88. Like Teenagers.

Elena.

I have always been a practical and level-headed person, but the excitement I felt from my secret romance with Deangelo made me feel young and full of energy. It was like being in a thrilling spy movie, always looking for hidden spots where we could have some private time.

At night, we would sneak around the house like teenagers, searching for quiet places where we could be alone without anyone noticing. Sometimes, it was the kitchen, where we would sit on the counter and kiss passionately, savoring the stolen moments. Other times, it was in Deangelo's study, surrounded by books and papers, where we would talk for hours, discussing everything and nothing at all. Those moments felt incredibly special, as if it was just the two of us in the whole world.

I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed the thrill of sneaking around like a teenager, keeping our blossoming relationship with Deangelo hidden from the rest of the family. Every secret kiss we shared felt exhilarating, adding a sense of forbidden excitement to our romance. It was both scary and thrilling at the same time.

Despite the thrill, I couldn't shake the guilt that lingered in the back of my mind because whenever I looked at Diego's innocent face, I couldn't help but feel a bit guilty. He had become like my best friend in the house, and I wanted to tell him everything.

But I knew it was better to keep our relationship a secret from the children for now. The family had already been through a lot with Mia's drama, and I didn't want to add more stress to their lives. Our romance was our own business, something I cherished and wanted to keep private.

Nevertheless, I wondered if the children could somehow sense that something was off, if they could see the guilt in my eyes whenever I interacted with them. It was a heavy burden to carry, but I couldn't bring myself to end things with Deangelo.

Both Deangelo and I felt guilty about keeping our relationship a secret, but we agreed that it was for the best. After all the chaos with Mia, the family deserved some peace, and we wanted to protect them from any additional tension.

During the quiet nights, when everyone else was fast asleep, Deangelo and I would find secret moments together. We would sneak off to the kitchen or his study, where we would passionately kiss and hold each other for hours. It felt like we were teenagers again, and the excitement of being together in secret only fueled our desire for one another.

As the weeks went by, Deangelo and I grew closer, and our bond deepened. We started spending more and more time together, going on secret dates and enjoying each other's company. We would go for long walks in the woods, finding hidden spots where we could be alone and talk. Sometimes, we would spend lazy afternoons snuggled up on the couch in his room, watching old movies and enjoying each other's presence. It was like we were in our separate rooms, even though we were actually together. Our rooms being next door to each other made it easier to maintain our secret rendezvous.

Although our relationship brought me happiness, there was a part of me that felt like I was leading a double life. Whenever we were in the same room with the rest of the pack, I would steal glances at Deangelo, wondering if anyone else could sense the strong chemistry between us. It made me a little anxious, but the thrill of our secret love was hard to resist.

Deangelo had his bold moments too. Sometimes, during the day, when I was innocently going about my business or walking through the corridors, he would find me and whisk me away to a secluded corner. There, he would steal kisses from me, his hands wandering with desire in his eyes. I could sense that he wanted more, but I was afraid of taking it further. I worried that I might not be able to give him what he desired, so we stuck to kissing. He even mentioned how it made him feel like a teenager, hiding from his parents and making out with girls under the bleachers.

I couldn't help but giggle at his comment. It was true, the sneaking around made me feel like I was back in high school, filled with excitement and the fear of getting caught. But this time, there was something different. This time, the forbidden nature of our relationship was intertwined with a deep connection and intense attraction. It was not just about hiding from bullies; it was about hiding together, creating our own world.

As we shared stolen kisses in the shadows of the hallway, my mind wandered back to the first time we met. I remembered feeling an inexplicable pull towards him, even when he had me at his mercy, his claws against my throat. I recalled the tension between us, the way he looked at me with hunger in his eyes. And now, here we were, fulfilling those desires in secret, each stolen moment reinforcing the bond between us.

Although I enjoyed our secret meetings with Deangelo, a sense of unease lingered in my mind. I could tell that Deangelo sensed it too. He would often ask me about my past, my childhood, my family, wanting to know more about me. However, I was adamant about keeping my secrets hidden, even the most innocent details.

Whenever I looked into Deangelo's kind, brown eyes, I felt the urge to share my entire history with him. I longed for him to understand, to not be hurt by my past. But deep down, I knew I couldn't reveal everything. I carried too many burdens, too many painful memories that I wished to forget. Growing up was never easy for me, and my pack had caused harm to his in unimaginable ways. It wasn't something I could casually talk about, expecting him to comprehend. It would be insensitive and unfair to expect him to understand me fully. He had every right to feel however he wanted to and react as he saw fit. I had no right to make choices for him.

Deangelo's curiosity and concern were evident as he probed for more information about my life before joining the pack. I yearned to disclose everything to him, but I couldn't take the risk. Luca, the pack's spy, could easily dig up information about my past if he desired. I couldn't allow my past to resurface, not now when I had finally found a place where I belonged.

In an attempt to ease his worries, I extracted a promise from Deangelo. I asked him to wait patiently until I felt ready to reveal my secrets. Initially hesitant, he eventually agreed. I could see the concern etched on his face, and I knew he cared deeply for me. However, I couldn't bring myself to disclose anything just yet.

As we continued our secret rendezvous, stealing kisses in hidden corners, I couldn't help but feel guilty for keeping parts of myself concealed from him. But I had to protect what I had built with the pack. It had become my home, and I couldn't afford to lose it. So, I pushed aside my guilt and focused on the present moment, reveling in Deangelo's embrace, and embracing the excitement of our clandestine relationship.

As time went on, I found myself gradually opening up to Deangelo. I shared my hobbies, my dreams, and my fears with him. However, my past remained a dark secret that I was determined to keep hidden, no matter what.

Despite my fears and uncertainties, I could feel myself falling in love with Deangelo. His kindness, warmth, and protective nature drew me in, making me feel secure and loved. But amidst the joy of our secret romance, I couldn't ignore the fact that it couldn't last forever. Eventually, we would have to come clean and reveal our relationship to the pack.

But for now, I chose to set aside my worries and cherish the present. I embraced the happiness I had found, savoring the love we shared. Though the future held uncertainties, I was determined to hold onto this happiness, to cherish the love we had found in each other.