CHAPTER 26

Isla’s POV

I 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 comfortable with Stefan. Relief washed over me for a brief moment, but it didn’t last long.

Adrian’s frown deepened, his eyes darkening with rage. "Did you come here with them?" His voice was sharp, almost accusing.

I nodded, trying not to react to his tone. What was his problem again?

"Let's go back, Isla," Lucas suggested, coming closer to us.

Adrian scoffed, puffing into the air, clearly displeased. His gaze flickered between Stefan and Lucas before he added, sarcastically, "Do you really think these two can protect you?"

Stefan’s jaw clenched, and Lucas took a step forward, glaring at Adrian. I could feel the tension thickening between them. Not even in my wildest dream could I have imagined three stupid boys fighting like this for me.

"For the moon goddesses' sake, I will take you back myself for your safety," Adrian said in a cold, commanding voice, exuding his alpha authority.

Before either of us could respond or protest, Adrian grabbed my arm again, dragging me away with such force I nearly tripped.

"You two," he tossed back at them, "stay here and guard the scene."

“Let go of me,” I tried to pull my arm free, but Adrian’s grip was unyielding.

"You shouldn’t be running around here alone," he muttered, his voice laced with irritation.

"A minute ago, you wanted me to go alone and find patrol time." I snapped, half wanting to lash out and half too stunned by his sudden behavior.

He didn't reply to that. After a point, I knew arguing with him would be pointless. I stayed silent, focusing on anything but him. I refused to speak, even if the silence grew uncomfortable. Well, what was I supposed to say to him anyway?

Of course, it was Adrian who broke the silence first. "You seem awfully close to Stefan and Lucas," he remarked, his tone carrying a hint of something I couldn’t quite place. Jealousy? Distrust? I couldn't tell.

I shot him a sideways glance. “They are my only friends, Adrian. You know that.”

But he wasn’t done.

“Friends.” He stopped so abruptly that I almost crashed into him. His hand shot out, grabbing my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. His touch was firm, possessive, even demanding. “Friends,” he repeated, his voice dripped with sarcasm. “Do you think I am stupid?”

I snapped, trying to push his hand away. “What are you talking about? Have you finally lost it?”

He leaned closer, his breath warm against my skin, eyes locked onto mine with unsettling focus. “Are you hiding something from me?” His voice was quieter now, but it cut deeper.

His eyes bore into mine, and for a second, my breath caught. There was something dangerous in the way he looked at me, something that made my heart race despite the anger bubbling inside me.

“Did you finally shift into your wolf?”

 My heart skipped a beat. Does he know? How could he possibly?

I shook my head, forcing a laugh that sounded far more nervous than I intended. “You must be mistaken.”

Adrian’s eyes flashed with cold amusement, and his laugh was devoid of warmth. "You better hope I am." His voice was low and threatening. "Because if I find out you are hiding anything, I won’t spare you."

"I am not lying." I don't know where I got the courage to lie to his face.

His grip on my chin tightened before he let go and his stare grew more intimidating, making me falter. "You better avoid those shady characters and focus on your investigation. And don't forget to report everything back to me."

I nodded, knowing where not to argue.

We continued walking in silence until we reached the patrol team. Adrian stood close to me, even as he howled out orders for them to secure the scene. Every word he spoke was sharp, efficient, and full of authority. They obeyed without question, falling into line under his command.

As soon as they left, I was hoping for him to let me go. At this point, we were out of the woods and out of danger. But he stayed back, his attention now again focused solely on me.

"You are not acting on your own again," he muttered, stepping closer, and grabbing my arms. "Do you understand?"

I yanked my hand free, my frustration boiling over. "You don’t have the right to control what I do, Adrian! I am not yours to order around."

His eyes blazed, and before I could even blink, he whirled me around, his hands gripping both of my wrists now as he pinned me against the nearest tree. “I can and I will.” His face was inches from mine, his breath hot against my skin. “You are reckless, Isla.”

The words stung, but that didn’t mean I was going to let him win this argument.

“I am not your responsibility,” I shot back, pushing against him, trying to free myself. But his hold was unbreakable.

“No,” he growled, leaning closer, his breath hot against my neck. “But you are a problem I can’t ignore.”

Before I could process what he meant, his lips brushed the side of my neck. It was anything but gentle, but it was pleasurable enough to send shock waves through my body, goosebumps spreading all over. My heart was pounding in my chest as if it would pop out.

“What the hell are you doing?” I managed to gasp, my breath coming in short, uneven gasps, though I didn't push him away. Instead, my body betrayed me, a part of me leaning into him despite everything.

He didn’t answer. His mouth moved along my neck, his teeth now grazing on my soft skin. I wheezed, closing my eyes.

And then, without warning, his teeth sank into my neck hard and possessive. I gasped, pain shooting through me. But it wasn’t just the pain that made my heart race.

It was him. It was everything about him.

I was still immersed at the moment when he suddenly pulled back slightly, his eyes locking onto mine as I breathed in ragged gasps.

“I hate that you have her face,” he whispered harshly, in a low, dangerous growl.

His words cut deeper than his bite. My stomach churned and my chest tightened. The heat between us vanished in an instant and a cold, unbearable ache replaced it.

He loosened his grip, but he didn’t let me go. For a moment, something flickered with unwarranted emotions, something deeper, darker, and even vulnerable. But it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by anger.

And it terrified me how much I wanted to believe that beneath all that rage, there was a hint of concern.

Something real.

“I am not Elara, Adrian,” I whispered, my voice cracking as I tried to pull away.