C18 Eighteen

Adrian's POV

The moment I knew we were now alone I let out a deep breath and towards the woman behind me, Selena's hair was plastered to her face, droplets slid down her skin like liquid silver under the moonlight, I felt it.. the stupid bond. It seemed dtronger and it was burning hotter than it ever had.

I shook my head, trying to focus. But the way her chest heaved from exertion, water dripping down her shoulders... Rock was literally throwing a tantrum like a toddler denied candy.

'Adrian, stop staring.. ohh don't worry stare. Our mate is so beautiful.' Rock growled deep inside me.

'Oh shut up. You've got a lot to learn about self-control.'

'Look how hot she looks.. don't pretend like you're not affected by her body as well as the sweet scent of her arousal'

'Shut up.' I clenched my jaw, forcing my eyes away from her.

"Seriously, Selly," I said, voice tight with effort. "We need space. Like... two miles, at least."

Her brows shot up. "Two miles? Space? You're the one who stood in front of me or is that your polite way of saying 'I'm dying inside but don't want to admit it'?"

I clenched my fists. "You're making this... harder than it already is."

"Uh-huh," she said "So you're blaming me for your lack of self-control now. Classic Alpha move.. Blame it on the water instead.. you're the one who said it's the lakes fault."

I flinched.. my wolf's claws itched at my chest at the dig.

'Yes, and it's true but honestly I don't think the tent rising in your pants is also the lakes fault especially since you're no longer in it'

"Shut up," I muttered, ignoring the voice, mostly.

Her gaze softened for a second.. dangerously soft. "Adrian... you're staring."

"Not staring." I looked away, of course too late. My eyes snagged on her again anyway. Gods help me, she was impossibly beautiful.. her skin was glowing under the moon, droplets clinging to the swell of her collarbone, her lips slightly parted like she didn't even know how much of a weapon she was.

Rock growled low. 'You're pathetic.'

"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, shoulders stiff, mentally swearing at my body for betraying me. "We should... move."

She nodded but didn't step back. Which meant my wolf was now full-on screaming inside my head.

'Can't we just take her!'

'No. That's not happening, not here not now'

'So another time then? Maybe in a soft bed and a warm environment okay'

The lake itself seemed alive, pulsing gently beneath the moonlight, sending ripples that reflected onto our faces like liquid fire.

I could feel subtle effects, my senses felt sharper than ever. Every small sound in the forest sliced through the quiet air, every scent overloading me.

And beneath it all, I could feel her pulse mingling with mine, warm and fast, echoing the heat of our mate bond.

"Feel that?" I said finally, trying to sound like the calm Alpha I usually was.

She looked at me, confused. "Feel what?"

"This lake... it's.. it's not normal." I gestured to the glowing water. "It enhances instincts, emotions... everything. Basically, it's a wolf aphrodisiac disguised as a scenic tourist spot."

Her lips twitched into a smirk. "Aphrodisiac, huh? That explains why my body is having a full-blown identity crisis right now although you said it before ."

Her laugh hit me like a dagger.. sharp, teasing, and way too intimate for someone I was trying to keep distance from.

"Stop laughing like that it's annoying on so many levels"

'Stop talking to her like that', Rock hissed. 'You are doing everything wrong.'

'Yeah? Whatever'

I ignored him, watching her shake water from her hair, droplets catching the light, glimmering on her skin as she finally finished wearing her dress. "Selena, give me some space."

She took a step back, but I swear it was as if the lake tugged her forward again or maybe I was just imagining it. Every inch we tried to create between us vanished like smoke.

"Space, huh?" she said, mock horror dripping from her voice. "That's all I get after sharing a... completely consensual, totally normal moment in a magical lake?"

I froze. "What did you just.."

"You know," she said, eyebrow raised, "the swimming thing... your chest pressed against mine... hands and nipples and... water, etcetera."

I blinked. Etcetera? She said "etcetera"?

"Yes. That. Don't pretend you don't know."

Rock snarled in a mocking way. 'You are officially mortified, sir. Mortified!'

I clenched my jaw, voice low and controlled. "Likr I said and have been saying what ever happened wasn't me.. it was the water.. It was amplified by the water. That's all."

Her smirk turned into a dangerous little smile. "Oh, so you're saying it would have been... less intense otherwise?"

"Yes.. I mean no.. Look it's the water messing with you," I said firmly. "Which is why... we're moving. Away from the lake.. Now."

We began walking through the forest and each step was a battle. Her proximity sent fire through my veins, but I forced myself to maintain a couple of feet between us.

Rock, however, groaned loudly inside my head.

'Feet? You should be dragging her into the forest right now.. her lips should be in ours or no, her breasts should be inside your mouth'

I ignored him.

Selena, on the other hand, leaned just a little too close under the pretense of looking at the moon.

"You know," she said, "For some weird reason I can feel everything coming from you. It's like I'm a bit more aware, cause those emotions can not be mine for example your frustration, your.."

"Do not finish that sentence," I snapped.

She raised her hands innocently. "Fine. "

Aware... More aware of the raging heat, the lustful tension, the fact that Rock wanted to throw me and her to the ground so he could claim her and never let go.

Her hand brushed mine as she gestured towards another pathway and my heart skipped a beat. She didn't pull back immediately a s I clenched my fists to stop myself from snatching her hand.

"Stop doing that," I growled.

"Doing what?" she asked innocently.

"Just don't touch me."

She blinked slowly, lips parting in mock thoughtfulness. "Oh.."

I exhaled sharply. Ahh.. Kill me now.

"You realize," I said, voice rougher than intended, "You're walking too slow and slowing us down. The priestess house is a few distance away so walk quick, we have a mission."

Selena nodded, but her gaze kept flicking to me.. shy, unashamed, and impossibly magnetic.

"I swear," I muttered, "if you think about me again, the wolf inside me will not be responsible for my actions."

"Oh, I've thought about you," she said quietly, and her lips curved into a teasing smile.

I froze, wait what the hell dis this woman just say?

Rock roared in glee. 'Finally!'

"Stop talking to my wolf!" I snapped.

"Or what?" she asked, stepping dangerously close again, hand brushing mine once more. Her fingers lingered longer this time.

I felt my restraint cracking, my body betraying every word I said. "Or... you'll be... extremely aware of how much I bloody hate you. Constantly."

Her eyes widened. "Is that why you're so desperate to severe our bond? Because you hate me?"

"Yes.. mother" I calmly replied.

And for one second, the forest and the lake didn't exist. There was only us.. breathless, trembling, and painfully aware.

A distant snap echoed through the trees. Both of us jumped, reality crashing back.

I straightened. "Time to leave."

"Yes,," she said quietly.

We walked in silence, with water droplets clinging to our skin, our minds screaming at each other, our hearts burning together... all under the watchful gaze of something unseen.

I could still feel it's presence but couldn't find anything odd in the trees, maybe it was just my imagination.