Forbidden Knowledge

Ava

As the festivities wound down, Caleb and I headed back towards the manor. The night had been a whirlwind of emotions and events, but as we walked side by side, the cool night air helped to soothe my nerves. Caleb's presence was a comforting anchor amidst the chaos of the evening.

When we reached the manor, Caleb led me towards a door I hadn't noticed before. "There's something I want to show you," he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

Curiosity piqued, I followed him down a set of stairs into the basement. As we descended, the air grew cooler, and I could smell the faint scent of aged wood and wine. When we reached the bottom, I found myself in a beautifully designed wine cellar. Shelves lined with bottles of wine covered the walls, and in the center of the room was a bar with some curved couches that looked incredibly inviting.

Caleb walked over to the bar and began to pour us some drinks. "I thought we could use a moment to unwind," he said, handing me a glass.

I took the glass, the rich scent of the wine filling my senses. "This place is amazing," I said, looking around in awe.

He smiled, joining me on one of the couches. "It's one of my favorite spots in the manor. A place to relax and escape when things get too intense."

We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, savoring the wine and the tranquility of the cellar. The soft lighting and the cozy atmosphere made it easy to let down my guard.

"So, tell me more about you, Ava," Caleb said, turning to face me. "What was your life like before... all of this?"

I took a deep breath, feeling a wave of vulnerability wash over me. "It was... different. My family was poor, and we struggled a lot. I learned to hunt and forage to help provide for us. My parents worked hard, but it was never enough. And then, there was Lucas..."

Caleb's expression darkened slightly at the mention of Lucas, but he stayed silent, letting me continue.

"He was my boyfriend for a long time," I said, my voice shaking a little. "I thought we had a future together. But then I found out he was cheating on me with my best friend. It shattered me."

Caleb reached out, placing a comforting hand on mine. "I'm sorry, Ava. No one deserves to go through that."

"Thank you," I whispered, feeling the warmth of his touch. "It hurt so much, but it also pushed me to accept this arranged marriage. I needed to escape, to start over."

Caleb nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. "I know it's been a lot to take in. But I want you to know, I'm here for you. We're in this together."

I smiled, feeling a sense of connection with him. "What about you, Caleb? What's your story?"

He took a deep breath, his gaze distant for a moment. "I lost my parents when I was sixteen. It was a betrayal from within the pack. They were killed, and I had to step up as Alpha, despite my advisors telling me I wasn't ready. It was a lot of responsibility, and I had to grow up fast."

I squeezed his hand, feeling a pang of sympathy. "That sounds incredibly hard."

"It was," he admitted, his voice soft. "But it also made me stronger. More determined to protect my pack and prevent something like that from happening again."

We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of our shared vulnerabilities hanging in the air. There was a sense of understanding and connection that felt deeper than anything I had experienced before.

"Thank you for sharing that with me," I said quietly. "I feel like I understand you better now."

He nodded, his eyes locking onto mine. "And I understand you better too, Ava. We're both survivors. And together, we can make this work."

He took another sip of his wine, then set his glass down, his expression turning more serious.

"There's something else I need to tell you."

I looked at him, my curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

"I chose the blind marriage for a reason," he began, his voice steady. "The families within the pack have been trying to get their claws into me for years. They wanted to control me, to use me for their own agendas. By choosing a blind marriage, I took away their power. They can't manipulate me or use their daughters to secure their own positions."

I stared at him, understanding dawning. "So you did this to protect yourself from them?"

"Yes," Caleb admitted. "And to protect the pack. I need someone by my side who isn't tied to the old power struggles, someone who can help me bring a new perspective. That's why I chose you."

I felt a mix of emotions—gratitude, respect, and a renewed sense of purpose. "Thank you for trusting me with this, Caleb. I won't let you down."

He smiled, his eyes softening. "I know you won't, Ava. Together, we'll make sure the pack thrives."

We clinked our glasses together, a silent toast to new beginnings and shared strength. As we sipped our wine, the conversation flowed easily, and I felt the walls around my heart begin to crumble. Caleb's presence was a balm to my wounded soul, and for the first time in a long time, I felt hopeful about the future.

We talked late into the night, sharing stories, dreams, and fears. The wine and the intimacy of the moment brought us closer, and the chemistry between us was palpable. There were no distractions, no interruptions—just the two of us, opening up to each other.

As Caleb and I continued our deep conversation, the pull between us became undeniable. His hand lingered on mine, his touch sending shivers down my spine. Our eyes met, and I could feel the chemistry growing stronger with every passing moment. He leaned in closer, his gaze intense and filled with a depth of emotion that took my breath away.

"Ava," he murmured, his voice low and husky. "I feel something with you... something I've never felt before."

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. "I feel it too, Caleb."

He cupped my cheek with his hand, his thumb brushing gently against my skin. "I want to see where this goes," he said softly. "No pressure, no expectations... just us."

I nodded, my breath hitching as I leaned into his touch. "I want that too."

With that, he closed the distance between us, his lips capturing mine in a tender yet passionate kiss. The world around us faded away, leaving just the two of us in that perfect moment. The kiss deepened. I responded earnestly, matching his intensity as our kiss turned frantic. Caleb ended up on top of me, his body pressing against mine as I slid his jacket off, feeling the hard muscles beneath.

Despite my initial nervousness, the way Caleb touched me made me forget the rest of the world. My body sang with each brush of his fingers, each kiss that left me breathless. His hands moved expertly over my body, and I lost myself in the sensation, wanting more.

But just as things were heating up, a sound shattered the moment. Someone cleared their throat, and I froze. Caleb's growl rumbled through his chest as he commanded, "Get out," without taking his blue eyes off me. Damn my husband was sexy....

Lily's voice cut through the tension. "The council wants a meeting... now."

The mood was ruined, and I could see the frustration in Caleb's eyes. "Leave. I'll be there in a minute," he ordered.

As Lily retreated, I could see the conflict in Caleb's gaze. I touched his cheek, bringing his attention back to me. "We should go together," I suggested softly. "They must want to talk about me....lets stick together."

He sighed, the intensity of the moment still lingering between us. "You're right," he said, his voice softer now. "We'll face them together."

With that, we stood up and adjusted our clothes. The heat of our earlier passion still simmered beneath the surface, but the urgency of the council's meeting pulled us back to reality. I took Caleb's hand, squeezing it gently as we headed upstairs to face the council.

As we walked, I felt a new sense of strength and determination. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I knew we would face them together. Caleb and I were more than just Alpha and Luna—we were partners, allies, and something much deeper. And with him by my side, I felt ready to take on anything.