Erik Logos....

 Erik’s hand is warm on mine. That’s the thing about him—steady warmth. He doesn’t just hold your hand; he anchors you. Golden wolf, protector, Alpha in every universe. His eyes search mine like he’s memorizing a constellation only he was meant to navigate.

And I smile—because how could I not? Erik is everything solid, everything loyal, everything safe.

But then I feel it. That shift in the air, like the atmosphere just realized it owes someone rent.

Mehen.

I don’t even have to turn to know he’s watching. The burn of his gaze presses against my skin harder than Erik’s hand ever could. My chest tightens—not out of fear, but something far more reckless. Desire mixed with defiance. A storm I should never walk into, but gods, do I want to.

Erik whispers, “You’re distracted,” his voice soft but edged.

Distracted? Understatement of the millennium.

Because behind him, Mehen stands like wrath wrapped in silk, every muscle coiled, every thought written across his face: mine. His jaw is sharp enough to split planets. His eyes burn, not with jealousy—jealousy is mortal—but with possession so raw it makes my pulse trip.

He doesn’t blink when Erik brushes his thumb across my knuckles. Doesn’t move when I lean an inch closer to Erik. No. Mehen just watches, devouring, daring me to keep playing at mortal intimacy while he’s in the room.

And I do. Because I’m Ra. And if there’s one thing that terrifies gods, it’s a woman who refuses to bow.

But here’s the truth I can’t admit out loud: every time Erik squeezes my hand, I feel Mehen’s phantom touch somewhere deeper. Every time I laugh to ease Erik’s tension, Mehen’s eyes scorch me with the reminder that laughter won’t save me when he finally decides to take what’s his.

Erik kisses my temple—sweet, grounding. But my gaze betrays me, snapping to Mehen.

He smirks, slow and lethal. The kind of smirk that says: play your little games, Ra. Let him keep you warm. But when I touch you, you’ll burn.

And in that moment, I know—Erik may be my anchor, but Mehen is the wildfire I’ll never outrun.