Chapter 189
In this chapter, Liyah gives Claire some bold and unconventional advice about relationships, emphasizing that Claire should not make the first move or act responsibly, and that physical intimacy can be natural and beneficial, especially with someone like Lucien. Despite Liyah’s persuasive reasoning, Claire feels conflicted and insists that if she is going to be intimate with Lucien, it must be meaningful and not rushed. She wants to wait until she is emotionally ready, valuing a deeper connection over impulsive decisions.
Their private conversation is interrupted when Lucien unexpectedly arrives, having been called by Liyah. He surprises Claire by kissing her passionately, showing how deeply connected they have become. Lucien teases Claire about overhearing their conversation and their growing closeness, creating a playful yet intimate atmosphere. Liyah, feeling like a third wheel, tries to lighten the mood, but the tension between Claire and Lucien remains strong.
After dinner, Lucien reassures Claire that he respects her boundaries and is willing to take things at her pace. This understanding gives Claire relief, and she agrees to try the approach Lucien suggested. Their relationship takes a more physical turn when Lucien pulls Claire onto his lap in the car and kisses her deeply, igniting intense emotions and desire. Despite the public setting, their connection feels undeniable and addictive.
The chapter ends with a sudden interruption as someone knocks on the car window, and Claire notices two familiar people walking nearby, leaving the scene charged with anticipation and unresolved tension. Throughout the chapter, Claire wrestles with her feelings, balancing caution and passion as her relationship with Lucien evolves.
Chapter 188: Addicted
“The rules are simple and non-negotiable: you don’t refuse, you don’t make the first move, and above all, you don’t act responsibly!” Liyah’s voice was firm, each word pronounced with unwavering clarity.
I blinked in disbelief. “Wait, but wouldn’t that make me come off like a total jerk?” I gasped, the thought unsettling me.
Liyah tapped her temple impatiently, as if trying to knock some sense into me. “A jerk? Don’t be absurd! Confessing feelings is the man’s territory, his battlefield. He’s the one chasing—you’re supposed to play clueless unless he explicitly says, ‘Be my girlfriend.’ Until then, act like you have no idea what’s going on p>
She paused, then flashed a mischievous smile that hinted at something deeper.
“If he wants to sleep with you—and if that’s a mutual decision—then it’s perfectly natural. You’re single, he’s unattached. What’s wrong with sharing a night with a top-tier Alpha? Think about it. Someone like Lucien can offer you so much. And let’s be honest, you haven’t even slept with him yet, and he’s already draped a diamond around your neck worth a small fortune! Do the math however you want—you’re the one coming out ahead here p>
Despite how twisted her reasoning was, I had to admit it sounded pretty convincing.
“But…” I hesitated, my heart tugging me in a different direction.
Liyah cut me off with a dismissive wave. “But what? Listen, seal the deal tonight! I have a feeling our dazzling Alpha might even be a virgin. You should be the one to pop his cherry and claim him as yours p>
I waved my hands frantically, panic rising in me. “Not now! If it’s going to happen, it needs to be at least a month from now. I want it to mean something—something real. I don’t want to lead Lucien on when I’m still so uncertain p>
Liyah looked at me like I’d just grown a second head. “Seriously p>
Biting my lip, a quiet resolve settled over me. “I can hold back. Lucien means too much to me to mess with his feelings when my own thoughts are this tangled p>
Though Liyah’s rebellious advice was tempting, deep inside, I guarded one final, sacred boundary. Even if it was only physical intimacy, without the soul’s deep connection, it had to be on a day that mattered—a day worth remembering.
And as Liyah said, what if it really was his first time? If I were to be that special ‘first,’ then I owed him a little responsibility, didn’t I?
Our private girl talk was interrupted by the arrival of the dishes we had ordered, each plate placed in front of us with a clatter.
I had just lifted my fork, ready to dive in, when a sudden warmth brushed the side of my head.
Before I could even register what was happening, a hand slid beneath my chin, tilting my face upward. My lips were captured in a kiss so profound it seemed to stir my very soul.
Lucien.
I didn’t need to see him to know—it was his lips, the ones my body recognized by heart now.
“Mmph!” I tried to respond, but the sound was swallowed as our mouths met.
“Wow!” Liyah’s voice rang out, dripping with envy.
“You—what are you doing here?” I blurted, startled.
Had he overheard everything we just said?
“Alpha Lucien, sit down! Since you and Claire are like this now, you definitely owe us dinner!” Liyah said, practically bouncing with excitement as she urged him to take a seat, clearly eager to watch the unfolding scene.
I wondered how Lucien had shown up so suddenly. It turned out Liyah had called him and asked him to come.
“Did I come at a bad time? I think I might have heard something I wasn’t supposed to,” Lucien said as he settled into the chair, his hand sneaking under the table to gently grasp mine. His tone was teasing, his expression relaxed—he looked perfectly at ease.
“You—” I turned to him, cheeks flushing. “Eavesdropping on private conversations is rude! If you’d arrived earlier, you should’ve made yourself known. Especially when it’s girl talk. These are things boys shouldn’t hear—just like how guys have their own secret talks p>
Lucien’s lips curled into a sly smile. “If I’d shown up earlier, I wouldn’t have heard you praising my first-class kissing skills—and other… assets p>
My face burned an even deeper shade of red.
“Next time you give me a five-star review, make sure you do it to my face,” he whispered close to my ear.
Liyah waved her fork dramatically. “All this PDA—how am I supposed to eat? I feel like the glaring third wheel here p>
“Okay, okay, since you’re here, let’s eat,” I said quickly, eager to change the subject. I hurriedly piled food into Lucien’s bowl, trying to distract myself.
After the meal, Lucien naturally moved to pay the bill, and Liyah, ever the opportunist, found an excuse to slip away without me.
I climbed into Lucien’s car, still feeling a little dazed. The shift in our relationship was sudden, and I wasn’t quite sure how to process it yet.
“Lucien, I—” I started, wanting to clarify our earlier conversation but unsure how to say it. Words tangled in my throat, and I hesitated.
“It’s okay. I respect you,” Lucien interrupted gently, reading my hesitation clearly. “If you don’t want to make things public yet, we won’t. If you’re not ready to take on the responsibility of commitment, that’s fine too. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy p>
I looked up, surprised. “You—you’d accept that p>
“I understand your worries, Claire,” he said softly, eyes locked on mine. “Just be yourself, boldly. As long as you don’t push me away—that’s enough p>
A wave of relief washed over me. Seizing the moment, I added, “Then—okay, let’s try it your way for now p>
“What way?” Lucien’s gaze darkened, becoming more intense.
“Just like you described,” I stammered.
Without warning, Lucien slid an arm around my waist, leaned over, and lifted me entirely from the passenger seat onto his lap.
His eyes, darker than ever, locked onto my parted lips. Then he pressed a deep, lingering kiss against them.
My pupils dilated in shock. ‘Oh my goddess—this is happening in the car!’ And not just anywhere, but right outside a bustling mall entrance, with people constantly walking by.
I instinctively struggled, but his moist, skillful kiss overwhelmed me. My heart raced, chaos swirling inside. Goosebumps dotted my skin as sparks of pleasure shot through me.
How could he always provoke such a reaction so quickly?
After more than ten minutes lost in that intoxicating kiss, I bit down hard on the tip of his tongue, forcing our mouths apart.
Lucien pulled back with a triumphant smirk.
Wiping a trace of moisture from his lips, he said, “I’ve discovered that kissing you is the most addictive thing I’ve ever experienced. Without question p>
“But—it’s broad daylight,” I murmured, half embarrassed.
“Kissing doesn’t need perfect timing,” Lucien replied, his voice low and sincere. “If I could, I’d kiss you anytime, anywhere. Claire, I want you all the time. Day or night—it doesn’t matter to me or my wolf p>
The air inside the car thickened with an intoxicating tension. My mind spun, heart pounding so hard I dared not meet his hungry gaze, which seemed ready to devour me whole.
Suddenly, a knock on the car window startled us. Someone was signaling for us to move over so they could open their door.
Feeling caught like a thief in the act, I pushed his large hand off my waist, scrambling off his lap and retreating hastily back to the passenger seat.
Just as I settled back, two familiar figures appeared right outside the car, walking hand-in-hand, their presence impossible to ignore.
This chapter delicately captures the tension between desire and restraint, highlighting the protagonist’s struggle to balance her emotions with her values. The intimate moments shared with Lucien reveal the depth of their connection, while her hesitation underscores the importance she places on meaningful commitment. Despite external pressures and Liyah’s provocative advice, she holds onto her boundaries, showing a quiet strength and self-awareness that enriches her emotional journey.
Lucien’s unwavering support and understanding create a safe space for her to navigate her feelings without fear of judgment. Their shared vulnerability, expressed through tender gestures and honest conversations, brings them closer while maintaining respect for each other’s pace. As the chapter closes with a glimpse of the outside world intruding on their private moment, it beautifully sets the stage for the continuing evolution of their relationship, grounded in trust and genuine affection.
Next chapter promises to deepen the emotional complexity between Claire and Lucien as they navigate the delicate balance between desire and restraint. The sudden public display of affection has already stirred a mix of excitement and embarrassment, hinting that their relationship might soon face challenges from both external observers and their own inner doubts. The arrival of those familiar figures outside the car suggests that their private moment may not remain so private for long, potentially complicating the fragile new dynamic they’ve begun to explore.
Expect tensions to rise as Claire grapples with her feelings and the consequences of stepping into this uncharted territory with Lucien. His unwavering confidence contrasts with her cautious heart, setting the stage for intimate revelations and perhaps unexpected confrontations. The next chapter will likely explore how they each respond to the pressures of their evolving bond, with emotions running high and loyalties tested in subtle but impactful ways.
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.