The Midnight Princess Ch. 01

All characters in this story are 18 or older. I hope you enjoy!

The clack of black hooves echoed on damp earth as Lilith ventured deeper into the forbidden forest. The darkening sky behind her faded and was replaced by a thick veil of fog. Each step into the thicket made her pulse quicken--not just from fear but something far more intoxicating--a nervous, breathless anticipation that tightened in her chest.

She had been warned. She knew she shouldn't be here.

But she desperately wanted to be.

The wind howled through ancient trees, whispering warnings telling her to return from where she came. Above her, black clouds gathered. Distant thunder rumbled and the damp scent of earth thickened with the promise of rain. A shiver traced her spine as she came to familiar signs. Dull, twisted oak trees whose bark was marred like old scars, fallen stones; claw marks gouged into damp wood, far too large for any ordinary beast.

She was close

Closer to him.

Her gloved fingers tightened around the reins as her heart fluttered wildly, the air growing heavier with every step. She couldn't see him -- not yet -- but that familiar pull deep in her belly told her he was near. She slid down from her saddle, her boots sinking softly into the mud. Her Friesian mare snorted as she became restless, a puff of frosted breath escaping her dark muzzle as she too sensed the same presence. Lilith swallowed and steadied her breath, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I can feel you..."

Silence answered back. For a moment, she wondered if he would stay hidden or if he would let her wander alone in this place where no other mortal dared to enter. She waited a little longer, beginning to fear he meant the harsh last words he spat at her.

Then came the voice.

Deep. Rough. Laced with warning... and something far darker.

"I told you to stay away, princess."

Her breath caught in her throat, her fingers trembling as she slowly turned. The shadows shifted until he finally appeared.

Vesper.

Massive, bare chested, and powerful. The very sight of him seized her breathing further as his large frame emerged. He was mostly human at first glance; the kind of man carved from dark myths that mothers told their children in bedtime stories. Thick bands of muscle rippled beneath skin that was perfect in some places, scarred in others. Dark fur curled along his forearms, across his shoulders, and traced down to his sides, as if the beast within refused to be fully hidden. His only clothing was black tattered trousers that hung low on his hips, worn and frayed at the hems as if every transformation shredded what little humanity he still clung to. Large, bare feet pressed into the soil, claws extending from his toes showing this currently dormant predator was never fully at rest.

His face -- still unmistakably male, unmistakably human -- a brutal kind of masculine beauty. A strong jaw dusted with stubble, high cheekbones sharpened by shadow, and lips set in a grim line that spoke of restraint. Strands of dark, wet, midnight hair clung to his brow, and the rest was tucked behind pointed ears. His striking green eyes glowed in the appearing night as they watched Lilith with a gaze that felt like both a warning and a promise.

Her fear and excitement twisted together as she took him in once more. A familiar, forbidden ache began to bloom deep within her, a feeling no courtly suitor had ever stirred. Only he could make her body feel this alive, this aware of every heartbeat, every breath.

"I said I would return," Lilith said as she slowly walked towards him, her voice soft but slightly trembling. "I meant it."

His jaw clenched at her words, muscles rippling beneath his skin. He stepped closer, each movement predatory and controlled, but she could sense the tension coiling within him like a beast straining against its leash, ready to take down its prey.

"You should heed my warning," he growled, his voice thick with restraint. "You are playing a very dangerous game. Turn around. Go back to your world of silk and safety, safe behind your high castle walls. You do not belong here."

Lilith's heart pounded, but she didn't move. She couldn't. The pull toward him was stronger than fear--stronger than reason. The ache inside her deepened, her cheeks flushing as she cast her gaze downward, gathering the courage to speak.

"Vesper... please let me stay," she breathed. "Just for a while."

Vesper's breath hitched at the sound of his name on her tongue. His hands curled into fists at his sides, his claws painfully digging into his palms, hard enough to almost draw blood. His breathing was uneven now, ragged, as if every second in her presence chipped pieces away from his resolve. His eyes darkened as they roamed over her delicate form, lingering far too long on every sinful detail wrapped in innocence. Her creamy white skin glowed in the bright moonlight as long, raven hair cascaded over her shoulder in soft waves. Her violet eyes -- wide and luminous -- lifted to meet his, filled with so much purity that it twisted into something far too dangerous.

He continued to stare as he took in her look of innocence and something far, far sweeter. Something he could feel and smell, radiating off of her.

Desire.

"Lilith..." Her name sounded like a curse on his tongue. The storm growled overhead, wind lashing through the trees as the first drops of rain began to fall. Vesper's head snapped toward the sky, a snarl curling his lips. Fate has a cruel sense of humor.

"Damn it..." he muttered under his breath. With a final, frustrated glance at the girl who haunted his every waking thought, he closed the final distance between them in two strides. His large, calloused hands trembled with restraint as they wrapped around her waist to lift her onto her saddle, as if she weighed no more than a flower. "You'll catch a cold if you try to return home," he said, voice rough, almost bitter. "Come. You know the way." Lilith's heart soared, though she kept her head bowed to hide the faint smile that touched her lips.

Vesper grabbed onto the reins of midnight mare and began to lead her through a winding, narrow path that placed them even deeper in the heart of the forbidden forest. The whispers of the wind grew more intense the deeper they ventured. Lilith kept a grip of her mare's mane, a mane the same raven color as her hair. Every step the mare took followed the pull of Vesper, the muscles in his back shifting beneath skin and fur as he moved with effortless power. The first drops of rain began to fall, feeling cold against Lilith's exposed skin. She raised one hand to her cloak, pulling it closer to her body as her eyes remained entranced by the giant leading her to shelter.

Vesper didn't once glance her way, but Lilith could still feel the tension radiating from him, as if each step beside her was a battle against every instinct he refused to unleash. Thunder clapped as the storm broke in full, the forest vanishing behind a curtain of heavy rain. Still, Vesper pressed on, leading them through paths only he could navigate. The ground grew uneven, and Lilith tightened her grip on the mane. But still, she trusted him to guide her safely. Finally, they reached the jagged mouth of his den, which was half hidden by vines and stone. The faint glow of firelight flickered within, casting long shadows against the branches that formed the den's opening. Vesper halted, his hand releasing its grip on the reigns. He turned to Lilith, just long enough for her to catch the sharp edge of his profile. His jaw was clenched, and his green eyes refused to meet hers.

He raked his hand through his soaking wet hair, removing the wet strands from his face. "Dismount," he ordered. "And leave the horse. She knows better than to wander." Lilith obeyed, gracefully sliding down from her saddle. She gathered up the bottom of her silver gown to prevent it from getting dirty as she made her way into the familiar warmth. As she stepped in, the storm outside became a distant hum that was replaced by the quiet crackle of firelight and the heavy scent of stone, smoke, ... and Vesper. Her violet eyes drifted over the familiar sights of rough pelts strewn across dark stone, a crude wooden table bearing signs of a life lived far from civilization, and the faint, lingering musk that was entirely him. Earthy, wild, with a hint of something she couldn't name but found herself breathing in deeper than she should.

She softly bit her lip as her eyes returned to the furs. Her skin began to tingle as the memory of their softness against her bare skin made her breath quicken. A dull ache formed between her legs, one that desperately craved the pleasure she had received... and savagely wanted more of. She jolted back to reality as she sensed Vesper behind her, moving with that same effortless grace, his bare feet silent against the ground despite his size. He didn't speak as he stirred the fire back to life, the golden glow licking across the broad planes of his back, casting shadows over his large, muscular form. Without asking, he pulled a slab of roasted meat from a spit near the fire and set it on a plate beside a torn piece of bread and a handful of wild berries. His claws made quick work of slicing it with a sharp, practiced efficiency before sliding it across the table toward her.

"Eat," he muttered, not meeting her gaze. Lilith gratefully took her food in her hands then lowered herself onto one of the pelts, smoothing her damp skirts beneath her as she looked up at Vesper, whose back remained turned to her. "Thank you, Vesper."

He grunted in response, settling across from her -- half in shadow, green eyes flickering in the firelight as he watched her with that same unreadable expression. Massive arms rested on his knees, claws tapping absently against stone as if to remind himself to stay grounded. For a few moments, only the sounds of crackling fire and the storm's distant roar filled the space. Lilith ate delicately, occasionally glancing up at him through dark lashes, her cheeks still flushed from the ride and the lingering heat coiling low in her belly. Then, as the quiet grew too heavy for her gentle nature, she began to speak. It was soft at first, her voice light and melodic, like a song meant to soothe wild things.

She spoke of trivial things, like the way the roses in the palace garden had begun to bloom early, how her handmaidens whispered about some upcoming ball she had no interest in attending, a book she'd been reading about faraway lands. She lit up at the excitement of her 20th birthday approaching, saying how she would be gifted a new beautiful mare. Vesper said nothing, but his gaze never left her. He told himself he was only half-listening and watching for weakness or danger, but the truth gnawed at him. He loved the sound of her voice, the softness of it, and the way it filled the hollow places inside him he'd long forgotten were there.

Every word she spoke wrapped around him like a chain he didn't know how to break, but also didn't want to. When she mentioned how peaceful it felt here, compared to the suffocating expectations of court life, something in his jaw ticked. His claws flexed against his knee, as if the idea of her belonging in this dark place stirred something dangerous inside him. As she drifted into a gentle ramble about a painting she admired, he cut her off -- gruff, sharp, a poor mask for how intently he'd been listening.

"You talk too much, princess."

Lilith blinked, her lips parting in surprise before a soft, almost shy smile curved them. She lowered her gaze to her plate, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

"... I'm sorry," she murmured, genuinely contrite. "I didn't mean to bother you." The sincerity in her voice made Vesper's chest tighten painfully. He shifted, a low sound rumbling from deep within him.

"... It's not that," he muttered after a long pause, his voice rougher now, quieter. "It's just... dangerous. Filling the silence like that."

Lilith's brow furrowed as she glanced up at him, innocent confusion flickering in those violet eyes. "Dangerous?" she echoed softly. Vesper's gaze darkened, his eyes locking onto hers, filled with everything he couldn't say. Everything he wanted but refused to take.

"Because when you talk like that," he said, his voice dropping to something low and strained, "I forget what I am."

For a moment. The only sound was the crackle of fire and the distant pulse of rain against stone. Lilith's breath caught at Vesper's words, her violet eyes wide, searching his face for meaning. But he'd already averted his gaze, and shadows danced across the hard lines of his jaw as if he regretted letting the truth slip. Lilith didn't understand fully, but she felt it. The weight of something dangerous simmering beneath his rough exterior. Something that made her heart flutter and her body crave something she knew she shouldn't. Lowering her gaze, she quietly resumed her meal, the warmth of the fire chasing away the chill from her damp clothes. She spoke less now. Her voice was softer, more hesitant, but still shared small thoughts, for she was afraid that remaining in silence would drive him further away.

Vesper didn't respond. He sat in the dim glow, his massive frame tense, eyes fixed on the flickering flames while his ears caught every delicate word she uttered. He told himself to ignore her, but each gentle syllable wrapped tighter around him, a sweet, unintentional torment.

When her plate was empty, Lilith let out a soft sigh and pulled the nearest fur around her slender frame, her lashes fluttering as the exhaustion of the day began to weigh on her.

"I always feel safe here," she murmured, her voice thick with sleep, a faint smile on her lips. "With you..." Vesper's jaw clenched at that -- his claws digging into his palms as he kept his eyes locked on the fire, refusing to look at her.

Safe... If only she knew.

He heard her breathing slow, her words trailing off into a whisper before fading entirely. When he finally allowed himself to glance her way, the sight nearly undid him.

Lilith had curled into the furs, her raven hair spilling across the pelts like ink on parchment. Her delicate features were relaxed in sleep, soft lips parted slightly as if still whispering dreams. The rise and fall of her chest beneath the modest fabric of her dress was painfully hypnotic. Vesper swallowed hard, his throat tight with restraint. His claws flexed uselessly at his sides as a low, frustrated growl rumbled deep in his chest.

She had no idea what she did to him.

No idea how close he always was to forgetting himself. His mind drifted, unbidden, to the last time she'd lain there in his den... when her innocent curiosity had nearly broken him. He should have sent her away that night.

But he didn't.

That night, she sat beside his fire, wrapped in furs far too thin to shield her from the real danger in the room. Vesper had kept his distance as usual, every muscle tense, every glance a battle not to devour her with his eyes. But Lilith saw too much as usual. For a girl as innocent as her, he was fascinated by how observant she was. Her soft voice had broken the heavy silence, tentative but sincere.

"Why do you always... pull away from me?" she'd asked, her violet eyes wide, shimmering with something like hurt--or was it confusion? "Every time I get close... you act like I've done something wrong."

Vesper had frozen, jaw clenched so tightly it ached. He didn't answer. He couldn't. But Lilith, in her gentle persistence, didn't let the silence stop her.

"I see it," she said softly, her voice barely audible over the crackling fire. It would've almost been silent if it weren't for his acute hearing. "The way you look at me sometimes... like you're afraid of something."

His control frayed at the edges, a low growl rumbling in his chest before he could stop it. "Afraid?" he muttered bitterly, silver eyes flashing as he finally met her gaze. "No, little princess. Fear has nothing to do with it."

She tilted her head, innocent curiosity softening her features. "Then why?"

Vesper's lips parted, the words slipping out before his sanity could catch them.

"Because of the things I want to do to you."

The confession hung in the air. The words he uttered were dark, and final. Lilith blinked, her cheeks flushing as confusion knitted her brows. She didn't look scandalized. She didn't even look afraid. She simply asked, in the sweetest voice imaginable,

"... What things?"

Vesper's breath left him in a ragged exhale, his claws digging into his thighs as he tore his gaze away from her--because if he kept looking, he'd show her exactly what. "Don't," he growled, his voice strained and low. "You don't know what you're asking." But Lilith, trusting and naive, mistook his torment for reluctance. She inched closer, her small hand reaching out, fingers brushing lightly against the fur along his forearm--soft, tentative, like touching something sacred.

"Then... show me," she whispered, her voice trembling--not with fear, but with something far more dangerous. Curiosity. Trust. A budding, innocent desire she didn't yet understand.

Vesper's breath grew heavier, his muscles tensed at the memory. The feel of her soft, untouched body trembling beneath his hand, the way his thick, large finger had stretched her tight, virgin heat. The gasps she'd given him, sweet and breathless, as if every touch was a revelation. The way she'd moaned his name was desperate, innocent, and perfect as she came undone for him, her juices running down onto his hand. It had taken every shred of sanity he possessed not to claim her fully that night, not to give in to the primal urge to mark her, to bury himself inside her warmth and make her his.

But he couldn't. She was meant for marriage, for politics, for whatever future her royal blood demanded. She was too pure, too good for a monster like him.

Vesper tore his gaze away from her still sleeping form, his claws scraping against stone as he stood abruptly. He began pacing the edge of the firelight like a caged beast. The storm outside had begun to ease, but the storm within him only grew worse. If she stayed here any longer, he wasn't sure he could stop himself if she asked for more. He needed to protect her -- even from himself.

He crouched beside her, his massive frame casting a shadow over her softness. Carefully, and more gently than anyone would believe him capable of, he reached out, his rough, claw-tipped fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. His hand hovered there for a moment longer than it should have, aching to touch more.

"Lilith..." he murmured, her name a low, almost tender whisper. Her long lashes fluttered, a soft hum escaping her throat as she stirred beneath his touch. Slowly, those violet eyes opened, still sleepy, warm, and trusting in a way that made his restraint splinter all over again. A faint smile curved her lips when she saw him so close, but it faded when she caught the tension in his eyes. "The rain's let up," Vesper said, his voice softer than usual. It was gruff, but laced with care and protection. "It's time for you to go, little one."

She blinked as she pushed herself up slowly, the furs slipping down her shoulders. Her heart tightened at his words, and Vesper saw a flicker of sadness dimming the warmth in her eyes.

"... Already?" she asked. Vesper stood abruptly to put space between them before doing something reckless. He ran a hand through his dark hair, forcing his expression back into something hard and unreadable.

Lilith didn't move. She stayed where she was, sitting amidst the furs, watching him with a growing ache in her chest that had nothing to do with the storm or fear. "I don't want to leave..." she confessed, her voice trembling. "I can't stop thinking about... what happened last time."

Vesper's shoulders stiffened, his claws flexing at his sides. "Lilith," he warned, but it lacked the sharpness it should have carried. She stood then, bare feet whispering against the stone floor as she slowly, timidly crossed the space between them. Her delicate fingers reached out to graze his arm and felt the heat of his skin, the coarse fur beneath her palm.

"I didn't know it could feel like that..." she whispered, her cheeks flushed with innocence and something far more desperate. "That I... could feel like that. I didn't know I could want something this much."

He looked at her, his gaze hungry and dark with internal conflict "Don't," he said quietly, almost pleading this time. "You don't understand what you're asking for." Lilith's violet eyes shimmered, wide with trust and longing. She stepped closer, lifting her gaze to his with a mixture of fear and courage that only made her more irresistible.

"... Show me more," she whispered, her voice cracking on the words. "Please... I need to feel that again."

Vesper's breath left him in a ragged growl, his control slipping as she unknowingly pulled at every thread holding him together. When her hands slid up his chest, they were trembling and unsure. With a low, guttural sound, he caught her wrist not to push her away, but because if he didn't anchor himself, he'd devour her whole.

"Lilith..." he rasped, his voice thick with a hunger he could no longer hide.

But she only looked up at him, lips parted, eyes wide with that same innocent plea. Vesper's grip on her wrist tightened, not enough to hurt, but enough to make her heart race for reasons that had nothing to do with fear. "Lilith..." he growled, his voice raw, strained, every word sounding like it was dragged from deep within his chest. "You need to stop."

But she didn't pull away. She couldn't. Her violet eyes shimmered as she looked up at him, her lips parted with that soft, breathless desperation. "Please..." she whispered, her voice trembling. "I need to feel it again..."

Vesper snarled, turning away from her touch like it burned him. His claws raked through his hair, muscles in his back flexing as he fought the beast clawing beneath his skin. "Do you even understand what you're doing?" he asked sincerely before he turned back to face her. "You're a princess, Lilith. You were raised to be pure, untouched, for whatever noble fool they plan to marry you off to." His words struck her like a cold wind, making her flinch. She wrapped her arms around herself as she slowly backed away from him, shame and longing twisting painfully in her chest.

"I... I know..." she whispered, her gaze dropping to the floor, her cheeks burning with the weight of his truth. Yes, she was supposed to remain untouched. A perfect bride. A symbol of grace and virtue for political gain. She knew the rules. She'd lived them every day of her life. But standing here, in the dim firelight, with Vesper's scent in her lungs and the memory of his touch still haunting her skin... none of those rules seemed to matter. The longer she remained here, the more her desires clouded her judgment. Her heart pounded as she looked back up at him, her voice soft but resolute, full of that ache she couldn't deny, no matter how hard she tried. "But when I'm with you..." she said, her throat tightening around the words, "I don't care about any of that."

Vesper's expression darkened, his jaw clenched so tightly it looked like pain. He closed the distance between them in two strides, towering over her now, taking deep breaths to control the beat within that was desperate to be released. "You're playing a dangerous game, little one," he snarled, his claws grazing her chin as he tilted her face up to meet his gaze. "You say that now... but when I've ruined you... when there's no going back... you'll regret ever stepping foot in these woods."

Lilith's breath hitched, but she didn't look away. Tears formed in her eyes, threatening to fall from the storm of emotions tearing her apart. "I won't regret it..." she whispered, her voice breaking with truth. "I could never regret you."

For a heartbeat, Vesper froze, and something flickered behind his glowing eyes: rage, desire, despair. The beast inside him roared, demanding he take what she offered. The man inside him cursed every fragile bit of control he had left. "Gods help me..." he growled, his voice a low, feral rumble as his hand slid from her chin to her throat; his grip was gentle but possessive. "You don't know what you're doing to me." He felt her pulse flutter beneath his palm as he stared at her trembling lips, desperately wanting to slide his tongue over them. "I could snap your pretty little neck like a twig," he growled as his grip tightened a little more, watching her tears finally fall down her face, "I could end this torture right now... and save us both from ruin." He expected her to cower in fear, to beg him to release her. Instead, she leaned into his touch, surrendering completely.

"Please," she whispered with every ounce of desperation in her.

That was the moment his restraint shattered.

With a guttural sound torn from deep within him, Vesper's mouth crashed onto hers. The kiss was consuming, stealing the breath from her lungs as his large hands cupped her face. When he pulled back, his gaze raked over her flushed face as he brushed his thumb across her trembling lips.

"Remove your dress," he commanded softly, the gentleness of the man in him still on the surface. Lilith's breath quaked as her shaking hands reached for the ties of her dress. The weight of his gaze made her skin burn, every inch revealed feeling like a sin. Her eyes lowered to the ground, too shy to meet his gaze as the fabric pooled at her feet, leaving her bare before him.

A low, approving growl rumbled from Vesper's chest. "Look at me, little one," he murmured, stepping closer, his rough finger tilting her chin up. She obeyed, her lashes fluttering as their eyes met. Hers shimmering with innocence, his dark with hunger. "You're perfect..." he whispered, almost like a confession to himself. He guided her down onto the furs, his touch remaining surprisingly gentle for a beast who could snap steel in his hands. His movements paused as he took time to drink in the perfection of her body. When his hands began to roam again, he took his time to tease, explore -- his large hands gliding over her soft curves, savoring the way her body reacted to every brush of his calloused palms. Lilith gasped, her thighs pressing together as her body grew warm and achy beneath his slow, deliberate touch. She tried to cover herself, but Vesper caught her wrists easily, pinning them above her head with one hand.

"So shy..." he murmured against her neck, his fangs grazing her skin just enough to make her shiver. "Yet you begged for this." Her breath came in soft, desperate pants, her body betraying her modesty as her back arched toward him instinctively. Vesper's lips trailed down her neck, his free hand following on the other side of her body, worshipping her. He drank in every whimper, every sweet moan that spilled from her lips. His fang nipped at a nipple before twirling his tongue around the stiff peak. Lilith gasped as new tears slid down her cheeks. This little bit of pleasure was already close to sending her over the edge, the heat between her thighs rising higher and higher. His control held, but only barely--the beast inside him pacing, snarling, as her scent wrapped around his senses like a drug.

Vesper continued his worship of her as he crawled down her body, leaving soft kisses as his nails softly raked over her skin, careful not to leave marks. When his mouth finally found her pussy, Lilith cried out softly, her back arching even more as pleasure bloomed through her. His tongue moved in slow, torturous circles, savoring every drop of her sweetness. Every gasp that escaped her lips, every time she moaned his name, caused the careful line he walked to begin to fray. He released his grip on her wrists and brought both of his hands down to spread her thighs wider for him. His growls deepened, vibrating against her clit.

Lilith dropped her hands to his hair, bunching it in her fingers as her hips began to grind against his mouth. She never thought it could actually get better, that he could make her feel even more than he had their last encounter. His claws, once gentle on her thighs, now gripped her thighs harder. He was possessive, marking her skin with faint red impressions. His pace quickened, his tongue working her with a desperation that hadn't been there before, that was driven by something feral.

Lilith barely noticed, lost in the overwhelming pleasure, her hands gripping the furs, her legs trembling as she spiraled higher and higher.

"V-Vesper..." she whimpered, her voice a broken plea.

That sound of his name on her tongue, breathless and needy, finally snapped what little restraint remained. A savage snarl tore from his throat as he pinned her hips down, his claws digging into her soft flesh while he devoured her like a starving man. His eyes glowed brighter, his muscles tense and trembling, his fur standing up on his back as the beast inside him demanded more.

Demanded everything.

Lilith's cries grew louder, her innocence unraveling beneath his mouth until she shattered, her body convulsing as waves of pleasure consumed her. Vesper didn't stop. The beast wasn't satisfied. He licked her through every trembling aftershock, his possessive grip refusing to let her escape the intensity of his hunger. When he finally pulled back, his chest was heaving, his fangs bared, his claws fully extended. His gaze raked over her trembling, flushed form. She was his, even if he hadn't fully claimed her yet. Hovering over her, the thick length of him pressed against her slick entrance, his body moving on instinct alone. The beast wanted to mark her, to bury himself deep and never let her go.

Just a little... the dark voice within him purred, deep and persuasive.

Just a taste. Let her feel what it's like to be truly yours.

He began to shake as his hips shifted forward, the head of his cock sliding against her warmth and nudging at her entrance. She was so tight, so perfectly untouched. Her body was inviting him in without her even realizing it.

She wanted to be his... and he wanted to claim her.

One thrust. Make her beg for more.

Lilith's dazed eyes met his, wide and shimmering with both fear and longing--her lips parting in a soft, unsure whisper.

"... Vesper?"

The sound of her voice saying his name like that, small but trusting, cut through the haze just enough. Vesper roared in frustration and agony as he wrenched himself away, slamming his fist into the stone floor beside her as he fought to cage the beast once more. His body trembled with the effort, his claws raking deep grooves into the rock. "Damn it...." he snarled, his voice barely human. "I told you... this is why you have to stay away." Tears welled in Lilith's eyes, her innocence returning in full force as she pulled a fur up to cover her, her mind still dizzy and her body overwhelmed by the storm they'd unleashed.

"I'm sorry..." she whispered, her voice cracking, shame and longing twisting inside her. "I didn't mean..." Vesper dropped his head as guilt overcame him. Not just from how far he had let himself go, but how he had upset her.

"It's not your fault, little one..." he rasped, his voice softer now, filled with regret. "But if you come back... I won't stop next time." And they both knew that she would come back. The pull between them was stronger than fear, stronger than duty. Stronger than both woman and beast.