Primal Senses

Chapter 4

The cold, crisp night air hung heavy over Cherryton Academy as the moonlight cast long shadows across the empty courtyard. Legosi stood at the edge of the school grounds, his tall frame barely visible beneath the flickering streetlamp. He hadn't meant to find himself here, not so late, not so alone—but after the long day of rehearsals and awkward conversations with Haru, he needed space to breathe, to think.

His hands slipped into the pockets of his coat as he stared off into the distance, his mind racing with a million thoughts that refused to quiet. Everything felt tangled, chaotic—his fight with Riz, his complicated relationship with Louis, and the way Haru had looked at him, her voice filled with uncertainty.

The events of the past week played on an endless loop in his head, but one moment stood out more than the rest—the moment he had crossed a line with Louis. That raw, primal connection they had forged during the fight, when Louis had pushed him to unleash his carnivore instincts, wasn't something that could be undone. It wasn't just about survival anymore—it was something deeper, more confusing, and Legosi wasn't sure what to make of it.

He let out a sigh, watching the cloud of his breath dissipate into the cool night air. How had things gotten so complicated?

A soft rustle behind him snapped Legosi out of his thoughts. His sharp ears perked up as his eyes darted toward the sound, his body instinctively tensing. It was rare for anyone to be out this late, especially near the edge of the campus. He turned slightly, his senses on high alert, only to relax when a familiar figure stepped into view.

Louis.

The deer approached slowly, his steps deliberate, the sound of his hooves muffled by the soft earth beneath him. His usually pristine uniform was slightly disheveled, and the hard lines of his face were softened by the faint glow of the streetlamp. He stopped a few feet away from Legosi, his crimson eyes studying the wolf with an intensity that made Legosi's heart race.

"Louis," Legosi said, his voice low but tinged with surprise. He hadn't expected to see him here, not after their brief conversation earlier. "What are you doing out here?"

Louis didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stood in silence for a moment, his gaze never leaving Legosi's. The night felt heavier with him here, as if the air itself had thickened with the weight of things left unsaid.

"I could ask you the same thing," Louis finally replied, his voice cool and measured. He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What's been on your mind, Legosi?"

Legosi hesitated, unsure of how to answer. His eyes flicked down to the ground, unable to hold Louis's gaze any longer. "I don't know," he muttered. "A lot of things. Everything, really."

Louis crossed his arms, his posture relaxed but his tone firm. "You're still thinking about what happened, aren't you?"

Legosi nodded, his large hands tightening in his pockets. "Yeah. I can't stop thinking about it. The fight with Riz... and what you made me do. It felt... different."

Louis's expression remained impassive, but there was something in his eyes—a flicker of understanding, perhaps, or maybe it was something else entirely. He took another step forward, close enough that Legosi could feel the warmth of his body in the cold night air. "You unleashed your true potential that night," Louis said, his voice steady. "I pushed you because I knew you could handle it. You had to."

"But it wasn't just that," Legosi said, his voice growing quieter. He dared to glance up at Louis, his gray eyes filled with uncertainty. "It felt like something more. Between us."

Louis's jaw clenched ever so slightly, though he maintained his composure. The silence between them stretched out, thick and heavy, as the reality of Legosi's words hung in the air. Louis had known this moment would come—had known that Legosi, ever the sensitive one, would try to make sense of what had passed between them. But even now, standing under the pale moonlight, Louis wasn't ready to give it a name.