Shadow Desires

Chapter 11

I sneaked into the pantry to fill up my water bottle. The pantry was empty, and I felt a sense of relief, though my mind was still reeling from what I had overheard between Kylo Ren and Hux.

The intensity of their argument had left me shocked—Kylo was seething with anger, and his lack of control was frightening.

Suddenly, I felt a presence. I turned around, and there he was—Kylo Ren stood behind me, his gaze fixed on mine. My breath caught in my throat.

"I know you were listening," he said, his voice low, almost a growl.

"I could feel your presence."

My heart pounded as I tried to steady my breathing. "I... I didn't mean to. I just happened to be there," I stammered, taking a step back, but my back pressed against the counter. There was nowhere to go.

Kylo stepped closer, his gaze never leaving mine.

His presence was overwhelming, an intoxicating mix of danger and something else—something that made my skin tingle.

"You shouldn't be anywhere near my affairs," he said, his voice softening but losing none of its menace.

He moved closer still, his chest nearly brushing against mine. "Do you have any idea what kind of trouble you're in?"

I swallowed, trying to keep my composure.

"I'm loyal to the First Order," I managed, though my voice trembled.

A small, almost mocking smile appeared on his lips. "Loyal, are you?" he murmured.

He lifted a gloved hand and brushed a strand of hair away from my face, his touch surprisingly gentle.

My body tensed, torn between fear and something else—a pull, a curiosity that frightened me as much as his power did.

"I don't think you understand what loyalty means," Kylo continued, his gaze locked on mine.

"Loyalty is tested, proven."

He leaned in closer, his mask just a whisper away from my ear. "And you—you have yet to prove yourself."

A shiver ran down my spine, and I felt my pulse quicken. I couldn't deny the fear coursing through me, but there was something else too—a magnetic pull that made it hard to look away, hard to resist his presence.

"I'll do whatever it takes," I whispered, the words escaping before I could think better of it.

He finally stepped back, his expression unreadable. "We'll see," he said, his tone both a promise and a threat.

Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving me breathless and trembling, my heart pounding in my chest.

I took a shaky breath, my hands gripping the edge of the counter for support. The fear I felt was undeniable, but so was the strange attraction—an attraction that both terrified and intrigued me. Whatever was to come, I knew this encounter was only the beginning.