CHAPTER 27

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 was checking for injuries. A part of me felt a wave of warmth. We just met today, and yet I felt like I could trust him.

I bit my lip, shaking my head as I tried to compose myself. I didn't want them to find out that Adrian had some effect on me. "No... I am fine."

Stefan stepped forward, perhaps catching my hesitation, his brows pulling together. "Did Adrian do something?"

"No," I muttered, "I kicked him before it could get worse."

Lucas’s eyes widened slightly, a flash of surprise quickly replaced by something that almost looked like pride. “You kicked him?”

Stefan, crossed his arms, his eyes becoming dreamy. “Wish I had been there to see that,” he chuckled, lightening the mood of all of us.

I couldn’t help but finally smile. “Don’t get too excited. I doubt it hurt him.”

"Still, good on you." Stefan nodded approvingly before his expression grew serious.

"What happened? Why are you both returning already?" I asked, my head now reeling over Betty's death.

“The scene has been sealed off,” Lucas replied, his tone taking a darker edge. “With two deaths so close together, everyone is on edge. The patrol team asked us to leave as they would investigate it further."

Stefan sighed, not trying to hide his frustration. "I am sure by now the news of Betty's death has reached the pack. With two deaths now, the pack is going to be on edge. I am afraid things are going to get a lot worse if we don’t figure this out soon.”

"Right, did you guys find anything unusual at the scene?" I muttered, rubbing my temple. I was desperate for a breakthrough.

Lucas nodded, pulling something out from his pocket. A small, wilted petal rested in his palm. "We found this on Betty’s clothing. A mandrake petal. It's so rare and out of the place."

My breath hitched, my heart thudding in my chest. "A mandrake petal?"

The puzzle pieces were beginning to fall into place. I immediately took out the wilted mandrake flower near Elara's accident site and showed it to them.

"Look what I found near Elara’s accident site," I said, my voice low, my mind racing. "The two must be connected." They have to be connected."

Lucas narrowed his eyes, taking the wilted flower from me and comparing it with the one in his hands. "Mandrake is dangerous," he said quietly. "Whoever is using this doesn't have good intentions."

Stefan frowned, his eyes narrowing in thought. “But who would have access to mandrake? It’s not exactly something you pick up at the market.”

"Exactly," I replied, my mind racing.

“But why would Elara be anywhere near mandrake?” Stefan asked, rubbing his temple.

My pulse quickened. My mind flashed to my sister’s face, her bright smile, and her secrets. “I don't know. I don't think she had any use for it.”

Lucas exchanged a look with Stefan and then at me. "Are you sure about that?"

I hesitated, doubt creeping into my mind. Did I really know her that well? We were never close and we both had our secrets and faith. Maybe... Maybe she was involved in something I didn't know. But then I didn't want to say anything just because it seemed so.

“We need to figure out who has access to this stuff,” I said, breathing deeply. “Before anyone else gets hurt.”

But just then a sharp scent hit me, familiar and unmistakable. I tensed, my body going rigid. He was back again! Why?

Adrian.

His eyes locked onto mine, intense and dark, making my stomach flip in ways I hated. I could feel the air around us thicken as he approached, his wolf humming just beneath the surface, raw and predatory.

“Why didn't you go home? I had to escort you out myself!” He groaned, not trying to hide his irritation.

I opened my mouth to respond, but Lucas was quicker. “We are investigating,” he said, stepping between us. His tone was calm, but there was an edge to it. “You got a problem with that?”

Adrian’s gaze shifted to Lucas, a sneer forming at the corner of his mouth. “Yeah. I do,” he replied, his voice a dangerous purr. “I don’t like people snooping around in my pack's business.”

Stefan snorted, stepping forward as well. "We are trying to clear our friend's name. You are the one interfering.”

Adrian’s eyes flicked back to me, ignoring the others. “I warned you to avoid them, Isla?”

I glared at him, my fists clenching at my sides. “And I told you to stay away from me,” I said, my voice tight. “Unlike some people, my true friends want to help me for real.” I spat, puffing into the air.

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, his eyes flickered with anger and maybe jealousy.

But then it was gone, replaced by that cold, mocking expression. "True friends? Funny way of showing it."

I took a step forward, ignoring Lucas and Stefan’s tense stances beside me. “Why do you care, Adrian, who are my friends and not? I am not Elara.” I shot back, my voice sharp, reminding him again indirectly to step back.

He didn’t answer, just stared at me with those intense eyes, making me feel suffocated.

“Whatever,” he muttered. “But don’t come crying to me when things get worse.” With that, he disappeared deep into the forest, perhaps to the crime site, leaving us all standing there in stunned silence.

Lucas exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “That guy… What the hell is his deal?”