Lucian’s POV

It’s been long since Rafe had that drug, and these days I could see him restless already. He was holding on well just because soon Eira was going to give birth. The closer the days were close, the more I was scared that this bastard might run away, feeling he was a threat to them.

I got the new drug I had created but was yet to give it to Rafe, knowing things would end worse once he knew what I was giving him. But, I had to take this call. I didn’t want to lose him at any cost.

And I didn’t want us all to be in any difficult situation before Eira gave birth and we had to protect the child from the enemies. Everything was unusually quiet on our enemies side, and that was worrisome to some extent.

In the middle of the night I messaged him to come by the lake in the estate. If we argued or anything, I didn’t want to disturb others’ sleep, especially Eira’s. And if she asked what was going on, it would be difficult to lie to her when Rafe didn’t want to tell her about his situation.

Rafe arrived at the lake where I was waiting for him.

"What? Now openly inviting me to have some fun here when you have a mate already," I heard his usual teasing remark. "Not fair to your mate, dude?"

I turned to look at him, my expressions serious. "Done bullshitting?"

He stood there, as cold and smug as ever, his hands tucked into his pockets, his posture already resisting whatever I had planned.

"Why did you call me here?" he asked.

"I created a new drug for you," I said, stepping closer. "You need to try it."

His gaze sharpened slightly. "What is it made of?"

"A creator does not reveal his secrets," I replied.

"Or you are afraid that once I know how to make it, I won’t need you anymore," he mocked, that familiar smirk tugging at his lips.

"Yeah," I said without hesitation, stopping right in front of him. "That is exactly the reason." My gaze locked with his. "And I want you to need me all your life."

Silence fell between us.

What the fuck did I just say?

It sounded like a confession. And maybe it was. But I didn’t care.

In my heart, I knew I wanted him around me always, and that want didn’t just end just with having him around, but something more.

"I am not letting you inject me with something random unless you tell me what it is," he said, stepping back, his eyes challenging me.

"You do not have your drug anymore," I reminded him. I had taken it from him the last time. "And Eira is close to giving birth. Do you want to lose control at the smell of her blood? Didn’t you say you want to be with her when she gives birth and experience a feeling of being father?"

His expression darkened slightly.

"And if you think you can find another way to get that drug," I continued, my tone hardening, "remember this. I am watching you. You will not get anything without going through me."

"Then tell me what it is," he said. "I do not trust you anymore."

"Whether you trust me or not, I am your only option," I replied firmly. "So stop wasting time."

I held his gaze, unwavering.

"I am not going to chase after you while my mate is about to give birth," I added. "I need to be with her. We all do. We want to welcome our child without worrying about you losing control."

That finally made him pause.

The resistance in him shifted, just slightly.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small case, opening it to reveal a dark glass syringe filled with the drug.

"Hand," I said.

"I will do it myself," he replied immediately.

"Do as I say."

I did not trust him.

He could easily take it and disappear, then try to figure out what I had made. That was not something I could allow.

"For Eira and the baby," I said, my voice lowering but firm, "you have to trust me."

He finally gave in and extended his hand.

I grabbed it firmly and injected the drug, emptying the syringe within seconds before pulling it out. I stepped back, watching him closely.

I knew the truth.

The day he found out what this drug was made of... everything between us would be over.

His expression shifted almost instantly as the drug took effect. He dropped to his knees, gripping his arm where I had injected him, confusion flashing across his face.

He looked up at me. "What was that?"

"All you need to know is whether it works," I replied.

"I..." His words faltered as his instincts surged. His eyes darkened into a deep red, his fangs extending. His breathing turned uneven. "...want more..." he muttered. "...what is it...?"

"That’s enough," I said sharply, kneeling in front of him. "Wait. Let it settle."

I gripped the back of his neck, forcing his gaze to meet mine. "I told you it will work. Your vampire side is reacting. It will calm down."

"I want blood..." he whispered, his breath heavy, his eyes already drifting to my neck.

I did not hesitate. "I’m right here. Take it."

In the next moment, he moved.

His fangs sank into my neck, and I held him steady, letting him take what he needed. The pull was sharp, but I did not move. I let him drink until the tension in his body eased.

Soon, he stopped.

His breath slowed, his body relaxing as he pulled back slightly, his voice low against my skin. "What was it... tell me."

"All you have to do is trust me," I said quietly. "And we can keep living like this. You won’t have to leave us."

He leaned back, his gaze still hazy as it met mine.

There was something about him in this state. Unguarded. Dangerous. And impossible to ignore.

"Shouldn’t you thank me?" I murmured, my voice lower than intended.

"I didn’t ask you to," he replied just as quietly.

He did not move away.

Neither did I.

He was testing me.

Or maybe I was testing myself.

"Then I’ll take it myself."

My hand moved to the back of his neck, pulling him closer as I closed the distance between us.

The moment our lips met, everything else fell away.

He responded just as fiercely, his grip tightening as he kissed me back, raw and unrestrained. The drug still ran through him, sharpening every instinct, every reaction.

I pushed him back onto the grass, my body following, pressing him down beneath me.

For once, I stopped thinking. And let myself want.

Our breaths mixed, hot and uneven, low growls rumbling in our chests. My hands moved over his body without restraint, and his hands did the same, pulling me closer as if he could not get enough.

I broke the kiss, panting, and moved to his neck.

Fuck.

I wanted more. Far more than I had ever allowed myself to take. And this time, I wasn’t going to stop... not unless he did.

But then—

I felt it.

His hand slid to my lower back, moving toward the back pocket of my pants.

I froze.

My grip tightened around his wrist, stopping him instantly.

For a moment, everything went still.

I lifted my head and looked at him, the haze of desire in my eyes replaced with a cold, sharp glare.

We were both breathing hard, bodies still burning, but our minds were no longer lost.

This bastard... He had his own game.

"You’re not getting it," I said coldly.

I pushed away from him and stood up, every muscle in my body tense as I suppressed the overwhelming urge to drag him back down and fuck him senseless.

My chest rose and fell heavily, desire and anger clashing within me.

He had tried to take the syringe. Even now. Using this.

He closed his eyes briefly, steadying his breath, and then that familiar smirk returned. "I thought if I let you fuck me, you might give it to me."

"Kissing you doesn’t mean I want to fuck you," I snapped.

His gaze dropped, deliberately, to the hardness straining against my pants. "Your cock seems more honest than you are."

I looked at his own hardness for a second before meeting his eyes again. "And yours looks ready to be my bitch."

He pushed himself up slightly, completely unbothered. "Everything has a price, Luke. If you want that, then let me have what I want."

His eyes flicked to my hand. To the syringe.

"That’s useless to you now," he added.

"Which is exactly why I’m going to destroy it," I said and turned away.

I walked off without another word. But the moment my back was to him, the cold mask slipped and a flicker of fear crossed my face.

He had almost gotten it. If I had been even slightly careless, he would have taken it. I needed to be more careful.

I can’t let him find out what that drug really was.