Letter- II

"People do wild things when they are trying to survive."

"You're not going anywhere!" She exclaimed before losing her balance.

With a speed that defied human limits, she caught her, resulting in her chest colliding with his firm one. She felt a rush of heat as his hand slid down her back. With a flicker of emotion in his eyes, he briefly closed them, as if reprimanding himself for the surge of feeling.

Each day he seemed more handsome to her, if that was even possible. A restless curiosity gnawed at her mind, intensifying with every moment spent in his company.

She couldn't tear her eyes away from his messy hair, fingers fidgeting with a longing she couldn't suppress. As he tried to step back, she clung tighter to his neck, forcing him to meet her gaze.

With his disheveled hair and dark attire, he had the classic bad-boy look. But what drew her most were his piercing forest green eyes, standing out amidst the darkness of his clothes.

Drawing closer, she scrutinized his eyes, searching for any hint of emotion beneath their dark depths. She had caught glimpses of something hidden there before, but he was skilled at concealing it.

Struggling to maintain eye contact, he pressed closer to her, his gaze intense and deliberate. Despite his efforts, his eyes betrayed him, drifting downwards uncontrollably.

He fought to keep his eyes locked on her own, his gaze was hot and slow, and once his eyes flickered downwards, it was as if he could not stop them. His eyes roamed from her slender neck, lingering on her chest. The golden flecks that swirled in his eyes gave her all the information she needed.

He was undeniably tempted.

She edged away from him, feeling a shiver run down her spine as he unleashed his usual intense energy, engulfing her like a tidal wave. His eyes, now gleaming almost entirely in gold, held her gaze. His presence could intimidate anyone, but strangely, it only stirred something wild in her, drawing her closer to his golden-eyed stare.

As he stepped back, she gripped the edge of the couch for support. But her determination pushed her forward; she rose and closed the distance between them. Just as she neared him, he exhaled sharply, averting his gaze. Frustration simmered within her as she sensed his struggle to rein himself in.

Despite his efforts to resist, at that moment, he couldn't hold back.

"Why don't we start with something obvious, tell me the reason behind your glowing eyes, BEAST?"

She feigned disgust, hoping to rile him up, and it seemed to work like a charm judging by his reaction.

A low growl emanated from deep within him, sending shivers down her spine. His gaze locked onto hers, his eyes now a mesmerizing shade of gold.

"Don't. Just leave it be."

"Why?"

"That's enough." His voice, rough and gravelly, held a hint of warning, his accent lending an intriguing edge to his words.

Stepping back, he shut his eyes tightly, his entire body tense with restraint. Even beneath his shirt, she could see the ripple of his muscles. Despite the mask, she could sense the clenching and unclenching of his jaw, a sign of his inner turmoil.

As he blinked awake, his eyes shimmered with their usual bright green hue. Casting a fierce glare that could freeze even the bravest, he turned to her. But despite his intimidating stare, she didn't flinch.

He made a move to leave, but Chloe wasn't ready to let him off that easily.

"Fine then, do as you wish! I'll go find Michael King," she declared.

His steps halted, shocked by her defiance. Swiveling back, he watched as she rummaged through her closet, pulling out jeans and a coat. The determination in her actions caught him off guard, and he couldn't help but believe her words.

With lightning speed, he closed the distance between them, pressing her against the cupboard. She yelped in surprise, her body tensing under his grip.

"Let me go," she demanded, wriggling against his hold as it tightened around her arms.

"You can't seriously be thinking that," he countered, his voice low and menacing.

"Release me, and I'll tell you," she negotiated, her breaths coming in quick, shallow gasps.

Relenting, he stepped back, giving her room to breathe. "I asked you nicely before, but you didn't give me anything. I'm not known for my patience. If you won't talk, I'll go straight to Michael for answers," she warned.

"Don't think like that," he cautioned, the tension evident in his voice.

"I need to know the truth. I'm tired of waiting. You promised to help me," Chloe insisted, her gaze burning with determination.

"That was before Ace opened up to you," he snapped, frustration evident in his tone.

"Why does that matter? I know everything is connected to you. I've been attacked twice, and they want my DNA. Connect the dots and tell me everything," she demanded, her eyes narrowing in frustration.

"This is why I told you to find out the truth and cut ties with me," he confessed, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I regret that night. I never should have let you see my face."

Well, he didn't exactly show his face, just showed his existence, thought Chloe.

"If you really wanted to keep me in the dark, you could've done a better job," Chloe remarked.

"I tried," he replied.

Giving him a skeptical glance, Chloe challenged, "Did you really?"

"It was a one-time thing," he insisted.

"One time?" Chloe interrupted, her voice rising. "Protecting me doesn't seem like a one-time deal. And what about my mother's diary? You had it!"

"I don't know anything about your mother," he said through clenched teeth.

"That's hard to believe," Chloe shot back. "Especially since you know Ace!"

"You're not getting it, are you?!" he exclaimed in frustration.

"I understand that you can't tell me everything," she replied calmly. "But last night was the first time I didn't feel completely lost since my grandfather died."

That seemed to be the breaking point. His eyes began to glow, and his mask shifted, revealing sharp canines beneath.

She lost her balance when she saw his canines. Cold sweat broke on her forehead seeing him beast out.

"You're crazy!" he growled, "Challenging me like this? I'm a beast, a monster! I could tear you in pieces right this instant!"

With a burst of speed and strength, he struck the wall, shattering it with a sickening crunch.

She stood frozen, terrified. He turned to her with a roar.

"Decide for yourself!" he shouted before disappearing, leaving her shaken and hurt.

As she tried to process what had just happened, she knew she had a choice to make, and neither option was easy. If only she had someone to turn to.

And that someone was Arris Jonathan, also known as Ace.

Taking a deep breath, she prepared herself for what lay ahead.