Kapitel 164: Consent

Chase's POV:

The night had stretched long, and Leila's laughter still lingered in the air as we stood together in the dimly lit hallway. The soft glow from the sconces flickered against her skin, her presence calming yet maddening all at once.

She was telling me about something Ash had said earlier—a story meant to distract me, to lighten my spirits. But I could barely focus on her words. The sound of her heartbeat was too loud, her scent too intoxicating. My fangs ached, the sharp sting impossible to ignore.

I clenched my fists at my sides, willing the hunger to subside.

It didn't.

Instead, it surged like a tidal wave, a primal need roaring to the surface. My mouth watered, and I could feel my control slipping. I took a step back, desperate for distance, my breathing shallow.

"Chase?" Leila's voice was soft, concerned. She stepped closer, her brows knitting together. "Are you okay?"