CHAPTER 13

Isla’s POV

“No! No! He is closing in... we need to run faster!” I gasped, pushing my wolf harder with every breath, though her strength was no match for Adrian’s overwhelming speed.

"I am trying... but I can't!" My wolf whispered, her voice weak, her stamina faltering.

Adrian’s wolf's growl echoed through the wood, sharp and taunting flashing his fangs. He was toying with me, letting me know the chase was over. And then, in a flash, he leaped at me, his massive form hurtling through the air, ready to ambush.

I was prey. He was the predator.

I should have been terrified. My instincts should have told me to flee, to fight, to do anything but stand frozen. But as I watched his large wolf descend, a strange familiarity washed over me, a ring in my head pulling me back.

The sensation grew stronger, more natural, pulling me out of the chase... and out of the dream.

The phone rang, barely waking me up. It was Stefan. My body felt heavy with exhaustion from the night before. The encounter with Adrian was still fresh in my mind as I answered his call.

"Why are you disturbing me this early in the morning? Let me sleep a little more." I whined, trying to get back to sleep.

 "What? Why are you not here? It's 10 AM, Isla!" Stefan said, his voice was full of surprise and worry.

"What? 10 AM?!" I shot up, checking my phone screen. Indeed, I was late!

 "Isla, hurry!" he whispered.

"No... No, No... I am late on the first day! This can't be happening to me..." I gasped, scrambling to sit up. "Just manage. I will be there soon." I groaned, feeling the need to scream because of my carelessness. How could I mess up today?

My phone was flooded with missed calls and messages from Stefan.

"Are you still asleep?"

"You're going to be late!"

I groaned, throwing the blanket off and rushing to get dressed. Today was supposed to be important as it was my first day of advanced training as an official senior member of the pack. I was eighteen now, officially an adult. It is a new chapter in my grown-up life. Combat training, strategy, healing… I had secretly looked forward to this, to sharpen my skills in healing and herbs, even when no one seemed to care.

And yet I overslept, dreaming about Adrian, repeating the chase. Everything that happened last night; the anxiety, finding Adrian was my mate, the chase, and the overwhelming emotions, all had taken more out of me than I realized. Exhaustion had wrapped around me like a fog, and no one had bothered to wake me up. Maybe it was because of Elara’s death, or maybe it was just out of habit. Either way, I only had myself to blame for not being more careful.

I threw on my training top and leggings, silently cursing under my breath. But as soon as I stepped outside my room, the house felt gloomy. Only if Elara were alive, this place would be alive with everyone doing something or other to make it special for her. They would be preparing for her first day. Well, no one had many expectations of me.

I realized Ryan had already left, and knowing him, he was probably right in the middle of the drills by now. He was never late. Of course, he wouldn’t be. After all, he was best friends with Adrian, always by his side, and both were being groomed to take their parents' roles after they finished training. I gulped down a quick glass of milk, noting how silent the house was. Mom was still asleep, no doubt overwhelmed by grief.

When I went to the garage to pull out my cycle, I noticed Dad had also left. Yesterday, he wanted me to stay and continue to be a part of this family. He objected when I said I would leave and save them all trouble. Then why was no one doing their part at all? I wondered if my decision was correct.

"They forgot again," I thought, the familiar ache settling in my chest.

 Yesterday was my eighteenth birthday. But it had passed unnoticed. And a part of me understood because it was Elara's funeral as well. But today? Everyone was just going ahead with their day like before. And yet, they forgot how important it was to me. No one even remembered to wake me up or check in on me.

I felt like I was an unnecessary piece in the puzzle of their lives, forgotten in the shadow of my perfect sister and my promising brother. Everyone was caught up in their own grief, leaving me to navigate through the mess of it all on my own.

I took a deep breath, shoving the bitterness aside. This was my day. It didn’t matter if they cared or not. I had looked forward to this for so long. I wasn’t going to let being late ruin it. My wolf hummed with confidence, her presence filling me with renewed determination.

"We can handle this," my wolf said confidently, her voice strong and steady in my mind. "The advanced training will be easy for us now."

I wished I had her confidence. I barely had time to process what she had said last night about our strength, about the Moon Goddess’s blessing. Right now, I just felt like I was drowning in everything, always trying to catch up.

 "We overslept! And you know how strict the rules are..." I whined, stirring my wolf.

"Don't worry. I am here with you," she voiced out, trying to boost my confidence, perhaps noticing my gloominess and lack of conviction.

I believed her this time. After enduring everything for six years, I finally had this chance to get out of the shadows. And I couldn't let this one small thing affect my spirit.

By the time I made it to the training grounds, everyone was already deep into attack and defense drills. The air was thick with the sounds of fighting and bodies colliding as they trained combat skills. I looked around to find Stefan, but I couldn't find him. I sighed, trying to blend into the background. I thought if I could sneak in without drawing attention to myself, no one would notice how late I was.

But before I could even find a spot, a voice roared across the field.

"ISLA!"

The sound of my name bellowed through the training ground, grabbing everyone's attention. I froze, nervously, trying to steady myself.

Of course, I would be the one to show up late on the first day. And of course, it would be Adrian who called me out. My life!

He was patrolling the training field, his eyes sharp and furious as he spotted me trying to blend in.

"Come here. Now." He groaned, his eyes blazing, his presence impossible to ignore. His tone left no room for argument.

Every muscle in my body tensed. Of all people, it had to be him. The mate bond I had felt last night was simmering beneath the surface even now. But it wasn't important. The weight of his authority and the frustration in his gaze overshadowed it.

I swallowed hard, forcing my legs to move toward him. My heart pounded as I made my way over, feeling the weight of every eye on me.