Chapter 64
The Werewolf Realm
Erin's POV
I told myself this was just another treatment.
Nothing more.
Nothing complicated.
I was only here to remove the remaining demonic aura from Levi's chest—nothing else. Yet even as I walked down the corridor toward his room, my heart was already betraying me, beating faster with every step.
I didn't want to think about what had happened before.
I couldn't.
Why did we have to kiss?
Why did it linger in my mind like a curse, replaying itself over and over again no matter how hard I tried to suppress it?
I stopped in front of his door and took a slow breath, steadying myself.
Get it together, Erin.
I knocked once.
No answer.
Twice.
Still nothing.
A third time.
Silence.
I frowned.
That was strange. I could clearly smell him—his familiar scent, sharp and warm, filling the hallway. He was definitely inside.
"Levi?" I muttered under my breath.
No response.
Annoyance flared. Without overthinking it, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The room was empty.
My brows furrowed as I glanced around. The bed was untouched, the chair by the table pushed slightly out of place. I was just about to turn around when my eyes landed on the bathroom door.
Before I could process the thought—
It opened.
And Alpha Levi stepped out.
Half-naked.
Water droplets clung to his skin, sliding down his chest in slow trails. His damp hair curled slightly around his face, and his bare torso was—Moon Goddess help me—distractingly defined.
I froze.
He blinked in surprise for half a second… then smiled.
That infuriating, confident smile.
"Did you knock for long, my queen?" he asked casually.
My face burned.
"So you knew I was knocking?" I snapped.
He chuckled, running a towel through his hair. "Of course."
"Then why didn't you answer?"
"I wanted you to barge in."
I glared at him hard enough to kill.
"You're impossible."
"And yet," he said lightly, reaching for a glass of water on the table, "here you are."
He tilted his head back and drank. My traitorous eyes followed the movement of his throat as he swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing slowly.
Stop it.
But my gaze kept traveling—over his shoulders, his arms, his abdomen—
He noticed.
Of course he did.
A smirk curved his lips. "You like what you see, Erin?"
I scoffed, snapping my eyes away. "I see nothing. Absolutely nothing."
He stepped closer. "Are you sure?"
I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze with forced confidence. "Yes. I'm sure."
He closed the distance between us, his damp hair brushing against my cheek, his warmth surrounding me. His hand slipped to my waist, pulling me just a fraction closer.
My heart stuttered.
I didn't want another kiss.
…Okay, that was a lie.
I wanted it—but I refused to let him see that.
I shoved him.
He stumbled back, clearly not expecting it, grabbing onto the edge of the table to steady himself.
Before he could say anything, I blurted, "Let's begin the treatment."
He stared at me for a moment, then laughed softly. "As you wish."
Levi lay down on the bed, his expression far too amused for my liking. I placed my hands over his chest, summoning the familiar golden light.
The energy flowed into him, warm and steady.
He groaned quietly as the demonic aura resisted, clawing at his core before slowly being burned away. I focused harder, ignoring the heat rising to my face, ignoring the closeness, ignoring him.
Minutes passed.
His breathing evened out.
The pain faded.
When I finally pulled my hands away, I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.
"I'm done," I said, stepping back. "You should feel better now."
I turned to leave.
A hand caught mine.
I stiffened.
"What is it now, Levi?" I asked, keeping my voice cold. "I need to go."
"Are we not going to talk about it?" he asked quietly.
My heart pounded.
"Talk about what?" I said quickly. "I've done what I came here to do."
"Erin."
The way he said my name—soft, almost reverent—sent a shiver through me.
I pretended not to hear him.
He sat up and moved closer, his fingers brushing my cheek, his gaze gentle instead of teasing for once.
"It's okay if you don't want to talk about it," he said calmly.
That made me suspicious.
I narrowed my eyes. "Why are you suddenly acting nice?"
He chuckled. "Stop looking at me like that, queen."
He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me down so we were both sitting on the bed.
I stiffened.
"Relax," he whispered near my ear. "Nothing is going to happen."
But my body didn't listen.
Chills ran down my spine. My face felt unbearably hot.
Then he spoke again.
"Micha told me something interesting," he said.
I froze. "What did he tell you?"
"That you were only using Nickolas to make me jealous."
My face exploded into flames. "Micha told you that?!"
He laughed. "He did."
He looked at me seriously then. "I'm glad you tried to make me jealous, Erin. It means I matter to you."
His eyes searched my face, hopeful… vulnerable.
I couldn't say no.
But I couldn't say yes either.
So I stayed silent.
He smiled. "I'll take that as a yes."
I didn't correct him.
He reached out, about to touch my hair—
That was my breaking point.
I jumped to my feet. "I'm leaving."
He raised his hands in surrender, still smiling. "Alright."
I walked to the door, my heart racing.
"Erin," he said behind me. "You forgot something."
I turned around, confused. "I didn't bring anything—"
He was suddenly in front of me.
Before I could react, his lips were on mine.
It was quick.
Soft.
Devastating.
When he pulled away, he smacked his lips lightly. "See you, queen."
"You devil—!" I started.
A voice interrupted from outside. "Alpha Levi, the Alpha of Silver Crest is here."
Levi smirked. "Saved by the bell."
I glared at him and stormed out.
My thoughts were chaos.
We kissed again.
Again.
Why did I let this happen?
Why did it feel like something was changing between us?
Why was I terrified… and excited at the same time?
I nearly ran into Zaki in the hallway.
He grinned. "Kissing Levi in secret again?"
"What are you talking about, you stupid wolf?" I snapped.
He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "I can smell him all over you. Everyone probably can."
I groaned. "Thanks for the observation."
"Go bathe," he laughed. "Quickly."
I fled.
By the time I sank into the tub later, my mind still replayed the kiss, over and over again.
I covered my face with my hands.
"I'm so dead," I muttered.
And somewhere deep inside, I knew—
This was only the beginning.