The Abandoned Path

Wabi-Sabi

Lilith woke at 8:00 am, groaning at the new day. Sunlight had yet to reach her window, the sky outside still a rich deep blue. Rolling out of bed, she grabbed her phone, a robe and shuffled to the bathroom. After cleaning up, she tied her hair into a large messy bun and made her way down the hall and into the kitchen. The manor was still, the rising sun casting warm light through the windows into the kitchen. Standing in the middle of the kitchen was Belial, eating a bowl of cereal. In nothing more than his boxers, Lilith could feel her cheeks warm as her eyes quickly traveled his form before meeting his intense gaze. He was more muscular than Leviathan but not as much as Alpha. A perfect in-between. Averting her eyes, she moved to the fridge and pulled out a yogurt and a container of strawberries. Taking a breath, she turned and set her items on the island behind her, bumping the fridge closed with her hip. Lilith's and Belial's eyes met once again, his tongue licking his lower lip in a slow, almost sensual way. She ignored the heat that pricked her cheeks and ears but it was harder to ignore the way her core tensed at the thought of his tongue on her. Clearing her throat, she walked around the island and opened the draw behind him to retrieve a spoon. After a pause, she turned back to the island where Belial ate. Scooting her breakfast along the island, she sat across from him on a stool that was tucked under a marble overhang. His intense eyes watched as she opened the yogurt, dipped her spoon in and brought it to her mouth. A devious smile slowly spread on Belial's lips, causing her hearth is jolt. Before the tension could grow, her phone screen lit up, followed by a soft chirping ring. Quickly grabbing it, she turned her back to Belial before answering it.

"Hello?" she answered in a hushed voice.

"Hey Lilith, it's me." Alpha said casually on the other side.

"Hey, where have you been? I haven't seen you in like two weeks." She sighed, still keeping her voice low.

"I know. Copia has us doing a ton of meetings and rehearsals. Is your boss up? I would love to see you." His voice became rough as he spoke.

"Oh, well no, he's not up but-" her stammering was cut off by a pillar of fire manifesting before her. Alpha stepped out, his eyes red and needy. She bite her lower lip, his blonde hair messy, his face covered in stubble. His presence lifted her heart, a smile spreading across her face. His eyes were quickly diverted from her to the half naked man behind her.

"Belial." He greeted the man with a frown. Lilith watched as his entire body tensed, his jaw become tight and his lips thinning into a hard line.

"Aamon" Belial frowned in return. Rinsing his bowl out, he set his dishes in the sink and walked out of the room without another word. Alpha returned his gaze to Lilith, but his eyes were now a distant, hazy blue.

"I'm sorry Copia is monopolizing your time." She pouted, placing her hands on his chest. "I wish it was me instead." She batted her eyes at him, but he did not seem to take notice.

"How long has Belial been here?" he asked, not acknowledging her. She sighed and turned back to her food.

"A couple weeks." She shrugged, continuing with her breakfast. He sat next to her, leaning one arm on the countertop. "Thanks for telling me about Leviathan by the way. Really appreciate it." She glared at him.

"I figured he would have told you." He said absent-mindedly. "Why is he here?"

"I don't know! It's not like he's warm and fuzzy and he became my best friend overnight! Fuck." She yelled, biting into a strawberry. Alpha rolled his eyes. "What has gotten into you?" she spat, her voice now bitter.

"What do you mean what's gotten into me? You move in here and now you're too good for us!" Alpha bellowed, the furrow of his brow and the creases at the corners of his mouth giving his face a harsh look. Lilith flushed with anger, her heart pounding.