Shadows in the Moonlight

Soren couldn't tear his gaze away from Kieran's eyes. They glowed faintly in the dim light of the tent, watching him possessively.

The intensity in Kieran's stare made Soren shiver, but Valen, oblivious to the tension, kept his hand casually resting on Soren's waist.

"Don't touch him," Kieran's voice was a barely restrained growl.

Valen turned, raising an eyebrow at Kieran. The faint glow in Kieran's eyes vanished as if it had never been there, leaving behind only his usual cold demeanour.

"Why?" Valen asked, smirking. "Do you wish to keep him for yourself? Has our mighty captain finally decided to breed an omega?"

Kieran's jaw clenched, but his voice remained firm. "Leave omega."

Soren didn't wait to be told twice. He stumbled out of the tent with his heart hammering in his chest. Kieran's gaze burned into his back as he ran, forgetting entirely about the trash duties he'd been assigned.

When Soren finally remembered his task, he hurried back to grab the bin and complete his work.

Before the sunset, he was sitting under a tree with Hilda, the day was beginning to cool down. He was telling Hilda a tale from a novel he had read, in a soft but animated voice as Hilda listened with a small smile.

"Riven would love this story," Hilda said warmly when he paused.

Almost as if summoned, Riven appeared, his face lit with mischief. "What story are we talking about?"

"Nothing you'd understand," Hilda replied with a huff, but Riven only grinned.

"Forget the story... how about we sneak away for a bit? I know a spot."

Hilda immediately shook her head. "No way. That's asking for trouble."

Soren, however, perked up. "Where?"

Riven's grin widened, and he held out a hand to Soren. "You'll see."

Hilda groaned, reluctantly standing. "Fine. But only because someone has to keep you two out of trouble."

The three slipped out of camp and into the forest. The air was cooler here, and the towering trees stretched toward the sky, their leaves filtering the soft glow of moonlight. Soren felt a rare sense of peace wash over him as he took in the sights.

"This is incredible," Soren whispered, marvelling at the serenity of the forest.

"It's nice, isn't it?" Riven said, crouching to pick a patch of soft grass. "Let's gather these for you Soren. It'll warm you up a bit, the nights are brutally cold."

Hilda, watching warily, sighed and joined them. Together, they collected leaves and grass, careful to avoid anything damp or rotting.

On their way back, Riven suddenly froze. "Stop."

Soren and Hilda obeyed instantly.

"What is it?" Hilda whispered.

Riven's eyes narrowed. "I heard something."

Soren strained his ears and caught the faint sound of rustling leaves, almost like something shifting from tree to tree. He glanced upward and saw a shadow flit across the canopy.

"There!" he whispered, pointing.

Hilda squinted at the spot. "It's just an animal."

Soren frowned, shaking his head. "No, animals don't linger near places like this—too much noise, too much danger."

Riven hesitated, scanning the treetops. "Hilda might be right, but…"

They stood in tense silence for a moment longer before Riven motioned for them to continue. Soren cast one last glance at the forest, unease prickling at his skin.

Whatever he had seen, it didn't feel like an animal. He saw he saw what resembled a man.

When they reached their tent, a soldier was waiting for them, his arms crossed and his expression stern.

"Where have you three been?" he demanded.

Riven calmly stepped forward with an apologetic look. "We wanted to show Soren around so he wouldn't get lost again or delay his duties. It won't happen again."

Soren was impressed by how effortlessly Riven lied, his tone was quite convincing. Hilda, on the other hand, looked like she might faint, like if she would answer she'd blurt out the truth and all the unnecessary details.

The soldier's eyes narrowed, but he didn't press further. "You'd better not. And you," he said, turning to Soren, "the commander wants a word with you."

Soren's stomach dropped. Kieran? What could he want now?

He nodded mutely, his palms growing clammy as he prepared to face the commander once more.

Soren hurried after the soldier, his heart pounding in his chest. Each step felt heavier as they moved further from the camp's familiar areas. When they finally arrived, it wasn't Kieran's usual tent—this one was stationed near the barracks, tucked in a quieter part of the camp. The ominous stillness only heightened Soren's nerves.

The soldier stopped in front of the tent and gave Soren a nod before stepping aside. Inside, Kieran was seated at a sturdy wooden desk, his gaze focused on some papers. As Soren entered, Kieran dismissed the soldier with a curt wave. The tent flap closed behind him, and suddenly, it was just the two of them.

Soren felt his heart plummet into his stomach. He opened his mouth to say something, anything, but Kieran's sharp voice cut through the air. "I didn't ask you to speak, so don't bother."

The commanding tone made Soren's mouth snap shut. A spark of defiance flickered in his chest, and he glared at Kieran, his lips pressed into a thin line.

Kieran noticed, his brows twitching slightly in surprise. Feisty, he thought. Despite being an omega, this one had a stubborn streak.

Soren felt his knees weaken, his exhaustion from the day catching up with him. "May I sit, sir?" he asked quickly.

Kieran stood from his chair and motioned toward it. "Take it."

Soren blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected this gesture from the man who had been glaring daggers at him earlier. Reluctantly, he lowered himself into the seat.

Kieran leaned against the edge of the desk, arms crossed as he observed Soren. "So, you're Soren," he said.

"Yes, sir. Soren Vale," Soren replied, sitting as straight as he could manage.

For a moment, the tent was filled with silence. Soren's breathing quickened, though not entirely from fear. The air seemed warmer and heavier somehow. He shifted uncomfortably, trying to ignore the sudden heat pooling in his chest. When he glanced at Kieran, the man was watching him intently, not with the cold scrutiny he expected, but with tender eyes.

Soren's stomach flipped. His heartbeat stuttered as Kieran's scent began to fill the tent. It was rich and heady, like cedarwood laced with the faint sweetness of amber. It wrapped around him, teasing his senses, making it harder to breathe. He felt his body respond involuntarily, warmth spreading through him.

Kieran noticed the subtle flush on Soren's cheeks, the way the omega fidgeted in his seat. His wolf stirred restlessly inside him, drawn to the delicate figure before him.

"You're awfully quiet now," Kieran said, his voice still stern but with a softness that wasn't there before.

Soren looked up, his breath catching as Kieran reached out, his fingers brushing a strand of Soren's long hair. Kieran toyed with it absentmindedly, the silky texture captivating him.

Soren's body tensed, torn between the strange pull he felt toward Kieran and the fear that still lingered. Why is he acting this way? he wondered. Why is he looking at me like that?

Kieran's eyes darkened as he gazed at Soren. His wolf growled possessively in his mind, but he forced it back, refusing to let it take control. He wasn't sure what was coming over him, why this omega made him feel so... unsettled.

Soren swallowed hard, his throat dry. Kieran's scent was overwhelming now, like a drug clouding his thoughts. His gaze flickered to Kieran's lips, then back to his eyes.

Kieran's hand lingered in Soren's hair for a moment longer before he finally pulled away. "Get some rest," he said gruffly, stepping back to put some distance between them. 

Soren nodded, his movements stiff as he rose from the chair. When he left the tent, his mind swirled with questions. One thought clung to him, louder than the rest: Why does he look at me like he wants to devour me? Why did he even summon me?