Zeil stood still for a second… then another before his legs gave out and dropped on the bed.

His chest heaved as he panted, sweat running down his neck and soaking into the sheets. His thighs trembled, muscles aching, heart refusing to calm.

What in the name of the moon goddess was that?

His hand reached for the keys under the drawer beside the bed and unlocked it before scrambling inside, fingers brushing until they found the silver case. He didn’t hesitate.

One pill.

Then another.

Swallowed dry without any water, they scratched down his throat.

It didn’t help.

His body was on fire. Too hot. Skin crawling, his inner wolf stirring wildly. A heat he didn’t want, didn’t ask for, coiled low in his stomach and throbbed through his core.

Zeil wiped the sweat from his forehead, whispering, "No, no, no..."

He clenched his jaw, teeth gritting hard.

This wasn’t fear, not even close.

It was something else.

That bastard.

Kael.

Who did he think he was?

Zeil sat up fast, rage mixing with heat, making his vision blur. The pills weren’t working. They always worked. But not now. Not after Kael. Not after those eyes. That voice. That closeness between them and to worsen everything, his warm breath against Zeil's skin.

"How dare he come in here and speak to me like that?" Zeil hissed, his voice sharp and shaky.

He paced the room, the heat thick beneath his skin. Anger. Shame. Primal Need. All wrapped up in one wild raging storm.

Kael had dared to speak back. Had dared to raise his voice. Dared to get close, too close with that well defined toned chest full of old scars, like war medals he wore with pride.

And the wolf. That flash of dominance that had stolen the breath from Zeil’s lungs and almost made him submissive.

He stomped hard, fists clenched tight. The heat wasn’t fading. His legs shook. Chest burned. His wolf clawed beneath his skin.

"Damn him! Damn this body!"

He hated how alive he felt. Hated the way Kael had looked at him. Like he saw through him. Like he knew. Zeil growled and stomped again. "He’s beneath me. Nothing but a dirty rogue! Who don't belong anywhere in this pack"

But still, the image of him lingered.

That stare.

That warmth.

He dropped to the bed again, cleaning the faint blood on his knuckles, trying to calm the fire inside.

Outside, the sun was already out and vibrant. Voices of pack members echoed from the training grounds. She-Wolves who were drooling in lust over the body of the pack warriors and also the Clashing swords and fangs sounds, he heard them all. Familiar sounds.

He hadn’t slept and he couldn’t not after what had just happened in his room. Everytime he closed his eyes in hopes of getting a little shuteye, he saw Kael.

His scent still lingered in the room. On the walls, on the sheets and faintly on his skin.

Zeil curled into the blanket, clenching his jaw.

"I hate him," he whispered.

And he meant it.

Kael stood knee-deep in the stream. The water was cold, the rocks sharp. But it helped clear his head and his thoughts from running too wild. He ducked under the current, the water rushing over his face and neck. It washed away the sweat but not the thoughts.

Zeil.

That spoiled, arrogant alpha’s pup.

Yelling like he was king. Throwing orders like he was nothing but dirt.

All because of one order.

"Protect him. No matter what."

Even when he curses me?

Even when he looks at me like I’m nothing?

Kael splashed more water over himself, scrubbing hard. A giggle broke the air then followed by another.

He looked up.

Three female wolves stood by the bank. Watching him and whispering to themselves. One had shifted, her fur shining in the light.

"He’s mine," one said.

"You wish," said another.

They flirted, tails swishing, laughing like he was some prize.

He ignored them. Didn't even spare them a glance.

He walked out of the water, droplets sliding off his skin. Shorts on, shirt tossed over his shoulder, grass blade back between his lips.

They kept staring and darting their eyelashes at him but he kept walking.

Adira, the most beautiful of them all, whispered, "He didn’t even flinch."

"Even beauty," one of them said, "can be ignored sometimes."

Their giggles faded behind him. Kael didn’t care.

His mind was still in Zeil’s room.

With that brat. That heat. The scent that felt strange but at the same time pulled him closer to the point where he had almost lost control of his wolf sanity.

He shook it off.

The training field was filled with life. Wolves fought. Dirt flew with each foot stomp. Orders rang out from the pack instructors and generals.

But someone was missing.

No Zeil.

He was always here. Always earlier than everyone else. Kael stretched. Punched the air. But kept looking around, hoping to see him.

Maybe Zeil was still angry. Still resting.

Maybe he should check.

No. He shouldn’t.

But he walked anyway towards the Alpha's house, step by step. Until he stood in front of Zeil’s door. He raised his hands to knock but decided against it, instead he just stood there.

Waiting.

After twenty minutes, Kael sighed. Deciding to give in as he could no longer withstand the harshness from the sun, he raised his hand slowly.

Time to knock.