The night air outside the gala hit Lauretta like a shock of cold water, crisp and sharp against her flushed skin. The lights of Silvercrest stretched out in glittering ribbons, cars humming by, distant laughter floating on the breeze. But none of it mattered-not when Savior Hunt followed her out of the building like a shadow she couldn't outrun.
Angela trailed a few feet behind, muttering under her breath, "Lord in heaven, if these two combust on the sidewalk, I'm calling the fire department."
Lauretta shot her a glare, but her attention jerked back when Savior closed the distance between them with slow, deliberate steps. His presence wrapped around her like a cloak-warm, commanding, impossible to ignore. She could feel him without looking at him, the way animals sensed a storm approaching.
"Why did you run?" he asked softly.
"I didn't run."
She absolutely had.
Savior stepped closer, so close she felt his breath brush her cheek. "Lauretta," he murmured, voice low, "every time you feel too much, you flee."
Her heartbeat stumbled-annoyed and undeniably affected. "You're assuming I was feeling anything at all."
He chuckled, and it was a dangerous sound-deep, dark, knowing. "You forget who you're talking to. I can smell you." His gaze flicked briefly to her throat, then her pulse. "Your heartbeat doesn't lie."
Her breath caught, her wolf pacing beneath her skin. She hated how easily he peeled her open. Hated how much she wanted him to.
Angela groaned. "Okay, I'm going to pretend I didn't hear the word smell used like that. Y'all are too much. I'm getting popcorn." She wandered toward the car park but kept an obvious eye on them from a distance.
"Your friend is funny"
"She is"
Lauretta turned back to Savior, trying to ground herself. "You shouldn't be here. People inside are already whispering."
"Let them whisper," he said. "I'm not afraid of them."
"You should be afraid of scandal. Of your father. Of-"
"I'm only afraid of losing you."
Her mouth parted, a small gasp escaping before she could stop it. Savior noticed. He always noticed.
"You don't even have me," she whispered.
He leaned in, lips inches from her own. "Don't I?"
Her breath hitched.
She took a shaky step back. "Stop doing that."
"What?"
"That!" She gestured wildly. "Getting inside my head. My body. My-everything. You can't just... show up everywhere and act like you belong in my life."
"I don't act like it," he murmured. "I know I do."
Heat seared through her. Raw, instinctive, claiming heat. Her wolf pushed against her skin, yearning toward him, recognizing him. Wanting him.
She hated it. She needed it.
"Go away, Savior."
"I can't."
"Try."
"Impossible."
"Savior, you really need to stop acting like this, this can never work" Lauretta said shifting.
"What makes you think so?"
"Am I not good enough for you?"
Lauretta sighs, "That's not what I'm saying, you're...a Hunt"
"Does it matter?"
"Savior..."
He moved, catching her wrist-not harshly, but firmly enough that she felt the strength beneath his calm. His thumb brushed the inside of her wrist, right over her racing pulse. Lauretta's knees weakened; she was grateful the wall was behind her.
"Your scent is different tonight," Savior said softly. "Stronger. Wilder."
Her breath froze. She didn't want him sensing her pregnancy before she'd even admitted it to herself emotionally.
She jerked her hand away. "Don't-don't sniff me. It's weird."
"It's natural," he replied, eyes darkening with a primal edge that made her thighs clench. "And you smell like you want me."
"Savior-"
"Say you didn't think about me tonight," he said, stepping closer, "and I'll walk away."
Her throat tightened. Her wolf snarled in protest. A lie would burn her tongue.
"I don't owe you anything," she whispered.
"Then why do you look like that?" he breathed.
He raised one hand slowly-giving her time to pull away-before cradling her jaw, thumb hooking gently under her chin. The touch was barely there, yet it burned straight through her.
Her breath trembled. "Savior..."
His thumb brushed the corner of her mouth. "You make me insane, Lauretta. You have no idea how much."
She did. Because she felt it too.
Before she could answer, his lips brushed her jaw-not a kiss, not yet, just a tease. Warm. Intentional. Obsessive.
Lauretta's hand shot out, gripping his lapel, either to push him away or drag him closer-she wasn't sure.
He smirked. "You're trembling."
"Shut up."
"Make me."
Her breath stuttered. And then he kissed her.
Not gentle. Not tentative. Not asking.
Claiming.
Their mouths crashed together, heat flooding through her veins. Lauretta gasped, fingers fisting his jacket as he pressed her back against the wall. His tongue slid against hers, slow and deliberate, and a low growl rumbled in his chest-dangerous, primal, possessive.
She moaned softly, and he deepened the kiss, hands gripping her waist, pulling her into him until she felt the hard lines of his body-his need, his hunger, his absolute obsession.
Her leg lifted instinctively, brushing his hip. Savior's breath hitched, and he groaned-raw and unfiltered.
"Lauretta," he muttered into her mouth, "you have no idea what you're doing to me."
He kissed her again, harder, his hand sliding up her thigh, almost-almost under her dress before he forced himself to stop, forehead dropping to hers.
"We need to stop," he rasped.
"You think?" she breathed, chest rising and falling rapidly.
"I'm five seconds from losing control."
She swallowed hard. "You already did."
He gave a huffed, breathless laugh. "For you? Always."
They stood there, panting, foreheads pressed together, breaths mixing as the city hummed around them.
Angela's voice shattered the moment.
"Okay, hey! Hi! Just checking-did you two remember this is a public sidewalk? With cameras? And humans? And probably someone's grandmother watching from a window?"
Lauretta jolted away from Savior, mortified. Her lipstick was smeared, her hair slightly mussed, her breathing-embarrassing. Angela's hands were on her hips, her face a mix of shock and delighted horror.
"Oh my God," Angela whispered dramatically. "I left for five minutes. FIVE. MINUTES."
Lauretta wanted to die.
Savior only smirked, straightened his jacket, and said, "Five minutes was all I needed."
Angela clutched her chest. "Satan, is that you?"
Lauretta groaned. "Angela, please-"
"Oh no," Angela said, pointing between them. "Don't you please me. You two need therapy, holy water, or direct intervention from the Moon Goddess."
Savior ignored her, gaze returning to Lauretta. "You can pretend this is nothing," he said softly, "but you feel it too."
Her throat tightened.
She did feel it. Too much.
"Go home, Savior," she said. "Before you ruin everything."
He stepped back, but not away. "I'll see you soon."
"That's not a plan," she shot back. "That's a threat."
"It's a promise."
Their eyes locked-and then he turned and disappeared into the night.
Lauretta's legs finally buckled. Angela caught her arm, shaking her lightly. "Girl. GIRL. Did he- you- I- WHAT WAS THAT?"
Lauretta pressed her palms to her reddened cheeks. "I'm doomed."
"Oh, honey," Angela said, pulling her into a hug, "you were doomed three chapters ago."
But neither of them noticed the shadow at the corner of the street.
Watching.
Listening.
Recording.
The same stranger who had followed them since last night.
The one who knew the truth of Keisha Owens' exile.
The one who knew exactly what Lauretta carried in her womb.
As the women walked to the car, the shadowy figure whispered into a communicator:
"Phase one complete. She's emotionally compromised. And he's already attached.
Just like we expected."
The night swallowed the voice whole.
