Caught Between Them

A prickling sensation crawled up the back of my neck, the kind that screamed ‘someone’s watching.’ My wolf was suddenly on alert.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

And so was I

I jolted awake, heart hammering against my ribs.

There. In the corner, by the desk. A dark shape, almost blended into the shadows. My breath hitched in my throat. Was that one of those damned rogue. My hand instinctively reached under my pillow, grasping the familiar weight of my knife.

With a trembling hand, I slammed my fist on the bedside lamp. The room flooded with harsh light, momentarily blinding me. When my vision cleared, I let out a surprised yelp.

Sage.

There she sat, perched on the edge of my desk, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She wasn’t wearing her usual warrior garb, but a simple black tee and jeans, making her look less intimidating and more… mysterious.

“Easy there, tiger,” she chuckled, holding up her hands in mock surrender. “Didn’t mean to scare you half to death.”

I lowered the knife, the adrenaline slowly draining from my system, replaced by a wave of annoyance. “Sage? What the heck are you doing in my room at this ungodly hour?”

She hopped off the desk, her movements fluid and silent. “Just paying a little visit,” she said, her voice a low purr.

“A visit that could have gotten you a knife in the gut,” I pointed out, re-sheathing my weapon but keeping a wary eye on her.

Sage rolled her eyes, a surprisingly human gesture. “Please, Amelia. You wouldn’t hurt a fly… unless it was trying to break your nose, of course.”

I winced at the memory of our brutal training session. My body still ached in protest.

“Look,” I sighed, sinking back onto the bed. “Whatever it is, can’t it wait until morning?”

Sage’s smile widened, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Actually,” she said, leaning closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, “this is a matter of utmost urgency. And secrecy.”

A shiver ran down my spine, not from the cool night air, but from the seriousness in her voice. “Secrecy? What kind of secrecy?”

She leaned in even closer, her lips brushing against my ear as she spoke. “The kind that could get you and a certain someone… in a whole lot of trouble.”

My heart skipped a beat. “What are you talking about?” I stammered, a cold feeling settling in my stomach.

Sage pulled back, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “Oh, Amelia,” she purred, her voice dripping with something that sounded suspiciously like… amusement? “Don’t play coy. We both know what’s going on between you and Brock.”

My cheeks burned. How the hell did she know?

“And,” Sage continued, her voice dropping to a low hum, “I also know about Logan’s little… ‘arrangement’ with you.”

My breath caught in my throat. Arrangement? Was that what they were called it where she was from. A secret, forbidden… thing?

The air in the room grew thick with unspoken words and unspoken desires. Sage’s gaze held mine, her smile morphing into something more predatory.

“You see, Amelia,” she said, her voice soft but firm, “Logan has chosen you as his mate. But let’s face it, that alpha gig comes with a whole lot of… baggage. Rules. Expectations. And let’s not forget the whole ‘one mate’ thing.”

My mind raced. Where was she going with this? What was her endgame?

“And that’s where I come in,” Sage continued, a glint in her eyes. “You see, Amelia, I have a proposition for you.”

I stared at her, my brain struggling to keep up. “A proposition?” I choked out.

“Yes,” she said, nodding. “A way for you to have your cake and eat it too. But first, you need to understand the consequences.”

She took a deep breath, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “If Logan finds out about you and Brock… well, let’s just say things won’t end well for either of you. Exile. Maybe even… death.”

My blood ran cold. Death? Was she serious?

“So here’s the deal,” Sage said, her voice back to its usual playful lilt. “You walk away from Brock. Completely. And in return, I keep your little… secret safe.” I glared at her, a scowl forming on my face. My wolf growled so loudly that I was afraid she’ll hear.

“Leave Brock?” I sputtered, the absurdity of the situation washing over me in waves. “That’s your proposition? You snuck into my room, scared the living daylights out of me, and all you have to offer is a blackmail ultimatum?”

Sage’s smile faltered for a brief moment, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features. “Ultimatum? It’s more of a… mutually beneficial arrangement,” she countered, her voice regaining its smoothness. “Think about it, Amelia. You get to keep your life, your freedom, and maybe even a shot at becoming Luna someday. All you have to do is give up a little… fling.”

“Fling?” The word felt like a slap. My feelings for Brock were more than just a casual fling. But voicing that now, under Sage’s watchful eyes, felt like a dangerous game.

“Look,” I said, forcing a calmness I didn’t entirely feel, “even if I was considering this… ridiculous proposition, what makes you think I can just turn off my feelings for Brock? It doesn’t work that way.”

Sage shrugged, a nonchalant movement that seemed out of place on her usually guarded posture. “Love is a luxury you can’t afford, Amelia. Not in this situation. Especially not with someone like Brock.”

Her words stung, filled with a hidden meaning I couldn’t quite decipher. What did she want with Brock? Why did she seem so against our connection?

“And what about you, Sage?” I countered, deciding to go on the offensive. “What do you gain from all of this? Why are you so invested in keeping my… arrangement with Logan a secret?”

Her smile vanished completely, replaced by a fleeting look of vulnerability that disappeared as quickly as it came. “That,” she said, her voice regaining its cool composure, “is none of your concern. Right now, you have a choice to make, Amelia. A choice that could change the course of your life.”

Silence descended upon the room as we stared at each other. It took all my willpower not to lunge for her throat.

“I… I need time to think,” I stammered, my voice barely a whisper.

Sage studied me for a long moment, her gaze searching my face for any sign of defiance or resistance. Finally, she nodded, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips.

“Fine,” she said, her voice laced with a dangerous sweetness. “Take your time. But remember, Amelia, time is a luxury you don’t have much of. The alpha doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

With that, she turned and glided towards the window, her movements light and silent. Before she disappeared into the night, she turned back and gave me one last cryptic message.

“Choose wisely, Amelia. The wrong choice could cost you everything.”

Then with that, she vaulted out my window and was gone. So that how the bitch came in. I shut the window and slid down the ground, staring at nothing till dawn.