Chapter 60
The Werewolf Realm
Levi's POV
Everyone in the realm was preparing for war.
Armor was being reforged. Spells were being perfected. Warriors trained until their muscles screamed for rest. Yet while the world sharpened its blades for what was coming… I was still fighting a battle inside my own body.
Roosevelt's attack hadn't just wounded me.
It had infected me.
The demonic aura he blasted into my chest clung stubbornly to my bones, refusing to disappear no matter how much Erin tried to purge it. Days had passed since the battle, and although I could stand, walk, and even train lightly, I wasn't fully healed.
And Erin knew it.
That was why she was here again.
She sat beside my bed, calm and composed as always, one hand glowing faintly as she pressed it against my chest. Warmth spread through me—slow, steady, soothing. Each time she did this, the pain eased a little more.
I exhaled quietly.
Her hands were warm. Too warm. Comforting in a way I didn't want to acknowledge.
After a few minutes, the glow faded. Erin pulled her hand away and stood up, already turning toward the door like she always did.
No words. No lingering. No eye contact.
Just in, heal, out.
Something about that… annoyed me.
"Um… Erin where are you going to," I called.
She paused but didn't turn around.
"Where does it look like I'm going?" she replied flatly.
"I don't know," I said honestly. "I just feel like… we should talk. Or something."
"There's nothing to talk about," she said coolly. "I'm done here. I'll come back tomorrow to check on the wound."
I frowned.
"You're coming to check on the wound. Not me."
She finally turned, her face expressionless.
"Yes. I'm checking on the wound. Why would I want to check on you?"
That stung more than it should have.
"You're lying," I said quietly.
She scoffed and turned again, clearly done with this conversation.
"You're only healing me because you care," I added, hope slipping into my voice despite myself. "Right?"
That was when she snapped.
She moved toward the door, ready to leave—but something inside me refused to let her walk away again.
Ignoring the sharp pain in my chest, I pushed myself off the bed and followed her.
She turned sharply, eyes widening in horror.
"Are you insane? You shouldn't be standing! You'll make the wound worse!"
"I don't care," I said.
That was a lie. I cared a lot. But not as much as I cared about her leaving without saying what she really felt.
I stepped closer.
Too close.
Close enough to hear her heartbeat.
Close enough to feel her breath brush my face.
She stiffened.
I chuckled softly. She frowned.
"Why are you laughing?" she demanded.
"You're nervous," I said, leaning closer to her ear. "Very nervous."
Her heartbeat spiked. I felt it.
She placed her hands against my chest to push me away, but I caught her waist instead, pulling her closer despite the pain screaming through my body.
Our bodies pressed together.
Her eyes—those beautiful crimson eyes—refused to meet mine.
"Queen Erin seems to be avoiding my eyes," I murmured, my breath warming her flushed face.
"I'm not avoiding your eyes, Levi," she snapped.
"Oh, you are," I replied.
Then my wolf chose the worst possible moment to interfere.
Kiss her.
I froze.
What? No—absolutely not. What if she hates it? What if she pushes me away? What if I ruin everything?
Levi, are you blind? Magnus scoffed. Look at her face. Her heart. She feels something. She won't hate it.
Do it.
Just do it.
I hesitated for half a second.
Then I did it.
I crashed my lips against hers.
She froze.
For one terrifying moment, she didn't move at all—and panic clawed up my spine.
Then she kissed me back.
Not rushed. Not aggressive.
Slow.
Soft.
Her lips moved against mine like she was afraid to breathe too hard, like she didn't want to break the moment. Our tongues brushed, then explored, gentle but desperate, as if neither of us wanted to admit how long we'd wanted this.
Magnus howled in my head, tail wagging like an idiot.
Told you.
I didn't want it to end.
Neither did she.
Until—
Knock. Knock.
The sound shattered everything.
Erin gasped and pulled away instantly, eyes wide with shock. Without a word, she spun around and rushed out of the room.
I stood there, chest aching—for reasons that had nothing to do with my wound.
"Come in," I growled coldly.
Zaki poked his head inside, holding something.
"Hey Levi, I found this from the—"
"WHY do you always show up at the wrong time, Zaki?!" I snapped. "Why?! Everything was perfect until you barged in!"
He blinked.
"Um… Levi. I knocked."
"I don't care," I said sharply. "You ruined it. Whatever you have to say can wait. Get out."
Zaki stared at me, clearly stunned, then slowly backed out and closed the door.
I exhaled heavily.
Great.
---
Erin's POV
That was bad.
No—really bad.
How did I go from healing Levi to kissing him?
That wasn't part of the plan.
I was supposed to make him jealous. Use Mars. Stay detached. Stay in control.
Instead, my heart was racing, my face was burning, and my thoughts were completely scattered.
I forced myself to straighten my posture and calm my expression. I was a creator. A queen. I couldn't walk around looking like some flustered teenage girl.
Still… that devil.
He kissed me without asking.
The audacity.
But then something strange happened during the kiss.
A memory flashed through my mind.
I was in my room… kissing a man who looked like Levi.
But I knew it wasn't him.
It was Daniel.
The image was blurry, incomplete—but real.
My steps slowed.
If kissing Levi could trigger memories of Daniel… then maybe—just maybe—I could finally remember what happened that night. The ending everyone avoided. The truth buried so deep no one dared to speak of it.
Maybe I should kiss him again.
I froze.
What was wrong with me?
No. Absolutely not. He rejected me before. I wasn't going to start fantasizing about his lips, no matter how good the kiss was.
I shook my head violently.
Focus.
I reached the Goldren training grounds and called them out.
"Let's train."
Ruby appeared immediately and tilted her head.
"Uh… Erin? Why is your face red?"
"It's nothing," I said stiffly—though it felt like it was getting worse.
"Start training. I'll be right back."
Before anyone could say anything, I vanished in a burst of speed.
I reappeared at Kate's house and pushed the door open.
Kate and Kira both turned toward me, shocked.
Zaki wasn't there. Good.
I didn't waste time.
"I kissed Levi."
"What?!" they shouted together.
Kate rushed toward me, eyes blazing with excitement.
"How did that happen?"
Kira leaned in.
"Where did it happen?"
"And did anything else happen?" Kate added eagerly.
"No!" I snapped. "Why would anything else happen?"
Kate grabbed my arm and dragged me to the sofa.
"Sit. Now tell us everything."
I groaned.
This was going to be a long night.