Isla's POVNo! No! No! My mind cried as Adrian walked towards Sylvie as if he was expecting this. That smirk on his face told me for whatever reason Sylvie had asked us to stay back, it was not good. Not for me.I fidgeted my fingers restlessly as the rest of the class filtered out. Sylvie’s gaze locked onto the two of us, her eyes narrowing strangely and her demeanor changing to something more serious. My heart pounded uncomfortably in my chest, unsure if it was because of the situation or Adrian’s presence beside me.“Adrian,” Sylvie began, her voice measured, as she flickered her eyes between us, “the tests on Elara’s belongings came back clean."I blinked in surprise, feeling a little bitter. Had he been investigating Elara's death this whole time? He didn't even tell anyone about keeping Elara's charred clothes and some other belongings. There was a strange sense of unease creeping up my spine. I knew how much Elara meant to him, but witnessing his devotion to her firsthand was s
Isla's POVAdrian’s towering form blocked my way, our closeness making it difficult for me to concentrate on what he was saying. I saw his lips moving. But that's that. I was trapped between the cold wall and his rigid body. My heart raced, every inch of me on high alert. His piercing eyes bore into mine, sending a shiver down my spine. His hand shot up to grab my chin, tilting my head, so I had no choice but to meet his fierce gaze.“You still haven’t explained where you went that night?" His voice was low, and he was not trying to restrain his anger. "Tell me, whom did you meet?" One of his hands went on to grab my hand holding Elara's belongings and he laughed bitterly. "Who said you have any right to take Elara’s belongings?” He demanded his voice low and threatening.The way he spat her name stung as if, even in death, she held a higher place in his heart than I ever could. The pressure of his grip made my skin tingle with discomfort and something I didn't want to feel. But I r
Isla's POVAfter Adrian released me, I bolted, my chest tight with frustration and confusion. His grip still lingered on my skin, the weight of his accusations pressing down harder than his hands ever could. I couldn’t get his harsh words out of my mind, or the way his gaze seemed to pull me in and push me away at the same time.As soon as I was out of the building, I steadied myself against a wall, breathing heavily to fill the air in my lungs. It had been intense. And for many reasons, I could still feel his presence hovering around me.But that's when I spotted Stefan and Lucas at the exit, waiting for me. I waved my hand at them. As soon as they saw me, they ran towards me.Stefan's brow furrowed the moment he saw me, concern evident in his voice. "What happened? You look like you have seen a ghost."I shook my head, attempting to brush it off, but my pulse was still racing. I gulped hard, forcing the words out. "Nothing. Just... ran into trouble." My voice was tight, a little too
Adrian's POVI felt restless, as if I had no control over myself, as my thoughts kept spiraling back to Isla; the way she tried to blend in, the vulnerability in her eyes, the sparring match, her strength and speed, her knowledge of herbs and then our little encounter in the empty corridor. I never even spent more than a few seconds on her. But the entire day was about her. Only her.I couldn’t stop thinking about her. No matter how hard I tried, her image kept invading my mind. Her assertiveness, her defiance, and her resolve made my chest feel tightened. No. It wasn’t just out of anger. There was something else I refused to name.I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated. This isn't right. I shouldn't be feeling anything for her, not right after the death of the woman I had loved for years. Elara was gone. And Isla? She was just a constant reminder of that loss. I tried to remind myself again that the similarity of their faces was what was confusing me. She was just a shadow of her s
Isla's POVThe air in the woods was thick with tension as I moved quietly through the woods, the night air cool against my skin. My wolf was the one guiding me, alert and curious. There was something strangely familiar about the scent we were following, though it was faint, almost indistinguishable from the earthy smells of the forest."Do you smell that?" I asked my wolf, wondering where I had smelt this before."Yes, keep following it. We are close," she responded, her voice a low growl.I didn’t question her. I trusted her instincts more than my own. My heart raced, and my mind swirled with too many questions, and too many doubts.As I moved closer to the source of the strange scent, something caught my eye: a glass vial half-buried in the grass, shimmering under the moonlight. I bent down, brushing the dirt away with trembling fingers. It was completely used up. But still, the traces of its contents clung to the edges of the vial. Perhaps someone left it in a hurry. Or maybe they
Isla’s POV"Move..." I whispered. Composing myself, I shoved Adrian away and sat up quickly, gasping for air.I could still feel the lingering warmth from Adrian's closeness, clouding my judgment. Damn, mate pull! Even after the subtle distance between us, the tension was still thick.I could still feel his dangerous, thrilling, and utterly confusing eyes fixated on me. For a moment, I had let myself get pulled into it, forgetting everything else, forgetting why I was out here. And he didn't move away either.I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I had to focus."You gave me a task, remember? I am here to find clues," I snapped, trying not to show that he had such a powerful effect on me."What about you? Were you following me?" I pressed, wondering why he was in the woods as well.Adrian scoffed, standing on his feet. He ran his fingers over his hair and smirked at me, as if I was delusional even to speak about the possibility of him ever following me."Following you?" The w
Isla’s POVI instinctively tried to look around, my body shivering from fear.Adrian’s grip tightened on my arm, yanking me as he pulled me to the side."Go get the patrol team." He said in a low, commanding voice. "I will guard the scene, meanwhile."I gaped at him, trying to process his words and recover from my daze. Maybe it was the best solution if I walked away from the situation for now.But before I could even flinch, we heard footsteps approaching towards us. Adrian pulled me closer, his protective instinct taking over. "Stay close."Just then, Stefan and Lucas appeared from behind the tree lines, their eyes scanning the scene."That girl... " Lucas stuttered, his eyes widened in shock. But they gauged out when he saw Adrian and me standing so close."Why are you with him?" Stefan asked, rushing beside me, checking if I was okay. "We sensed something was wrong and... Who did that to Betty? Are you alright?"I stepped away from Adrian, making me growl a little. But I felt more
Isla’s POV "Of course, you are not her. You will never be her! But that doesn't mean you don't remind me of her even more!" Adrian spat, running his hands through his hair, his eyes full of love and loss.Adrian’s words cut deep, making my blood boil. I kicked him in the gut and stepped away from him."Then stay away from me!" I shouted, my voice raw with emotion.He just kept looking at me, but I stormed out, not wanting to do anything with him. I should have gone home, where it was safer. But Adrian’s words echoed in my mind, clouding my judgment. I was driven by a need to find the murderer and clear my name. I stormed off into the thick forest again. My heart pounded, every step feeling heavier as the frustration churned inside me.I wasn't sure where exactly I was going, burning with rage. Just then, I nearly crashed into Lucas and Stefan. I stumbled back, startled by their sudden presence."Isla, are you okay?" Lucas asked with genuine concern. His eyes flicked over me as if he
Isla’s POVThe past two days had been a blur of exhaustion and determination. I poured every ounce of my energy, consumed by the task of creating an antidote for the Alpha. Every herb I crushed, every mixture I made pushed me closer to hope. The list of ingredients in the old medicine book was daunting. But I still managed to get them and prepare them, except for this one rare plant that grew on the treacherous cliffs of the Black Mountain Pack.My wolf stirred uneasily as I prepared to leave. "Take Lucas with you. It's dangerous to go alone," she urged.“I will be fine. Let's not depend on Lucas for everything.” I reassured her, brushing off the concern.After all, I had scaled those cliffs countless times before without incident. Then I wasn't even aware of my powers, nor did I had my wolf. I was stronger now. So I was confident this would be no different. I should not bother Lucas with such a trivial task.The trek to the cliffs was uneventful, though the sky grew darker with each
Adrian’s POVAs soon as Isla, Ryan, and Lucas left, the oppressive silence in the house only deepened. My father’s condition had deteriorated too quickly for it to be natural. I always felt that but I couldn't confirm it until now. But the truth was staring me in the face was bitter. He was poisoned.Isla's words echoed in my head. I needed to find out the culprit. I needed to investigate this properly. I shoved the frustrating thoughts clouding my mind, focusing on the task at hand.I called all the servants together in the dining hall, my voice firm and unwavering as I addressed them. “Something has been going on in this house, and I want answers. Has anyone noticed anything unusual recently? Any unfamiliar scents, strange behavior, or unexpected visitors? Anything that could have led to this?”The servants exchanged uneasy, nervous glances. I questioned them together and separately. At first, their responses were vague, nothing unusual, just the usual daily routines. Most had nothi
Isla's POVRyan and I walked side by side to the Alpha’s house, Lucas trailing slightly behind us. There was a heavy silence, each one of us engrossed in our own thoughts. My nerves were on edge, but I kept my composure. The Alpha’s condition was critical, and I couldn’t let anything distract me.As we reached the heavy oak door of the Alpha's house, Ryan knocked firmly."Are you sure?" Lucas asked, his presence steady and reassuring."I am. " I need to check myself and see if I can help." I smiled, taking a deep breath. The door swung open, and there he was - Adrian. He seemed to have lost some weight, his face a mix of fatigue and wariness. For a brief moment, when his gaze fell on me, his face softened, and his eyes lit up with hope and relief, as if seeing me erased the weight of the world. And I couldn't help but look at him, frozen in my spot, something stirring inside my heart.He was about to say something when he closed his mouth as his eyes shifted to Lucas, standing protec
Adrian's POVThe tension in the room was palpable as I faced Beta Robert and his mate Linda. Their faces were etched with concern, while Elara sat silently, a satisfied glint in her eyes.“Adrian,” Robert began, his voice measured but firm, “there is something else we need to discuss now, and it can't wait.""What?" I asked, raising my brows. A storm was brewing inside my chest. What else was waiting for me to face it? I glanced at Elara, and her wide smile told me it wouldn't be anything good for me."Elara has come forward with news… she is pregnant. And she claims the child is yours.”The words hung in the air, the weight of the revelation crashing down on me. I struggled to form a coherent response. My father’s health was failing, and now this? It felt like every corner of my world was collapsing.“Pregnant?” I stuttered, my voice barely above a whisper. The memory of the night I slept with Elara after Isla's rejection flashed through my head. What did I do? I felt like running a
Isla’s POVMy mother’s gasp was the first sound that broke the silence. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stumbled back, gripping the edge of the dining table for support. My father's face turned pale, his mouth opening and closing as if he couldn’t find the words.“Who... Who is the father?” My mother finally managed to break the eerie silence, her voice barely above a whisper. Elara’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. “It’s true,” she said, her tone trembling but resolute. “The child is Adrian’s. I swear it.”The revelation of Elara’s supposed pregnancy hit harder than I had expected. My parents stood frozen in disbelief, their Beta composure slipping for the first time in years.For me... I felt like my world collapsed at the very moment. Last night he came, promising me the moon and stars, while he was sleeping with Elara. But then, a part of me couldn't believe Elara. After all, she was a master of deception and manipulation. Doubt and confusion gnawed at me, as I s
Elara's POVI had been trying to reach Adrian for some time now, but when I saw him earlier pleading with Lucas to ask Isla to see him, I knew I had to meet him and remind him about our engagement. I tried to call him several times, but he wouldn't answer my calls or texts.I wished he would come to me, apologize, and reassure me of where I stood in his life after Isla's repeated rejections at least. Instead, I found myself standing outside his home, eavesdropping on a conversation that shattered any remaining illusion I held.Every word between him and his father was a dagger to my heart.They were discussing Isla's power and how she needed his protection and support. I clenched my fist, wanting to thrash out something. I was about to barge in when what I heard next, made me freeze in my place, a tight knot twisting my heart.“If she is really the one, you won’t let her go so easily. Otherwise, you will regret it for life.” The alpha said, loud and clear.And Adrian’s response...“I
Isla’s POVLucas knocked gently on the door of my hospital room, leaning casually against the frame. “Adrian wants to see you,” he said, his voice calm. But I knew he was against it. My stomach tightened at the mention of Adrian's name. I shook my head. “No, Lucas. Tell him I don’t want to see him.”Lucas frowned slightly, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. “You are sure about this? Maybe you should talk to him.”“No. I can't.” I said firmly, though my voice revealed the turmoil within my heart. I glanced away to avoid Lucas's prying eyes. “I want to leave already. When I leave, maybe all this chaos will leave with me. The Black Mountain Pack doesn’t need me here. It never did. My presence only endangers them and complicates things for everyone around me.”Lucas’s expression softened, as he sat beside me. He reached out for my hand and squeezed it gently. His presence had been reassuring and steady in this chaotic phase. “I am with you. You are making the right decision
Isla's POVBeing alone with Adrian was confusing, heartbreaking, and unsettling. I wanted to escape from this tension, to run away somewhere far where I wouldn't have to deal with these feelings I had developed for Adrian.So when I heard Lucas's voice, a wave of relief washed over me. "Let’s go," I said without wasting a second, my voice firmer now.Adrian's hand stopped from tending to my wounds, as he looked at us with gnawing jealousy when Lucas helped me up. Unexpectedly, Lucas lifted me into his arms, his touch gentle yet firm, ready to take me away. I clung to him momentarily, trying to steady my wavering resolve or perhaps hide the chaos in my mind. But as we moved, Adrian stepped into our way with such ferocity that it made my breath hitch. "You don’t have to do this, Isla," he said, his voice low but insistent.I swallowed the lump in my throat, my heart twisting at the raw emotion in his eyes. I met his gaze with as much determination as I could muster. "I want to go wit
Isla's POVMy heart pounded in my chest, as I looked at Adrian in shock. How could he be the stranger I had saved all those years ago? My mind couldn’t wrap itself around the idea. He was the injured and vulnerable boy who had stumbled into my little world by the waterfall, while I nursed him back to health?I stared at him, my eyes widening in disbelief. "You... you are the stranger?" My voice trembled, so faint I barely recognized it as my own.He nodded, his eyes searching mine, full of something I couldn’t quite name. Regret? Anger? Deceit? Pain? He seemed as shocked as me. "It was you, Isla. All this time... I thought it was..." He sighed heavily, shaking his head."Who?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.Did he think it was Elara? Of course, he did! Why would he believe something like that?I had long forgotten about it, but now, somehow, as I processed his revelation, a strange sense of guilt gnawed at me. Why had he never told me or asked me about this? Why would he conclu