Chapter 66: Unexpected Encounters
Lily’s hands trembled at the memory of Zayn’s last transformation. The way he’d looked at her with those wild amber eyes, caught between man and beast. She quickly scribbled down on paper again, before pushing it to Zayn.
‘How can I help?’
“My wolf... becomes harder to control. Last time was barely manageable,” He explained carefully, uncertain what else to say. His fingers drummed against the table as he considered his response.
“Your presence,” he finally admitted, the words appearing to cost him. “When you were there last time, I could... regain control. I’m hoping it will be the same.”
Lily nodded without hesitation, she was willing to help.
Something flickered in Zayn’s eyes. Was it relief? Perhaps it was something deeper, something he didn’t dare acknowledge.
“Thank you,” he said quietly, the words felt foreign on his tongue.
After dinner, they walked back to their rooms in silence. The hallway felt narrower than usual, their shoulders occasionally brushing. When they reached Lily’s door, she paused. Zayn stood behind her, unnervingly close.
Lily turned, finding his towering frame mere inches away. His scent—pine and something unique to him—wrapped around her. She swallowed hard. She pointed at the door and then at him, asking if he wanted to go in with her.
Zayn’s eyes darkened. He hesitated, one hand against the doorframe. “I don’t think that’s wise.”
Lily bit her lip, memories of their previous ‘sessions’ flooded back into her mind. The pain, yes, but also moments when something else had sparked between them. Something that scared her more than his cruelty ever had.
She pushed open her door and stepped inside. She only turned back to face him when she reached the bed. Zayn remained frozen at the doorway, as if crossing it would break some invisible barrier he’d built between them.