Olivia’s POV

I was about to go to bed when I caught a whiff of a familiar smell. I instantly knew it was Louis. I didn’t need to check—I already knew he was right outside my door. His scent was too close, too intense.

Not wanting him to barge into my room, I sprang out of bed and headed for the door, deciding that whatever he had to say, he could say it from the hallway. But the moment I pulled the door open, I was met with a sight that made me hesitate.

Louis stood there, breathing heavily, his body glistening with sweat, and his usually cool brown eyes now burned with something wild. Hunger? Desperation? I couldn’t tell. Before I could even form a sentence, he shoved me gently but firmly back into the room, stepped inside, and closed the door behind him. Then he pressed himself against it.

I furrowed my brow, confused. “Louis, what—?”

But the moment I saw his eyes—those burning, untamed eyes—I knew something was wrong. He didn’t say a word. He just leaned against the door, as if trying to hold himself together, breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling with the effort of restraint. His shirt clung to him, soaked with sweat, and then, unexpectedly, he began to undo the remaining buttons.

One. Two. Three.

I watched, dumbfounded, as he shrugged it off, letting it fall to the floor like it meant nothing. And gods… his chest. All muscle and heat and raw power, flexing with every breath he took. His body was tensed like a predator fighting a leash. My eyes lowered unintentionally.

His pants did nothing to hide the bulge pressing against them, thick and hard, and twitching under the fabric. My mouth went dry. My legs weakened slightly, and I instinctively took a step back. He took a step forward.

“Please, I need your help,” he rasped, his voice hoarse and broken. “Don’t run from me.”

I didn’t speak. I couldn’t. My throat felt tight, my heart pounding in my ears. The heat rolling off him hit me in waves. His scent—earthy, dominant, wild—was thick in the air, and it wrapped around me like a blanket. My sexually starved wolf was purring in my head, desiring him.

“What… happened?” I asked, even though deep down, I already knew.

“I was drugged,” he responded immediately, jaw clenched. “Something in the drink. A sexual craving potion… but it’s not working the way it’s supposed to. I don’t want them. I only want you.”

My lips parted slightly. “Louis…”

“I tried to fight it,” he moved closer, his bare chest inches from me now, his hands trembling at his sides. “Tried to leave, to stay away from you, but this—” He grabbed my wrist suddenly, pressing it against his chest so I could feel the thunder of his heart. “—this is burning me alive.”

I could feel the heat of his skin. The way his heart raced. And the way his cock twitched beneath the fabric of his pants, pressing harder as he stared down at me.

“Please, Olivia. I need your help… I promise I won’t go far… just a few touches from you and it will die down…” Louis pleaded desperately, his breathing coming ragged.

I yanked my hand back and took a sharp step away. My wolf whimpered in the distance, aching for his touch, but I didn’t care.

I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes. “Go to Anita, Louis. I’m sure she’ll welcome you with open arms. That is her job as your mistress, isn’t it?”

He frantically shook his head and looked at me with pleading eyes. “Please, Oli…” he gasped. My heart ached. They hadn’t called me that name for the past four years, and hearing him say it in the most sexual voice I have ever heard made shivers run down my spine.

“The mate bond is pulling me toward you. No one can detoxify me except you… please.”

I scoffed bitterly. “Anita has your mark too, doesn’t she? Tell your wolf that and get out. Leave me the hell alone.”

I turned my back to him, blinking fast to push the sting from my eyes. It hurt. It hurt that he was here because of a drug, not because he wanted me. If not for that potion, he wouldn’t have come. He wouldn’t have even looked my way.

I heard him step closer… and then closer still, until his chest was brushing my back. His arousal pressed hard against me, making me suck in a sharp breath.

“Olivia… I will do anything you ask of me… anything you want… please just give me the consent to touch you… damn! I don’t want to touch you against your will, but my control is slipping away… I don’t know if I will be able to control myself any moment from now.” He pleaded, and I knew he was right. Soon he might not be able to control his desires, and whether I agreed or not, he would have his way with me, and I couldn’t fight him off.

“Please…” he whispered, his voice brushing against my ear like a plea wrapped in silk. “Say something. Anything.”

I stood there for a moment, my heart pounding, my mind racing. Then I finally whispered, “I don’t have a request right now. But know this—when I do, you owe me. Whatever I ask, you will grant it.”

“Yes… yes. I swear!” he answered without hesitation.

I swallowed hard and turned to face him, lifting my eyes slowly to meet his. My throat was dry. My lips trembled. But I didn’t say stop. I didn’t push him away.

Instead, my eyes dropped again—this time deliberately—to the hard length barely restrained by his pants. I watched it twitch again, and my breath hitched.

“Fuck,” he groaned, his jaw tightening. “Don’t look at me like that unless you want me to take you right here.”

I swallowed and slowly reached for the straps of my nightgown. His eyes dropped, following my every move. One by one, I slipped the straps off my shoulders.

“Olivia…” he whispered, his voice rough and deep.

I paused for just a second, then let the nightgown fall to the floor. I stood there, completely naked in front of him.

The air felt cold on my skin, but his eyes made me feel hot. Louis stared like he was seeing me for the first time—like nothing else in the world existed but me.

His eyes darkened, the gold flecks in them swallowed by stormy desire. His hands clenched at his sides, like he was physically restraining himself from reaching for me.

“Gods…” he groaned, swallowing hard. “You’re… perfect.”

I felt like I couldn’t breathe. My lips trembled as I finally found the courage to speak.

“You can touch me.”