Chapter 5
Lucien: I’m like a wolf—drawn to her scent. And I’ll follow that scent to the ends of the world.
Me: What if I’m not lying?
Me: What if I don’t want you, and I’m only flirting with you because I’m bored?
Lucien: Then that’s going to hurt like a bitch.
Me: Wow.
Lucien: Yea.
Me: I’m surprised at how open you are.
Me: I’m not used to men being so honest about their feelings.
Lucien: What kind of men are you used to, then?
Me: Emotionally unavailable ones. The type who think vulnerability makes them weak.
Lucien: I hope they didn’t hurt you.
Lucien: Otherwise, I might just commit murder.
Me: Easy there, big wolf.
I licked the last trace of pizza sauce from my thumb before tossing the empty box into the trash. By the time I slid back into bed, my phone was already glowing with another message.
Lucien: There’s just something about you.
Lucien: You intrigue me.
Me: I feel the same.
Me: Let’s see if you can really find me.
Lucien: Is that a challenge?
Me: Good night, big wolf.
Me: I need to sleep now.
I yawned, rubbing my eyes. The food had dragged me deeper into exhaustion than I realized.
Lucien: Good night, baby girl.
Me: Hopefully, you’ll be here tomorrow.
I brushed my teeth, slipped beneath the covers, and let his words linger like smoke in my mind. One thing I knew for certain: if Lucien wanted to find me, he would. And the terrifying part was… I wanted him to. My smile was the last thing I carried into sleep.
Me: Evening, big wolf.
I texted Lucien the moment I got home from school. Three nights in a row now—our little ritual—and I was addicted already. There was something about him that pulled me deeper into his world.
Lucien: Hey there, little lamb.
Me: I’ve been thinking about you all day.
Lucien: Really? We barely spoke last night. I hope tonight makes up for it.
Me: It will. School’s been insane, but I’m all yours now. No early wake-up tomorrow. TGIF.
Lucien: Perfect. I don’t have work tomorrow either… unless something comes up.
Me: So, what’s on your mind?
Lucien: I have a secret.
Me: I’m listening.
I sat up straighter, pulse picking up. Was this harmless, or was I about to peel back another layer of the dangerous man behind the screen?
Me: Something terrible?
Lucien: Are you sure you want to know?
Me: I’m braver than I look.
Lucien: Alright. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Me: Now you’re scaring me.
My thumbs hovered nervously over the keyboard. My mind raced—was he about to confess to something dark? Something irreversible?
Lucien: You know what they say… curiosity kills the cat.
Me: Lucky for me, I’m not a cat. So?
Lucien: I missed you. I thought about our chatting with you all day.
A flush crept over me. Silly, ridiculous, but there it was.
Me: That’s it? That’s your big secret?
Lucien: Yes.
Me: You’re insane. I expected… something else.
I rolled my eyes, torn between relief and the dangerous little thrill his words sparked.
Me: Nothing else you’re hiding? Something more personal?
Lucien: Missing you is personal. And rare. Believe me, that doesn’t happen to me.
Lucien: But if I told you I was a criminal… would you run?
Me: Depends on the crime.
Lucien: I’m no criminal. But for you, I’d gladly be a thief—just to steal your heart.
Me: So are you dating someone?
I groaned, throwing my phone onto the bed. “God, Allison, stop acting desperate.” Yet my cheeks burned anyway.
The phone buzzed again.
Lucien: Why would I be on a dating app if I already had someone?
Me: Men do it all the time. Lies and deceit come easy.
Lucien: Now I’m offended.
Lucien: If I told you I had a girl, would you still talk to me?
Me: No. I’d unmatch you instantly.
Lucien: That harsh?
Me: It’s strict around here, trust me.
Lucien: Even after this connection?
Me: Especially then. I won’t be the other woman.
Lucien: And you won’t be.
Me: So?
Lucien: So?
Me: Do you have a woman?
Lucien: Yes.
Lucien: You. You’re mine.
My lips curled despite myself. Dangerous or not, his words slipped under my skin.
Lucien: You said you thought about me all day. What exactly?
Me: A lot.
Lucien: Tell me.
Me: You sound way too eager.
Lucien: You excite me.
Me: Then let’s play a game.
Lucien: As long as you don’t play dirty.
Me: Unfair. I don’t play dirty.
Lucien: Don’t pretend innocence, little lamb.
Me: [laughing emoji]
Lucien: History proves otherwise.
Me: Sometimes history is wrong.
Lucien: Not this time.
Me: Fine. Then let’s make this a negotiation.
Lucien: Another one? We might as well go into business together.
Me: Do you sleep with your business partners?
The second I hit send, I dropped my phone and buried my face in my hands. “Allison, what the hell?!” My laughter spilled out anyway, leaving me breathless.
When I finally picked it back up—
Lucien: Whoa.
Me: What?
Lucien: Didn’t see that coming. You’re unpredictable.
Me: I know.
Lucien: I don’t sleep with business partners. But for you, I’d make an exception.
Me: I don’t want to be an exception.
Lucien: Liar.
Me: I’m not.
Lucien: You might not leave me a choice.
Me: You’re impossible.
Lucien: And you’re a tease.
Me: Guilty. Now, shall we negotiate?
Lucien: Carry on.
Me: If you want to know what I thought about you all night, you’ll give me something first.
Lucien: Anything you want, baby girl.
Me: Same deal as last time. Tell me more about you. Where are you?
Lucien: Already being possessive?
Me: I just want to know if it’s safe for you to be talking to me.
Lucien: It’s always safe for me to do whatever I want, whenever I please.
Me: So you hate possessive women?
Lucien: No. I can be possessive too. Do you want proof?
Me: Maybe.
Lucien: Then I’ll show you where I am.
I bit my lip, nerves twisting tighter with every second of silence before my phone finally chimed with a new message. A photo. My breath stalled as the image sharpened on the screen. His face was hidden, almost deliberately, but the mystery only drew me in further. The camera caught him in a flawless white suit that clung just right to his frame, every line cut to perfection. He sat on the edge of a sleek desk, posture relaxed yet commanding, the city skyline spilling its glow behind him like a crown. Power, wealth, temptation—it bled from the image. My throat went dry.
Lucien: Like what you see, little lamb?
