CHAPTER 25

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 way he was sneering at me made my skin prickle.

Was I somebody so worthless in his eyes? Of course! I could never be his Elara.

"Don't flatter yourself, Isla," he leaned towards me again, confirming my thoughts.

"You are my prime suspect." He continued, his face just inches from mine, his breath warm against my skin.

My breathing hitched in my throat as I gulped hard, my eyes widening with shock. This closeness, his presence, was overwhelming, suffocating, and yet intoxicating, despite his disdainful eyes. The warmth from a minute ago has already dissipated.

"It seems like you can't take your eyes off me." His voice now got dangerously low, and my heartbeat grew louder for both our ears as my blush darkened. "Don't get any weird ideas, Isla. I will not be swayed by those puppy eyes of yours."

My stomach twisted. His arrogance infuriated a part of me. But there was another part, one I didn’t want to admit, felt an undeniable attraction I couldn’t shake. I averted my eyes and pushed him away again, standing up to put in some much needed gap.

"You will never be able to impress me, Isla. You are not her" He chuckled, reminding me where I stand in his life once again.

"No one wants to impress you either!" I spat, making a move to leave, annoyed by his arrogance.

But before I could get far, Adrian's hand reached for me, gripping my arm. I rolled my eyes, protesting to release myself from his hold, his grip becoming firmer instinctively.

"Wait." His tone shifted, serious and alert as he scanned through the area. "Something’s not right. I smell something strange."

Immediately, I focused on my lupine senses. My wolf stirred, sniffing the air. A shiver rippled down my spine as I could sense an unwanted presence around us. Right. It was the same strange smell that I had followed and accidentally reached here.

I turned, heart racing, scanning the trees. "I... I can smell it too..." I whispered, tension crawling under my skin. He raised his brows for a second, confused.

But before he could say something or before I could react, a dark figure darted past in the periphery, moving so fast it was nothing more than a blur. Instinct took over, and I lunged forward, chasing after it.

"Isla! Stay behind me," Adrian barked, grabbing my wrist and yanking me back, his body shielding mine. "It could be dangerous." He warned me. I was stunned to see his protective side for me, something I wasn't used to.

I yanked my arm free, glaring at him. "I don’t need your protection, Adrian," I growled, frustration boiling over. A moment ago he was reminding me how worthless I was, and now he wants to protect me? Such double standards!

But his eyes softened, just for a moment. "What? You are weaker than I. How can I let anything happen to you when I am here?" His voice was low, barely a whisper.

Something about the way he said it made my chest tighten. The push and pull between us was maddening, the constant tension pulling me in two directions.

But before I could respond, Adrian pointed in one direction. I caught a glimpse of someone running through the woods at lightning speed. We both chased behind him, moving deeper into the woods.

"Help! Somebody, please help me!" We stopped in our tracks, focusing on the piercing, horrific scream echoing through the woods.

"Please! No!" The scream grew louder.

"Do you think the voice sounds familiar?" I asked Adrian, catching my breath, and scanning the periphery.

He didn't say anything, but the way his eyes narrowed and muscles tensed, I could even feel he knew it was someone we knew. We ran toward the source of the sound, my heart pounding wildly in my chest, fear twisting my insides.

"That way," Adrian pointed out in the direction where the metallic scent of iron got thick in the air.

As we broke through the clearing, the sight hit me like a punch to the gut. The same shadow darted away, only faster this time, disappearing into the woods before we could get a proper glimpse.

Betty lay sprawled out on the ground, her throat slashed open. Blood oozed out of her wound, staining the ground with a dark stain. Her wide, lifeless eyes stared up at the night sky, and my body went numb.

No... not again.

The scent of blood was overwhelming, and the sight in front of me was horrifying as my legs wobbled. "Adrian..." I whispered, my voice trembling, as I clutched Adrian's arms instinctively for support. He didn't push me away this time, thankfully.

But I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Betty’s still form, the weight of everything crashing down on me. My wolf whimpered, retreating within me, sensing the danger, the horror of it all.

Even if Adrian was more composed than I was, he was still in shock, his breathing getting deeper with each passing second. His hand reached for mine. "Don’t..." he warned, his voice thick with something between concern and command, pulling me closer.

"Who... who would do this?" I choked out, my breath shallow, my mind spinning. We had to do something, anything. But, I felt paralyzed.

Adrian stepped in front of me, shielding me away from Betty's lifeless body. He looked at me with unease, and maybe something more, even worried. "We are not alone out here. Something… someone... dangerous did this."