CHAPTER 29

Isla’s POV

The knot in my stomach twisted tighter as the end of class approached, each tick of the clock sending a shiver down my spine. The thought of meeting Adrian alone after class was choking my insides. And yet I knew I had to.

The irony was I didn’t trust him. But I couldn't separate myself from him either. How could I? Our every other interaction flicked between contempt and obsession.

As soon as the bell rang, I took a deep breath. Even though this morning I had decided not to let him toy with me, I was walking right into his trap again.

I was walking absent-mindedly when Lucas caught the shift in my demeanor. "Isla, are you okay?" He asked, snapping me out of my daze. His eyes were sharp, filled with concern.

"Yeah, I am fine," I replied nonchalantly.

He wasn’t convinced but didn’t press further. "You know you can come to me if you need help. With anything," he added, his voice genuine.

I nodded, appreciating his concern, but knowing this was something I had to face on my own. "Thanks, but I have got everything under control."

Lucas hesitated, as if not convinced by my words. "Are you going to meet him?" He finally asked.

"I have to. He is the future alpha." I forced a smile, shrugging like it wasn’t a big deal.

He didn't know what to say to stop me. So when I smiled harder, he finally backed off, though I could feel his gaze lingering behind me.

My heart raced erratically as I made my way to the back of the training field where Adrian had ordered me to meet him. What does he want now? How can I convince him not to bother me? My wolf stirred restlessly, reminding her of the warning from the morning.

"I had told you. He wouldn't leave us alone."

"I know." I sighed with a heavy heart.

When I arrived, Adrian was already there, leaning against a tree, his arms crossed and his gaze intense. He straightened when he saw me, his eyes darkening and lips curling into a satisfied smirk.

"Why are you always late?" he snickered, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.

I ignored the unsettling feeling, crossing my arms. "What do you want, Adrian? So much for staying away from me."

He chuckled, moving towards me with long strides. I don't know what came over me at this time, but my stomach flip-flopped when I watched him coming towards me, his hair bouncing in a perfect rhythm as sweat beads, formed from his hard physical activity, drizzled down the side of his cheeks.

I gulped hard, shaking my head. I wanted to control all those overwhelming, confusing feelings, but I didn't know how to. I was suddenly reminded of our moment from last night when he bit me slightly, making my heart pound. I blushed hard feeling flustered.

"Stop drooling," he smirked, and it was then I noticed how close he had gotten to me. I shook my head, snapping out of my momentary lapse of judgment.

But it wasn't really necessary, I realized a moment later. Adrian was capable enough to instill hostility in my heart for him with his venomous words and whimsical demands.

"Keep your distance from Lucas," he said abruptly, his tone commanding.

I blinked, tired of his same threats. "What? Why? I told you he is my friend."

Adrian's expression darkened further. "I don’t trust him. His transfer was too convenient and abrupt. When I asked my father, he only told me to ‘get along with him,’. But I know there is more to it. Something is off."

I frowned, crossing my arms. "You are paranoid. Everyone is suspicious and evil according to you. Only you and Elara are the saints." I scoffed, puffing into the air. "Adrian, Lucas isn’t a threat. Stop making baseless accusations."

He gritted his teeth, and I could see the anger bubbling in his eyes. "So you are saying I am the bad guy here?" He puffed, running his hand through his messy hair. "You think I am slandering him?" His voice grew more heated with each word, his irritation palpable.

"If this is what you want to discuss, I should leave." I wanted to end the conversation before it escalated further and leave from there.

But as soon as I turned, he grabbed my wrist, yanking me back toward him. I gasped, surprised, not expecting him to do something like this.

"Adrian," I managed to protest, not really doing anything more.

His grip tightened as he pulled me closer, our faces now only a few inches apart. His eyes burned with something wild and dangerous before it settled on my lips, making me gulp hard. My heart pounded in my chest, unwarranted emotions developing as tingles washed over me.

"Don’t walk away from me," he hissed before his lips crashed against mine.

For a moment, I froze, too stunned to react. His mouth was hot, insistent, and his hands curled around my waist, pulling me closer. As soon as our bodies collided, a warmth rippled across me, forming a knot in my stomach. When I tried to protest, he used this as an opportunity to shove his tongue inside my mouth. He deepened the kiss, and it was rough, forceful, and completely uninvited. His tongue pushed deeper, and a flicker of something—desire, anger, confusion—surged through me as I closed my eyes.

He tightened his grip around my waist, his other hand now cupping my cheek as he deepened the kiss, almost teasing me to kiss him back. Something came over me, and for a second I wanted to respond, my mate bond tugging at me.

Ding! My phone buzzed with a notification in my bag, snapping me out.

I was almost about to fall into his trap when I finally managed to come back to my senses. Thankfully.

No. This shouldn't be happening. I repeated in my head, summoning every ounce of my strength as I shoved him off me, pushing him as hard as I could.

Are you insane?" I shouted, wiping my mouth in disgust, and spitting out a chunk of saliva. My voice was shaky, but my anger knew no bounds. "Get it straight, Adrian. I am not Elara!"

Adrian staggered back, his eyes wide with surprise, as if he had not planned to do it either. But instead of apologizing, his arrogance was back in a flash. He narrowed his eyes, almost accusing me as if it was not him but me who initiated this kiss. As if it was not him who stole my first kiss so ruthlessly!

His lips curled into a bitter sneer, making me feel disgusted. "I know exactly who you are, Isla. You don’t have to remind me." He spat the words like venom.

My hands trembled as I stood my ground, my heart pounding in my ears. "Then stay hell away from me," I snapped, my voice hoarse. I didn't want to share the same air, the same ground with him, not after what he had just done.

For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of our ragged breathing, our eyes caught in an intense battle. The tension between us was choking my insides. And I could see the conflict in his eyes; the push and pull of anger and mate bond.

"Please... I am not her replacement," I continued, my voice cracking slightly. "I won’t let you treat me like I am her when you please."

Adrian’s expression flickered, but he quickly masked it with cold indifference. "Don't go ahead of yourself, Isla. You can never be my Elara."