Boaz
He was back again.
Boaz stood at the edge of the barn, his gaze locked on the vampire as he moved easily through the space, talking and laughing with everyone, blending in like he belonged there. For two weeks now, Alexander had been showing up to see Lyla but somehow… he always ended up wherever Boaz was.
It didn’t matter if Boaz stayed in the meadows, hid out at the lake, or kept to himself, Alexander would find him. Like he couldn’t escape him no matter how hard he tried.
And no matter how many times Boaz told him to leave, he kept coming back.
Just like the dreams. Every night, without fail they came. Dragging him into a vortex he couldn’t escape. Pulling him into something he couldn’t fight, couldn’t outrun.
And the worst part?
Boaz wasn’t sure he wanted to escape anymore.
That thought unsettled him more than anything.
Some nights, he caught himself waiting for it. Anticipating it. His body heating as soon as he stepped into his cabin. Like his body already knew what was coming.
He’d started avoiding it, staying in the barn until the last pack members left, until there was nothing left to do but go back to the cabin.
“I fucking hate him,” Boaz muttered under his breath.
“What?” Hansel asked.
“Nothing,” Boaz said quickly.
Hansel glanced at him sideways, clearly not convinced, but didn’t push. He turned back to the table, striking up a conversation with Roland.
Boaz let out a quiet breath, his shoulders sagging. He wanted to leave, yearned to be alone.
He could already picture himself lying on the cool grass, staring up at the stars as the moonlight washed over him. But he didn’t go, because he knew Alexander would find him there.
“Fuck,” Boaz muttered, dragging a hand down his face. His gaze drifted back to the vampire without meaning to.
Alexander sat with Lyla and her friends. Lyla laughed at something he said, her hand brushing his arm, her attention fixed completely on him.
Then, suddenly, they all got to their feet. Lyla’s eyes swept the barn and found Boaz.
At the same moment, Alexander looked at him too.
Boaz’s stomach flipped, sending a strange flutter through his chest that made it hard to breathe.
He dropped his gaze to the table, unable to hold that look for even a second longer. When he finally looked up again, they were gone.
Relief washed over him.
He turned back to Hansel and Roland, forcing himself into their conversation, nodding along, adding a comment here and there, anything to keep his mind occupied.
They stayed in the barn until late, long after most of the others had left.
When they finally stepped outside, Boaz stretched his arms over his head, a yawn pulling his mouth wide.
“Goodnight, brother,” Hansel said, clapping him on the back before heading off.
“Night,” Boaz replied, already turning toward the path that led to his cabin. With every step, his heart beat a little faster. The closer he got, the stronger it became— anticipation building in his chest. He shook his head, trying to push the feeling away, but he couldn't.
It followed him inside. Lingered through his shower. Even as he slipped under the covers, it didn’t leave.