Chapter 5 Forbidden Proximity

• Seraphina's POV
• The new quarters in the east wing felt too close to everything I wanted to avoid. I stood near the window that first evening after the servants left and looked out over the palace grounds. Living here put me in a better position to reach more people but it also placed me directly in Lucian's path. I spent the next few days moving carefully through the halls and speaking to warriors who showed signs of doubt about the current leadership. These men had lost brothers in pointless skirmishes during my first life. I approached them one at a time with quiet words about real protection for the pack instead of empty promises from the throne.
• Three of them agreed to listen after I shared small details about upcoming threats only someone with my knowledge would know. They did not commit fully yet but their eyes told me they considered it. I kept each meeting short and in different locations to avoid notice. My heart stayed steady during those talks because every new ally brought me closer to my goal.
• Lucian found ways to corner me almost daily. The first time happened in the corridor near the kitchens. He appeared suddenly and blocked my path with his body. "You think moving you here gives you freedom to stir trouble," he said in a low tone. His eyes held mine without blinking.
• I kept my back straight. "I am simply living where you placed me. If that bothers you then send me back."
• He did not move. The mate bond pulled between us and made the air feel heavier. His hand came up as if he might touch my arm but he stopped short. "Keep pushing Seraphina and you will regret it."
• Those early encounters stayed full of threats. Over the following days they changed. He would appear during my walks and our words grew sharper. One afternoon in the side courtyard he stepped close enough that I smelled the leather on his coat. "Why do you fight the bond so hard when it clearly affects you too," he demanded.
• I felt heat rise in my chest but I met his stare. "Because it means nothing to me. You mean nothing to me after what I know."
• Our arguments carried an edge of something else now. Desire mixed into the anger whether I wanted it or not. I saw the same conflict in his face each time we faced off. He would lean in during these moments with his voice dropping lower until the words felt like touches. I always pulled away first but the pull stayed with me long after.
• The full moon rose that night and brought the usual restlessness to the pack. I tried to stay in my quarters but a servant knocked with a message about supplies needing my attention in the lower storage area. I went because it gave me another chance to speak with one of the warriors. The palace felt quieter under the moonlight as I made my way through the passages.
• I entered the storage room and lit a single lantern. Before I could do more than set it down the door opened again. Lucian stepped inside and closed it firmly behind him. His face showed the effects of the moon. The bond surged stronger than usual and made my skin prickle.
• "You should not be here alone tonight," he said.
• I backed up a step but the shelves limited my movement. "I was handling pack business. Leave me be."
• He advanced slowly. The small room left little space between us. "You recruit my own men against me. Do you think I would not notice?"
• His voice carried both anger and something raw. I felt the same mix inside me. The full moon amplified every feeling and the mate bond demanded attention. We argued in hushed tones about loyalty and betrayal. Each word brought us closer until my back pressed against the wooden shelves. Lucian placed one hand beside my head and the other near my waist without quite touching.
• "You hate me yet your body reacts every time," he said roughly, his face hovering inches from mine.
• I wanted to deny it but the heat between us made lies difficult. "I feel nothing but disgust for you." E
• ven as I spoke my hands stayed at my sides fighting the urge to push him away or pull him closer.
• The tension built until it broke. Lucian closed the remaining distance and captured my mouth in a hard kiss. It carried all the hate and frustration from our encounters. His lips pressed firm and demanding while one hand finally gripped my waist. I kissed him back with equal force because the bond and the moon left no room for restraint. The kiss felt intense and filled with everything we refused to say. Anger fueled it yet desire ran underneath like a current.
• We broke apart after several long moments breathing heavily. I shoved at his chest and slipped past him toward the door. My legs felt unsteady but I kept moving. Lucian did not stop me this time, though I heard him curse under his breath as I left.