Talia didn't realize she'd fallen asleep until she woke to the sound of soft footsteps… two heavy strides, silent but unmistakably predatory. A warm, subtle shift in the air pressed on her senses before she even opened her eyes.
Luka.
Her eyes fluttered open in the dimly lit guest room. A soft amber glow spilled from a lantern on the dresser. The blankets were thick and heavy over her, making her feel swaddled- protected-though she didn't remember crawling into the bed herself. She remembered him showing her the room. She remembered him telling her goodnight in a voice far too smooth. And she remembered thinking he smelled like pine and winter and something sinful.
But sleep must have taken her without warning.
And Luka… was in the doorway now.
Watching her.
His silhouette filled it.. broad shoulders, powerful legs, still shirtless like he'd forgotten clothing was a thing. His hair was slightly damp again, as if he'd showered. The scent of soap- dark, smoky- reached her.
"You're awake," he said softly.
His voice did that thing again… vibrated down her spine like a warm shiver.
"Barely," she croaked, pulling the blankets up.
"Relax," Luka murmured, stepping inside. "I'm not here to eat you."
"Comforting," she muttered.
He smiled… slow, wolfish.
"Though you do look delicious wrapped up like that."
Her heartbeat hiccupped!
He stopped beside the bed, leaning one hand on the wooden frame, his face closer than before. His eyes shone faintly gold in the dim light.
"You were whimpering in your sleep," he said gently.
She froze.
Mortified.
"I… what? No. I don't"
"Little bunny dreams," he continued, voice dropping lower, "sound very soft."
"Luka," she groaned, covering her face.
He pulled the blanket down just enough to see her eyes again, his touch cautious but firm.
"Were you dreaming about the attack?" he asked. "Or… something else?"
Heat flooded her cheeks.
She hated that she didn't know the answer.
"It was… everything," she whispered. "All at once. The snow. The vampires. Your eyes. Your voice. Your"
She stopped herself before she spilled anything embarrassing.
But Luka already knew.
His smile sharpened, slow and wicked.
"Ah. My voice."
"Don't start."
He tilted his head.
"Why not? I like when you get flustered."
"That's cruel."
"No," he corrected softly. "Cruel would be taking advantage of the way you look at me."
Her breath caught.
"You… that I don't look at you in any way," she stuttered.
He leaned even closer, so close she felt his breath.
"Talia," he murmured, "you looked at me like prey looks at a wolf who isn't chasing… yet."
Her thighs pressed together instinctively.
Luka inhaled sharply.
"Oh," he said softly, "there it is."
"There what is?" she snapped too quickly.
"The scent," Luka whispered. "Your fear and your curiosity. It's intoxicating."
Okay. That was unfair. He was cheating. Wolves shouldn't be allowed to smell emotions.
"What do you want?" she whispered.
"Nothing you're not ready to give."
His hand brushed her jaw.
"But don't tempt me."
Her mind spun…caught between fear, fascination, and something hotter she didn't dare name.
Luka suddenly straightened, pulling away a little, forcing distance between them. For a moment, he almost looked… strained. Like he was physically holding himself back.
"You're still trembling," he said. "Let's fix that."
He reached down, adjusting the blanket around her shoulders with a tenderness she didn't expect. Then he sat…not on the bed, but in a large armchair against the wall, angled perfectly to keep her in view.
"I'll stay here tonight," he said simply.
Talia's breath hitched.
"Why?"
"To stand guard," Luka answered. "The storm's thick. And you're still glowing from fear. They could smell it from miles away."
Her chest tightened.
"Vampires?"
"No," he said firmly. "No one's getting near you tonight. I'm here."
He sank into the chair, lounging in it like he owned the room…because he did. His legs stretched out slightly. His eyes half-lidded. His body still radiated heat even from across the room.
He looked like a wolf guarding a den.
A shiver ran through her.
"Stop that," Luka murmured without opening his eyes. "You're making me want to crawl into that bed."
Her lungs stuttered.
"Are you serious?" she whispered.
He cracked one eye open.
"Deadly."
"Why?" Her voice squeaked.
"Because you keep smelling like that," he said. "Like curiosity and softness." His tongue skimmed the edge of his canine. "And because you're all wrapped up like a little treat."
She sank deeper under the blankets.
"This was supposed to be a normal Christmas," she muttered.
"It is," Luka said. "Just… the supernatural version."
"Tolerable," she muttered.
"Barely," he agreed.
Silence settled… warm and thick. The fire downstairs crackled faintly. Snow hit the window in soft sheets. The room felt insulated from the world.
Luka let out a slow breath, head resting back on the chair. His voice was warm, sleep-laced.
"Say something," he murmured.
"Like what?"
"Anything. Your voice calms me."
That sentence hit her hard.
Luka… soothed by her voice?
"Okay," she said softly. "Um… do you always guard strangers like this?"
"You're not a stranger."
Her heart skipped.
"Luka, we met yesterday."
"Doesn't matter."
"How can it not matter?"
He opened both eyes now, looking straight at her.
"Because my wolf chose you."
Her breath vanished.
"Y-your wolf?"
"Mmm," he hummed. "He wants to protect you. Snarl at anything that scares you. Bite anything that smells like danger."
He paused.
"And tease you until you call him something he likes."
Talia swallowed hard.
"What would he like?"
His lips curled slowly.
"Daddy Wolfy."
Her entire brain short-circuited.
"IWHAT?" she squeaked, sitting up too fast.
Luka laughed.
Actually laughed.
Deep, warm, sinful.
"Oh, little bunny," he grinned, "your face is priceless."
"I am NOT calling you that."
His brows lifted.
"Not even if I ask nicely?"
"No."
"What if I growl?"
"No!"
"What if I"
"Luka!"
He chuckled again, and she hated…no, she loved…how playful he was suddenly. The terrifying Alpha from the snowstorm was now teasing her like she was a soft toy he couldn't put down.
"You're adorable when you blush," he murmured.
"I don't blush," she lied.
"You glow," he corrected.
She hid her face.
He leaned forward slightly, voice lower again.
"Try it once," he purred. "For me."
"No!"
"Then for the wolf."
"Oh my God," she groaned.
He smirked.
"Come on. Just a little"
"No!"
"'Daddy Wolfy,'" he finished, dragging the words slowly.
Talia launched a pillow at him.
Luka caught it one-handed.
"Careful," he warned softly, "throwing things at an Alpha might get you… consequences."
She froze.
"Like what?"
His tongue slid across his bottom lip.
"Like me pinning you under that blanket to take the pillow back."
Her pulse jumped so violently she grabbed the blanket like a shield.
"You're evil."
"Mmm," he hummed. "Only when provoked."
He tossed the pillow back onto the bed. The tension shifted…still hot enough to melt snow, but softer. Warmer. More intimate.
"Talia," Luka said suddenly, voice deepening. "Come here."
Her heart stopped.
"What… why?"
"I want to check your neck."
Her hand flew instinctively to the spot where a vampire's claws had grazed her earlier.
"It's fine," she whispered.
"I'll decide that," he said gently.
She hesitated, then… slowly… pushed the blanket aside and walked toward him. Every step felt like stepping into the jaws of something beautiful and dangerous.
When she reached him, Luka lifted a hand.
"Closer," he murmured.
She stepped between his knees.
His hand slid softly to the side of her throat, tilting her head so he could see. His touch was warm and careful… surprisingly gentle for someone so lethal.
His thumb brushed a sensitive spot.
She shivered.
"No blood," he murmured. "Good. It'll heal."
His fingers lingered a heartbeat too long.
His eyes lifted to hers.
"Do I scare you?" he asked quietly.
"Sometimes," she admitted.
"And now?"
She swallowed.
"Not exactly."
"What do I make you feel then?"
Her pulse stuttered.
"A lot."
His breath hitched…just a tiny break, like her answer surprised him.
"Talia…" his voice dropped to a whisper, "if you keep looking at me like that, I won't stay in this chair."
She exhaled shakily.
He leaned in, his forehead nearly touching her stomach, lips hovering over the fabric of her shirt.
"Call me," he whispered, "whatever you want."
She trembled.
He looked up slowly, eyes glowing molten gold.
"Even," he murmured, "Daddy Wolfy."
Her heart nearly exploded.
"Luka," she whispered, "you're insane."
His smile was slow as sin.
"Only for you."
The room tightened around them… heat, breath, the soft throb of unspoken things.
Then Luka inhaled suddenly, sharp and alert.
His posture straightened.
His eyes turned full Alpha gold.
"Talia," he said quietly, "get back in bed."
Her stomach dropped.
"Why?"
He listened… head turned toward the window, nostrils flaring.
"Because something just crossed the outer wards."
Fear struck her chest.
"V…vampires?"
"Maybe," Luka growled. "But they won't reach you."
He stood in one smooth, terrifyingly graceful motion, shoulders rolling, muscles tightening.
He wasn't flirting anymore.
He was hunting.
"Get in bed," he repeated softly.
"But"
He cupped her cheek gently, voice dropping to a protective rumble.
"I promised you're safe," he whispered. "And I meant it."
Her pulse raced.
He pulled away, going to the door but paused hand on the frame.
Then he glanced back at her, smirking faintly.
"OH!, and when I get back…" he said in a teasing, wicked murmur,
"you're trying Daddy Wolfy at least once."
"LUKA!"
He chuckled.
And then he was gone
The wolf in him awake, dangerous, and ready for whoever dared touch his bunny.