Still In Shock!

The moon hung low in the night sky, casting an eerie glow over the forest. Kiara huddled behind a large tree, her heart pounding in her chest, as she strolled into the woods trying to take in her new environment. She began to relive the moment at the bar as Lord Liam, the ruthless alpha wolf, stood in the fight with the powerful and mysterious Lycan. Their growls and snarls reverberated through the dense trees, as Lycan's claws tore into Liam's flesh.

Fear gripped her, and she fought to suppress her fear. She had happened to be the point of attraction to this fight. Never expecting to witness a clash between two supposed to-be powerful figures. The conflict was not just an ordinary fight between rival packs; it was deeply personal and a show of strength that had her written all over it.

Lycan, the enigmatic wolf who fought to save her life and had taken her into his protective embrace, is the same wolf who had killed her father, the Alpha King. The memories of that tragic night flashed before her eyes to join the host of the flashing memory that was already playing in her head, pushing her further into a state of shock. The pain and grief of losing her father still lingered, and now, the man responsible for his death fought for her.

Kiara could barely comprehend the strength and agility displayed by Lycan as he fought off Lord Liam and his pack. Each strike was precise and powerful, each movement fluid and calculated. It was as if Lycan had been preparing for this moment his entire life, she just couldn't believe that she was the reason he fought so fiercely.

As her mind reminded her of Liam who would be looking to get revenge on her for what happened to him she gasped, her hand flying to her mouth to stifle the sound. Like she wasn't  shocked enough, she saw a masculine figure out of nowhere turn his head towards her, his eyes scanning the trees until they locked onto hers.

Panic surged through her as she tried to hide, but it was too late. Then, she realized it was Lycan and till this moment, he recognized her, not as the daughter of the Alpha King he had slain or maybe he was pretending not to, but he made her understand that he remembered her as the woman he had shared an unforgettable night with.

Lycan Williams approached cautiously, his gaze intense and unreadable. Part of Kiara feared his anger, the knowledge that she belonged to the enemy. But another part of her whispered that this mysterious creature had shown her kindness and protection since that fateful night, that perhaps he still held some regard for her.

He stopped a few feet away, his voice husky and low as he spoke, "You're safe now. You don't need to hide."

Her voice trembled as she replied, "How do you know who I am? How did you find me?"

Lycan's eyes softened, a mixture of pain and longing swimming within them. "I never stopped searching for you. I knew from the moment we met that you were special. The connection between us runs deep. I won't lie at first, I thought it was the booze and whiskey, but the feeling lingered even when the booze had worn out."

Confusion overwhelmed her as she tried to comprehend his words. "Our encounter felt like a distant dream, a mere fragment in the chaos of my shattered life."

  "But why? Why would you search for me? I am a nobody, I am a filthy rag, that's what people call me."

Lycan approached slowly, kneeling before her. His hand reached out, brushing against her cheek, and it took all the strength within her to not recoil. "I am not proud of a lot of things I have done, but I am proud of this one. I cannot change the past, but I can protect you now. I had no idea about your true identity until tonight, how your path has been rough. All I knew was the connection we shared, the intense bond that led me to search for you relentlessly."

Kiara's mind swirled with conflicting emotions. She wanted to despise Lycan for what he had done, for taking away her father, her kin. Yet, his presence and his actions contradicted the darkness she associated with him. He had saved her, protected her and now, he confessed to seeking her out all this time. She made sure she didn't spill it, she wanted to know his true intentions before telling him about her true identity.

As if reading her thoughts, Lycan continued, his voice laden with remorse, "I cannot change the course of destiny, but I can offer you my protection and my loyalty. You are not alone in this world, despite the mistakes of our past. And I swear by the moon itself, I will never let any harm befall you."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she gazed into Lycan's eyes, desperately searching for any trace of deception. But she found none. Instead, she saw the sincerity and unwavering devotion in his gaze. Without a word, she nodded, accepting his offer of protection.

Lycan rose to his feet, his hand never leaving hers "Come, my dear. Let me take you to safety, to a place where you can heal and rebuild your strength. You don't have to ever leave, talked more of being a slave for anybody."

For the first time since that tragic night, she felt a glimmer of hope. Perhaps, in this strange and unforgiving world, there was still a chance for redemption and love. 

"With Lycan by my side, I knew I could face the challenges that lay ahead. Together, we would rewrite our destinies and forge a new path, one filled with understanding, forgiveness, and strength that can only come from the unlikeliest of bonds." She thought. 

One day, as Kiara sat in the living room, immersed in a book she was reading, she couldn't help but notice Lycan walking past her now and then. His presence evoked a sense of unease within her. His tall frame, chiseled features, and piercing gaze were enough to make anyone feel flustered. Whenever he walked close to her, She'd usually get shaken, her heart racing, and her hands trembling. It was as if an invisible force had taken control of her body and mind.

As he continued to pass by her desk, he noticed her uneasiness. With a concerned expression on his face, he approached her, his voice gentle yet firm.

"Hey, are you okay? I've noticed that something seems to be bothering you lately."

Startled by his question, she only managed to offer a nervous smile, unable to voice her true fears. The mere thought of opening up to him about her apprehension was terrifying. Instead, She stammered out a generic response.

"Oh, it's nothing. Just a little stressed from my previous endeavors though, I'm still recovering, you know how it is."

His warm brown eyes seemed to see through her façade, but he respected her privacy and didn't push further. Instead, he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and assured her that he was there if she ever needed someone to talk to.

Days turned into weeks as he continued taking note of her discomfort whenever they interacted. He began going out of his way to make her feel at ease. From sparing a few minutes for small talk during intervals to engaging her in team activities, he seemed determined to help her overcome whatever was burdening her.

One day, She couldn't suppress her curiosity any longer. Overwhelmed by conflicting emotions, she found herself daring enough to confide in him. 

As they sat across each other, she struggled to gather her words, her palms sweaty with anxiety. He patiently waited, his gaze encouraging yet devoid of any judgment.

"There's something I need to tell you…I've been avoiding it all along but, to be honest, I've been scared of you."

His expression softened his features displaying a mix of understanding and concern.

"Scared of me? Why? Have I done something to make you feel uncomfortable?"

She took a deep breath, finally mustering the courage to lay her fears out in the open.

  "No, it's not something you've done. It's just…" She wanted to tell him the real reason why, but she just couldn't bring herself to do it so, she changed it for another day "Whenever you're around, I can't help but feel intimidated. You're so confident, and it makes me doubt myself."

His voice emanated with sincerity as he reassured her. 

"I understand how it may appear, but I assure you, that's not my intention. I've always admired you, you are really strong after hearing about all that you have suffered in life, I respect you. I never meant to make you feel inferior."

His words resonated deep within her as if breaking down the walls she had built around her insecurities. She began to see his actions and intentions from a different perspective.

"Thank you for saying that. It means a lot. I guess my lack of self-confidence has always played a role in how I perceive others."

They spent the next hour talking candidly, sharing their experiences, and understanding each other's perspectives better. Through their conversation, he revealed his struggles with self-doubt and the pressure to maintain a strong facade in his position. It was a revelation that not only comforted Kiara but also made her realize the importance of challenging one's assumptions about others.

During this conversation, he spilled to her that he had been under immense pressure to get a mate. "They keep forcing me to get a mate else, my position as Alpha will be questioned and since the day I met you at that bar my search ended and the pressure off my back." Were his words.

Her mouth was slightly agape as she was short of words...