Chapter 4

My breath quickened. No, this can’t be real. Damian must never hear about this, I must find a way to hide this from him.

Elijah was more than just a figure in the family. He was a taboo, a name spoken in hushed tones. Growing up, I’d only heard whispers about him—some called him a rogue alpha, others claimed he’d been involved in dark rituals. And here he was, sitting opposite me, his presence heavy with implications.

My mind raced. How could I have been so careless?

I needed to get away, to distance myself from him and this horrible mistake. I tried to get out of bed, but my legs gave way, sending me tumbling to the floor. Elijah was by my side in an instant, his hand reaching out to help me. “Are you alright?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.

I flinched at his touch, pulling away as if I’d been burned. “I—I need to take a shower,” I stammered, scrambling to my feet and rushing to the bathroom. I slammed the door shut behind me, my heart pounding in my chest.

How could I have been so stupid? I leaned against the door, trying to catch my breath, my mind a whirlwind of panic and regret. What does this mean for my marriage? What have I done? The implications were overwhelming. I had betrayed my mate, Damian, and not just with anyone—with his uncle.

I turned on the shower, letting the cold water pour over me, hoping it would wash away the guilt that clung to my skin like a second layer. But no amount of cold water could erase the memory of last night.

Elijah isn’t just anyone, I thought, my mind spiraling. He’s Damian’s uncle, a man feared and avoided in the pack. How could I have crossed that line?

Meanwhile, Elijah had dressed and was moving around the room. I could hear him, the rustle of clothes, the click of a phone being dialed. My heart sank further. What is he doing?

I turned off the shower, straining to hear his voice. It was low, almost a growl as he spoke into the phone. I couldn’t make out the words, but the tone was enough to send chills down my spine.

He’s investigating, I realized with a sinking feeling. He’s trying to piece together what happened, to understand why I ended up in that bar, drunk and vulnerable.

Elijah was calculating, methodical. I knew that much from the stories. He wasn’t the type to let things go. And now, with this knowledge, I feared what he might do next.

I emerged from the bathroom, my resolve hardened. I had to leave. I couldn’t stay here, not with Elijah piecing everything together. I grabbed the doorknob, desperate to escape, but it wouldn’t turn. Panic flared in my chest. Why isn’t it opening?

I jiggled the handle, pulling harder, but the door remained stubbornly shut. Just as I was about to scream, Elijah’s voice cut through the silence. “Trying to leave?”

I froze, my heart leaping into my throat. He was standing there, his cold gaze locking onto me. “The door’s locked, Annabel. We’re not done yet.”

I turned to face him, dread settling in the pit of my stomach. “Why did you lock it? What do you want from me?” My voice trembled, each word laced with fear.

Elijah stepped closer, his expression unreadable. “You don’t get to walk away from this, Annabel. You wanted to pretend last night never happened, didn’t you? But that’s not how this works.”

I could feel the desperation clawing at me. “No one has to know, Elijah. It was a mistake—a terrible mistake. If we both keep quiet, no one else will find out,” I pleaded, my voice cracking.

Elijah’s eyes darkened, his gaze piercing through my hope. “No, Annabel. You don’t get to decide that. What happened last night is not something that can be ignored. I refuse to let you pretend it never happened.”

His words felt like a death sentence. My world collapsed around me, leaving me terrified of what he might do next. The gravity of my actions weighed heavily, making it hard to breathe. I had made a grave mistake, and now, there was no escaping the consequences.

Elijah turned away, his mind clearly working on something. “I have control now,” he muttered to himself, but I could hear him. He wasn’t just thinking about what happened—he was planning his next move.

What does he mean by that? I thought, fear twisting my insides. How far is he willing to go?

Elijah turned back to me, a cold smile on his lips. “Your life is about to change, Annabel. Whether you like it or not.”