Torak moved through the corridor slowly with one hand resting behind his back.

His expression remained calm, but his wolf had been restless ever since the summons arrived.

Alpha Blackfen have never sent for him, and would never send for him casually.

The western corridor curved ahead beneath dim torchlight. Heavy banners carrying the Blackfen insignia hung between tall stone pillars.

Torak’s boots echoed softly against the polished floor, and two guards stood outside the private chamber doors.

They immediately straightened at the sight of him.

"Beta Torak."

Torak gave a single nod, then paused.

His eyes narrowed faintly.

He sniffed once. Alpha Blackfen was inside. That scent he recognized immediately but there was another scent there too.

A younger male whom he knew not.

Torak’s brows furrowed faintly. No conversation came from inside the room, and not even a single movement.

Torak reached for the handle without another word.

The guards exchanged one quick glance but did not stop him.

The knob twisted beneath his palm, then he stepped inside immediately.

The chamber was warm when he walked in.

Firelight flickered softly against dark walls lined with western maps and hunting weapons. A smaller dining table had been arranged near the center of the room with four chairs, and only two occupied.

Alpha Blackfen sat at the head casually with one arm resting against the chair.

The other man sat beside him. He was dressed noble.

The moment Torak entered, the man turned toward him, and stared at him dismissively. He stared at Torak like he was something unpleasant tracked into the room by accident.

Torak spared him one dull glance before dropping his attention toward Alpha Blackfen instead.

The older Alpha already watched him.

"Don’t sit," Alpha Blackfen said immediately.

Torak nodded once. "As you wish."

He stepped back without argument.

He expected instructions perhaps about territory matters, and military reports. Something brief enough for him to leave afterward.

Instead, Alpha Blackfen calmly turned back toward the younger man with the faintest smile.

"Now..." he began smoothly, almost continuing another conversation entirely. "Let us discuss the colours you would prefer for the mating ceremony... should the Moon Goddess decide kindly."

Torak’s brows furrowed.

The younger man did not answer immediately.

Alpha Blackfen’s eyes shifted lazily back toward Torak.

"Perhaps," he said mildly, "we should ask the opinion of the Beta before us."

The young man frowned immediately. "Of course not," he replied. "He has nothing to say here."

Torak looked at him finally. His gaze was flat. "I have no wish to be here," he reminded them calmly.

Alpha Blackfen scoffed softly.

"With respect," he drawled, "I do not wish to see or hear from you more than is strictly necessary."

Torak straightened slowly.

Then, very calmly, he shared his opinion. "The feeling is mutual, Alpha Blackfen."

The room went still.

Alpha Blackfen blinked once, very slightly taken aback.

Torak rarely spoke sharply inside noble halls. Most knew him as controlled, silent, and difficult to provoke openly.

The older Alpha’s lips parted faintly as though deciding whether or not to respond.

Then suddenly, the chamber doors opened.

The younger man sat upright instantly.

Torak turned automatically, and stopped when he saw who just walked in.

Adele stepped inside.

A shawl rested loosely around her shoulders tonight. It was a soft silver fabric against dark blue silk beneath.

Her hair had been partially pinned back, though several loose curls framed her face gently.

She looked beautiful enough to keep him on his toes, and reminded him of how things ended between them.

Adele’s eyes swept across the room quickly.

She noticed Torak, and gave him a small polite bow. The bow wasn’t warm, or cold, but the sort given to distant acquaintances.

Torak frowned faintly at that.

What exactly was happening here?

Adele moved toward the table slowly. "You sent for me, Father."

Her voice sounded calm.

However, Torak noticed the slight tension in her shoulders immediately. She seemed afraid, and he hated to have such thoughts, but she seemed afraid of Blackfen himself.

The realization darkened his expression instantly.

The younger man stood immediately from his chair. "Lady Blackfen." He greated. His face brightened visibly. "You may not remember me, but we met long ago."

Adele blinked softly, as though searching through memory. Finally, recognition flickered across her face.

"Ah." She smiled politely. "My father once had business with your family."

The man looked delighted already.

"I remember you were scolded for taking me too far into the stables."

The young man laughed softly. "And I remember believing it was entirely worth the punishment." He replied, smiling so widely his whole teeth showed.

Adele gave a small awkward smile. "I do have a little recollection now that you mention it."

The man looked seconds away from exploding with joy.

Adele immediately made a faint face at the intensity of his joy.

Torak noticed that too. He took in a quiet observation.

Her fingers adjusted slightly against the edge of her shawl.

Torak let out a soft breath when she did that. That was her nervous habit.

The man stepped around the table toward her fully now.

He bowed lightly. "I’m honoured I remained in your memory."

Adele nodded politely.

Torak’s jaw tightened slightly.

The young noble gently reached for Adele’s hand, then led her toward the seat beside him.

Torak’s eyes dropped instantly toward their contact.

Her bare hand rested inside his. She wore no gloves tonight, and her skin rested against his skin.

Something ugly shifted beneath Torak’s ribs immediately.

His mind betrayed him, and dragged him backwards. So far back to the first time they had an actual real conversation.

Rain hammered softly against stone outside the eastern library tower that day.

Torak stood near the corridor entrance while holding one injured arm against himself, as he waited to heal completely.

Blood stained part of his sleeve from training earlier.

He had intended only to retrieve a book before leaving.

Instead, he saw her again.

Adele stood alone near the balcony alcove while reading.

She looked softer somehow, and different from who poured water on him that day. The incident was already six years ago, and he blinked at how fast time flew.

Her hair loose around her shoulders then.

Torak should have walked away.

Instead he watched her for one second too long.

Adele looked up immediately, and frowned.

"What?" she shot at him.

Torak blinked once. He almost smiled.

"Nothing." He replied.

They have crossed paths repeatedly since the water incident six years ago, but this was the first real time he was ever speaking to her again.

Adele narrowed her eyes suspiciously, then closed her book.

"It is not proper for a lady to be alone with a man unwitnessed."

Torak tilted his head slightly. "I’m standing very far away."

"That changes nothing."

"I do not intend to ruin your honour."

Adele lifted her chin stubbornly. "You could still ruin my reputation."

Torak looked at her carefully then, and realized she genuinely meant it. This was the kind of fear taught carefully into noble daughters since childhood.

Torak slowly stepped backward afterward.

"Then I shall remain here," he told her quietly. "And you may remain there."

Adele blinked.

Torak gestured lightly between them. "You can stay by the balcony. I’ll stay here. Your virtue survives another evening."

Adele stared at him suspiciously.

Then surprisingly, she nodded about almost taking forever. "Alright."

Torak blinked once. "You agree?"

Adele shrugged lightly. "You seem less unbearable tonight."

Torak huffed a quiet laugh.

That had been the first time she willingly stayed near him.

Adele moved toward him slowly afterward beneath candlelight.

Torak’s heartbeat had become annoyingly noticeable then. And worse, he knew she heard his heartbeat.

"You’re staring," she said softly

"You’re beautiful," he answered simply.

Adele froze.

Torak immediately regretted speaking. She took another step closer instead.

Torak carefully reached for her hand once she stopped before him. He took her hand in slowly, giving her enough time to pull away.

She didn’t. That told him he wasn’t alone in whatever curiosity he felt towards her. Perhaps, she felt the same way.

Her sharp inhale still echoed in his memory even now.

Torak lowered his eyes toward their joined hands.

"Forgive me," he had murmured. "But I needed to touch you. Only your hands."

Adele’s breathing quickened embarrassingly.

Torak could hear it, and so could she.

"Am I too bold?" he asked softly.

Adele swallowed hard. "No," she admitted quietly. "It’s... fine." she stared down at their hand, then added, referring to the past water incident. "I will not apologize for anything."

Torak laughed softly.

Adele finally looked fully into his eyes then, and smiled.

He still remembered it too clearly. He remembered everything all too well.

The memory shattered instantly, as Torak returned to the present sharply, and saw Adele sitting beside another man right before him.

The noble smiled warmly toward her now.

"I’m sorry," Adele admitted politely. "I’ve forgotten your name."

The man looked delighted by the question instead of offended.

"Forgive me," he said smoothly. "What must you think of a man who failed to introduce himself properly?"

He gently took her hand again.

Torak’s eyes darkened immediately.

The noble lowered his head and pressed a kiss softly against the back of Adele’s bare palm.

"Lucien Valecrest," he murmured against her skin.

Adele blinked slightly at the gesture, and then Alpha Blackfen laughed quietly.

"That," he said smoothly, "is a perfectly expressed sentiment."