That was the moment when the fog in her mind cleared just enough for her to realize what was happening.

But he didn’t let her pull away.

So she had no choice but to bite down on his lip.

Hard.

She tasted blood.

But it wasn’t the sharp, metallic taste she expected.

It was darker.

Something that pulled at her senses. Energy swirling on her tongue.

Reluctantly, he let her go, giving her a little space.

Still, he didn’t move away.

Breathing heavily, she leaned back until her spine met the cold mirror behind her.

The chill helped her gather her thoughts.

She could still taste him when their lips parted — and it only made her want more.

A drop of blood lingered on her lips.

Without thinking, she licked it away.

Silas’ gaze followed the movement, and the tension in his lower body stirred in response.

’Okay... that is dangerous.’

Carefully, she placed her hands against his chest and pushed him back a little.

He let her.

The panther was surprised he had gotten this far.

He had expected her to throw him out the moment he crossed the line — especially after the way he had provoked her with that kiss to her shoulder.

He had never expected her to kiss him back with such intensity.

To him, it was a clear sign of how well they matched.

A satisfied grin spread across his face.

He knew she had liked it.

"That was... unexpected."

Her voice still trembled slightly.

So did her legs.

She didn’t trust herself to stand just yet — so she stayed where she was.

"That was already surprising to you?"

He raised a mocking eyebrow.

Silas’ gaze wandered over her.

Like a predator memorizing something he intended to keep. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Slowly, his eyes lifted back to hers.

"If a kiss already leaves you trembling like this..."

A slow smile appeared on his lips.

"...then you’re in serious trouble, little lynx."

Mirabelle’s cheeks burned. She was grateful she no longer had the pale complexion of her old body. Otherwise, her entire face would probably have been red as a tomato by now.

At the same time, she was annoyed at herself for getting so flustered.

After all, she was pretty sure she had far more experience than this panther. Or any other unmated male.

Suddenly, Silas’ hand was beneath her chin again, catching her wandering gaze.

The beast side of her wanted nothing more than to lean into his touch. The gesture was far too gentle.

His voice, on the other hand, practically dripped with restrained desire.

"If I had actually wanted to seduce you..."

His gaze slid over her throat.

"...you wouldn’t still be sitting there thinking."

His eyes drifted over her dress, her glowing skin, her lips.

"You should finish getting ready.

Because if you go out looking like this..."

A low rumble vibrated in his chest.

"...the banquet is about to become very unpleasant."

Mirabelle understood immediately what he meant.

This wasn’t a warning for her.

It was one for every other beastman at the banquet.

He was warning her because he didn’t trust himself around the males who would stare at her in that dress.

The possessiveness in his voice sent heat rushing across her skin.

For the first time, she wondered just how dangerous a jealous beastman could become.

Silas’ thumb brushed once across her lower lip.

Slowly.

As if memorizing the feeling of it.

Then he finally stepped back.

But his eyes never left hers.

"Try not to look too intensely at other beastmen tonight."

A pause.

"I’d rather not kill anyone at a royal banquet."

Before leaving, his fingers slid once over the glowing shimmer on her shoulder.

The blue dust clung faintly to his skin now as well.

His eyes darkened at the sight.

"Now everyone will know I touched you."

Then he was gone.

Like smoke torn apart by the wind, his silhouette unraveled into shadows.

Before Mirabelle fully realized what had happened, she was alone again.

Her fingers instinctively brushed over her lips, which suddenly felt cold.

The fire inside her still glowed.

It no longer burned hot and consuming.

Now it only crackled softly, waiting for the moment it could flare up again.

Fuck.

She knew her heart was done for now.

After this encounter, she would never again be able to face him unaffected.

Almost automatically, her hands began fixing her appearance again.

But her thoughts were still wrapped tightly in Silas’ arms.

The room suddenly felt too empty.

Too cold.

Slowly, she inhaled.

Then again.

In. Out. In. Out.

Trying to calm the frantic beating of her heart.

It didn’t work.

Everywhere he had touched her still burned.

Her lips tingled.

Her skin felt hypersensitive beneath the thin fabric of her dress.

Even worse: his scent still lingered around her.

Warm. Wild. Dangerous.

It wrapped around her senses until she could barely think straight.

"Get yourself together," she muttered under her breath.

Her reflection in the mirror looked back at her with flushed cheeks and slightly widened pupils.

She looked exactly like a female who had just been kissed senseless by a panther beast.

Great.

A knock at the door made her jump.

"Mirabelle, are you ready?"

She managed only a small sound of agreement.

Leontis entered the room.

He was now dressed in formal clothing, something not unlike a frock coat.

His gaze landed on her.

His nostrils flared almost imperceptibly.

He knew what had happened.

His male beast instincts recognized it immediately.

"Wonderful. Everyone will know right away."

Mirabelle wanted to bury herself alive.

Yes, in this world, this was perfectly normal.

But her modern mind had absolutely no coping mechanisms for this kind of situation.

Still, Leontis didn’t look at her with judgment.

"Are you alright?"

’No! Nothing is alright!’

She screamed internally.

Outwardly, however, she carefully put her composed expression back into place.

"Yes."

"Good. Then let’s go."

He offered her his arm, and she hooked hers through it.

And then she went to face an entire ballroom while still smelling like Silas.

With every step forward, the sense of impending disaster grew stronger.

A/N: Mirabelle wanted food. Instead, she got emotionally attacked by a panther beast.

(╥﹏╥)