17. Chapter 17 #2
The moment he stepped past the threshold, a wall of noise slammed into him.
A thick, pulsing bass, layered with the chaotic mix of voices and laughter.
He winced, instinctively stepping back, his ears ringing from the sudden assault.
But then, he glanced over his shoulder and caught Tarymn watching him, as if waiting to see if he’d back down, loose his nerve.
His stomach twisted, but he didn’t turn back. He pushed forward, deeper into the dimly lit room.
Pulsing lights sliced through the darkness, flashing to the beat of the music, revealing glimpses of writhing bodies moving on the dance floor. Shouts of excitement and laughter echoed through the space, feeding the electric energy in the air.
Ludiin’s gaze swept the room until it landed on the bar tucked into the far corner, bathed in soft amber light. Behind it was a metal shelve full of spirits.
Perfect.
Exactly what he needed. Something to burn away the shame still clinging to him.
“Give me the strongest spirit you’ve got,” he said to the beta behind the counter, who gave him a skeptical once-over. “Now, please.” Ludiin slammed his credit chip on the counter.
“Uh… okay,” the beta muttered, grabbing a golden cylinder from beneath the counter. He poured the liquid into a narrow glass, its surface shimmering like molten silver under the lights. “This one’s strong. Take your time to…”
Ludiin didn’t even let him finish. He grabbed the glass, and threw it back in one gulp. It scorched down his throat like liquid fire.
“Hey…hey!” the beta called. “Don’t chug that! Its concentrated!”
Too late.
Ludiin slammed the glass down on the counter with a bang. “Another.”
The beta blinked, then mumbled, “Your funeral,” and poured him a second. There was a wary look in his eyes.
Ludiin barely noticed. He was already glancing over his shoulder.
Tarymn was still there. Still watching.
The alpha hadn’t moved from the entrance, his broad frame partially swallowed by the dim lighting. But those golden eyes, those damn eyes, shone bright in the darkness as they remained locked on him, sharp and unreadable.
Something about it made Ludiin bristle.
Tarymn’s stare made him want to act out. To push. To rebel against whatever invisible leash seemed to wrap around him when that alpha was nearby.
He didn’t understand it. This need.
But God, it felt good.
He closed his eyes, confusion swirling in his chest, but it wasn’t enough to stop him.
He turned to the drink the beta had slid across the counter, the liquid glinting like a mirror in the low light.
Without hesitation, Ludiin lifted the glass and threw it back.
This time, the burn wasn’t bad, it was a warm, numbing heat that spread down his throat and bloomed in his chest, curling low in his belly giving him courage.
By the time he set the glass down, the tight knot inside him had loosened.
He turned toward the dance floor.
The bass thrummed through the ground, pulsing in his veins, syncing with the beat of his heart. Ludiin moved to the beat, his body humming.
And just before he disappeared into the crowd, he turned his head enough to catch Tarymn’s glowing eyes again.
Those eyes… they weren’t just watching now. They were consuming.
They raked over him, slow and heated. Ludiin didn’t know if it was lust or fury or something else entirely, but whatever it was shot straight through him like electricity.
His breath hitched. A tremor rolled through him. He bit the inside of his cheek to stifle the moan that wanted to crawl out of his throat.
He wanted more of that.
The music took over him, vibrating through every limb, shaking something loose in him he hadn’t even known was there.
And he let it. Let the rhythm guide him, his hips swaying, his hands gliding over the air.
Around him, alphas began to get close like moths to flame.
They pressed closer. Close enough to feel their body heat.
Close enough to smell their scents. Unpleasant.
Yet…Ludiin forced himself to stay, to ignore the instinctive urge to step away
Because Tarymn was there. Watching.
Tension radiated off Tarymn in waves, he looked ready to burst. Like he was seconds away from charging in and snatching him away from the alphas. A thrilling feeling cascaded down Ludiin’s spine.
Would he come to him?
Ludiin wanted to know. God help him, he needed to know.
Ludiin shook his head, unsettled by his own thoughts. Unsure where they’d come from or what they meant.
Yet, he couldn’t stop himself from looking for him in the haze of lights and writhing bodies, his gaze drawn back again and again. Every time their eyes met, a sizzling current pulsed beneath his skin, threading heat through his limbs…and his cock.
Ludiin moaned as he swayed to the music, bold in ways he’d never dared before.
Every step, every roll of his shoulders, every sway of his hips was for him.
Because Tarymn’s eyes burned a little brighter with every forbidden sway.
And Ludiin lived for it. Lived for that glint of something in Tarymn’s eyes that made the air between them hum with tension.
He didn’t know what this was, only that it felt reckless. Addictive. So good.
Too good to stop.
Maybe he could push this a little further, test the limits of the reckless boldness humming through his veins.
His gaze locked with a tall, handsome alpha across the dance floor.
Ludiin wanted to run, but he forced himself to smile at the alpha.
One slow step at a time, the space between them vanished.
A firm hand slid around his waist, fingers pressing lightly against the fabric of his shirt as the alpha tugged him closer.
“You’re gorgeous,” the alpha murmured, his voice smooth, barely audible over the pulse of the music.
His gaze flicked over Ludiin, and then, suddenly, his eyes widened in recognition.
“You’re…no way. I can’t believe it’s you.
” Before Ludiin could react, the alpha swept him into a tight hug.
Ludiin gasped, stiffening against the unexpected contact. Just as quickly, the alpha pulled back, an apologetic grin flashing across his face. “Sorry, I got carried away. I’m just… a huge fan of yours.”
“Uhmm… okay,” Ludiin mumbled awkwardly.
“I’m Ford,” the alpha said, a smile pulling at his lips.
“Ludiin,” he answered automatically.
“I know,” Ford laughed. “I can’t believe you’re actually here.” He swayed to the music as he tugged Ludiin closer, his warm breath ghosting along Ludiin’s neck. A shiver of discomfort raced down his spine, and instinctively, he glanced over his shoulder…
Gone. Tarymn was gone.
Ford’s brows drew together slightly. “What’s wrong?” he asked, voice dipping as his hands slid up to grip Ludiin’s shoulders.
Ludiin panicked.
Just minutes ago, he’d felt powerful. Alive. But with Tarymn no longer there, the illusion cracked.
He didn’t want this. Not anymore.
“I’m tired,” Ludiin said, forcing a smile. “I should go.”
“Already?” Ford’s grip tightened. Not painfully, but enough to make his intentions known. He didn’t want Ludiin to leave. “I thought we were just getting started. You seemed like you wanted to…”
“I drank too much,” Ludiin cut in quickly. “I don’t feel well.”
Ford hesitated, then nodded. “The washroom’s this way,” he said, his arm shifting to guide Ludiin. When they reached the washroom, he finally let go.
“Thanks,” Ludiin murmured, hurrying inside.
The door shut behind him with a quiet hiss. He staggered to the line of basins, gripping the edge to steady himself. The silence rang louder than the music now, his heart thundering in his chest.
He splashed cold water on his face, missing the first few tries, the spirit was finally kicking in.
“Shit, I’m drunk,” Ludiin mumbled under his breath, a silly laugh bubbling out of him, uncontrollably. His damp hand dragged down his flushed face, leaving cool streaks against overheated skin.
The door slid open and shut behind him with a low hiss, but he barely registered it, too intent on calming the storm in his head.
Then, the room suddenly plunged into darkness.
What…? Ludiin blinked, his heart tripping in his chest. Before he could do anything, strong arms wrapped around him from behind, yanking him backward. His back collided with a solid chest. Panic exploded in his throat. He opened his mouth to scream.
But his scent hit him.
Ludiin would know that scent anywhere.
Spicy, intoxicating, dark and something uniquely him.
Tarymn.
He didn’t leave.
Relief slammed into Ludiin so hard it nearly knocked the air out of his lungs.
But the comfort was quickly replaced by the dizzying heat of Tarymn’s body pressed against his. Rough fingers tangled in his hair, ripping through the loose bun until sharp pinpricks danced across his scalp. His head was wrenched to the side, and then—
Tarymn’s mouth crashed onto his.
The kiss wasn’t gentle. It was scorching. Wild. Messy and unrelenting, like Tarymn was trying to consume him, erase every trace of that dance floor and the alphas who’d touched him. Ludiin’s breath hitched, his body lit up like it had been struck by lightning.
Whether it was the spirit or the kiss, or both, he didn’t know. But he was reeling. Drunk on the kiss, dizzy with sensation, and trembling all over.
Tarymn bit into his bottom lip, growling against his mouth.
“Is this what you want?” he rasped, each word searing Ludiin’s skin.
Ludiin quaked in his arms, lips parted, breath punching from his lungs. His whole body felt like it was short-circuiting.
He opened his mouth to say something, but he didn’t get the chance.
Tarymn suddenly shoved Ludiin’s pants along with his underclothes to his knees.