Forbidden Flame

Chapter 2: Isaacs confession

Nora sat on the edge of her bed, the soft glow of her bedside lamp casting a warm light across the room. The night outside was quiet, but her mind was anything but. The events of the evening replayed in her head on a loop—Theo's smirk, the tension in the room, and Isaac's barely restrained fury. She had known that Theo's return would stir up trouble, but she hadn't expected it to affect her so deeply. She felt like she was standing on the edge of a precipice, the ground crumbling beneath her feet.

A knock at the window made her startle. She approached it cautiously, opening it to reveal Theo standing outside, his dark eyes glinting in the moonlight.

"Theo," she said, her voice a mix of surprise and apprehension. "What are you doing here?"

Theo climbed in effortlessly, his movements smooth and controlled. His gaze met hers with a mixture of amusement and something deeper, more intense. "I couldn't stay away," he said, stepping closer into the room. "After tonight, I figured you might need a little distraction."

Nora's heart raced at his proximity. She glanced around the room, feeling the tension of their earlier confrontation still hanging in the air. "You shouldn't be here, Theo. This isn't the time."

Theo's eyes darkened as he moved closer, his presence overwhelming. "And yet, here I am," he said softly, his voice like a caress. He reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against her arm. The touch sent a shiver down her spine. "You're thinking about me, aren't you?"

Nora tried to maintain her composure, but the warmth of his touch and the intensity of his gaze made it nearly impossible. She pulled her arm away slightly, though she could still feel the lingering heat. "This isn't just about us," she said, struggling to keep her voice steady. "There's a lot going on. You being here... it complicates things."

Theo tilted his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "Complication is my specialty," he replied, his gaze dropping to her lips. "But I'm here because I want to be. Because I can't stop thinking about you."

Nora's breath hitched as Theo's fingers gently grazed her cheek. His touch was both tender and electrifying, making her pulse race. She wanted to pull away, to remind herself of the danger he represented, but his closeness made her heart yearn for something she couldn't quite name.

"What do you want from me, Theo?" she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Why now?"

Theo's gaze softened slightly, though his eyes still held that dangerous glint. "I want you to remember what it feels like to be desired," he said, his voice low and seductive. "To be wanted. You deserve more than just safety and predictability."

Nora's mind was a whirlwind of emotions, torn between the magnetic pull of Theo and the loyalty she felt towards Isaac and the pack. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Theo, I—"

The sudden knock at the door interrupted her. Theo's expression shifted instantly from seductive to alert. "Someone's coming," he murmured, his eyes narrowing as he looked toward the door.

Nora's heart raced as she quickly moved toward the door. "You need to go," she said urgently, her voice strained. "Now."

Theo's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, a mixture of frustration and desire in his eyes. "This isn't over," he said quietly, leaning in to press a swift, searing kiss to her lips. The kiss was brief but intense, leaving her breathless. "I'll be in touch."

With that, Theo slipped out the window and disappeared into the night. Nora hurried to close it, her mind still reeling from the encounter. She turned back to the room, trying to calm her racing heart as she heard a knock at the door.

When she opened it, Isaac stood there, his expression tense and unreadable. He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. Nora could see the strain in his posture, the way his eyes flickered with something that was almost a mixture of concern and frustration.

"Isaac," she said, her voice faltering. "What's wrong?"

Isaac's shoulders sagged slightly, and he ran a hand through his hair, clearly struggling with what to say. "I needed to talk to you," he said finally, his voice rough. "About tonight. About everything."

Nora nodded, leading him over to the bed where they both sat, the weight of the earlier conversation still heavy in the air. She could feel the tension radiating from him, and she knew that whatever he was about to say would change everything.

Isaac's eyes met hers, filled with a vulnerability that she had never seen before. "I've been trying to ignore it, trying to convince myself that everything was okay," he began, his voice trembling slightly. "But I can't anymore. Seeing Theo with you tonight, the way he looks at you, it drove me crazy."

Nora's heart ached at his words. She had never seen Isaac so openly troubled, and it pained her to see him like this. "Isaac, I—"

"I know," he interrupted, his voice cracking. "I know it's complicated. But I need you to understand why I reacted the way I did. It's because I care about you, Nora. More than I should."

Nora's chest tightened as she processed his confession. She had always known that Isaac cared about her deeply, but hearing him say it out loud, especially after the intense moment with Theo, was overwhelming.

"I don't know what to say," Nora admitted, her voice trembling. "I need time to sort out my feelings. There's so much happening, and I—"

Isaac's eyes were filled with pain, but he nodded, accepting her words with a heavy heart. "Take all the time you need," he said quietly. "I'll be here. No matter what."

He stood up, and Nora felt a pang of guilt as she watched him leave. The door closed behind him, and she was left alone with her swirling emotions. The choice she faced was daunting, torn between the safe harbor that Isaac represented and the thrilling, dangerous allure of Theo.

Nora lay back on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, the weight of the night pressing down on her. She was at a crossroads, and the path she chose would shape not only her future but also the dynamics within the pack. For now, she could only wait and hope that the clarity she needed would come soon.