CHAPTER 22

Isla's POV

After 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 sharp for my liking.

Lucas, more observant than I gave him credit for, tilted his head as if he knew what could have happened. His eyes flicked between me and the direction I had come from. A smirk spread across his lips.

"Adrian wasn't present in the shifting control class. I guess then it must have been Adrian giving you a hard time again," he said with a hint of understanding.

I sighed, feeling exhausted. Even the new guy knows my pathetic situation. "It's not like I can avoid him." I puffed, wanting to disappear so that I could actually avoid him.

Stefan's expression darkened. "He is not going to stop, is he?" There was a protective edge to his voice that warmed me, but before I could respond, Lucas spoke up.

"Want me to walk you home? After whatever had happened between you both earlier, I imagine you could use some company." His offer was genuine.

But Stefan’s jaw clenched at Lucas’s attentiveness, his demeanor becoming territorial. I could practically feel the tension building between them. I rolled my eyes at the stupidity unraveling in front of me.

Stefan, his voice sharp and challenging, shot Lucas a glare. "Which pack are you from again? Why are you suddenly so interested in our pack's affairs?" He didn't even bother to tone down his disliking.

It was a subtle dig, a reminder that Lucas was still an outsider. I sighed. It was almost like we were doing the same thing to Lucas that others did to us. But before I could intervene or before the moment could escalate, Lucas’s expression shifted. His face turned grim. There was a brief flicker of something vulnerable in his eyes. I swear I saw it.

"My parents are dead. My uncle, the present alpha, has sent me to Black Mountain Pack to learn." His tone was quiet, almost a whisper. I could tell he didn't like the idea that he was somewhat forced out of his pack.

The sadness in his voice caught me off guard, and I instantly felt a pang of guilt. I looked at Stefan, signaling him to cut him some slack. Lucas has been nothing but kind to me, to us, ever since we met. We were the ones who were pushing him away too hard for no reason. Stefan's suspicion, while understandable, seemed unfair at that moment. And so was my apprehension towards him.

"I am sorry," I said, offering Lucas a small, comforting smile. "Honestly, we really aren’t much better off. My family can’t stand me. I can safely say they hate me. And Stefan lives alone. His parents..." I bit my lips, pausing. I smiled even harder as I continued. "Well, I guess we are all a bit lost, aren’t we?" I added, trying to lighten the mood.

Lucas gave a small, appreciative nod, while Stefan’s features softened, recognizing the truth in my words.

"Why don't we stick together? Three peas in a pod?" I continued, glancing between them. "Let’s all walk home together from now on. Safety in numbers, right?"

Stefan was still wary, taking his time to decide. "Three musketeers, yeah?"

"Fine. But we are keeping an eye on you, Lucas." Stefan finally conceded, putting a smile on both our faces.

Lucas smirked, but there was warmth behind it. "I would expect nothing less." He snaked his hand around Stefan, pulling him into a comradely hug, but Stefan immediately distanced himself from Lucas, moving to my other side.

"Where do you even live?" Stefan asked, rolling his eyes.

"That way..." Lucas pointed in the direction of Stefan's house.

"Of course," Stefan scoffed, but we all ended up laughing at that, the tension between us melting away.

As we made our way down the path, the conversation drifted back to Adrian when Stefan asked me again what had happened in the healing and recovery class. I sighed for a moment, contemplating if I should tell them, and then finally decided to tell my friends about my situation. If not them, then who?

"Adrian won’t stop until he makes me pay for Elara's death," I muttered, thinking back at Adrian’s cold eyes, his unwavering hatred.

Stefan glanced at me, worry creasing his brow. "He bullied you again, didn't he?"

"I just don’t get it." I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "It’s like he thinks I know something. Or like I did something to Elara. But I only know what he had told me. Elara went into the woods to meet me so that we could have girls talk. Can you believe it? Why would she lie like that to Adrian? I don’t understand."

Stefan scoffed. "Maybe she didn't think about dying. It could have been one of her games to make you look bad.

"Maybe," I whispered, my mind reeling with how ardently Adrian believed that there was some foul play involved in Elara's death.

Lucas, who had been quiet for a moment, suddenly spoke up. "We could go back to where it happened."

Both Stefan and I looked at him, confused.

"To the woods," Lucas clarified. "Where Elara died. Maybe there’s something everyone had missed noticing. Something that could help us figure out what really happened."

I hesitated, wondering if it was a good idea. But Lucas was right. Maybe we got lucky.

Stefan gave me a supportive nod as if reading my mind. "We should go. How about we meet after dinner?"

I glanced between the two of them, my chest tight with both fear and resolve. I was no longer alone in this.

"Alright," I agreed softly. "After dinner."