CHAPTER 33

Isla's POV

 Lucas was gravely injured because of me. And it made my heart twist with guilt. He winced slightly as he shifted, trying to sit up, but when he noticed my expression, he forced a smile.

 "Isla!" a familiar voice thundered, making me snap.

 Adrian was here.

 I hadn’t noticed him at first, but there he was. When did he arrive? And how much had he seen? My breathing hitched, as I gulped hard nervously. But his eyes narrowed, darkening in anger. "Stay away from Lucas," Adrian's words echoed in my mind, and I stood up immediately, distancing myself from Lucas instinctively.

How long had Adrian been watching us from a distance?

His eyes locked with mine, intense, as if he were trying to read every thought in my head.

That's when I heard a soft groan from Lucas, now standing beside me in a protective stance, his hands pressed against his wound. I felt guilty. Why did I react like that when I saw Adrian? I should be here for Lucas. He was my friend. He was my savior. He was in this state because of me. And yet I... I shook my head, taking a deep breath. I wasn't doing anything wrong to get this nervous.

 Now shifting back my attention to Lucas, ignoring Adrian's burning gaze, I asked in a concern filled voice. "Are you alright? Why did you even do that?"

“Isla, It’s just a scratch,” he said, brushing it off. “I have had worse.”

I frowned, glancing at the bloody gash on the side of his abdomen. He was stabbed by something sharp. "That’s not just a scratch, Lucas. You need to get that treated."

He shook his head, still trying to stand on his own even when I extended my hands to support him. "I will manage. It’s nothing serious."

"Don’t lie to me. I saw what happened." I whispered, feeling responsible.

And then, from the corner of my eye, I saw Adrian's eyes burning with fire. My eyes flicked back towards Lucas, and now he was even glaring at Adrian. The shift of tension in the air was too much. I wanted to tell Adrian to be more responsible, but then our eyes met, and I was frozen. I was surprised to see that he was jealous. Just then, I saw a shadow, slithering behind him, creeping closer. My protective instincts flared.

"Adrian, watch out!" I screamed.

He turned in an instant, his body tense, ready to react. Without hesitation, he bolted after the shadow. I watched as he disappeared into the trees.

My mind blurred for a while, and I felt restless. I just knew I had to follow him. I couldn't just stand by knowing how dangerous and crafty that thing could be.

I looked at Lucas with guilty eyes. He needed help, but Adrian was heading straight into danger. The choice in this situation was simple somehow. I was going to abandon Lucas. I fumbled for the small vial of medicine I had on me, my only supply.

“I have to go,” I said, quickly pressing it into Lucas's hand. “This should help slow the bleeding.”

Lucas glanced at the medicine, then back at me. Something confusing flickered in his eyes, but then his expression became unreadable. Or perhaps, my mind was drawn towards Adrian to bother about Lucas's emotions now.

"Do you really have to go behind him? I mean, that thing is dangerous.” His voice resigned, though he knew there was no stopping me.

“More the reason to go, Lucas. I can’t leave him alone,” I said firmly, almost starting to move.

Lucas sighed, wincing as he pushed himself to take heavy steps. I felt bad, but not enough for me to stay back.

 “Go. I will make it back to the Pack and get reinforcements. Just... don’t get yourself killed, Isla.” Lucas said,  his eyes, in contrast, almost pleading with me to go back with him.

"Be safe, Lucas!" I gave him a quick nod before taking off, my feet barely touching the ground as I chased after Adrian’s path into the woods, following his scent of oaks and cinnamon.

The trees grew thicker the deeper I went, and the sound of the waterfall grew louder. My heart raced, not just from running, but from fear. I was afraid of Adrian's safety. I didn’t know why I cared so much, but I did.

Soon, the path grew familiar, and I moved faster like it was natural to me. I followed his scent all the way to the waterfall, only to find the area empty. No shadow, no Adrian. Just the sound of rushing water and the eerie silence of the forest. But his essence lingered heavily in the area. I knew he had to be here, somewhere.

“Adrian!” I called out, my desperate voice echoing through the area.

No answer. My chest tightened, panic bubbling up inside me. "Where is he?" I whimpered, worried about his safety as I looked for him frantically, scanning the area. I couldn't bear the thought of something happening to him.

And then, to my utter relief, I heard it. Murky, almost lost in the roar of the waterfall. But my heightened lupine ears caught on to that faint noise of shallow, ragged breaths. And then a soft grunt for help, muffled with groans from pain, followed it.

“I am here.”

I spun around, my eyes darting toward the abandoned cabin by the waterfall. Why didn't I check here earlier? I cursed myself, rushing towards it.

As soon as the door burst open, relief washed over me before panic surged through me, making me gasp. There, leaning against the wall, was Adrian. He was breathing erratically, his leg greased with blood.

“Adrian!” I rushed over, kneeling beside him. My chest pounded with fear and helplessness. "No! No! No!" I mumbled, tears threatening to fall. I had never been this worried in my life about anyone, including myself.

He gave me a pained smirk, trying to play it off as nothing. “Took you long enough.”